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North Sulawesi in Indonesia Hit by Flashflood and Landslide · Global Voices
Carolina

Manado juga banjir parah! Bukan cuma Jakarta! :'( #PrayForManado http://t.co/53YOMKPgvm pic.twitter.com/Ptb0ETx19a  — Lintas(dot)ME (@LintasME) January 15, 2014
Manado also experiencing horrible flood! Not only Jakarta!
The town of Manado in Indonesia was hit by a massive flashflood and landslide that displaced more than 40,000 residents.
Strong winds and heavy rains that lasted days triggered a landslide that buried dozens of vehicles and their passengers. It was also reported that the road that connects Manado city with Tomohon city was destroyed due to the landslide.
Photos, latest disaster updates from the ground, and solidarity messages are pouring on Twitter through the hashtags #prayformanado, #GodSaveManado, and #prayforsulut.
What a night! Badai berlanjut gempa, berlanjut mati lampu. Satu harapan saya malam ini, tidur nyenyak dan bangun besok #GodSaveManado
— Mawar Sharon Pantow (@mawarsharons) June 13, 2011
Storm followed by earthquake, followed by power outage. My one hope for tonight, soundless sleep and awake tomorrow. #GodSaveManado
Ya Tuhan, tolong mudahkan distribusi bantuan dan evakuasi, untuk saudara-saudara kami.. #PrayForManado pic.twitter.com/LZJgBf5MZU
— Mahasiswa Yogyakarta (@JogjaStudent) January 16, 2014
O Lord, please facilitate the distribution of aid and evacuation for our brothers and sisters..#prayformanado
Ombak Laut setinggi 3 m, jln Boulevard Kota Manado. #PrayManado pic.twitter.com/ap7TLDSm2b  — Info Banyuwangi (@InfoBWIRaya) January 16, 2014
3-meter high sea waves at Boulevard avenue, Manado.
doa terbaik utk teman2 & saudara2 di Manado dan sekitarnya. semoga musibah banjir yg dialami bisa diatasi secepatnya. — sarah sechan (@sarseh) January 16, 2014
best prayers for friends and relatives in Manado and its surroundings. hopefully flood can be resolved at the soonest.
Heard a tragic news of the flood in Sulut, Manado. Let's pray for our brothers and sisters in there #prayforSulut pic.twitter.com/plTfudzL4e
— Grace Sharon (@grace_sha) January 15, 2014
Twitter was maximized to to coordinate rescue missions:
Tweepos mohon bantuannya RT, ini teman sy di Manado Alex bth bantuan tim SAR terimakasih yg se bsr”nya pic.twitter.com/kxVhArA1Ja
— armand maulana (@armandmaulana) January 15, 2014
Tweeps, please help RT this, a friend of mine Alex in Manado requires help from SAR team. Big thanks.
On Facebook, community pages and North Sulawesi diaspora groups provide latest updates and news regarding the status of disaster reliefs.
Ferix Sonanda expressed gratitude to Facebook friends who helped in facilitating the rescue of his nephew in a flooded village:
Landslide in Paslaten Minsel Village, North Sulawesi. Photo from Facebook page of Manado
Thank you for your help, friends. All of the office members where my nephew works have been evacuated 30 minutes ago.
Meanwhile, the Manado community Facebook page advised netizens to refrain from circulating news from unconfirmed sources that could trigger chaos amid uncertainty.
Minister for People's Welfare Salim Segaf Al Jufri assured that aid for flood victims are ready to be distributed. The Manado Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG Manado) predicts the possibility of further flooding due to heavy rainfall in the next few days.
Besides Manado, other towns were also devastated by the flooding such as North Minahasa regency, Tomohon city, Minahasa, South Minahasa, and Sangihe Islands.
Disasters caused by extreme rainfall have been  reported in many parts of Indonesia, including the capital Jakarta.

author: Carolina


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Online Platform ‘Ojo al Voto’ Seeks to Lure Young Costa Rican Voters · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

“Politics in your language!” Image from the Ojo al voto Facebook page.
The interactive platform Ojo al voto [es] wants to provide young voters with useful and straightforward information about the upcoming presidential and legislative elections in Costa Rica, scheduled for February 2, 2014.
The Hivos Central America website explains:
Ojo al voto is an interactive platform, independent from the mainstream media, that combines detailed information about political parties and the profiles and platforms of presidential and legislative candidates with digital storytelling and data visualizations.
[…]
This innovative initiative is especially aimed at young voters between the age of 18 and 37, who represent 48 percent of the electorate according to Costa Rica’s Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE). A poll published by the daily newspaper ‘La Nación’ showed that 5 out of 10 young people claimed to be indifferent to politics. Working in this climate of apathy, Ojo al Voto’s challenge is to bring youth closer to politics.
You can follow Ojo al Voto on Facebook [es] and Twitter [es].

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Silvia Viñas


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Philippine Petition Against Dog Meat Restaurants · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

An online petition is circulating to pressure the mayor of Baguio City to close down dog meat restaurants in the city. Baguio is a famous tourist destination located north of the Philippines:
I was recently made aware that there are at least ten dog meat restaurants operating in open violation of the law in Baguio.
I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the dog meat trade is not only illegal, but also extremely inhumane and implicated in the spread of rabies.
Please revoke the business permits of all restaurants that serve dog meat, thereby making your town safer for people as well as animals, not to mention a more palatable tourist destination.

author: Mong Palatino


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Preserving The Hidden History Of Old Dhaka · Global Voices
Rezwan

Writer and blogger Jenny Gustafsson highlights the works of The Urban Study Group, a non-profit voluntary organization, which is campaigning for the conservation of the rich architectural /urban heritage of old Dhaka.

author: Rezwan


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Remembering Congolese Leader Patrice Lumumba’s Struggle Against Colonialism  · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

Patrice Émery Lumumba was a Congolese independence leader and the first democratically elected prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He was killed 53 years ago on January 17, 1961 under circumstances that still remain unclear.
Lumumba, an iconic figure of the struggle against colonialism in Africa, was removed from power because he opposed the Belgian-backed secession of the mineral-rich Katanga province. His successor, Joseph-Desiré Mobutu, along with Mobutu's squad arrested Lumumba and executed him shortly after. His death was the culmination of a period of political turmoil in the country known as the Congo Crisis.
Congolese citizens and observers the world over paid tribute to his uncompromising leadership on the anniversary of his death:
Patrice #Lumumba was assassinated 53 years ago today. The country and region he died for is still being torn apart.
— ShinOvene De Sa (@ShinOvene) January 17, 2014
On this day 1961, Patrice #Lumumba was executed denying #Congo the greatest mover, changemaker, inspirer and Africa lover! We remember!
— Rosebell Kagumire (@RosebellK) January 17, 2014
Il y a 53 ans, Patrice #Lumumba et deux de ses compagnons furent assassinés. Cc @Survie @Billetsdafrique pic.twitter.com/JiswvxFGyc — SY Kalidou (@Kalidoo) January 17, 2014
53 years ago, Patrice Lumumba and his two companions were killed. Cc @Survie @Billetsdafrique
#Lumumba: Ils ont découpé son corps en morceaux; ils l'ont ensuite dissout dans de l'acide. 53ans après, ils n'ont tjrs pas assumé ! #Congo
— LUCHA RD Congo (@luchaRDC) January 17, 2014
They cut his body to pieces and then they dumped it into an acid tank. 53 years later, they still cannot deal with their act.
His last letter to wife Pauline before he died was widely shared online. Community blog Quartier Libres republished the letter, in which Lumumba wrote:
Que mort, vivant, libre ou en prison sur ordre des colonialistes, ce n’est pas ma personne qui compte.
C’est le Congo, c’est notre pauvre peuple dont on a transformé l’indépendance en une cage [..] L’Afrique l’Asie, et les peuples libres et libérés de tous les coins du monde se trouveront toujours aux côtés de millions de congolais qui n’abandonneront la lutte que le jour où il n’y aura plus de colonisateurs et leurs mercenaires dans notre pays.
A mes enfants que je laisse, et que peut-être je ne reverrai plus, je veux qu’on dise que l’avenir du Congo est beau et qu’il attend d’eux, comme il attend de chaque Congolais, d’accomplir la tâche sacrée de la reconstruction de notre indépendance et de notre souveraineté, car sans dignité il n’y a pas de liberté, sans justice il n’y a pas de dignité, et sans indépendance il n’y a pas d’hommes libres.
What I can say is this: dead or alive, free or in jail, it is not about me personally.
It is about Congo, our unhappy people, whose independence is being trampled upon. […] We are not alone. Africa, Asia, the free peoples and the peoples fighting for their freedom in all corners of the world will always be side by side with the millions of Congolese who will not give up the struggle while there is even one colonialist or colonialist mercenary in our country.
To my sons, whom I am leaving and whom, perhaps, I shall not see again, I want to say that the future of Congo is splendid and that I expect from them, as from every Congolese, the fulfillment of the sacred task of restoring our independence and our sovereignty. Without dignity there is no freedom, without justice there is no dignity and without independence there are no free men.
In the magazine CeaseFire, Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja, a professor of African and Afro-American studies at the University of North Carolina, and Jonathan Jacobs, a writer and activist based in London, explained the importance of Lumumba's legacy:
According to unconfirmed reports, Walter Kansteiner – US Secretary of State for African Affairs under George W. Bush, between June 2001 and November 2003 – designed a plan for the division of Congo into four countries. The justification for such a Balkanisation would be that, in its present dimensions, the country is too large and ungovernable. […] In fact, this would facilitate access to resources, and make their transfer to outside markets easier. […] the reality is that their project for the recolonisation of Congo will always stumble against the determination of the Congolese people to defend their unity, their national patrimony, and the territorial integrity of their homeland. The legacy of Patrice Lumumba, Pierre Lulele, André Kisase Ngandu and so many other martyrs brings women, men and children to shout “No” to balkanisation and “Yes” to a “United Congo, a strong nation.”

