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Afro-Chileans Aren’t Done Fighting for Representation on the Next National Census · Global Voices
Shirley Campbell Barr

The campaign for the inclusion of the Afro-Chileans in statistics, organized by the Luganda NGO with the support from the Ford Foundation. Image: Ong Lumbanga / YouTube.
While preparations for Chile's 2017 census in Chile are underway, the Afro-Chilean community opens another chapter in its struggle for visibility. The community's present fight is with the National Institute of Statistics (INE), which responded negatively to the request of the Afro-Chilean community to include an “Afro-descendant/black” category in its question on indigenous and tribal peoples.
Chile's census contains categories that allow for the identification of the various aboriginal and tribal communities recognized by the Chilean law, but these do not include the population of African descent. According to a study by the INE, however, more than 8,500 Afro-Chileans live in Arica, a port city on Chile's northern border. The study represented a first step for the organizations working for the visibility of the Afro-Chileans and set a precedent in counting the population of African descent. Once this study was completed, the objective of the communities was to be included in the 2017 census, but the INE rejected the proposal.
In response, the “Associations of the Afro-Descendants From the Azapa Ancestral Territory” presented a “protection resource action” against the INE. According to the representatives of the Afro-Chilean community, the action argues that “the arbitrariness and illegality of the action by the INE violates paragraphs 2 and 14 of Article 19 of the Constitution of the Republic […]. These refer to the equality before the Law and the right to present petitions to the authorities.”
The hope is that being included in the census could pave the way for policies aimed at reducing inequality and give rise to actions encompassing several sectors that support these populations in poverty.
According to Rodrigo Ruíz from the alternative media website El Desconcierto, the Afro-Chileans’ fight against the disappearance of their community in statistics, and therefore in public policy, is complex:
La suya ha sido una lucha contra la invisibilización radical, pues a ellos se les ha negado lo más básico: la elemental existencia en la cuenta censal. Como ha dicho el investigador de la CEPAL Martin Hoppenhayn “existe un círculo vicioso con el tema afrodescendiente en Chile, que consiste en que mientras no [haya] datos de algún tipo de encuesta de condición socioeconómica, entonces no existe la evidencia cuantitativa que sirva de base y mientras no se cuente con esa evidencia tampoco habrá conciencia y, al no haber conciencia no hay urgencia y mientras no haya urgencia no se incluye.
Their fight has been a struggle against radical invisibility, because they have been denied the most basic thing: the elemental existence in the census. As researcher Martin Hoppenhayn from the ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Carribbean) has said, “There is a vicious circle with the issue of the Afro-descendants in Chile, meaning that because there [is] no data of any kind of survey related to the socioeconomic situation, then there is no quantitative evidence to serve as a basis, thus without this evidence there will be no awareness and, consequently there is no urgency and thus there is no inclusion.
Efforts to increase the visibility of the Afro-Chileans have been part of a campaign carried out by the Afro-Latin American and Caribbean communities. In October 2000, the “Regional Seminar Against Racism” took place in Santiago de Chile and included experts on Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on economic, social, and legal measures to combat racism (with a focus on the vulnerable groups).
Two months later, the social organizations gathered in Santiago de Chile to celebrate, together with official delegations of various governments, the “Preparatory Conference of the Americas Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Forms of Intolerance.” However, as it can be seen on the Afro-Chileans’ blog, negotiations by 2011, a whole decade later, still showed no tangible results for “technical reasons”:
Ya han pasado casi de 2 años de negociación con el actual gobierno para poder incluir una pregunta sobre el auto reconocimiento de los y las afrodescendientes en territorio chileno. Han sido un sinfín de reuniones con diversos organismos ministeriales […] cuando te sientas a conversar con representantes del INE te das cuenta que no manejan mucha información al respecto y solamente responden negativamente argumentando temas técnicos para la inclusión de la pregunta.
It's been almost two years of negotiations with the current government to include a question on self-identification of people of African descent within Chilean territory. There have been countless meetings with various ministerial bodies […] when you sit down to talk with representatives of the INE you realize they do not have much information on this issue and only respond negatively arguing there are technical issues for the inclusion of the question.
In an interview with Notivisión (see below), Cristian Báez from the Lumbanga NGO explained the negotiating process with the INE and the importance of the Afro-descendants’ presence on the census. According to Báez, censuses are vital “in order to be able to address public policies straightforwardly” and to have a clear vision of the presence and the needs of the African communities throughout the country, not just in Arica, the region with the highest density of these communities. Báez also touched on the phenomenon of the disappearance of the Chilean Afro-descendants from the official records and from the image of Chile as a country:
Esa parte de blanquear a este Chile tiene que ver con [la celebración del] centenario de la República. Antes de cumplir los 100 años, cuenta la historia que el presidente manda a hacer un estudio de autobiografía: ¿Quiénes somos los chilenos? 100 años después de habernos independizado del yugo español. Y en esa autobiografía […] ese Chile es un país de blancos. Yo creo que esa parte fue trascendental en el blanqueamiento de [nuestra historia] y es un blanqueamiento que va más allá de lo fenotípico, es un blanqueamiento cultural también
That part of whitening of Chile has to do with [the celebration of] the centenary of the Republic. Before the 100-year anniversary, it was said that the president ordered the completion of an autobiographical study: Who are we Chileans? 100 years after having become independent from the Spanish rule. And in this autobiography […] this Chile is a country of whites. I think that part was vital in the whitening of [our history] and it is a whitening that goes beyond the phenotypical aspect, it is also a cultural whitening.
Báez also points out the importance of recognizing in the numbers the Afro-descendants from intra-American migration:
Hoy día tenemos que reconocer ya que la presencia [afro] está presente [también] con una nueva diáspora […] la de la afromigración. Los afrocolombianos, los afrodominicanos. Nosotros queremos demostrar que este Chile cambió. Y este censo de 2017 era una oportunidad tremenda para [demostrarlo].
Today we must recognize that there is [also] a new diaspora in the [African] presence […] that of the Afro-migration. Afro-Colombians, Afro-Dominicans. We want to show that this Chile has changed. And the 2017 census was a tremendous opportunity to [demonstrate this].
The historical presence of Afro-descendants in Chile, as in the rest of the region, dates back to the time of the country's conquest at the hands of the Spanish. A summary with references, documentaries, and criticism is available on the El Desconcierto website in the article “Afrochilenos, los invisibles de la nación” (The Afro-Chileans, the Invisible Ones of the Nation).
Another response to the refusal by the INE was a campaign led by Lumbanga and the Associations of the Afro-Descendants From the Azapa Ancestral Territory. The campaign is based on a YouTube video shared on social networks:
El único pueblo tribal que no reconoce el INE somos los afrodescendientes […] Somos afrochilenos, y queremos inclusión.
The only tribal people whom INE does not recognize is us, the Afro-descendants […] We are Afro-Chilean, and we want inclusion.
The bulk of the campaign is unfolding on the social networks, but not only there. Popular venues such as sports stadiums and cultural events have also been part of the scene. However, the movement has not been free of resistance. In February, a group of fans was removed from the stadium for displaying a banner less than two meters in length with the message “Inclusion of the Afro-Chileans—2017 Census.” According to Roberto Corvacho, one of the people who carried the banner, the goal was “to be recognized as an ethnic group, like our brothers, the Mapuche and the Aymara.”
In the video above, individuals recount how they've been routinely mistaken for foreigners and insulted because of their skin color. Each person claims the identity of African descent, arguing that this should not and does not diminish their belonging to the country, which must find a way to appreciate diversity.

author: Shirley Campbell Barr


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After Panama Papers Bombshell Drops, Latin Americans Laugh to Not Cry · Global Voices
Elizabeth Rivera