author: Lova Rakotomalala


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#RespectMyVote Movement Vs ‘Bangkok Shutdown’ in Thailand · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Those who are angry against corruption should support and participate in the February 2 elections instead of pushing for the creation of an unelected People’s Council.
A Thai farmer holds a sign that reads ‘Respect My Vote’ as she poses with a Thai national flag. Photo by Matthew Richards, Copyright @Demotix (1/15/2014)
This is the message of concerned Thai civic groups and individuals who have been holding candle lighting activities mainly in north Thailand to counter the ‘Bangkok Shutdown’ campaign. They are using the Twitter hashtag #RespectMyVote.
The ongoing street protests in Bangkok are aimed primarily at forcing the ouster of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who is accused of being a puppet of her elder brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin was ousted by a coup in 2006 but his party has remained victorious in the polls. He is in exile after being found guilty of plunder by a local court.
Yingluck dissolved the parliament to defuse the political crisis. An election is scheduled next month but the opposition said it will boycott the ‘corrupt’ electoral process. Protests have intensified in recent days but the opposition failed to completely paralyze Bangkok and other parts of the country. Protesters were able to occupy 7 major intersections in Bangkok:
We are now on Day 5 of #BangkokShutdown, though it has been more like Occupy 7 Intersections in #Bangkok & set-up some Walking Streets
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) January 16, 2014
Because of their rejection of elections, Bangkok protesters are criticized for spearheading an ‘anti-democracy’ movement. The hashtag #RespectMyVote emerged in recent days to encourage protesters to fight for change by voting next month.
I'll vent my frustration in the coming election. It's at least the best way we could do now under the rule of law. #respectmyvote
— l3pinkii (@l3pinkii) January 16, 2014
My wife and I with big crowd candle lighting for peace at benjasiri #respectmyvote #nofacism #2febwevote pic.twitter.com/I6wTFrHi64
— Maxim Silentfoot (@silentfoot) January 16, 2014
Far from #BkkShutDown and media attention, pro-election #RespectMyVote rally in Kalasin (Isan) (pic @joe_black317) pic.twitter.com/Vn5MRezk7c
— Alessio Fratticcioli (@fratticcioli) January 13, 2014
ปชช.คลองสาน กทม. ร่วมใส่เสื้อ #RespectMyVote จุดเทียนเพื่อสันติภาพ #voicelive pic.twitter.com/zVc8Xx7W4o
— วีรนันต์ กัณหา (@weeranan) January 14, 2014
people of the Klongsan district unite to wear Respect my Vote shirts and light candles for peace
ชูป้าย #RespectMyVote ณ สวนเบญจสิริ ถ.สุขุมวิท #จุดเทียนเขียนสันติภาพ #voicelive pic.twitter.com/Sk5bMA9PTL
— วีรนันต์ กัณหา (@weeranan) January 16, 2014
holding a banner Respect My Vote at Benjasiri garden on Sukhumvit rd.
Yes there's lots of ppl in Bangkok, and the tweets are pretty boring if we're honest. How about a bit of focus on the #RespectMyVote side?
— Stevie Gell (@steviegell) January 13, 2014
ลูกสาวชูวิทย์ไปงาน #RespectMyVote pic.twitter.com/QQvqXYnpJT
— Panuwat (@tumbler_p) January 12, 2014
daughter of Chuwit (politician) going to work
From the pics, u can see alot of people joining #BKKShutdown. But there are alot of people who are opposing it! #RespectMyVote #PheuThai
— Kimi VoteFeb2 (@mynameiskimi90) January 13, 2014
A heckler was even able to send the #RespectMyVote message directly at former Prime Minister and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Meanwhile, Fuadi Pitsuwan denounced the ‘the tyranny of global commentary’ and defended the ‘Bangkok Shutdown’ protest:
These global commentators should spend more time pondering why some 500,000-1 million people – many of whom used to be quite complacent about and uninterested in politics – have taken to the streets demanding an end to the Thaksin regime. There must be compelling reasons to this uprising against an elected government. Its size alone makes this an unprecedented phenomenon in Thai political history.
In a live interview during a rally, protest leader Dr Seri explained why protesters are not supportive of the coming elections:
Elections is just a process of democracy, but It is not democracy in itself. Being elected doesn’t mean that your corruption will be legalized or legitimized. Even when you are elected but if you do something unlawful, if you violate the laws, you violate the constitution, we have to overthrow you.
But Ryan Zander thinks that the creation of a People’s Council will create more problems for the opposition:
How could such a council claim any authority? Doesn’t it make a million times more sense to try to win a majority of seats in the fresh round of elections so that your side could claim to represent the will of the people?


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The Sad Fate of Multimillionaire Marriages in Russian Officialdom · Global Voices
Kevin Rothrock

Alexey Navalny and his amazing netizen deductions. Navalny depicted as Sherlock Holmes, left, and Maxim Liksutov, right. Images mixed by Kevin Rothrock.
Russia’s leading anti-corruption blogger, Alexey Navalny, is making waves again with his latest online work [ru], a series of allegations against Maxim Liksutov [ru], the multimillionaire head of Moscow’s department of transportation and traffic. Navalny surfaced shareholder records indicating that Liksutov sold his stocks to his wife in an attempt to circumvent a federal law against owning foreign assets. Navalny also alleges that some of the Liksutovs’ assets, such as Transgroup Invest AS, are the parent companies of several transportation-related interests, creating a conflict of interest. Liksutov denies violating any laws, pointing out that he and his wife divorced on June 26, 2013, which the Moscow mayor’s office now confirms.
Maxim Katz, a transportation guru and frequent consultant for the city of Moscow, has responded [ru] with some hostility to Navalny’s accusations against Liksutov. Curiously, Katz was also Navalny’s mayoral campaign manager last autumn, giving him work experience with both men. In a LiveJournal post on January 16, 2014, Katz denied any loyalty to Liksutov, but said he wasn’t yet convinced of Navalny’s allegations. Insisting that the law in question is “idiotic,” Katz dismissed the Liksutovs’ various stockholder maneuvers.
Alexander Vinokurov, another wealthy Russian entrepreneur and the owner of liberal media outlets like TV Rain, Slon.ru, and Bolshoi Gorod magazine, echoed this sentiment on Twitter:
Если честно, не вижу ничего плохого в том, чтобы наши госслужащие владели заграничными счетами, акциями, домами. Проблема Ликсутова… =>
— Винокуров Александр (@Vinokurov12) January 16, 2014
=>… только в конфликте интересов. Ну, и еще в Госдуме, которая принимает такие законы, что людям приходится разводиться.
— Винокуров Александр (@Vinokurov12) January 16, 2014
If I’m being honest, I don’t see anything wrong in our state officials owning foreign accounts, stocks, or houses. Liksutov’s problem is only with conflicts of interest. And there’s a problem in the Duma, which adopts these laws that force people to divorce.
On the question of conflicts of interest (which Navalny now emphasizes, too, given the revelation about the divorce), Katz acknowledges that such corruption would be grounds for Liksutov’s dismissal, but says the record shows Liksutov has not awarded his own firms any suspicious contracts. Indeed, one of Liksutov’s assets, Transmashholding, did submit a tender [ru] to produce streetcars for the city of Moscow in December 2012, but it lost to another bidder.
While Navalny and his LiveJournal account are certainly responsible for putting Liksutov in the news this week (possibly leading to his future termination in the transportation department), trouble for the multimillionaire has been brewing for months. In late September 2013, Estonian journalists named Liksutov’s wife, Tatiana, the richest woman in Estonia, where Transgroup Invest AS is based. The incident drew some attention to the couple’s stock transfer, when no one at the time claimed the two had divorced. In fact, on September 30, 2013, Russian political analyst Alexander Pozhalov even observed in a Facebook post [ru] that the Estonians’ announcement should press Russian journalists to study whether Liksutov had broken any laws.
Until this week, Liksutov had slipped under the radar. But, as anyone in Russia knows, where the media fails to report on corrupt state officials, Alexey Navalny is bound to go.

author: Kevin Rothrock


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Two Opposite Arguments on Whether CAR Crisis is a Religious Conflict   · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