Screenshot of the Panama Papers investigation cover art from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists website.
People throughout Latin America have expressed their indignation on social media after the #PanamaPapers investigation seemingly revealed that corruption remains one of the region's toughest problems.
The cache of documents blew the lid on non-declared resources owned currently or at one time by high-ranking politicians, including President of Argentina Mauricio Macri and public servants connected to the presidents of Venezuela and Mexico among others; powerful businessmen; football stars like Lionel Messi and Ivan Zamorano; and celebrities like Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar.
Online commentary has revolved around the need for transparency and a collective effort to ensure accountability, a daunting prospect in a region where governments and the elite work hard to ensure inequalities stay in place.
But beyond outrage, Latin Americans have resorted to their tried-and-tested way of making sense of the leaks — using humor.
#panamapapers
Miguel del Sel atendiendo el teléfono desde la embajada de Panama a periodistas… pic.twitter.com/lYc1uQcdNN
— Profe Argentino (@Profesoyarg) April 4, 2016
Tweet: [Argentinian ambassador in Panama] Miguel del Sel speaking on the phone to journalists.
Image: -Panama, 2:02 pm
-No, I'm sorry, I can't give any information about Macri's secret illegal accounts.
-Uh-oh, I shouldn't have said it was Macri's, damn!
-I shouldn't have said it was secret, damn!
-Why did I say it was illegal!?
-Oh, it's hot out.
La cuenta de @mauriciomacri en Panamá no tiene fondos. No es nada ilegal. Sigan con lo suyo. #Panamapapers. pic.twitter.com/VMKbIuIAuZ
— Javier Smaldone (@mis2centavos) April 3, 2016
The accounts of @mauriciomacri in Panama doesn't have funds. There's nothing illegal about it. Go on, nothing to see here.
¿Un presidente corrupto? ¿Tienen idea de lo loco que se oye eso? #panamapapers#BastaDeCorrupcionpic.twitter.com/fVPYUlGHsR
— Sapo de otro Pozo..! (@LeoMoneta) April 4, 2016
A corrupt president? Do you have any idea how crazy that sounds?
Yo solo presté el nombre, no tenía nada que ver con la sociedad #panamapaperspic.twitter.com/jr64tPFkzC
— Nano (@nanothompson) April 4, 2016
I just lent it my name. I had nothing to do with the company.
¡Aparecen los 50 mil pesos del CANACA en los Panamá Papers! https://t.co/GuHtGbuT8N
— Eldeforma (@eldeforma) April 4, 2016
The 50,000 pesos from CANACA have been found in the Panama Papers! One hundred bills of 500 pesos, finally solving the mystery of where were they.
Guillermo López Langarica, aka CANACA, was a Mexican YouTube celebrity who accidentally rose to fame after a video interview in which he explained how he was wrongly detained for drunk-driving since he had not ‘crashed yet’. He also claimed the police officers robbed him of 50,000 Mexican pesos (aprox. 2.800 US dollars) he was carrying, explaining he had a pack of a hundred 500 peso bills.
Cuando el SAT llegó a investigar los Papeles de Panamá pero les dijeron que EPN, Videgaray, HIGA y Cía; están allí. pic.twitter.com/Cc0ei4oQjE
— Cantúsinmás (@Cantusinmas) April 4, 2016
When the Tax Administration Service came to investigate the Panama Papers and were told that [President] Enrique Peña Nieto, [Secretary of Finance and Public Credit] Videgaray, HIGA [a shady construction company tied to a scandal involving the first lady] and co. are in there
Los Simpson ya sabían qué ocurriría con los Papeles de Panamá desde hace 20 años!!! https://t.co/TOKDGiNPzHpic.twitter.com/PMbfVJq6QE
— Sopitas (@sopitas) April 4, 2016
[American TV animated series] The Simpsons knew what was going on with the Panama Papers 20 years ago!
En el caso de Venezuela en los #panamapapers como que sale más barato publicar la lista de los que NO están metidos.
— Laureano Marquez (@laureanomar) April 4, 2016
In the case of Venezuela with the #panamapapers it seems to be cheaper to publish the list of those who are NOT implicated
Jorge Burgos, gásfiter oficial de La Moneda, a tres turnos pa que no se filtren más nombres en #panamapapersChile
— Meiwest (@maxekampos) April 4, 2016
[Interior Minister] Jorge Burgos, official plumber at [the president's office] La Moneda currently working three shifts to prevent more names from leaking.
Un saludo a tod@s los que participaron en la ‘vaquita’ para ayudar a Zamorano. #PanamaPapers
— Difamadores (@difamadores) April 3, 2016
Greetings to everybody who contributed to the crowdfunding to help Zamorano.
In 2014, Chilean celebrities and public figures expressed their support to Ivan Zamorano when news broke that he was struggling with an approximately 3 million US dollars of debt after a major project he was involved in – a vast sports complex in Santiago, Chile – hit upon financial difficulties.
Messi no evade impuestos. Los gambetea.
— peñalba (@penalba) April 5, 2016
Messi doesn't evade taxes. He dribbles them.
«Todo sobre mis sociedades» (2016)
La próxima película de Almodóvar sobre los “Papeles de Panamá” pic.twitter.com/Sy2yEirk1y
— Manuel Cerdá (@unmundolibre) April 4, 2016
“All about my companies” (2016)
Next Almodóvar movie about the Panama Papers.
Since many mainstream news outlets haven't given the leaks much coverage, and Twitter demographics are different from Facebook, Mexican born @MexicAnarchist commented:
Your parents, uncles and aunts are gonna be mad in about a week when the Panama papers thing appears on Facebook meme pages.
— Tony Is Dumb Face (@MexicAnarchist) April 3, 2016
Of course, social media wasn't all jokes. One interesting example was from Mexican group Pictoline, which made graphics of the latest news surround the leaks. For the reactions to the Panama Papers, Pictoline took the words of Guardian columnist Owen Jones and pointed at the importance of not remaining cynical when events like this take place:
Photo: Image shared by Pictoline on their Facebook and Twitter public page
-So a big chunk of the world's political and economic elite are secretly stashing away wealth while imposing or supporting cuts for everyone else.
-Now I know a lot of you want to respond with sarcastic responses.
-Don't.
-That's exactly the attitude that allows these injustices to continue.
-We end up thinking it's a fact of life, like the weather.
-So don't get cynical, get angry and let's do something about it.
Meanwhile, Panamanian Global Voices author Ariel Moreno commented on his Facebook wall:
Yo siempre he sabido que Panamá era un paraíso…
Viéndole el lado positivo la próxima vez que conozca a alguien que no sepa donde queda Panamá tendré más referencias para darle.
I have always known Panama is a paradise…
Seeing the bright side here: Next time I meet someone who doesn't know where Panama is, I'll have more references to give.

source: news-globalvoices

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Elizabeth Rivera


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As Deportations Begin, Portuguese Continue Speaking Out Against European Union-Turkey Deal · Global Voices
Manuel Ribeiro

Syrian and Iraqi immigrants getting off a boat from Turkey on the Greek island of Lesbos. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, (CC-BY-SA 4.0)
This is an edited version of a post originally written in Portuguese.
A controversial agreement between the European Union and Turkey to send asylum seekers of all nationalities except Syrian to Turkey came into force on Monday, 4 April.
As part of the deal, the EU will also take in one Syrian refugee from the 2.7 million living in Turkish camps for each refugee they send back. Turkey will receive billions in aid and its citizens will be able to enter and travel visa-free around the Schengen Zone — an area comprising 26 European countries that don't have border controls between them —  in exchange.
The deal also speeds up the process allowing Turkey to join the European Union. It's meant to help manage the tide of people fleeing war and insecurity for the relative safety of Europe but this has been much criticized by human rights groups.
Monday saw the first deportations. A video posted to Facebook by user Benjamín Julian showed refugees being shuttled from Chios, Greece, on a Turkish boat while a few people shout “freedom”.
On Facebook, Portuguese professor Manuel Pinto commented:
Hoje tem início um dos atos mais vergonhosos da política da União Europeia. (…) Os refugiados de guerra passaram, de novo, a chamar-se migrantes ilegais e a UE pagou à Grécia para os deportar para a Turquia, ou seja, para fora das fronteiras da União. Erdogan, por sua vez, encarregar-se-á, também à custa de dinheiro europeu, de devolver à Síria os que não lhe interessar reter. Hoje partiu o primeiro barco de condenados.
Há que pedir contas a quem devolve à guerra quem foge da guerra. Os media, seduzidos e entretidos pela categoria dos figurões do escândalo mundial dos Panama Papers, irão relegar este escândalo dos refugiados para segundo plano. Prestemos atenção aos telejornais.
Today starts one of the most shameful acts of European Union diplomacy. […] Refugees of war are again named illegal migrants, and the EU paid Greece to deport them to Turkey, away from EU border. [Turkish President] Erdogan, on the other hand, will take charge, also with the European money, to return these refugees back to Syria. Today, the first shipment takes off with condemned people. We must hold those who return these people fleeing from battle back to battle responsible. And the media is now entertained with the Panama Papers scandal, this will be relegated to backstage. Let's keep an eye on the newspapers.
Throughout the negotiations, which began on 7 March 2016, people spoke out against the proposal. The agreement, discussed in the European Council between 17 and 18 March with Turkey, was considered by the High Commission of the United Nations for Refugees (UNHCR) and by humanitarian organizations as “violating international rights”.
Amnesty International called it “inhumane, cruel, and immoral” because it concerned “human beings and not merchandise.” The London-based human rights organization declared that Turkey “has not been a safe country for refugees” and criticized that the country “illegally detains and assaults refugees, shoots at Syrians who try to cross the border and has conducted forced returns of asylum seekers”.
Acordo #UETurquia resume refugiados a mercadoria. Temos 2 dias p/ #StopTheDeal. Atue! RT > https://t.co/WgUiRnZbzZ pic.twitter.com/YSmgSy3Au9
— Amnistia Portugal (@AmnistiaPT) March 15, 2016
#EUTurkey agreement equates refugees to merchandise. We have 2 days to #StopTheDeal. Take action!
According to Oxfam, almost 60 million people are currently “displaced” from their homes and lands, “the largest number in memory recorded by the United Nations since the Second World War. Almost half a million came to Europe last year, but the large majority remains close to their countries of origin”. Oxfam also added that Lebanon, with a population of 4.5 million, is one of the most challenged nations, hosting 1.2 million refugees from its neighbour Syria.
In Portugal, Amnesty International asked Portuguese people to appeal to Portugal's National Commission for Human Rights and urge the government to say no to the agreement using Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #StopTheDeal.
#StopTheDeal Don't trade refugees pic.twitter.com/BPxuddZEks
— Maria WarsinskaVarsi (@MariaWarsVarsi) March 17, 2016
A petition to say “NO” to this agreement was created on Change.org, which attracted 73,802 signatures. One person who signed from Portugal wrote:
It's time to stop this! We should make the difference for these innocent people.
Despite the public outcry, the deal with Turkey went ahead. On 19 March, the EU released the outcome of the agreement which settles on nine points, the last of which reads, “The EU and Turkey will work to improve humanitarian conditions inside Syria.”

author: Manuel Ribeiro


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Bahrain’s Formula 1 Grand Prix Ends in Tragedy: Teen Killed in Police Arrest · Global Voices
Batool Al Musawi

Bahraini Ali Abdul Ghani, a teenager killed in Shakhura village while the world's media was fixated on the Formula One race happening next door
Behind the fireworks, shiny racing cars and celebrations of the Formula One Grand Prix in Bahrain, 17-year-old Ali Abdul Ghani was gasping for his last breath. As Nico Rosberg, the race's winner, celebrated his victory, the young man, who was on the run, and sentenced to five years in prison, was probably already dead.
amazing feeling to win in Bahrain #F1 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/gJxZnrjuXx
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) April 4, 2016
The teenager had sustained serious injuries as he was running away from security forces and masked men who attempted to arrest him. This all took place in a neighboring village to the Bahrain International Circuit just as the massive event was launched there on the March 31.
The Bahraini Interior Ministry's Twitter account tweeted:
Fugitive sentenced to 5 years in jail arrested. Injured in fall from building in Shahrakan while trying to escape. #Bahrain
— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) March 31, 2016
It did not elaborate further. Yesterday, Abdul Ghani's death was announced and today thousands marched in the village of Shahrakan, where he was buried.
In this video, crowds chanted angrily as they marched the streets breaking an official ban on protests.
Masses join the funeral procession of Ali Abdulghani demanding investigation and accountability#Bahrain #alwefaq
pic.twitter.com/XS7p6X2IOu
— AlwefaqEN (@AlWefaqEN) April 5, 2016
The opposition group, Al Wefaq, also reported arrests after the funeral.
Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, who works for the BIRD human rights organisation based in the UK, called for an investigation:
BREAKING: #Bahrain Grand Prix marked by teenager's death: NGOs call for investigation: https://t.co/XDhCuMz8TN pic.twitter.com/hQelnKxAEd
— Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei (@SAlwadaei) April 4, 2016
But Bahrain has been failing to score credible points in its human rights and justice records. Alwadaei's NGO, along with four others, said in their joint-statement:
Ali’s death comes during the 2016 Formula One race and as authorities threaten to increase security across the country. He is the second to die during the event after Salah Abbas, a father of five who was killed by police on the eve of the 2012 race after being tortured and shot. His corpse was found on the roof of a building. Despite promises by authorities to open an investigation, no one has ever been held responsible for Salah’s death.
The statement includes alarming details given by eye-witnesses on how he sustained his injuries.
Even Abdul Ghani's death certificate did not state the reason of death:
فتش عن سبب الوفاة ف هذه الشهادة التي أصدرها المستشفى العسكري ل #على_عبد_الغني شهادة مخالفة للاعراف المرعية #Bahrain pic.twitter.com/FCNlm4dV4M
— يوسف ربيع (@yussufrabie) April 5, 2016
Look for the reason of death in this death certificate issued by the Bahrain Defense Hospital which is in violation to the norm
The tiny Gulf kingdom has been repeatedly slammed by leading human rights organisations as well as the United Nations for failing to fix its political and human rights problems which exploded into chaos with a mass crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011.
Human rights defender Nabeel Rajab tweeted another painful truth of the story:
18 years old Ali died as he is trying to escape the arrest and few weeks after the release of his Mother #Bahrain pic.twitter.com/ivjTdluuw4
— Nabeel Rajab (@NABEELRAJAB) April 4, 2016
Pictures of protests in villages quickly emerged on Twitter, noticeably, mentioning John Kerry, US Secretary of State, who is set to visit Bahrain this week.
#KerryInBahrain @JohnKerry #Bahrain tonight pic.twitter.com/LXZXWKxdYu
— Bahrain (@mowalee) April 4, 2016
Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain nailed the senior official's timeline with tweets asking him to raise vital issues like torture, revocation of citizenship and imprisonment of prominent political leaders.
.@johnkerry should raise issue of #torture in #Bahrain, which includes sexual assault & solitary confinement. #KerryInBahrain
— ADHRB (@ADHRB) April 1, 2016

author: Batool Al Musawi


text:
Chinese Censors Erase #PanamaPapers Evidence From Web · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Relatives of current top leader Xi Jinping and ex-top leader Li Peng have offshore companies arranged through Mossak Fonseca. Images from ICIJ.
While the whole world is talking about the #PanamaPapers, the giant leak of confidential documents from a Panama-based firm that aided scores of politicians in hiding money by setting up offshore shell companies around the world, the majority of mainland Chinese know nothing about its existence.
According to the documents, which were compiled by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), the leaked files reveal offshore companies linked to the family of China's top leader, Xi Jinping, who has vowed to fight “armies of corruption”.
China's Web censor has blocked #PanamaPapers from major search engines and deleted all discussions about the leak on social media since April 4, in an effort to keep the majority of mainland Chinese people from finding out that (according to ICIJ) “family members of at least eight current or former members of China's Poliburo Standing Committee, the couture's main ruling body, have offshore companies arranged through Mossack Fonseca.” Netizens are reporting that even emails referencing the leak have been tampered with.
China-based netizens have been posting regular updates on the censorship measures on Twitter. First, the Chinese translation of Panama Papers vanished from top three search engines in China.
Censorship in #China – Results searching #panamapapers in 3Top SearchEngines: Baidu,360 Search &Sogou. @TobiasBasuki pic.twitter.com/JjabpGXyt2
— Christine.S.Tjhin陈姝伶 (@cataya) April 5, 2016
The screen-captured images show the pop-up notice that appears when users search the sensitive term: “Search results may not comply with relevant laws, regulations and policies, not displayed. It is recommended to try searching other related terms.”
All other related terms, news and discussions were deleted in a matter of a few second on Weibo:
墙内荒唐到了连冰岛愤怒选民向议会的墙壁投掷鸡蛋和香蕉的新闻都封锁了，凡是与保密银行洗钱有关的，甚至于连“巴拿马”这三个字都在被秒删！中国大陆的网管简直疯子了，一直在删，刚刷屏看见有人发文，刚点了个赞。这帖子就瞬间消失了，看来中共是不留任何死角！建议此刻大家伸手帮助墙内同胞了解真相
— 小悲 (@Zodiac4698) April 5, 2016
Within the Great Fire Wall, the most ridiculous [censorship is happening]. Even the news about people in Iceland throwing eggs and banana at the Legislative Building were deleted. All posts that touched up secrecy, bank, money laundry and panama were deleted within a few seconds! The web censors are nuts, they keep deleting. I just added a like to a post and it vanished. It seems that the Chinese Communist Party is filling up all holes in the wall. I suggest those outside the wall help your fellow from inside to know the truth.
Even private e-mails appear to be under sensitive word filtering:
网管要求自查自删所有涉及 #巴拿马文件 的内容，包括评论、微信。。刚看到好几位记者表示他们单位“不让翻墙”，于是能翻的人把维基百科做了个文档 供大家下载，但不翻墙的人说下不了（邮箱能受到）微信连文件下载都做过滤了 pic.twitter.com/Ia2YXkbPAz
— 贝带劲 (@beidaijin) April 5, 2016
Web administrators have to self-censor and delete all contents related with @Panamapapers from all Weibo comments and Wechat. Some reporters from mainland China just complained that their media organizations had stopped them from “climbing over the wall”. For those who can access wikipedia, they attempted to circulate the information through email attachment, but their friends within the wall said they could not download the files (as the emails are filtered), even attachments via WeChat are filtered.
Leaked censorship instructions indicated that the propaganda authorities are acting in full gear (via China Digital Times):
X Province Internet Information Office: Find and delete reprinted reports on the Panama Papers. Do not follow up on related content, no exceptions. If material from foreign media attacking China is found on any website, it will be dealt with severely. This directive was delivered orally to on-duty editors. Please act immediately. (April 4, 2016)
X Website: Please withdraw the article “Panama Papers Leaked, Putin in USD 200 Million Money Laundering Scandal” and related stories from the dual homepages [site-wide and news] (including [social media] clients), and move articles to the backend of the site. (April 4, 2016)
The ICIJ report implicates the brother-in-law of current Chinese president Xi Jinping, daughter of former Chinese Premier Li Peng, granddaughter of Jia Qinglin who stepped down from the Politburo Standing Committee in 2012, and business partner of Gu Kaila, the wife of former Chinese politician Bo Xilai who was sentenced to life imprisonment for corruption in 2013.
Below is a detailed description of the Chinese power players in ICIJ's report:
Li Xiaolin is the second child and only daughter of former Chinese Premier Li Peng. She was the vice president of China Power Investment Corporation, a state-run power company and served as a delegate to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference or CPPCC, an advisory body to the Chinese legislature. She has been called China’s “Power Queen.”
Deng Jiagui, who has made a fortune in real estate development, became “Red Nobility” in 1996 when he married Qi Qiaoqiao, the daughter of Xi Zhongxun, one of China's revolutionary heroes and a former top official. Qi Qiaoqiao’s younger brother is Xi Jinping, who is president of China and head of China’s Communist Party. An investigative report by Bloomberg News in 2012 revealed that Deng and his wife had hundreds of millions of dollars in real estate, share holdings and other assets.
Jasmine Li became famous in China after she was photographed attending a debutante ball in Paris in 2009 with other wealthy and politically connected young female friends. Li attended boarding school in the United States and completed a bachelor’s degree at Stanford University in California. After leaving the university, Li began working in the art world as an assistant for the New York-based Chinese artist Cai Guoqiang and later as an “gallery relations liason” for the online art retailer Artsy in New York and Hong Kong. Her grandfather, Jia Qinglin, was China's fourth-ranking official on the ruling Politburo Standing Committee until he stepped down in 2012.
French architect Patrick Henri Devillers was a business partner of Gu Kailai, the wife of former high-flying Chinese politician Bo Xilai. Devillers met the Gu when her husband was a Communist Party official in charge of the industrial port town of Dalian in far northeastern China. Devillers and Gu were co-directors of Adad Limited, a company registered in the United Kingdom, but Devillers also helped Gu set up a secret offshore company that was used to purchase a luxury villa in the south of France. Devillers was detained in June 2012 at his home in Cambodia at Beijing's request and spent several weeks in custody in China before being released. His testimony was used in the 2013 corruption trial of Bo Xilai.
According to BBC's latest report, two more members from the Politburo Standing Committee, Zhang Gaoli and Liu Yunshan, have relatives-in-law holding off-shore firms in the leaked files. Liu Yunshan is the head of propaganda in China.
Thus far, there has been no official response to the Panama Papers, but the party-affiliated mouthpiece Global Times stressed that “powerful forces” are operating behind the scenes, denouncing the leak as a conspiracy against leaders from non-Western countries and suggesting that Vladimir Putin was a primary target of the leak.

author: Oiwan Lam


text:
‘Free West Papua’ Campaign Turns to Social Media for Global Support · Global Voices
Dalia

Source: Free West Papua Campaign
The ‘Free West Papua Campaign’ is asking Internet users to post photos supporting the hashtag #LetWestPapuaVote.
West Papua is currently a province of Indonesia, but there is a movement inside and outside the country calling for the establishment of an independent state.The social media campaign promoting the hashtag #LetWestPapuaVote aims to garner the support of the international community in time for the gathering of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua (IPWP) in the United Kingdom Houses of Parliament on May 3.
The campaign explains:
This meeting is very important, as it will mark the official call for an internationally supervised vote in West Papua by the end of the decade.
West Papua was colonized by the Netherlands in 1898. After 62 years, the Dutch government began to prepare West Papua for independence. In 1961, the people of West Papua declared independence and raised their new flag – “The Morning Star“.
The Indonesian military subsequently invaded West Papua. In 1969, a plebiscite was held where 1,000 delegates selected by the Indonesian military unanimously decided to remain part of Indonesia. It was called the ‘Act of Free Choice’ although Papuan nationalists derided it as the ‘Act of No Choice’.
Indonesia is accused of committing systematic abuses against West Papuans. There are reports about heavy militarization in the region resulting in severe human rights violations. Meanwhile, the independence movement is treated as a terrorist group. Media coverage about West Papua is strictly monitored so there’s little information about the real situation of the people in the territory. West Papua is one of the resource-rich provinces of Indonesia, although it has a high poverty rate.
As Indonesian ‘occupation’ of West Papua continues, the movement supporting the independence struggle has broadened as well. Some lawyers and parliamentarians from across the world have endorsed the campaign urging Indonesia to organize another plebiscite regarding West Papua’s right to self-determination.
The current initiative spearheaded by ‘Free West Papua Campaign Australia’ encourages netizens to express support for the struggle of West Papua by posting photos on social media in order to create stronger pressure on the Indonesian government. Below are some photos of individuals who have already joined the campaign:
Source: Free West Papua Campaign Australia / Facebook
Source: Free West Papua Campaign Australia / Facebook
Source: Free West Papua Campaign Australia / Facebook
Source: Free West Papua Campaign Australia / Facebook
Source: Free West Papua Campaign Australia / Facebook

author: Dalia


text:
In Bosnia, Defiance as Homophobia and Student Politics Collide · Global Voices
Filip Stojanovski