The violent conflict that rocks the Central African Republic (CAR) spurred a debate on whether the conflict turned into an inter-religious conflict and therefore might escalate into a genocide.  Juan Branco, a researcher at Yale law School and a blogger for Rue89, argues that there is no history of such conflict in CAR and therefore, the media is at fault for overhyping this notion  [fr]:
Il n’y a pas de monstres au camp du Kasaï, censé abriter les miliciens les plus sanguinaires d’Afrique centrale. Personne qui ne tienne de discours de haine, même quand on les y pousse. Il y a des chrétiens qui citent des longs extraits de la Bible pour convaincre leurs camarades d’abandonner leurs gris-gris. Des musulmans qui font tant bien que mal une ou deux des cinq prières exigées
There are no monsters in the camp of Kasai, a camp is supposedly a shelter for the bloodiest Central African militia. No one here is spreading hate speech even when they are edged on to do so. There are Christians who quote extensively from the Bible to convince their comrades to abandon their voodoo charms. There are Muslims who are just trying to go through their praying rituals.
Florence Lozach is a war reporter that just finished an investigative report on the CAR conflict. She states that media certainly did not invent the growing tension between Christians and Muslims in CAR and that all indications points toward a very worrisome trend [fr]:
Le 5 décembre, vous n’étiez pas là visiblement, M. Branco. La plupart des médias, que vous méprisez aujourd’hui au plus haut point, étaient là, eux, dans les rues, puis dans la mosquée Ali Babolo, puis à nouveau dans les rues. Les propos ont changé ce jour-là. Avec plus de 500 morts dans les rues, le discours a penché puis complètement chuté dans la haine chrétiens-musulmans.
On December 5, evidently you were not here (in Bangui) Mr. Branco. Most of the media that you despise so much today were here, in the streets, and then in the Ali Babolo mosque and then again, in the streets. The words that were used have changed that day. With over 500 dead people in the streets, the words we heard turned into hate speech between people of Christian and Muslim faith.


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Ukraine Stifles Freedom of Speech, Peaceful Protest With New Law · Global Voices
Tetyana Bohdanova

This post is part of our Special Coverage Ukraine's #Euromaidan Protests.
An anonymous image circulated online. The inscription reads [ru]: “Now EVERYTHING is prohibited”
On the 57th day of Ukraine's massive pro-European, anti-government protests, the country's parliament passed a law that limits freedom of assembly, restricts the country's media and clamps down on freedom of expression.
Law No. 3879 [uk] introduces a variety of legal changes “for protecting the security of citizens.” Members passed the legislation during the parliament's first session of the new year on January 16, 2014.
The law comes as thousands of protesters continue to fill a central square in Kiev. The Euromaidan protests, as they have been dubbed, began as peaceful pro-EU rallies but turned into a large-scale anti-government movement after police unleashed an aggressive crackdown against demonstrators – a handful of brutal beatings by police have been captured on film.
NGO Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group called the new law repressive, citing its key issues:
A draft law “passed” in full by the ruling majority in parliament on Jan 16 criminalizes libel, labels and restricts civic associations receiving foreign grants as “foreign agents” and imposes and substantially increases liability for any forms of protest. If the draft bill is signed by the parliamentary speaker Volodymyr Rybak and president, Viktor Yanukovych, it will set Ukraine’s democracy back by years.
Maksym Savanevsky of Watcher.com.ua noted that these and other measures, such as making it mandatory for citizens to show their passports to buy even a prepaid mobile SIM card, amount to a rise in censorship [uk] of journalists and Internet users’ expression, as well as increased control and surveillance over telecommunications systems and social media websites, under the guise of fighting extremism and violent uprisings:
Сьогодні більшість у Верховній Раді прийняла закон, яким фактично вводиться цензура в інтернеті.
Today the Verkhovna Rada [Parliament] majority adopted a law which basically introduces censorship on the Internet.
Lawyer Dmytro Nazarets posted a few express analysis posts [ru] mentioning a new requirement that all Internet news sites and news agencies are now obligated to register with the authorities:
Теперь уже новости на сайте не попишешь без надзора и регистрации
No more writing and posting news on your website without oversight and registration
Journalist Mustafa Nayyem pointed out [ru] on Facebook the viciousness with which the law’s authors dealt with social media:
Social media denounced by the explanatory note to the controversial draft law adopted by the Ukrainian parliament. The authors insist social media are used as a tool to spread these ideas and fuel hostility, where calls to violently change power and constitution are becoming more and more frequent.
Rachel Denber, the Deputy Director of the Europe and Central Asia division for Human Rights Watch, succinctly summed up numerous comparisons with Russia:
What #Russia did in 60 days after Putin's inaug, #Ukraine did in 20 minutes: “foreign agents” law, limits on demos, criminalz of libel, etc
— Rachel Denber (@Rachel_Denber) January 16, 2014
Budget vote brawl
The parliament also voted on the year's state budget on the same day. The budget has been highly controversial with the opposition criticizing [uk] it for multiple flaws, including a drastic increase in funding for law enforcement agencies at the expense of such items as healthcare. Opposition MPs had pledged to block parliament and prevent voting at all costs. At first, things seemed to progress according to their plan.
However, the opposition quickly lost control, with the pro-government majority voting in support of the budget and bypassing regular voting procedure.
Editor of an English-language Kyiv-based publication, the Kyiv Post, Christopher Miller tweeted:
And…#Ukraine‘s parliament passes 2014 budget. No discussions, debates. A quick & dirty vote, & that was that. Regions Party has the power.
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) January 16, 2014
A brawl during the parliament session followed, with the opposition physically trying to prevent their rivals from using the electronic voting system. However, the pro-presidential majority quickly retreated and continued voting by a raise of hands.
A screenshot of the live broadcast from the Ukrainian parliament. The pro-presidential majority adopts the laws by raising hands. January 16, 2014.
Opposition MP Andriy Shevchenko commented [uk] on the violations of voting procedure:
На очах у всієї країни Верховна Рада сьомого скликання припиняє своє існування. Йо..ний стид… #Рада7
— Andriy Shevchenko (@ashevch) January 16, 2014
While the whole country is watching, the seventh Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada [parliament] is ceasing to exist. What a f*cking shame… #Рада7
Roman Shrayk, an independent journalist and author of the satirical Durdom Portal, called the parliamentary vote on the bills itself a sham, posting a video [ru] of the vote on his blog for Ukrainska Pravda:
20 минут, которые уничтожили остатки украинской демократии
20 minutes that destroyed the remnants of Ukrainian democracy
“The day democracy died”
Later, President Viktor Yanukovych signed all five laws, including the openly anti-protest law no. 3879, sparking outrage in the Ukrainian online community.
Kyiv-based Anglophone blogger Taras Revunets tweeted:
#YANUKOVYCH SIGNS #DICTATORSHIP BILL INTO LAW. Welcome to the Customs Union! #Ukraine #Euromaidan #Євромайдан #EU pic.twitter.com/r5XiQMZzZ9
— Ukrainian Updates (@Ukroblogger) January 16, 2014
Twitter user Igor Shevchenko went even further in his comparisons [uk]:
Тепер ми Північна Корея. І в нас свій Вік Фед Ян.
— Igor Shevchenko (@upiterian) January 16, 2014
Now we are North Korea. And we have our own Vik Fed Yan [Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych]
Yet many other social media users have ridiculed the new measures, pointing out their absurdity.
The civic movement “Chesno” posted the following photo, noting [ru] that it depicts something already “fobidden” by the new law:
Civic movement “Chesno” depicting an activity technically illegal under new legislation. Photo by Hanna Hrabarska. Used with permission.
Тем временем, вот мы – иностранные агенты, офис движения ЧЕСТНО, группа больше пяти лиц, В МАСКАХ!
In the meantime, here we are – foreign agents, office of the CHESNO movement, a group of more than five, wearing MASKS!
This post is part of our Special Coverage Ukraine's #Euromaidan Protests.

author: Tetyana Bohdanova


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Blogger and Commando Argue Russian Terrorism · Global Voices
Andrey Tselikov