Anti-homophobia sticker from Sarajevo, featuring Vučko, the mascot of 1980 Olympic Games. Photo: F. Stojanovski CC-BY.
Visiting Art kino Kriterion is one of the staples of urban life in modern Sarajevo. During the day it is a cafe; at night it becomes a bar. Its space is used to host concerts, conferences, film screenings and even art exhibits. You can say it's a progressive meeting spot.
Across the region, Art kino Kriterion provides a sense of the “old” pre-war cosmopolitan atmosphere, back when the Bosnian capital stood shoulder to shoulder with Belgrade and Zagreb as one of the birthplaces of the Yugoslav rock scene.
On March 5, a group of young men attacked the popular venue, screaming homophobic insults and beating up a waiter and injuring a female patron.
LGBT community representatives demanded that authorities prosecute the violence as a hate crime. The police arrested four suspects; all teenagers who were born after the war ended. They were released after the police took their statements.
Soon after, Sarajevo University Student Parliament President Haris Zahiragić went on Facebook and wrote homophobic comments that seemed to support the attack against the LGBT-friendly popular spot.
With over 30,000 students, the University of Sarajevo is the largest and oldest university in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In his rant, Zahiragić deemed homosexuality a “systemic and contagious disease.” His comments included blaming the World Health Organization for the AIDS epidemic — while using derogatory language — and calling those who disagree with him as “traitors of God.”
In a statement released after the attack, Art Kino Kriterion reiterated that their doors will remain open:
Ponosni smo na svoj rad i činjenicu da smo ostali vjerni svojim principima. Bez obzira na ovaj i prethodne slične napade i pokušaje zastrašivanja svoja vrata ćemo uvijek držati otvorenim u cilju stvaranja boljeg i zdravijeg društva u BiH. Institucije u ovom slučaju moraju pokazati odgovarajući nivo odgovornosti i profesionalnosti i pokazati da su sposobni štiti građane i građanke. Iskreno vjerujemo da smo kao društvo sačuvali makar malo građanskog dostojanstva i da ćemo svi pokazati solidarnost i osuditi i suprostaviti se brutalnom nasilju koje se ponavlja. U protivnom, sinoćnji napad na Kriterion je nešto što se potencijalno može dogoditi svakom građaninu i građanki u BiH.“ – poručuju iz Kriteriona.
We are proud of our work and the fact that we remained loyal to our principles. In spite of this and the previous similar attacks and intimidation attempts, we'll keep our doors always open in order to create better and healthier society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The [state] institutions must show the appropriate level of responsibility and professionalism and show that they are capable of protecting the citizens. We sincerely believe that as a society we retained at least a bit of civic dignity and that we'll all show solidarity and condemnation of the repeating brutal violence. If not, the last night's attack on Kriterion is something that can happen to any male or female citizen in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
“Brain washing” – part of an exhibition of children's cartoons on social topics held in Kriterion in May 2015, during the annual POINT Conference. Photo: F. Stojanovski, CC-BY.
In most Balkan countries, homophobia is used as a political tool by right-wing populists to “divide and conquer”. This often goes together with impunity for homophobic hate crimes. Bosnia is not an exception. The 2014 Report on Human Rights of LGBT Persons by Sarajevo Open Centre notes that comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation has not been adopted in the whole territory and where it does exist, it is not implemented, court cases drag over three years. In Sarajevo and Banja Luka, “violent acts against LGBT persons are happening on a regular basis and are also regularly reported about in the media…” but “public institutions almost never respond to these acts.”
Zahiragić remarks attracted much push-back. According to the anti-discrimination portal Diskriminacija.ba, the Association of Psychology Students SINAPSA was one of the first to issue a condemnation, demanding that Zahiragić step down from the position of Student Parliament President, due to “hate speech, cruel qualification of people and inciting destructiveness.”
“Mislim da je to što izričito tražimo smjenu logičan slijed događaja. S obzirom na to da on tako pokazuje svoje akademsko stajalište i općenito stajalište u društvu, kako možemo očekivati da takva osoba zastupa homoseksualce, a on je predsjednik svih studenata. Odlučili smo se na ovo zato što smatramo da je to naša odgovornost, kao studenata psihologije koji se na ovom studiju bave tom tematikom”, objašnjava Amra Džindo, predsjednica SINAPSA-e, organizacije koja je među prvima osudila Zahiragićeve istupe.
“I think that our explicit demand for his replacement is a logical consequence. Considering that by his remarks he shows both his academic position and general position in society, how can we expect that such a person represents the interests of homosexuals, while serving as president of all students. We decided to react because we consider it our responsibility, as psychology students who deal with this subject,” explained SINAPSA President Ms Amra Džindo.
Law student Maja Mirković announced she was submitting a complaint to the Ethical Committee of Sarajevo University, alleging that Zahiragić violated its Ethical Code with his comments.
Vladana Vasić, Programme Coordinator at Sarajevo Open Centre, explained for Global Voices the current situation with LGBT people in Bosnia:
U 2015.broj slučajeva diskriminacije i nasilja na osnovu seksualne orijentacije koje je Sarajevski otvoreni centar dokumentovao se povećao u odnosu na prethodnu godine. Takođe se povećao broj LGBTI osoba koje su kontaktirale Sarajevski otvoreni centar u potrazi za pomoći u procesu traženja azila, promjene oznake spola u dokumentima, pronalaska adekvatne psihološke podrške i dobijanja dokumenata koji u im potrebni da bi sklopili_e brak/ istospolno partnerstvo u državama u kojima je to moguće. Ovakvi podaci upućuju da se nisu desile nikakve strukturalne promjene koje bi utjecale na poboljšanje kvalitete života LGBTI osoba i njihovu inkluziju u bh. društvo. Najviše zabrinjava neadekvatno i sporo procesuiranje napada na LGBTI osobe, uglavnom u slučajevima u kojima one koriste pravo na javno okupljanje. Naime, slučaj napada na Festival Merlinka iz 2014. godine još uvijek nije procesuiran, a početkom marta 2016. desio se homofobni napad na posjetitelje Art kina Kriterion čije procesuiranje će, po dosadašnjem stavu policije i pravosuđa, ići jednako sporo.
In 2015 the number of cases of sexual orientation-based discrimination and violence documented by the Sarajevo Open Centre increased in comparison to the previous year. The number of LGBTI persons who contacted the Sarajevo Open Centre seeking help in the process of seeking asylum, change of data on sex in papers, finding adequate psychological support and documents needed to conduct a marriage or same-sex partnership in states that allow this. This data indicate an absence of structural changes that would influence improvement of quality of life of LGBTI persons and their inclusion in the society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The most worrying is the inadequate and slow processing of attacks on LGBTI persons, mostly in cases when they used their right to public gathering. For instance, the case of attack on the Merlinka Festival in 2014 is still not processed. Judging from the behavior of the police and judiciary, the processing of the homophobic attack on the visitors of Art Kino Kriterion will proceed equally slow.
Underlying the outrage is also the reality that in many Central and Eastern European countries, the official student organizations are heavily influenced by the ruling political parties, serving as a launchpad for future party functionaries. Often, all students “belong” to such organizations by default, and these specially treated organizations are by law recognized as sole representatives of the student bodies by the state, and connected with university management. Zahiragić for instance, is a member of ruling Party for Democratic Action (SDA).
The situation is mirrored in other Balkan countries. In Macedonia, the Student Parliament suffers the same fate, in contrast to the work of independent youth and student organizations like the Youth Educational Forum and wider platforms such as the Student Plenum.
Haris Zahiragić, Sarajevo University Student Parliament President. Screen shot from N1 TV news item.
On March 14, the president of the Sarajevo University Student Parliament Assembly Chairman Dženan Alić issued an official statement claiming that President Zahiragić only expressed his personal opinion, which is not the official stance of the organization. The statement also contained a disclaimer that political party activism is not allowed within the Student Parliament. The official website of the organization does not mention the case. In a statement for N1 TV, Zahiragić confirms he's a proud member of the political party.
Sources within the N1 news item also question the legitimacy of Zahiragić's appointment, which was done on a session closed to the public. So far, there has been no consequences, and he still holds the presidential position of Sarajevo University Student Parliament.

author: Filip Stojanovski


text:
In Jamaica’s Televised School Quiz, Adults Were the Sore Losers · Global Voices
Emma Lewis

Screenshot of a YouTube video of Television Jamaica's Schools Challenge Quiz 2016 Finals, which pitted rural school Titchfield High against Kingston's Campion College.
The Schools Challenge Quiz, an annual series broadcast by Television Jamaica just before its prime time newscast, is a 47-year-old national institution. It is always a closely watched event with high viewership. This year's competition among Jamaican high school teams has been fraught with controversy with complaints flying, legal action taken, and insults traded among supporters on social media.
The 30-minute competition includes a “speed challenge” when each team has the chance to answer as many questions as possible in three separate 60-second periods, and a “buzzer challenge,” where the first team to press a buzzer answers the question — but can lose points if they answer wrongly. This final section has caused many dramatic reversals of fortune for teams in the past. It is a knockout competition, with the winning teams advancing to the next round.
The problems began on March 16, when Television Jamaica aired the match between two Kingston schools (reigning champions Ardenne High and Camperdown High), which ended in a win for Camperdown by a two-point margin, moving the school into the quarterfinal. However, after the show was aired, Television Jamaica recognized a scoring error on its part involving a buzzer question, which would have resulted in a draw but was not immediately corrected on the show.
The television station therefore organized a replay (an unusual occurrence), which Ardenne won. Camperdown immediately sought an injunction to halt the current season until the issue was resolved, which the Supreme Court refused, ordering the school to pay damages to Television Jamaica.
Passions ran high. One Camperdown coach described the situation thus:
We were the underdogs, it was a classic tale of ‘David and Goliath’ gone wrong and the whole situation opened up a Pandora’s Box, which has been years in the making.
Ardenne eventually took third place in the competition.
Later that week, former President of the Kingston College (“KC”) Old Boys’ Association, Ambassador Stephen Vasciannie, wrote to the television station's general manager, complaining that the judges had incorrectly and unfairly deducted four points from his alma mater's team in another qualifying match. After the commercial break, the judges noted that after “careful review” the score was tied, with the tie-breaker resulting in a loss for KC. Television Jamaica responded to the complaint by saying that correct procedures had been followed.
On to the Grand Final on March 3, which was surrounded by glitzy publicity and heightened social media attention. Two well-known but highly contrasting institutions competed: Kingston's Campion College (regarded as a school for the academic elite) vs. the historic Titchfield High School, based in rural Port Antonio. As the show proceeded, the atmosphere among supporters and participants became extremely tense. A Titchfield team member's exhortation to his nervous colleagues to “settle, settle” — called “unprecedented” by quiz master John Paul Menou — resulted in five extra seconds being added to the Buzzer section.
After the double-checking of results, Titchfield won by just two points.
The Gleaner newspaper reported:
On resumption, Campion used the dying seconds to level the score, sending the match into sudden death extra time. However, Campion would lose two points after incorrectly answering the tie-breaking question and the Titchfield team went into uncontrollable cheers, setting off celebrations in Port Antonio.
Titchfield supporters — the school was runner-up in 2011, 2012 and 2013 — were ecstatic. One supporter on the SCQ Facebook page rejoiced:
oh Titchfield…we have FINALLY done it!!!! You have taught some of us the TRUE MEANING of PERSEVERANCE.That little country school on the hill, you have FINALLY made your mark!
The Gleaner newspaper tweeted:
People crammed in Port Antonio Square for the #SCQ final between Titchfield High and Campion College. pic.twitter.com/16XgWWWdGY
— Jamaica Gleaner (@JamaicaGleaner) April 1, 2016
Another tweeted from Portland:
Pt Antonio town square rocking… Can hear the music and I'm more than a mile away. Come celebrate with #Titchfield https://t.co/EPhNkkZv6C
— Paul A. Chin, JP (@Chiney_Paul) April 1, 2016
As sometimes happens when young people compete, however, their adult supporters do not always behave in exemplary fashion. Comments on Twitter before, during and after the competition became heated. Jeers and insults flew among rival factions.
While barbs were thrown on both sides, one young commentator tweeted:
@Petchary @SH3DXZ there was intense vitriol against Campions participation in SCQ. Campionites got fed up and fired back.
— Invisible Man (@damani) April 1, 2016
As Campion supporters derided Titchfield graduates, suggesting they are only qualified to work as supermarket cashiers because of their inferior education, others questioned the organization of the show and in particular, alleged bias among the judges:
Titchfield opens the door for ‘country’ schools of the 21st century to win. @televisionjam you need to regain credibility. #SCQ2016
— SwaggVibez876 (@casanovaloco) April 1, 2016
Columnist, businesswoman and Campion College alumna Patria-Kaye Aarons commented:
Who would have thought that an unfavourable end to a high-school competition would have coalesced so many of Jamaica's brightest minds and stirred up such venom in people? The situations in question seem to have escalated to a level not even the intervention of the Dispute Resolution Foundation can help…Not winning, in any competitive arena, can perhaps be one of the biggest teaching moments for our young people. As adults, we have a responsibility to teach them to lose graciously, and that the end result isn't the only thing that matters.
Were the shoe on the other foot (as it has been in the past), and Campion suffered an unfair defeat, my argument would be exactly the same. Dear complainers and protesters, feel proud that your teams did their best when representing your schools. Congratulate and console them and keep it moving. We don't always get our way. Welcome to life.
Jamaicans have a strong sense of “old school” loyalty, expressed in many ways (including the just-concluded Boys and Girls Champs “Champs” athletics competitions). While generally good-humored and harmless, the rivalries occasionally show a glimpse of a Jamaica divided by class, status and the gap between rural and urban Jamaica that is less palatable. Educator Damien Williams tweeted:
This yr's #SCQ2016 revealed much about class, privilege & stereotypes & the awkward moments created by intersection pic.twitter.com/P6gJUDMJ8x
— #DamBar (@DMarcAnthony) April 1, 2016
Another tweeter agreed:
@damani @Petchary respect all schools, respect all jobs. Classism is distasteful. I simply don't care what circumstances are.
— SH3DIKA (@SH3DXZ) April 1, 2016
It seems there are many lessons to be learned, on all sides, before the 2017 season of the quiz begins.

author: Emma Lewis


text:
Macedonia’s Academy of Arts and Sciences Pulls Its Public Debt Clock Following Political Pressure · Global Voices
Marko Angelov

А screenshot of the removed web app displaying the state of Macedonia's public debt.
The Macedonian Academy of Arts and Sciences, the highest academic and artistic institution in the country, removed their web application monitoring public debt only a few days after its publication, following a tongue-lashing from the ruling party, VMRO-DPMNE.
On March 14, 2016, the Macedonian Academy of Arts and Sciences (MANU) published its Public Debt Counter displaying in real time the amount of Macedonian public debt — over 4.23 billion euros, based on data from the World Bank and the Ministry of Finance. Besides the total debt, the app displayed annual interest rate (3.3%), and data such as daily interest (381,968 euros), average debt of every citizen (2,088 euros) and that the debt amounts to 49.18% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
Independent media outlets and many social media users praised the counter as a step forward for the institution, which has been quiet about many pressing issues affecting the country over the last 10 years.
However, the next day VMRO-DPMNE issued a statement against MANU, particularly targeting its president, renowned economist Taki Fiti. The party statement questioned his credibility and accused him of fraternizing with the opposition and “Soros” — referring to business mogul George Soros, who is chairman of Open Society Foundations, one of Global Voices’ sponsors.
It also declared that MANU's publishing of the counter was “a political act” and criticized that the application showed the absolute debt in euros (although debt relative to GDP was included too): “Every economics student knows that the debt must be measured in relative value, not absolute, but clearly such facts are a mystery for the former unsuccessful finance minister Taki Fiti…”
Within hours of issuing the statement, MANU took the application down, though at the moment of writing this article, Google Cache preserves a copy of the page.
Ad hominem attacks on Fiti continued for several days. MANU issued a response blaming an employee for publishing the app on their own without prior permission:
Бројчаникот кој го мери јавниот долг на Република Македонија изразен во апсолутни броеви, но и релативно во однос на бруто-домашниот производ на земјата, е изготвен во рамките на Центарот за компјутерски науки и информатички технологии при МАНУ, за потребите на нивните истражувања, и е објавен од страна на соработник на Центарот, без претходно да биде информирано раководството на МАНУ и раководителот на Центарот.
Бројчаникот, според тоа, не изразува официјални ставови на МАНУ.
Академијата и секој нејзин член, и понатаму остануваат отворени за информирање на јавноста за нивната работа.
[The counter] was prepared within the MANU Center for Computer Sciences and IT for the needs of their research, and was published by an associate of the center without informing MANU management and the center manager beforehand.
The counter, therefore, does not reflect the official position of MANU.
The academy and each of its members remain open to informing the public about their work.
As a member of the Open Government Partnership, Macedonia has pledged “to continuously improve itself on the foundations of open, transparent, reliable and efficient government institutions that communicate and cooperate with the citizens.” However, open data initiatives often face obstacles from institutions when dealing with taboo topics, which might affect the image of economic prosperity promoted by the ruling party.
The issue of public debt in Macedonia, one of Europe's poorest countries, is a touchy one. Many Macedonians are not happy with their government's spending priorities, considering the quality of public services to be sub-par, especially in the health sector.
Meanwhile, millions are pumped into projects whose public utility is debatable. For example, in the capital city Skopje, the government has built sailing ship-shaped buildings (even though has never been navigable, and the closest sea is over 240 kilometers away) and a Ferris wheel, among 136 different buildings and monuments erected as part of a controversial beautification project launched in 2010. The construction has cost 634 million euros, which the country's taxpayers have been paying, according to the the Balkan Investigative Reporters Network.
Училиштата немаат пари да си ја платат струјата, па ги исклучиле..
Вухуу! Ќе праат панорамско тркало!
— Mindplumber (@mindplumber) 16 de agosto de 2014
Electricity in some schools has been shut down because they could not pay for it…
Woohoo! Oh joy! They'll going to build a Ferris wheel!
Has this driven those in power to reconsider what programs receive funding? Not quite. Instead, Macedonia's parliament voted in an urgent session on July 23, 2014, to change the definition of public debt in the country. Therefore, several forms of what was until then considered public debt, such as debt from municipalities and public enterprises owned by the state, are not considered as such anymore, unless the state itself is a guarantor of said debt.
At the time, Twitter user @EStavrevska bluntly expressed her indignation:
Ќе редефинираат јавен долг за да го намалат. Следно очекувам да сменат дефиниција за идиоти, да не ги опфаќа.
— Е. (@EStavrevska) September 17, 2014
They'll redefine the public debt in order to make it seem lower. The next thing I expect from them is to change the definition of idiots, by excluding themselves from it.
Another issue is that of foreign financing. Government critics, including the opposition, but also analysts and bloggers, have expressed concern that many of the government's costly endeavors are increasingly financed by foreign loans, which are counted in the revised public debt definition.
After 2009, the government ceased publishing a range of data crucial to the development of the country, including the size of the public debt — alongside making the effort in 2014 to change the definition. The political opposition has warned that if things don't change, Macedonia risks going the crippling economic way of Greece.

author: Marko Angelov


text:
Women Flood Polish Prime Minister’s Facebook With Vivid Menstruation Descriptions to Protest Abortion Ban · Global Voices
Anna Gotowska