Anti-establishment journalist Kungurov (left) vs. anonymous special forces blogger hardingush (right). Image remixed by author.
The twin explosions in Volgograd [Global Voices report], which killed dozens of people in late December 2013, still remain an important topic of conversation on the RuNet. Out of the multitude of opinion, analysis, and commentary, one polemic is particularly interesting — an online argument between two popular bloggers, the anti-establishment journalist Alexey Kungurov and the anonymous special forces commando operating in Ingushetia, hardingush [Global Voices report].
After the first December blast in the Volgograd train station, Kungurov, who boasts 11,000 followers on LiveJournal and is ranked 66th in LiveJournal's blogger rankings, made a provocative statement in a blog post [ru]:
В очередной раз говорю очевидное: никакого теракта в Волгограде не было.
I will once again say something obvious: there was no terrorist attack in Volgograd.
Kungurov's logic is, according to him, straightforward. The Russian criminal code defines an act of terror as “An explosion, arson, or other actions aimed at intimidating the population, harming humans, or property […], with the goal of influencing decisions made by the authorities or international organizations […].” Since the parties responsible for the Volgograd bombs did not make any demands of the authorities, since there were no threats or attempts to influence anyone, since no one took responsibility for the attacks, and since no one appears to be using them as a way of promoting their ideology, Kungurov says, the explosions were simply:
«убийство двух или более лиц, совершенное общественно опасным способом» (ч.2 ст. 105 УК РФ). Квалифицирующего признака теракта в упор не вижу.
“a murder of two or more persons, perpetrated by publicly dangerous means” (Part 2, Article 105, Russian Criminal Code). I point-blank don't see any qualifying signs of terrorism.
Kungurov could be suspected of being facetious — the concept of an “act of terror” is near universal, i.e. most people would agree that blowing up a train station and killing dozens of people isn't simply “murder,” regardless of demands made or not made by the perpetrators, or how terror is defined in criminal codes. He goes further, however, claiming that all suicide bombings committed in Russia are in fact done at the behest of Russian “special agencies” and the siloviki, who stand to gain from an inflated security state and frightened population:
Выгоду  от «теракта» при любом раскладе извлекает государство, точнее отдельные лица, государство приватизировавшие.
Under any circumstances the state stands to benefit from an act of terror, more specifically, persons who have privatized the state.
Kungurov's post made somewhat of a stir on the RuNet, making it to many of the top lists of popular posts, and gathering 2,281 comments, many of which agreed with his arguments. The response [ru] came two weeks later from a LiveJournal blog that is subtitled “Combating terrorism. A view from the inside.” The special forces commando behind the blog hardingush [ru] (13,600 followers, ranked 23rd on LiveJournal) has made a name for himself on the RuNet describing anti-terrorist operations in the North Caucasus in vivid, gory detail.
hardingush takes issue with the labeling of a terrorist attack “murder,” and with the idea that demands are necessary for a crime to be classified as “terrorism.” Interestingly, just as Kungurov, he quotes from the official definition of a terrorist act (see above). Only, he concentrates on the “intimidating the population” part. According to hardingush, it's a “mistake” to view each suicide bombing separately. In fact the terrorists are running a protracted campaign. They don't have any specific demands (which they know won't be met in any case), but they do have the aim of “frightening” the Russian voters. These voters will then say:
“Нет, нам Кавказ не нужен, давайте отделим”. Нужно быть полным кретином, чтобы требовать отделения территории от руководства страны с помощью терактов. Но можно воздействовать на население, которое возьмет да и проголосует за придурка, который пообещает отделить Кавказ.
“No, we don't need the Caucasus, lets cut it loose.” You have to be a complete moron to make separatist demands from a government using acts of terror. But you can influence the populace, which will then go and vote for the idiot that promises to cut the Caucasus loose.
Meanwhile, Kungurov has published a series [ru] of posts [ru] that call hardingush out as a government PR project and a liar, part of the machine that creates demand for “acts of terror” and keeps Russians docile. hardingush has not responded to the accusations. As the Sochi Olympics approach, and as the Russian government looks to toughen up on anti-terrorist measures [ru], such online conflicts will probably heat up. Here's hoping they will stay online.

author: Andrey Tselikov


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Two Steps Forward, One Step Back for China’s Stock Market Reforms · Global Voices
Jack Hu

People in the trading hall of a stock and securities exchange company in downtown Shanghai China. Photo by Remko Tanis CC: AT-SA-NC
After a more than year-long freeze on new initial public offerings (IPO) while Chinese authorities reformed the country's stock market to give more power to investors, companies were once again allowed to toss their hat into the publicly traded ring in early January.
But less than two weeks later on January 12, 2014, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) announced that it will conduct random spot checks of book building, the process that assesses demand for a company's shares, and road shows, the presentations given by companies ahead of going public to drum up interest in their stock.
It also will require companies who price their IPO high in comparison with their peers, according to the companies’ price-to-earnings ratios, to publish investment risk reports at least once a week during the three weeks prior to subscription.
In response to the announcement, six companies have withdrawn their IPO applications. The first company to do so was drug manufacturer Aosaikang, whose share price was set much higher than similar companies in the industry.
The IPO system reform introduced in late 2013 is to replace the regulator approval system with a registration system which  gives more power to investors to set the initial stock price. The regulation is based on a legal framework which makes the underwriters, or the person or firm that helps a company go public, responsible for any false statements made in the legal documentation filed with stock market authorities. To prevent insider manipulation, a limit on first day price increase is set at 44 percent. Furthermore, controlling shareholders are barred from selling their shares up to five years after listing.
The sudden intervention of regulators has been interpreted by a number of financial analysts a setback for the previous reform effort.
Confidence in China's stock market was low to begin with as insider trading and price manipulation resulted in the collapse of Shanghai composite index from over 6,000 in October 2007 down under 1,700 in October 2008. Recently exposed cases include that of China Petroleum, whose shares have dropped from an issuing price of over 48 yuan (7.93 US dollars) in late 2007 to under eight yuan (1.32 US dollars) currently as a result of the corporation's corruption scandal, grabbing a huge amount of wealth from small shareholders.
And then there's Sinovel, China’s biggest wind turbine maker, which had been listed with the high IPO of 90 yuan (14.87 US dollars) three years ago, and now goes for less than four yuan (0.66 US dollars) for continuing business losses. It is now under investigation for allegedly violating securities laws.
Caught between the need for market reform and the regulation required to deal with corruption, Chinese regulators chose to tighten their grasp on the IPO system soon after its reopening. A popular financial microblogging, “Tribe of financial female journalists”, on China’s Twitter-like Sina Weibo disclosed the regulators’ plan:
1月14日晚，市场有消息称51家IPO公司将全部接受核查，而不是此前的抽查，核查将由证监会稽查大队主导。 21世纪网从三个不同的信息源获悉，证监会可能对51家拟IPO公司做出核查要求，核查的主要内容是新股的定价过程。
On the night of January 14, sources said that all of the 51 companies queued to soon offer IPOs will be examined, aside from the random spot checks announced previously by the CSRC. 21st Century Network has learned from three different sources that the CSRC will require close inspection of all 51 to-be-listed companies, focusing on the setting of prices.
Liu Shengjun, a famous reformist economist, called for deeper reforms to resolve the stock market's deadlock:
【评证监会为新股政策“打补丁”】证监会急颁新规，6公司IPO被暂缓：1、审批制、新股发行停顿一年之久，是导致当下新股乱象的根源；2、允许老股转让，为本已严重的套现潮火上浇油，应该废止；3、加快推进注册制，消除供求扭曲，才是解决三高的正路；4、要相信市场，坚决放权、严厉打假，其他问题要淡定
Comments on regulators’ patching for new stock policy: Six IPOs were suspended after the CSRC issued urgent regulations: 1. New IPO chaos stems from the previous approval system and one-year halt on new listings; 2. The permission for the transference of old shares [shares issued before the IPO] has exacerbated the cash-out problem. Such activity should be banned; 3. The right way should be to set up a registration system and remove the distortion of supply and demand. 4. [Government] should have confidence in the market mechanism, give up its power [and let the market regulate itself], focus on the crackdown on frauds and keep calm on other problems.
Although the regulators intervention happened so suddenly, Liu felt no sympathy towards the six suspended IPOs as their public fundraising has little to do with their business projects:
时间投资的一位人士对财新网记者表示，IPO开闸的本批公司的募投项目几乎都是2008、2009年的规划，募集资金说白了就是走一个形式，四五年前规划的项目，要么早干完了，要么压根不能干了，公司还募那么多钱做什么？
An expert with Time Capital told a journalist from Caixin that the business undertakings of the current batch of companies awaiting for the relaunch of IPO were nearly planned in 2008 and 2009. Frankly, fundraising is an excuse because their businesses were planned four or five years ago and have either been completed or proven unviable. They don't need that much money for their businesses.
Accountant Ma Jinghao pointed out:
我国新股发行大部分都是包装造假上市，而且造假上市的手法还非常低劣，一点技术含量都没有，公司没什么业务，就是搞一个三方协议把钱倒出去再转手，变成营业额，也就是拿钱垫资虚构利润上市。因此，上市公司质量很差，可是一旦包装造假上市成功，除了股民是待宰的羔羊外，其他所有的参与方都一夜暴富。
Most of the IPOs in China are packaged with fraud. They use simple tricks to create business. By building some business deals among three parties and transferring money around, the cash flow becomes turn over. They just need an initial amount of money to create a profit for listing in the stock market. The quality of the companies is poor and once they are listed, all parties involved become rich. The small stockholders are sacrificed.
Because the underwriter is liable for any fraud on the part of the issuing company, the underwriting fee becomes very high. Investor Chen Yu wondered what the underlining cost is of the super high underwriting fee of Aosaikang, the drugmaker that was first to withdrew its IPO:
【荒唐的承销费】被暂停IPO的奥赛康，本来要向中金支付2.6亿承销费。老大吃个包子才21，2.6亿够请1千万人吃包子；袁隆平获国家科技进步奖才100万，他激动地说研究团队辛苦，大伙平分每人2万。而投行几个年轻人编编资料勾兑勾兑，事成每人要分2000万吧。我想问：凭什么？
Ridiculous underwriting fee: The suspended Aosaikang were to pay 260 million yuan [about 40 million US dollars] to China International Capital Corporation for underwriting. President Xi has just paid 21 yuan [3.47 US dollars] for eating buns, so it’s enough to pay 10 million people for eating buns with that sum. Yuan Longping has just gained one million from the National Prize for Progress in Science and Technology, who has excitedly said it’s tough for the research team and every member averaged 20,000 yuan [about 3,300 US dollars]. However, [with the 260 million fee], a team of young men from an investment bank could average 20 million [3.4 million US dollars] each after IPO with just editing and adulterating the stuff. I want to ask: do they really deserve such a big service fee?

author: Jack Hu


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Chinese Rock Star Cui Jian Refuses to Sing Under Censorship · Global Voices
Abby Liu

Chinese rock star Cui Jian is not likely to perform this year at China’s spring gala show due to authorities’ requirement that he censor his lyrics.
There has been speculation about Cui performing at the spring gala show since the beginning of January. Cui’s agent told the New York Times earlier this week that there’s possibility that Cui could perform if no cuts to his songs were required.
The invitation to sing at the spring gala had surprised many due to his controversial role as a rock singer in China. His song “Nothing to My Name” became an anthem for student protesters in Tiananmen Square in 1989. In the 1990s, the government banned his performance in big venues due to the political content of his lyrics.
Cui Jian's CD cover “nothing to my name”
The Spring Festival Gala Show has been China’s most watched entertainment show as families have the traditional of watching it on Chinese New Year’s Eve.
However, the show has lost its appeal among younger generations during the past few years due to its cheesy and patriotic performances and the rise of online entertainment. Many think the invitation to Cui is an attempt to revive the show.
Cui’s fans have expressed mixed feelings on Chinese social media. While many think it might be a good opportunity for rock and roll to grow in China, some worry Cui’s involvement with the propaganda-style show will damage the rock and roll spirit.
On Sina Weibo, China's most popular microblogging website, “Han Haoyue” wrote [zh]:
崔健上春晚，是意识形态层面的放开。2014摇滚有复苏的迹象，精神生活苍白的中产阶级需要点摇滚的刺激，舆论场的强大能量会推动摇滚重回娱乐中心。
Cui Jian on the spring gala show means the opening up of ideology. There will be a comeback of rock and roll in 2014, the bored middle class need some stimulation from rock, powerful public opinion will push rock back into the center of entertainment.
However, others disagreed. “Paihuan de Suiliang” wrote [zh]:
乌托邦永远是小众的乐园。 一旦，它被主流接受很多事情将被改变，会被利用被捆绑，像美国就有很多这样的主流乐队。 摇滚终究属于操场和露天舞台，所以解决的办法是所有乐队一起上春晚，或者直接把春晚改成迷笛。
Utopia always belongs to a small minority. Once rock was accepted by the mainstream, it will be taken advantage of and controlled, just like many mainstream bands in the US. Rock eventually belongs on the playground and open air stage, so the solution is for all bands to join spring gala, or change the show directly to the Midi music festival.
“Xin Changzheng Lushang” echoed the same sentiment:
崔健代表着时代，但是在这种场合这个时段唱自己的歌总觉得有所不搭，崔健的歌没有那么多温暖和妥协，更多的是力量，是挽歌，是思考，所传颂的东西不是春晚这种场合所能驾驭的了的。
Cui Jian represents the times, but singing his own songs on this occasion doesn't seem suitable. Cui Jian's songs don't show warmth or compromise, they're more of a force, an elegiac, and thoughts, not something that the spring gala show can tame and control.
For most fans, they just want to see Cui on the stage. “Chibuzhe tiefanwan” wrote:
首先崔健上春晚舞台对于摇滚乐的发展没有实质性的意义。春晚严肃性的政治舞台，其实并不适合摇滚乐。其次是选曲问题，十年禁演到上春晚，正如丁丁说社会批叛力会减少。不过看着电视等着崔健的出现对我们来说也是一挺幸福的事儿。
First, Cui Jian at the spring gala show won’t have any significance for the development of rock music. The spring gala is a serious political arena, which is not suitable for rock and roll. Second, the problem with selecting songs, from being banned for a decades to the invitation to the gala show, the rebel spirit and critical force will be reduced. However, the idea of watching Cui Jian on TV is still a happy one.
“Gu feng” predicted danger:
崔健上春晚具有示范作用，会强力促进摇滚乐队的自我审查。投机、妥协、寻找中间路线将成为中国摇滚乐创作的参照，揭露、发泄、批判等核心摇滚元素在党媒带来的声誉和利益面前亦将远离摇滚。以后我们听到的摇滚可能只是编曲上的摇滚而不是一种人生态度。可以想像在CCTV的舞台上，一群留长发、穿皮夹克的人声嘶力竭的歌唱祖国。
If Cui Jian does well on the show, it will strongly promote the self-censorship of rock bands. Speculation, compromise, and looking for the middle route will become part of Chinese rock, while the exposing, the venting, and the critical elements will stay away from rock given the reputation and interests of the [Chinese Communist] Party. Then we could only hear superficial rock rather than rock as an attitude for life. Can you imagine a group of people with long hair and leather jackets praising our country on the [China Central Television] stage?
Check out one of Cui Jian's songs “A piece of red cloth”

author: Abby Liu


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Egyptian Blogger Nawara Negm Calls it Quits  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Outspoken Egyptian blogger Nawara Negm is taking a break from blogging politics.
On her blog, Tahyyes, she writes a long post explaining her position [ar]:
انا مش لاقية طرف مش متعاص كاكا… حتى اللي عاملين ثوار واصحاب مبادئ… طبعا مش لانهم عملا وجواسيس، بس لانهم متلخبطين، والواحد  لما يتلخبط يعتزل… زي ما انا قررت اعتزل كده، لان فعلا المشهد مربك
I don't see a single faction not covered with shit… even those who pretend they are revolutionaries and people with principles … of course not because they are agents and spies but because they are confused and when a person is this confused, he needs to retire, just as I have decided to retire and this scene is really confusing
Negm, daughter of revolutionary poet Ahmed Fouad Negm, is a journalist and activist in her own right and was a spokesperson for the revolutionaries at Tahrir Square. On Twitter, she commands 629,000 followers.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Hong Kong: An Outraging Elementary School Entry Examination Question · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

The answer to the question is “nothing”.
A Christian elementary school entrance examination question has gone viral in Hong Kong social media. Many consider the hidden value of the question and answer unacceptable.

author: Oiwan Lam


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INFOGRAPHIC: The New Anti-Democratic Laws of Ukraine · Global Voices
Tetyana Bohdanova

On January 16, 2014, Ukrainian Parliament adopted a series of bills with a severe violation of the voting procedure. Nevertheless, on the eve of the same day the bills were signed into law by President Yanukovych.
Below is an infographic by civic movement CHESNO [uk, en] outlining the major legislative initiatives valid as of January 17, 2014.


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Lebanese Blogger Spoofs Study on Middle Eastern Women’s Clothing · Global Voices
Elia J. Ayoub

The question “How Should Middle Eastern Women Dress in Public” posed by the University of Michigan is attracting hilarious spoofs online. The content is so rich that an additional post to our first one was necessary.
When Washington Post Max Fisher shared the original image on Twitter, he wasn't expecting this response by WSJ blogger Tom Gara:
I have the most amazing haters, you guys. They’re so creative! http://t.co/2AoT6ZTAYC pic.twitter.com/ZIYL3SgxV0
— Max Fisher (@Max_Fisher) January 9, 2014
But the spoof that got the most attention was undoubtedly Karl Sharro's of KarlreMarks:
An Arab university ran this fascinating poll about what is most appropriate for American women to wear in public. pic.twitter.com/uIta80i1f8
— Karl Sharro (@KarlreMarks) January 9, 2014
Interviewed on PRI, he explained his motivation:
“It's almost like putting Muslim women on a scale from 1 to 6, from being fully covered to not being covered at all, which I think is pretty absurd.”

author: Elia J. Ayoub


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Peru and Chile Await The Hague’s Decision on Maritime Border Dispute  · Global Voices
Juan Arellano