Meme reads, “Not your brooch!”—a Polish idiom meaning “Mind your own business.” Prime Minister Beata Szydło is widely known for her taste is huge, extravagant brooches. Meme by Michał Rafał Gortat, Photo by Piotr Grzybowski, used with permission.
Less than a week ago, Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło, a member of the nationalist government formed by the Law and Justice Party, voiced her support for a parliamentary bill calling for a complete ban on abortion. Poland's laws currently regulating the procedure are already widely regarded to be among Europe's most restrictive, allowing abortions only if “the pregnancy is the result of criminally proven incest or rape, or there is a danger to the woman’s life, or if the fetus is seriously malformed.”
Szydło's critics online have responded to her support for an even stricter abortion ban with ridicule and humor on social media. Just after midnight on April 4, using the double meaning of the term “period” (which exists in Polish, as it does in English), a Facebook event called “A Heavy Period for the Government” emerged, encouraging women to post detailed descriptions of their periods on the Prime Minister's official Facebook page, and write her letters and call her office. “The Polish government wants to control our uteri, ovaries, and pregnancies. Isn’t it nice that they care so much? Let us make it easier for them: let’s keep Prime Minister Mrs Beata Szydło informed about the details of our cycles,” wrote the organizers on the event page.
Poles responded in droves. For instance, just one of the posts from her official Facebook page has over 4.5 thousands comments, many marked with the hashtag #TrudnyOkres (“Heavy Period”). Several examples follow:
Malina Prześluga-Delimata: Szanowna Pani Premier Beato, informuję, że mój cykl przebiega w porządku. Okres dostałam punktualnie (cykl trwa 31 dni), pierwszego dnia bolało tak jak zawsze (na czworakach do domu i termofor) ale potem poszło gładko i już jestem po:) Dni płodne mam za jakieś 5-6 dni, ale wyjeżdżam z Polski na tydzień i nie będziemy się z mężem widzieć przez całą owulację. Dziękuję, że rząd tak bardzo interesuje się mną i moim potencjałem rozrodczym, fantastycznie jest wiedzieć, że za moment będę mogła zrzucić odpowiedzialność za mój rozród na kogoś innego. Będę informować na bieżąco. #TrudnyOkres
Malina Prześluga-Delimata: Dear Prime Minister Beata, I inform [you] that my menstrual cycle is going great. I got my period on time (my cycle lasts 31 days). On the first day, it hurt as usual (I crawled back to my house and used a thermophore), but it went smoothly from there and now it's over :)My fertile days will start in 5-6 days time, but I leave Poland for a week and I won't be seeing my husband during the whole time! Thanks to the government for having such a huge interest in my reproductive potential, it's so great to know that this massive responsibility for my procreation can finally be somebody else's business. I will keep you updated #HeavyPeriod
Urszula Łobodzińska: Szanowna Pani Premier! Spóźnia mi się okres. Może to już ten czas! Nie mam żadnych dochodów i będę samotną matką, więc kwalifikuję się na program 500+. Czy to znaczy, że 500 zł będzie mi wypłacane co miesiąc od momentu połączenia się żeńskiej i męskiej komórki rozrodczej? Czy, jeśli poronię 500 zł zostanie mi wypłacone za wszystkie miesiące ciąży? #TrudnyOkres
Urszula Łobodzińska: Dear Mrs Prime Minister, my period is late. Maybe the time has come? I don't have any income and I will be a single mother so maybe I might qualify for the 500+ program? Does it mean that I would be getting my 500 zl for every month of pregnancy, since the union of the egg cell and the sperm cell? If I miscarry, would I still be paid for all the months of pregnancy? #HeavyPeriod
The 500+ program is a government program, paying families with more than one child—regardless of their financial status—additional 500 zl (around 135 USD) on a monthly basis. Single parents with one child do not qualify as beneficiaries in this scheme. The proposed anti-abortion bill defines the union of the egg cell and the sperm cell as the moment the human being begins (with all legal consequences of killing a human implied).
Marcin Kozłowski: Szanowna Pani Premier!
Czy troska Rządu i Episkopatu o narządy rozrodcze obywateli obejmuje też mężczyzn? Czy powinniśmy przesyłać na ręce Pani Premier okresowe raporty z rodzaju noszonej bielizny (podobno za ciasne slipy mogą prowadzić do obniżenia płodności) i rozliczać się z niewykorzystanych prawidłowo do prokreacji plemników? Czy formularz protokołu zniszczenia towaru będzie odpowiedni? I czy wystarczy wysyłać go mailem czy raczej tradycyjną pocztą na adres Kancelarii Premiera oraz Sekretariatu Konferencji Episkopatu Polski za potwierdzeniem odbioru? #TrudnyOkres
Reply: Magda Ostaszewska: To są bardzo ważne pytania. Myślę, że powinien Pan je wysłać oficjalnym listem za potwierdzeniem odbioru. Termin odpowiedzi na zapytanie obywatela wynosi zdaje się 30 dni.
Marcin Kozłowski: Mrs Prime Minister, does the deep concern for reproductive organs of the citizens, showed by the government and the Episcopacy, also include men? Shouldn't we start to file with you some kind of reports on the kind of underwear we use (supposedly too tight underpants may lead to lower fertility), shouldn't we be held accountable for the semen not used for procreation's purposes? Would the form for “destruction of the merchandise” be applicable? Can we send it by email or in a traditional way, by mail? Should we send it to Your office or maybe to the Episcopacy's adress, with acknowledgement of receipt? #HeavyPeriod
Reply: Magda Ostaszewska: These are some very important questions. I think you, sir, should send them the traditional way, with acknowledgement of receipt. The reply period is around 30 days.
Anna Dryjańska: Szanowna Pani Premier, w ramach ułatwienia Pani zarządzania moją macicą, pragnę udostępnić Pani aplikację na smartfona, w której zaznaczam kiedy mam okres. Dzięki temu będzie Pani cały czas na bieżąco. W razie potrzeby udostępnię dane również ginekologom z episkopatu. Proszę o kontakt na priv. ♥ #trudnyokres
Anna Dryjańska: Dear Prime Minister, to make it easier for you to manage my uterus, I want to share with you the app I use to mark every time that I get a period. It will keep you updated all the time. I can also share it with the gynecologists from the Episcopacy. Just send me a private message. ♥ #HeavyPeriod
The campaign took its inspiration from a similar action undertaken by women in the US state of Indiana, who started trolling Governor's Pence office last week with detailed calls about their periods, to protest a restrictive abortion bill.
In less than a day, several thousand comments were left on the Prime Minister Beata Szydło's page (and their number is still rising), gaining the immediate attention of the Polish media. The hashtag #TrudnyOkres (Heavy Period) peaked also on Twitter, with hundreds of users describing their menstrual hardships by tagging Mrs Szydło's official Twitter profile, as well.
Twitter user @a_meba wrote:
Szanowni @BeataSzydlo/@EpiskopatNews:zawsze wiję się w bólu, ale w trakcie obecnej miesiączki nie odczułam nic a nic. Grzeszę? #TrudnyOkres
— Marta Paciorkowska (@a_meba) April 4, 2016
Dear @BeataSzydlo/@EpiskopatNews: I always squirm in pain, but during this period I felt nothing. Am I sinning?
@Julian82Nowak wrote:
Dla Rządu to ostatnio jakiś #TrudnyOkres 😉
— J. Nowak (@Julian82Nowak) April 4, 2016
Seems as if lately it's a #HeavyPeriod for the government
@Hydrochoreus wrote:
#DobraZmiana wywołała #TrudnyOkres.
— Kapibara (@Hydrochoreus) April 4, 2016
A #GoodChange* resulted in the #HeavyPeriod [“a good change” was the main slogan in the Law and Justices parliamentarian elections campaign]
Various other image memes circulated widely and anonymously online, including the following example:
The ultimate goal of this action? Organizers said it was all about helping the prime minister choke on her own words: “Let’s give them what they really ask for: full control over our reproductive organs and full insight into our femininity. And make them have a really HEAVY PERIOD.”

author: Anna Gotowska


text:
The #PanamaPapers Ensnare Hundreds of Indians, Including Bollywood Royalty · Global Voices
Vishal Yashoda Manve

Bollywood stars Amitabh Bacchan and his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai named in the Panama Papers. Image remix via Wikimedia Commons. Used under a CC license.
On Sunday, April 3, India's leading news publisher Indian Express sent out a mysterious tweet about an international investigation that would be released imminently. Come early Monday morning, the newspaper published its share of reporting on the Panama Papers, the name for a giant trove of leaked documents exposing how tax havens are exploited by the rich and famous around the world.
Numerous prominent names including A-list Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai and business tycoon Gautam Adani appeared in the documents from Panama-based firm Mossack Fonseca.
About a billion+ Indians set to wake up soon to some of their biggest movie stars and others named in #PanamaPapers: https://t.co/AaiIWKAcnL
— Raju Narisetti (@raju) April 3, 2016
The news went off like a rocket. On Monday, the Indian government announced that it was forming a multi-agency group to investigate the Panama Papers. This group will include representatives of the Reserve Bank of India, Central Board of Direct Taxes and the Financial Intelligence Unit.
The journalistic investigation, which was helmed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) in collaboration with various global publications, has revealed massive offshoring of funds linked to some of the world's most powerful people, including Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's family members and close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Names of at least 12 heads-of-state and 143 politicians from 50 countries, as well as their families and close associates, appear in the leaks.
The scale and significance of the #PanamaPapers leak is practically impossible to exaggerate! https://t.co/nfKjM8yLet
— Shrey Goyal (@ShreyGoyal) April 4, 2016
About 500 Indians appear in the Panama Papers linking them to offshore holdings, including actors, politicians, businessmen and an ex-cricketer. Only two politicians, Shishir Bajoria from West Bengal and Anurag Kejrival, the former chief of the Delhi Loksatta Party, are implicated in the leak thus far.
Some on social media were rather amused at the lack of high-profile politicians on the list, incorrectly claiming in their surprise that no politician was featured:
Amazing. No politicians from India have surfaced in the #PanamaPapers so far.
— SonaliRanade (@sonaliranade) April 4, 2016
500 Indian names in #panamapapers leak. Celebs, Industrialists but no Politician. Our Politicians hide their money with leak-less ‘Jugaard’.
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) April 4, 2016
“Jugaad” in Hindi means a creative work-around.
The big names on the list either have largely remained silent or denied any involvement. There were no tweets or no blog posts from Amitabh Bacchan, who is very active online, and his company did not answer mails sent by the media. His daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai's media adviser Archana Sadanand told the press, “All information that you have is totally untrue and false.” Some businessmen stressed they have played by the rules and disclosed all details to Indian tax authorities.
Some argued that the revelations weren't surprising. Forbes India carried a detailed article that noted that Indian foreign exchange rules were eased in 2004 with the Liberalized Remittance Scheme that allowed individuals to remit $25,000 annually, a limit that stands at $250,000 today. This allowed people to remit money abroad legally to invest in these shell companies.
And Fortune India editor-at-large Hindol Sengupta tweeted this criticism of Indian media's coverage:
Once again the basic lack of understanding of business among ‘senior’ scribes is showing – most Indian ‘revelations’ in #panamapapers tame.
— HindolSengupta (@HindolSengupta) April 4, 2016
Others cautioned against India throwing stones at Panama. On news blog Scroll.in, M Rajashekar commented, “The other proposition of tax havens is their indulgence towards companies with opaque ownership structures. But those are present in India as well. In recent years, India has seen a mushrooming of shell companies.”
For the most part, Indian journalists have refrained from commenting on Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family's involvement in the Panama leaks, which is significant given India and Pakistan's testy relationship. The Indian press have also generally applauded the scale and magnitude of investigations.
Meanwhile, many Indians resorted to humour to express their views on the revelations. History of India shared a still from one of Aishwarya Rai's films, sarcastically re-interpreting the tears:
Manager of Offshore firm Consoling A Rai as she burst into tear after her name was mentioned in #panamapapers.(2016) pic.twitter.com/ESnm8eG8SL
— History of India (@RealHistoryPic) April 4, 2016
Comedian Rohan joked about his account with Zomato, an online food take-out service:
My version of the Panama Papers is if anyone leaks my Zomato order history
— Rohan (@mojorojo) April 4, 2016
Journalist Rishi Majumder wondered:
Waiting to see which English movie TV channel will program ‘The Tailor of Panama’ on a prime slot first.
— Rishi Majumder (@RishiMajumder) April 4, 2016
The Hindu newspaper editor Sachin Kalbag quipped:
Another list I am not part of. My family is *this* close to disowning me. #PanamaPapers
— Sachin Kalbag (@SachinKalbag) April 4, 2016
And Twitter user noted with tongue-in-cheek relief that Amitabh Bachchan's son Abhishek, who is also an actor, wasn't listed in the leak:
Only Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya? Good to know that Abhishek Bachchan is poor like us to not feature in the #panamapapers .
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) April 4, 2016

author: Vishal Yashoda Manve


text:
Wanna Reach the Chinese Internet Market? Time to Register Your Domain in China. · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

The Great Firewall of China. Image from Digital Trends.
The barriers to entering the world's biggest Internet market — China — just got a little higher for foreign technology companies.
At first, China demanded that user data be stored within its borders. Then it extended this requirement to apply to online content. And now, it is preparing new rules that will require all websites hosted in China to register their domain names within the country.
(
A decentralized naming system for computers, websites, or any resource connected to the Internet, the DNS translates more readily memorized domain names (i.e. “globalvoices.org”) to the numerical IP addresses (i.e. 25.19.45.126) needed for the purpose of locating and identifying computer services and devices with the underlying network protocols. By providing a worldwide, distributed directory service, the Domain Name System is an essential component of the functionality of the Internet. (modified explanation from Wikipedia)
China revised its Internet Domain Name Management Rules and posted a draft online on March 25 for a one-month consultation period. The new requirement stipulates that all websites hosted in China must register their domain names with authorized domestic domain name service providers in order to gain access to the Chinese network.
In February 2016, China released new Administrative Regulations for Online Publishing Services requiring all foreign-owned media which has mainland Chinese people as part of their target audience to host all of their content — “text, maps, games, cartoons and audio files” — on servers located inside China. The only alternative for foreign media companies would be to distribute their contents through project-based cooperation with local partners with prior approval from the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.
The regulation not only bolsters the legality of the Great Firewall, a mechanism that blocks overseas websites, but also raises the threshold for foreign media companies that want to enter the Chinese market.
This is just another measure of success that Chinese authorities have had in pressuring IT companies to “respect” national and local rules. Since 2014, the foreign IT companies have been compelled to sign a pledge known as the Information Technology Product Supplier Declaration of Commitment to Protect User Security. The pledge requires technology companies to store user data within China's borders. Since its inception, IT giants including Apple, Microsoft and LinkedIn have started storing their user data in local data centers. Even more companies have joined the China market clubs in the past two years. Establishing content servers was just another step in the same direction.
But the new Internet Domain Name Management Rules take this regime of control to a new level, as they  require all websites hosted in China to have their domain names registered in domestic DNS service providers. Companies that fail to do this will simply not be connected to China's domestic network.
Article 37 of the draft reads:
Domain names that connect to the network from within the borders shall have services provided by domestic domain name registration service bodies, and domestic domain name registration management bodies shall carry out operational management.
For domain names that connect to the network from within the borders, but which are not managed by domestic domain name registration service bodies, Internet access service providers may not provide network access services.
When the new regulations is enacted, leading foreign companies including Microsoft and Apple will have to register their sites’ domain names with local DNS providers in order to remain accessible in China.
And this won't just affect foreign companies. Today, even some big-name Chinese corporations have their domain names registered with overseas domain name service providers, including Taobao and Baidu.
The changes of course will not affect websites that do not have servers hosted in China, such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter. As usual, these major sites will continue to be blocked in the country.
Jiang Bojing, an IT analyst explained to a party affiliated news outlet, the Paper, the rationality behind the regulation:
First of all, it further bans those harmful and dangerous websites from connecting to the domestic network. Secondly, it promotes China's top domain name. Thirdly, it sends a signal to overseas corporates that if they want to develop their business in China, better cooperate with domestic authorities.
Tech blogger William Long pointed out that if all websites hosted in China are to register their domain names in China, they would have to face both political and technical risk as the authorities have the power to suspend a domain name under “client hold” because of the appearance of sensitive contents in the website. Moreover, the DNS registration in China operates using a real-name system, which makes it more difficult for the clients to relocate their DNS servers.
One must also bear in mind that the top-level domain .CN is under the management of China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) which is responsible for issuing security certificates to Internet service providers. Last year, Google and Mozilla found out that CNNIC had issued certificates to a corporate entity that subsequently launched a man-in-the-middle attack intercepting connections between users and their intended destinations by directing the users to another website — one that was disguised to look like their destination, but was in fact an entirely different site. The periodic recurrence of such “errors” over the past few years have left some wondering if registering a domain name under CNNIC could result in a security breach.
While the regulation specifies that Internet service providers should not give access to overseas registered domain name websites with servers in China, it does not specify whether ISPs can continue to provide access to non-sensitive foreign websites with both servers and DNS hosted overseas. Critically, some worry that the regulation will eventually cut China off from the global Internet altogether. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has stressed that the regulation only applies to websites hosted in China and will not affect the normal development of business for overseas companies in China, but some have their doubts.
A source who had participated in the drafting of the regulation told Wall Street Journal (via China Digital Times):
No one in China will have trouble visiting whitehouse.gov. The White House will not have to submit network access information to the authorities, because it has nothing to do with China […] Still, the rule could affect larger foreign companies that have or want to set up a website or other online service aimed at Chinese consumers.
All of this means that foreign technology companies must now pay a price for entering the Chinese market. We can only expect that the number on the price tag will get higher and higher over time.


text:
When a Mother’s Love Conflicts With Loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

A caricature of Lin Yu Hong's love for China and her son circulated online.
A Chinese Communist Party bureaucrat has become a controversial figure on social media for advocating against the spread of western values in Chinese classrooms even though she herself sent her son to study aboard.
Lin Yu Hong, the deputy head of the Internet multimedia department of China's Communist Youth League, has been using her Weibo account @XiaoLin (@小蔺) to spread so-called positive energy online and attack voices that are critical of the Chinese government .
Last week, netizens digging through her Weibo archive discovered that she had sent her son to study in Canada. The post, written on 3 August 2012, said (screen capture via Weibo user @ShepherdAtEmperorCity:
在機場。剛送完兒子，今天，小家伙一個人去加拿大留學，很瀟灑地和我擺擺手，走了。我的眼淚止不住地流了下來，他卻像沒事人一樣，仿佛怹以往的每一次開學。此去，不知何時會再相見。
In the airport. Just saw my son take off. Today, the little one went to study aboard in Canada alone. He waved his hand in a carefree manner and left. My tears kept falling but he looked the same, like the beginning of every other school term. I have no idea when we will see each other again.
Netizens also learned that before her son went aboard, he was studying in an expensive international school in China. In addition, two of her nephews are also studying in Canada.
After she became the target of scrutiny, Lin quickly deleted all the relevant posts, but netizens had screen-captured them and circulated them online.
The fact that her son went abroad for his education would be no big deal had Lin not been so judgmental of others for embracing western values or leaving China. Last year, she echoed the communist party's education policy on her Weibo (screen capture via online forum Sbanzu):
教育部部長袁貴仁昨天表示，加強對西方原版教材的使用管理，絕不能讓傳播西方價值觀念的教材進入我們的課堂；決不允許各種攻擊誹謗黨領導、抹黑社會主義的言論在大學課堂出現；決不允許反種違反憲法和法律的言論在大學課堂蔓延；決不允許教師在課堂上發牢騷、泄怨氣，把各種不良情緒傳導給學生。
The head of the Education Bureau Yuan Guiren stressed yesterday that the management of educational material had to be reinforced. Educational material that spreads western values should be banned from entering the classroom; speeches that defame party leaders or deliver a negative image of society should not appear in class; speeches that violate the law and constitution cannot be spread; teachers would not be allowed to complain and express frustration and pass negative energy on to students.
Lin's perceived hypocrisy triggered a huge amount of responses from netizens. While some defended her, arguing that she is a good mother for loving her son more than the party, others blasted her for not practicing what she preaches. Though the majority of the hostile reactions she received have been scrubbed from Weibo, the following comment been reposted in many online forums (via online forum Club.China)
蔺主任，你好！我也有三个问题想问你： 1、你送儿子到资本主义国家留学，是否对中国教育失去信心？2、加拿大留学每年费用多少？3、你们夫妇除了法定工资，是否还有其它收入？蔺主任能不能不拉黑我,直面回答我们群众问题，我们群众也会在纪委网站实名举报你的相关信息，谢谢。
Hi, deputy department head Lin. I have three questions to ask you: 1. You sent your son to study in a capitalist country, have you lost the confidence in China's education? 2. How much does it cost to study in Canada? 3. Do you and your husband have extra income apart from your regular salary? Department head Lin, instead of labeling me as part of evil forces, can you respond to people's questions? We, the people, can report you on the Central Disciplinary Committee's web platform. Thank you for your attention.
As netizens tagged her over and over again in the line of questioning on Weibo, Lin was compelled to answer:
我從未說過西方教材不能進課堂。袁部長的話是「絕不能讓傳播西方價值觀念的教材進入我們的課堂。」國外的教育水准比較高，把孩子們進國外讀段時間書很正常，他們是去學知識，不是去學價值觀去了，適當時候就回國了（兒子目前在國內學習）。家里有老北京，孩子去留學，賣套房就都夠了，羡慕嫉妒沒用。
I have never stated that western educational material cannot enter the classroom. Bureau head Yuan said, “We shouldn't let educational material that spreads western value enter our classrooms.” The education quality overseas is higher and it is normal to send kids to study aboard. They learn the knowledge, not the values. When the time comes, they will return to the country (my son is currently studying in China). We have an old Beijing resident in the extended family and can simply sell an apartment for the kid to study aboard. Don't respond with envy and bitterness.
Ja Ya, a current affairs observer, saw Lin as a typical figure in today's China. He examined Lin's social media profile, concluding that Lin had undergone a “radical change” in her online personality beginning in 2012:
观察蔺主任的微博，2012年是个分水岭，2012年前她以小女人的姿态示人，挺生活的妈妈生活，调侃人生，吃吃火锅、谈谈足球、说说儿子，时不时吐槽一下北京的交通、国航的服务，而关注的粉丝是李开复、邓飞这些所谓的公知、大V，大致感觉是岁月静好，安之若素。
但2012年后，文风陡变，表现出其攻伐性，关注的对象就是小红粉们了，互为呼应，对一些人开始“群殴” […]
Take a closer look into deputy department head Lin's Weibo account, and you'll see that 2012 was a watershed year. Before that, she was a ordinary woman, talking about the daily life of a mother, having hotpot, talking about football, her son, complaining about Beijing's traffic, Air China's service. She followed Big V [those with verified accounts] and public intellectuals like Lee Kaifu, Deng Fei. She enjoy a peaceful and stable life.
But after 2012, she has changed her writing style, became very aggressive. She has followed the tiny pinks [people who echo the party line] and started mimicking them, launching “collective attacks” against some specific targets […]
The year 2012 marked the full transition of power from former Chinese President Hu Jintao to current leader Xi Jinping, who views ideological battle as one of the most important ways the Chinese Communist Party can hold on to power. In the past two years, Lin has joined several attacks against online celebrities, including a nail technician named Luo Yufeng who tried hard to make her way to New York. Lin suggested that Luo had relied on someone else to buy her ticket (subtly implying that she was a sex worker).
Lin also called on web censors to take a closer look at online video celebrity Xiao Papi, who mixes different Chinese dialects in her online show; Lin accused her of spreading vulgar content. Most recently, she attacked Christoph Rehage, a German living in China, for criticizing his country of residence over a vaccine scandal in which doses of outdated or improperly stored vaccines were given; Lin told him to leave China and go home.
Ja Ya argued that Lin's change in attitude was indicative of the times and that she is not alone:
这也是很多人的心路历程，简单地说，就是为了一口粮罢了，能够像陶渊明那样不为五斗米折腰的人毕竟是体制内的异类。只不过现在，有太多的人把爱国当作一门生财之道，当作晋身之道，嘴上全是主义，心里全是生意啊，他们是聪明，太聪明了[…]
Many people have gone through this. To put it simply, they just want to make a living. Within the establishment, there are those who act like ancient poet Tao Yuanming and refuse to bow for a living. However, nowadays, so many people see “patriotism” as a business and as a path to get a promotion. They talk about ideology but think about business. They are smart or too smart […]
Another current affairs commenter, Wang Haitao, however, saw a “good mother” in Lin's hypocrisy:
我既相信蔺主任对国家的爱，更相信她对自己孩子的爱。至于哪一种“爱”更真实一些，根据我的观察，一个人有了孩子之后，才会真正懂得什么是“真爱”——那就就是给自己真正爱的人自己能给得起的最好的东西。基本上，为人父母者，都愿意尽自己所能，给孩子提供最好的一切，尤其是教育。[…]
I believe that deputy department head Lin loves the country. And I believe that she loves her children more. Which love is more real, according to my observation, when one has children, they learn what is “real love” — they would give the best to the person they really love. As parents, they would try their best to give their children the best, in particular the best education […]
按照“妈妈总会给孩子最好的”这个逻辑，那么，我们可以认为，在蔺主任看来，遍布着可怕的西方价值观的加拿大有比中国更好的教育，否则，她不会让自己的孩子冒着被西方价值观腐蚀的危险而依依不舍地把孩子送到那么遥远的地方。[…] 这大概是她被一些人诟病“精神分裂”的原因之一吧——但我坚决不会如此指责这位好妈妈，因为我一向相信，当一个妈妈“对自己孩子的爱”与“对其他事物的爱”相抵触的时候，后一种爱是是可以忽略的。
According to the logic that “a mother would give the best to her kids”, we can say that for deputy department head Lin, Canada, a country where western values are widely spread, has better education than China or she would not have let her kid take the risk of being poisoned by western values and send him abroad. Like her, I would not be worried about her son being polluted. They have grown up and know how to distinguish what smells good and what stinks. […] Some criticized her for having a “split character”. But I would not attack this good mother because I believe that when a mother's love for her kid is in conflict with other love, she would ignore the latter.