[Links are to Spanish-language pages except where otherwise noted.]
Map presented by Alain Pellet in the case of Peru – Chile during oral arguments before the International Court of Justice in the Hague in December 2012. [The dark blue zone indicates the contentious area.] Published in Wikimedia under the license: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported.
The upcoming date on which the International Court of Justice [en] (ICJ) in The Hague is set to deliver its judgment regarding the controversy surrounding maritime boundaries between Chile and Peru [en] is generating tremendous expectations and anxiety in both countries.
The controversy originated as long ago as 1985 in a dispute over maritime sovereignty [en] of a 37,900 km² area in the Pacific Ocean. In 2008, when the parties were still unable to come to an agreement, Peru took its case to the International Court in the Hague in the hopes of having the issue resolved. The Court announced it would deliver its ruling on January 27, 2014.
In 2008, the Peruvian economist and blogger Silvio Rendón commented that by instigating the lawsuit, Peru was signalling a new level of dissatisfaction in its relations with its neighbour to the south, and that this would only foster a climate of increased nationalism in both countries:
Lo más probable es que con este reclamo ante La Haya el Perú como Chile radicalicen su carrera armamentista y las escaramuzas de guerra fría que venimos librando desde hace años. Se trata de chispas que pueden calentar lo que ahora está frío. […] Si oficialmente no estamos en guerra, ¿por qué se habla de hacer la paz? Es que sí estamos en una guerra, una guerra fría (ver Guerra Perú-Chile) que debería terminar ya. Lo diré una vez más. El camino del Perú debería ser el del crecimiento, no el del armamentismo (ver Triángulo equivocado y Ad “Triángulo Equivocado”). Perú tiene el 10% del PIB per cápita de EEUU y Chile tiene 20%. Deberíamos estar concentrados en mejorar el bienestar de nuestras ciudadanías y el camino a ese objetivo no pasa por la propiedad del triángulo marítimo.
It is likely that with this claim before The Hague, both Peru and Chile will intensify the arms race and the cold war skirmishes they have been waging for years. We are talking about sparks that could ignite something that, for the moment, is cold. […] If we are not officially at war, why are we talking about making peace? It's because we are indeed at war, a cold war (see Guerra Perú-Chile) that must end now. I will say it one last time. The road Peru takes should be one of development, not stockpiling (see Triángulo equivocado and Ad “Triángulo Equivocado”). Peru's per capita GDP is 10% of that of the U.S. and Chile's is at 20%. We should be focussing on improving the wellbeing of our citizens and the road to that objective is not paved with proprietary wrangling over the maritime triangle.
Currently, beyond the legal arguments on which each country has based its position, there are those such as El Drac of the blog El Abrazo de Almanzor, who see abuse and manipulation of the claim by powerful interests who have the support of certain sectors of the press. Moreover, the blogger mentions the economic implications of the dispute :
Despite the fact that both countries insist the decision by the International Court will not affect their trade relations, Chilean business leaders have expressed their concern about the potential impact on the fishing industry. […] If the ruling favours Peru's contention, this will affect Chilean fishing, as the the country will lose control of a wide stretch of sea which today accounts for 70-80% of the catch in the Northern Arica zone, according to industry estimates.
The website Otra Mirada emphasizes that defence of Peruvian sovereignty has ensured a degree of national unity in the country, but it also raises the question of what the agenda for immediate economic development should be. To which it adds:
The Hague's verdict will, therefore, determine a new outlook for the country, for which a  national agenda must be set, one that includes fundamental issues like: 1. Defining the role of the Armed Forces in our national security and sovereignty in the post-Hague phase. 2. Establishing a development policy for the fisheries industry in that area of the country. 3. Taking immediate actions regarding the situation of Chilean labourers in Peru and Peruvians who live in Chile. 4. Promoting a public investment program in the Tacna and Moquegua regions that favours South Amercian integration. 5. Formulate socioeconomic and cultural integration policies with our neighbours.
Meanwhile, as predicted by Silvio Rendón, there has been a recent upsurge in nationalism, evident in former President Alan García's proposal that the flag be raised outside homes and offices across Peru on January 27, the day when the International Court in The Hague will finally come down on one side or the other of the dispute. This has generated controversy, as the call was rejected by Peru's governing party and a number of Chilean politicians. However, García has defended his proposal, which was well received in other quarters, namely some of the country's provinces and districts.
Peru also felt the impact of the meeting that Chilean President Sebastián Piñera held with his National Security Council to analyze the potential repercussions of the ICJ decision.  Afterwards, and in the face of criticism by certain Chilean politicians, the country's Minister of the Interior, Andrés Chadwick, declared that the meeting “did not point to a situation of a military or bellicose nature.”
Nevertheless, Chile's digital newspaper El Mostrador published information in July of 2013 about military preparations in both Chile and Peru in anticipation for an adverse decision by the ICJ or a situation in which one of the two countries refused to comply. More recently, the Peruvian pro-military blogger Report Perú publicized alleged early warning measures by the Peruvian Armed Forces.
There are fewer than 10 days to go before the judgment by the International Court of Justice in The Hague; so many things could still happen, and rumours and controversy are sure to continue to abound. But one valid reflection was made by the lawyer Francisco Canaza on his blog Apuntes Peruanos, referring to a prior ruling by the ICJ regarding the territorial and maritime dispute between Colombia and Nicaragua [en], which resulted in Colombia not recognizing the Court's decision and withdrawing from the Pacto de Bogotá, a treaty whose signatories [a majority of Latin American countries] are obliged to resolve their conflicts through pacific means, awarding jurisdiction to the ICJ:
sin ser el caso Peru – Chile ante la Corte Internacional de Justicia de La Haya un proceso similar al de Nicaragua – Colombia, ¿Chile podría, como Colombia, denunciar (retirarse) del Pacto de Bogotá y así evitar la ejecución de un fallo “no ajustado a derecho”?
Although Peru – Chile, now before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, is not necessarily similar to the case of Nicaragua – Colombia, could Chile, like Colombia, denounce (withdraw from) the Pacto de Bogotá [en] and thereby avoid enforcement of a ruling that is “not consistent with the law”?

author: Juan Arellano


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Suriname Gets “An Eye For Art” · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Srananart's Blog highlights an exciting new initiative, An Eye For Art: Every fortnight, an esteemed art critic discusses a piece of work from a Surinamese gallery's collection.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Yemeni Activist Receives Death Threat on Facebook · Global Voices
Afrah Nasser

Yemeni activist Hani Al-Junid .. threatened on Facebook
Prominent Yemeni political activist Hani Al-Junid, received a death threat in his Facebook message inbox. The activist, who doubles as a reporter for Al-Sharae independent local newspaper, says the threat, which he takes seriously, was made by an anonymous person.
The threat, on December 21, warned that Al-Junid's “termination is soon.” Al-Junid is well-known for his political activism against General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, commander of the army's 1st Armoured Division's attack on Sana'a University and the Al-Arateet rally. Most importantly, he is known for his sarcastic, secular, socialist writings [ar].
The threatening message says [ar]:
“نهايتك قريبة. وحياة امك ماتفلت. والله مانخليك الا تجس مشلول في البيت. ماتقدر ترفع ايد ولاتحرك رجل. كلام انتهى. رصاصة في العمود الفقري وانتهى امرك”
Your end is soon. You will not escape it. We swear to God that we will make you sit at home paralyzed and you would be not able to move an arm or a leg. Period. One bullet in your spine and you would be over.”
A snapshot of the threatening message Al-Junid received in his Facebook inbox.
Once Al-Junid got the threat, he posted its screenshot on his Facebook wall. He wrote:
“هذا الشخص ليس صديقي في الفيس بوك ولا اعرفه، ودخل فجئة يكلمني أنه بردان ويشتي خمر. أنا قلت له أن عليه التواصل مع علي محسن الأحمر، أو عبدالوهاب طواف كونهم المهربين الوحيدين لهذا الأمر، تحدثنا قليلا وعندما توقفت عن الحديث معه افصح عن الرسالة التي كلف بها وهي تهديدي أن نهايتي باتت قريبه.”
This person is not my friend and I don't know him at all. He started messaging me that he was cold and wanted wine. I told him that he should contact Ali Mohsen and Abdelwahab Tawaf, as they are the only smugglers of wine. After a while, he stated that my end is soon.”
The activist has always stated that such tactics to silence him will never scare him. He explained:
“بصراحة تصلني تهديدات بين وقت وآخر لكني لا اعيرها أي اهتمام، بس هذه المرة شعرت أن الأمر جدي، وأحب أن اقول لهذا المسخ أن تهديده لم يخيفني وانا مستعد للتضحية”
Honestly, I receive threats every once in a while but I never care about them. However, this time I sense that it's serious. And I'd like to tell this bastard that his threat won't scare me and I'm ready to sacrifice myself.”
While Yemen after the 2011 uprising enjoys greater freedom of expression, this new found freedom had been tempered by the rise of such incidences of threats and violence against the media. This incident for Al-Junid is one in a spate of attacks and other threats media groups receive. Al-Junid has been physically assaulted by a group of unknown men after he left a demonstration at Sana'a University demanding an end to its occupation by the military in October 2012.

author: Afrah Nasser


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Haiti, D.R.: Stateless in the Dominican Republic  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

jmc strategies blogs about the issue of Haitian statelessness in the Dominican Republic, specifically addressing anti-Haitian sentiment, questionable labour and living conditions, and forced repatriations, while offering solutions to the impasse.