text:
Zambian Deputy Minister Attacks Bank Employee Over Facebook Comment · Global Voices
Isabella Mukanda-Shamambo

Dawson Kwafaya in a Facebook post by the Zambian Watchdog.
The use of the Internet and especially social media in Zambia has brought communities together and amplified the voices of people who would otherwise not be heard. People are turning to the Internet to voice their disappointments in government and the ruling party, question their leaders and organise political campaigns.
However, inherent in all this new found freedom is not only a fear of being exposed but also fear among leaders of being dishonored or misrepresented.
The most recent example of this dynamic involves the Zambia's Deputy Minister of Health, Dawson Kafwaya and and a bank employee, his once-upon-a-time university buddy, Briven Simaundu. After popular pro-opposition online news site the Zambian Watchdog published a report on its Facebook page in which a police officer alleged that Deputy Minister Kafwaya was being investigated for corruption, the Zambian Post reported that Briven Simaundu responded to the story with a comment that read “the idiot must be caged.” As seen in the above image, Simaundu's was among numerous other negative comments.
A screenshot of the Facebook comment that angered the deputy minister.
The Zambian Watchdog story claimed that the police and the anti-corruption commission possess dockets against the Deputy Minister but the ‘immunity’ he enjoys from the President has made him untouchable.
Not long after Simaundu made his comment, an irate Dawson Kafwaya stormed the premises of First National Bank where Simaundu works, demanding to see him. The Deputy Minister’s visit reportedly was marked with obnoxious name calling, threats and shouts that shocked clients and security personnel at the bank. Later, a call-out notice (this is a notice requesting an individual to appear at the police station for questioning or investigation) was left at the bank for Simaundu. The call-out, according to the police officers who served it, was for Simaundu to go to the police station and answer questions about the comment he made on the Zambian Watchdog article.
It well known in Zambia that when you receive a call-out to go to the police station and answer questions, chances are good that you will be locked up until you are bailed out.
Since Simaundu told the Zambian Post that he had been visited by Kafwaya at his workplace, he has taken a low profile with hardly any posts on his Facebook wall about the article or the incident.
In 1996, Zambia became one of the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to censor online content when the government demanded the removal of a banned edition of The Post from the newspaper’s website by threatening to hold the Internet service provider (ISP), Zamnet, criminally liable for the content.
According to Freedom House, US-based organization dedicated to the expansion of democratic systems around the world, the revised Zambian constitution of 2016 recognises freedom of expression including specific protections for print, broadcast, and electronic media freedom.
In April 2014, information permanent secretary Bert Musahala said the government plans to introduce legislation to curb Internet abuse and cybercrime. However, no such law has been introduced yet.
The involvement of the police, the riotous visit by the Deputy Minister and the call-out notice would likely be seen by most Zambians tactic of intimidation against Simaundu. Some people who responded to the article about the Deputy Minister's action expressed fear about openly rebuking or criticizing political leaders. Some argued that it was unwise to call politicians names because you could lose your job and become unemployable.
Responding the article on the Zambian Post acebook page, Patrick Chiyesu wondered what would happen if other government officials such as the President took similar action when they feel insulted on social media:
Mr Kafwaya shouldnt be so agitated, why? If President Lungu was a bad man a lot of people would have been behind bars on treason charges cause of their social media comments. People insult Kambwili [government spokesperson] every day but as talkative and pompous as he is I have never heard him take it personal with any one of them. So Mr Kafwaya dont be angry at the word “idiot”, as a politician you should have a thick skin capable enough to absorb much bigger insults.
On Facebook, Prince Kabaso advised the Deputy Minister to focus on important issues:
It was just a comment, I comment stupid stuff all the time I don't see them storming my house it's just Facebook there's no case here ba [Mr] minister should just concentrate on other more important matters like the welfare of the people instead of following a person over a comment just don't send the police after me for saying this
Mbao Chris noted that the behavior of the Deputy Minister confirmed the observation that he must be caged:
His behaviour has shown beyond any reasonable doubt that he truly must be caged. If the president pursued everyone with a negative comment on social media then half the youths would be in jail.
Francis Brotherton advised both the Deputy Minister and the bank employee:
An insult is an insult and pipo insulting on facebook should be held responsible but there is need for civility on the ministers part bcoz his action lacked that and he would have left it to the police so that they handle it than those embarrassing outburst from a public figure
If Simaundu ends up behind bars or is completely intimidated by this incident, precedent will have been set with regards to how Zambians talk about politicians on social networking sites or elsewhere on the Internet. The freedom Zambians have on social media is worth protecting and fighting for if it is to grow and improve democracy in the country.
No information has surfaced regarding whether Simaundu reported to the police and whether or not he has been charged.

author: Isabella Mukanda-Shamambo


text:
In Kenya, Banned Music Video Celebrating Same-Sex Love Stays on YouTube · Global Voices
Corazon Mwende

A screenshot of the YouTube video of Same Love (Remix).
During February 2016, the month of love, a group of artists from Kenya known as Art Attack released a music video called ‘Same Love (Remix), a remix of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s Same Love. The video symbolizes a call for Africans to eradicate homophobia. But for some Kenyans, it is considered inappropriate and immoral.
Same Love (Remix) video, which has gone viral, has over 2000 likes and 240,000 views on YouTube. It highlights different relationships of people of the same sex and the different challenges they face on a daily basis, ranging from public scrutiny to legal actions taken against them by some African governments.
The description of the song in the video reads: A Kenyan song about same sex rights, gay rights, LGBT struggles, gender equalities, gay struggles and civil liberties for all sexual orientations.
The video displays a warning which reads: This video contains imagery and a message that may be unnecessarily offensive to some.
Part of the lyrics say:
We come from the same corner, share the same pain,
stand up tall, it’s time for new laws not new wars.
The song also uses a verse on love from the Bible (1st Corinthians chapter 13) which emphasizes the value of love over other good human actions.
In an article titled ‘Ban On Sexy Music Video Raises Gay Rights Campaign Profile in Kenya,’ Anthony Langat describes some scenes in the video:
(The video)…shows a well-toned young man, naked apart from his underpants, leaning over his tattooed male lover in bed.
Two pretty young women exchange kisses on a park bench, one putting a ring on the other's wedding finger, as the vocalist sings: “I can't change, even if I tried, even if I wanted to.”
The Kenya Film Classification Board has banned the video arguing that “it does not adhere to the morals of the country.” The board unsuccessfully petitioned Google to take the video down. Google said that banning the video would be an infringement on freedom of expression. Under Google's rules, entities that wish to see a video removed from YouTube must make their case before a judge and submit to the company a court-issued document demanding the video's removal and confirming its illegality within the jurisdiction of the court.
The board went on to state that it did not issue a license of approval for the production of parts of the video that have been produced in Kenya and that any person found distributing the video on any platform shall be held liable in line with the law.
Same sex acts are illegal in Kenya. The Constitution of Kenya does not expressly protect the rights of homosexuals. However, article 27 states that:
The State shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against any person on any ground, including race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, health status, ethnic or social origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth.
According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) 2015 report titled “State-sponsored homophobia”, homosexuality is illegal in 34 African countries. South Africa is the only country in Africa where homosexuality is expressly protected by the country's constitution. Kenyan law also has no specific stipulations regarding representation of gay people in art or other forms of speech.
Despite homosexuality being illegal and considered a taboo in Kenya, the gay community is generally tolerated as there have been hardly any cases of stringent punishment as is the case in other African countries.
In 2014,  Binyavanga Wainaina, Kenyan author, journalist and winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing, became the most high profile Kenyan to declare that he is a homosexual.
The ban of this particular video has left some people wondering why Western music videos on Kenyan radio and television stations talking about gay issues and relationships and other issues considered “un-African” are not banned.
Speaking last year during Obama’s visit, President Uhuru Kenyatta stated that there are processes which take time and that currently it is a non-issue for Kenyans who have more pressing matters to deal with.
In October 2015, President Uhuru Kenyatta warned against “witch-hunts” on homosexuals saying all Kenyans have a right to protection under the law.

author: Corazon Mwende