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Madagascar Finally Has a New President, But Uncertainty Remains · Global Voices
Mialy Andriamananjara

It's official: Hery Rajaonarimampianina, considered a proxy for Madagascar's former President of the Transition Andry Rajoelina, who toppled the country's last democratically elected president in a military-backed coup in 2009, was declared the victor of long-awaited presidential elections by Madagascar's Special Electorate Court (CES).
The CES rejected allegations of vote-rigging and demands for a recount from the other candidate, Jean-Louis Robinson. The two had faced off in a second round of elections in December 2013 when neither won a clear majority after the initial vote in October. Rajaonarimampianina garnered 53.49 percent of votes in the run-off, while Robinson earned 46.51 percent.
Does this mean Madagascar is back on the path to democracy? Are prosperity and peace finally on the horizon for a country marred by chronic instability and a steady descent into poverty?
A straightforward calculation indicates that Rajaonarimampianina would have been elected with barely 25 percent of registered voters using figures delineated in the Madagascar Tribune [fr]:
Inscrits : 7 971 790
Votants : 4 043 246
Blancs et nuls : 171 790
Suffrages exprimés : 3 851 460
Taux de participation : 50,72%
Rajaonarimampianina Rakoatoarimanana Hery Martial : 2 060 124 (53,49%)
Robinson Richard Jean Louis : 1 790 336 (46,51%)
Registered: 7,971,790
Voting: 4,043,246
Invalid ballots: 171,790
Ballots: 3,851,460
Participation rate : 50.72%
Rajaonarimampianina Rakotoarimanana Hery Martial: 2,060,124 (53.49%)
Robinson Richard Jean Louis: 1,790,336 (46.51%)
Screenshot of Hery Rajaonarimampianina during the presidential debate via Malagasy Public Television -Public domain
Beyond that point though, power grabs have rhappened in Madagascar through either street protests and/or military coups, five times since 1972, with the latest in 2009.
Were Madagascar's presidential elections truly free and fair? Will they ultimately lead to a period of peace and prosperity for the country?
The elections were four years in the making and were welcome by most in the country and in the international community. While there were irregularities on voting day, as documented by citizen-based electoral observers Andrimaso and Zahavato, they were not deemed important enough to declare the elections void.
There are, however, some valid concerns regarding events especially during the pre-election period. The first of these events being when toppled President Marc Ravalomanana, his wife Lalao Ravalomanana, former President Didier Ratsiraka and coup-maker Andry Rajoelina were all excluded from the elections.
In what constitutes the setting of a precedent, Didier Ratsiraka and Lalao Ravalomanana were barred from contesting the elections, based on residential requirements, while exiled in France and South Africa respectively, and barred from returning to the island. This hardly seems to be the mark of a burgeoning democracy.
Andry Rajoelina had deposited his candidacy at the last minute, and was therefore barred from running as well. The NGO Verified Voting posted the following explanation:
The court said neither Ravalomanana nor Ratsiraka met the physical residence requirements for candidacy. Ravalomanana lives in exile in South Africa, while Ratsiraka has not lived permanently on the island since fleeing to France in 2002.
The court said Rajoelina did not register his candidacy during the statutory period. Rajoelina said in January that he would not run in this year's elections, but then registered his candidacy in May. He said he had decided to run because Lalao Ravalomanana's candidacy was the same as having her husband stand.
The Southern African Development Community, a regional bloc of 15 countries, had recommended that neither Ravalomanana nor Rajoelina run as a way of resolving Madagascar's political troubles. The island of 20 million people has been in political turmoil since Rajoelina, a former DJ, seized power in 2009.
Ravalomanana agreed in December not to run. Five other candidates were also dropped from the list, the court said.
Secondly, in November, a law was passed allowing Andry Rajoelina to campaign for Hery Rajaonarimampianina, despite obligations that former presidents, democratically elected or not, stay above the fray and neutral. A blogger on the Malagasy community blog Madonline suspected Rajoelina also had a hand in selecting candidates for the Parliamentary elections [fr] that happened simultaneously with the presidential elections:
Il est le candidat virtuel et omnipotent de ces élections malgaches, car son ombre plane à la fois sur la présidentielle et les législatives. Il, c’est évidement Andry Rajoelina qui a revendiqué la paternité du candidat Hery Rajaonarimampianina pour être tête d’affiche au second tour avant d’enfanter 117 candidats à la députation. Non, il ne viole plus la loi puisqu’il l’a changé une énième fois en sa faveur. C’est par un décret pris en conseil des ministres que Andry Rajoelina a décidé qu’il peut s’afficher physiquement et sur les supports de communication des candidats. En tant que premier chef d’institution, il se libère du devoir de neutralité et de réserve préconisé par la Feuille de route.
He is the virtual and all-powerful candidate of these Malagasy elections, his shadow is present both on presidential and legislative elections. He is evidently Andry Rajoelina who has acknowledged his paternity of candidate Hery Rajaonarimampianina during the second rounds of the presidential elections, before birthing 117 candidates for the legislatures. No, he does not violate the law because he has changed it for the nth time in his favor. It is thanks to a law passed during a ministerial meeting that Andry Rajoelina can physically accompany candidates and be seen on campaign material. As the head of institution, he has freed himself from the duty of neutrality and obligation of discretion indicated by the Road Map.
Thirdly, there are some indications that Andry Rajoelina may attempt to impose himself as a prime minister [fr] a la Vladimir Putin during the Medvedev administration, hinting that a declaration that Madagascar is back on the road to democracy may be premature, as Tsimok'i Gasikara explains:
Le camp du président de transition non élu Andry Rajoelina, en passe de remporter la présidentielle à Madagascar, a estimé samedi avoir une majorité suffisante pour désigner le prochain Premier ministre, au lendemain des résultats provisoires des législatives.”Selon notre estimation, nous avons 53 députés mais ce chiffre peut remonter jusqu?à 58 après vérification”, a indiqué à l?AFP Jean de Dieu Maharante, le président du groupe de candidats qui se présentaient sous les couleurs de Mapar, acronyme signifiant en français “avec le président Andry Rajoelina”.
The camp of non-elected Transitional Presiden Andry Rajoelina, which is imminently winning the presidential elections in Madagascar, has estimated having enough majority to designate the next prime minister, the day after temporary results of legislative elections. “Based on our estimates, we have 53 representatives, but this can climb up to 58 after recounts”, Jean de Dieu Maharante told the AFP. Maharente is the president of the group of Mapar candidates, Mapar meaning “With the President Andry Rajoelina” in French.
Screen shot of Hery Rajaonarimampianina and Andry Rajoelina during the presidential campaign. Via Mandimby Maharo with permission
During the election, other unorthodox events happened. The first being the unexplained addition of 140,000 voters to the electoral list between the first and second rounds. Who knows how many voters were suppressed from electoral votes and denied their electoral rights?
Another unexplained and alarming fact is the murky origins of electoral funds. Money poured in from all sides during the campaign. Electoral laws are not in place to regulate financial campaign. For the purpose of comparison, it is good to note that more than 90 percent of Madagascar's population survives on less than two US dollars a day. However, Rajaonarimampianina is reported to have spent 43 million US dollars [fr]:
Enfin, grâce à son trésor de guerre de quelque 43 millions de dollars, considéré comme le budget de campagne le plus élevé, le candidat a réussi à installer ses relais à travers l’ensemble de l’île.
Thanks to his war chest of 43 million US dollars, considered the largest campaign budget, the candidate has successfully established outposts throughout the whole island.
Famously, another unsuccessful candidate, Camille Vital, saw his donated 350 SUVs blocked at the port of Toamasina. Post-election, Vital, Rajoelina's former prime minister, who backed Robinson during the second round, is not allowed to leave Madagascar. Yet again, another worrying sign that democracy may not have fully arrived in Madagascar [fr], via Malango news:
Fin septembre, 350 véhicules 4×4 sont bloqués dans le port de Toamasina (Tamatave) ainsi qu'un cargo contenant plusieurs centaines de milliers de t-shirts à son effigie. Les documents fournis éveillent la méfiance des douanes qui demandent des explications. Selon le candidat, il s'agit d'un « un don non remboursable et sans contrepartie » fait par un « ami » étranger convaincu de son programme fondé sur le rétablissement rapide de la sécurité dans le pays.
At the end September, 350 SUVs are blocked at the port of Toamasina, together with hundreds of thousands of t-shirts with his portrait. The supplied documentation rises customs officers’ suspicion. According to the candidate, they were a non-refundable donation by a foreign friend convinced by his policy founded on fast reestablishment of security in the country.
There are signs that people are exhausted by the long crisis. As reported on All Africa:
People might also be tired of interminable political disputes. Some indication of this, and of people's disillusionment with their current leadership, is the low voter turnout during the December elections, which was just over 50%.
Paul-Simon Handy, Head of the ISS Conflict Prevention and Risk Analysis Division, says the low voter turnout in the second round is reminiscent of other post-crisis countries where the electorate is exhausted by protracted political disputes.
‘As much as people want a legitimate government, they've simply had enough of political disputes and they see that what is on offer in terms of candidates as the recycling of the same political elite.’
Only one day after the formal proclamation of Rajaonarimampianina's victory, Robinson was already calling for protests:
#mdg2013 @DrRobinsonJL calls for a Huge demonstration in Magro places tomorrow ! and claims the CONFRONTATION/ result pic.twitter.com/dZ9cyZ9gwn
— Madagascar Sondage (@MSondage) January 17, 2014
All eyes are on Rajaonarimampianina to see if and how he intends to honor his electoral promise to restore stability and work together with the people to lift Madagascar out of poverty. Is Rajaonarimampianina his own man, and can he stand on his own, despite being seen as a Rajoelina proxy? The Malagasy people deserve a government and a president who knows that being elected with only 25 percent of registered voters means he has to work inclusively with other camps, reconcile all Malagasy people, and refrain from a Putin scenario.

author: Mialy Andriamananjara


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President: Ugandan Soldiers Killed Fighting in South Sudan · Global Voices
James Propa

Ugandan troops are fighting alongside South Sudan's President Salva Kiir's troops in the ongoing conflict between government and rebel forces, in what Uganda says is an attempt to protect its many citizens doing business in the the world's newest nation.
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni revealed the troops’ involvement as well as that a few Ugandan soldiers have been injured and others killed on 15 January, 2014 while speaking at the 5th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region [ICGLR] on Peace and Security in Luanda, Angola. Rumors had circulated of Uganda's presence in South Sudan, but this was the first time the government had confirmed it.
The following day, Uganda's two most read newspapers, the government-owned New Vision and the independent Daily Monitor, covered the news on their front pages, but with very different headlines. New Vision's read, “UPDF [Ugandan People's Defence Force] Hit South Sudan Rebels”, while the Daily Monitor printed, “Machar's Fighters Kill UPDF Soldiers”.
Two competing headlines sharing the news of Ugandan troops’ involvement in the fighting in South Sudan. Shared on Facebook by Ugandan media personality MC Kats.
Social media users quickly reacted to the story.
Benjamin Rukwengye wrote on Twitter that the New Vision headline meant to show that victory is more of a priority than the soldiers dying:
‘Priorities’ is when even with reports that UPDF men might have been killed in S. Sudan, New Vision's top story is about a victory!
— Benjamin Rukwengye (@BibiRukwengye) January 16, 2014
Winnie Byanyima, the wife of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, tweeted:
Machar’s fighters kill UPDF soldiers http://t.co/AQ0Tl5biyV Will Uganda's unilateral intervention not undermine the regional peace talks?
— Winnie Byanyima (@Winnie_Byanyima) January 16, 2014
On Facebook, Charlotte Kemigyisha wrote:
About 48 hours ago, the Army spokesperson was denying any deaths of UPDF soldiers in Sudan. 24 hours later his Boss H.E. acknowledges death having been suffered on both sides during a cross fire. Question is; next time round, who will I believe?
Readers on both newspapers’ websites also commented on the news.
Peter asked for proof concerning the deaths and injuries on what the president said:
Where is the proof? Just because M7 [Presient Yoweri Museveni] said so does not mean so. Not surprising, this is the quality of today's journalists, particularly NV [New Vision newspaper] being mouth piece of Ug government
Elgon58 asked the president:
It started with the UPDF evacuating ugandans ,then UPDF prividing a safe corridor for ugandans to go home then UPDF guarding important installations in juba and finally UPDF fighting alongside the SPLA..Mr president why didn´t you tell us from the beginning that the UPDF was rushing to give support to the SPLA.Who is going to foot the bill?Why were the kenyans and ethiopians not involved in supporting the SPLA?
Kipunpung'it noted:
Only fools can claim they didn't know UPDF was involved in combat operations in S. Sudan
Bishanga thinks the UPDF soldiers dying in South Sudan are actually being killed by the President indirectly:
Why President Museveni should be actively fighting rebels led by Riek Machar in South Sudan fully knowing that two clans are involved in the figting.Is Museveni fighting the Rebels to create peace or fuel the fighting President Museveni must know that the UPDF Soldiers dying in the War of South Sudan are being killed by him indirectly because he did this to kill soldiers he does not want in the UPDF because I the first instance Museveni deployed these dead soldiers to South Sudan before getting blessing from the Parliament of Uganda.

author: James Propa


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Saudi Arabia Jails Palestinian Poet for ‘Atheism and Long Hair’ · Global Voices
Mona Kareem

Saudi Artist Ahmed Mater shared this photograph on Twitter in support of Fayadh
Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh is in a Saudi prison, allegedly for spreading atheism – and having long hair. The poet, raised in Saudi Arabia, was arrested five months ago, when a reader submitted a complaint against him saying that his poems contain atheist ideas. The accusations were not proven and he was released, only to be arrested again on the 1 January 2014.
Fayadh's case is making the rounds in media and on social networks, with condemnations coming from Arab writers from across the region. Some of his friends wrote online that the real reason behind his arrest might be due to the video he filmed five months ago of Abha's religious police lashing a young man in public.
Currently, the poet is still in jail with no evidence to the accusation or details of a coming trial. The following reactions clarify his case and express condemnations from Saudi writers, artists, and others standing in solidarity.
#أشرف_فياض التحرش بالذات الإلهية وتطويل الشَعر…فقط عندما تتوقف هذه التهم المضحكة/المبكية يمكننا أن نبدأ الحديث عن الحقوق والحريات ووو
@reem_tayeb: Ashraf Fayadh is accused of ‘harrasing the Godly self and letting his hair grow long.. when these laughable-sad accusations stop, we can start talking about rights and freedoms.
#أشرف_فياض اعتقاله ليس الا اعلان اننا وصلنا الى ما وصلت اليه اوروبا في العصور المظلمة !!
@MohammdaLahamdl: Ashraf Fayadh's arrest is an announcement that we have reached what Europe faced in the Dark Ages.
هل تعتقد أن إيمانك حقيقي وأنت تعتقد أن الله كائن قابل للتحرش به ؟! #أشرف_فياض
@WhiteTulip01: Do you think your faith is real when you think God can be harassed!!
أشرف_فياض معتقل بتهمة الالحاد!!وهل الكفر تهمة!! وهل الايمان إجبار!! هذا اذا افترضنا صحة التهمة أصلا
@MusabUK: Ashraf Fayadh is detained for atheism. Is atheism a charge? Is faith enforceable? That's if we assume the charge is true.
إن وجود #أشرف_فياض في السجن، مع المجرمين، والقتلة، لأنه شاعرٌ فحسب، لا يعنى سوى أن العدالة مسألة ترفيّة لدينا، سلطة وشعبا
@b_khlil: The fact that Ashraf Fayadh is now detained with criminals and killers just because he is a poet, tells us that justice is only a privilege to us, both as people and the regime.
15 تهمة ملفقة للشاعر والفنان #أشرف_فياض تبدأ بالإلحاد وتنتهي بإطالة الشعر، لماذا ؟ لأنه قبل 5 أشهر صور هيئة أبها وهي تجلد شاب أمام الناس
@turkiaz: The poet and artist Ashraf Fayadh is imprisoned for 15 charges, including atheism and long hair. Why? Because he filmed the religious police as they were lashing a young man in public.
#أشرف_فياض الى اعلامنا ، هل ننتظر ، القليل من المهنية ستفي بالغرض. قضية اشرف فياض علي وشك ان تكون في صفحات كل المحطات العالمية قريبا
@AhmedMater: To our media: should we wait? Some professionalism would do. Ashraf Fayadh's case is going to be on the front pages of international media soon.
تحولت التحقيقات مع الشاعر أشرف فياض بعد عجز المحقق أن يثبت شيئا من الاتهامات إلى أسئلة حول لماذا تدخن ؟ ولماذا شعرك طويل قليلاً ؟
@mohkheder: When the interrogator couldn't prove any accusations against Ashraf Fayadh, he started asking him why he smokes and why his hair is long

author: Mona Kareem


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Talking Trash In Chennai – Through Blogs · Global Voices
Rezwan

There are about 4,500 tons of waste generated in Indian city of Chennai per day. Talking Trash in Chennai blog discusses how to deal with them.


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Catherine Samba-Panza, Mayor of Bangui, Elected as Transitional President of Central African Republic   · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

Mayor of Bangui and now transitional president Catherine Semba-Panza via La Nouvelle Centrafrique Infos
After Michel Djotodia stepped down as president [fr] two weeks ago, the Central African Republic (CAR) Parliament elected Catherine Samba-Panza [fr], former mayor of Bangui, as the transitional president in charge of stabilizing the country until the next elections. Samba-Panza was recognized for her crisis management of the city during the rebels pillaging spree in 2013. Samba-Panza's appointment will mark the first time a woman has been selected as head of the state.


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Despite Controversial Past, Indian PM Candidate Narendra Modi’s Star on the Rise  · Global Voices
Manasi Gopalakrishnan

BJP candidate for prime minister Narendra Modi addresses the crowd during the ‘Lalkar rally’ in Jammu, India. Image by Amarjeet Singh. Copyright Demotix (1/12/2013)
General elections are scheduled to take place in April 2014 in India, and many of the same old players are expected to appear on the ballot. But over the last few years, corruption scandals, rape and several cases of maladministration have led many Indians to lose hope in the existing political parties.
The centrist Indian National Congress party has formed the Indian government since 2004. Although this has given the country a measure of stability, the party's ministers have also been involved in several cases of corruption involving the Commonwealth games, coal mining and 3G licensing to mobile service providers. Additionally, the increasing number of cases of violence against women has made it clear that the common man is now done with bad governance.
Congress led UPA 2 government was the worst government of India. #AICCMeet
— I Create Brand Buzz (@createbrandbuzz) January 17, 2014
Recent state-level elections in New Delhi saw the new Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), an offshoot of the anti-corruption campaign launched by social activist Anna Hazare a couple of years ago, emerged in second behind the country's other main party, the Hindu right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party is barely a year old and is already posing a threat to stalwarts like the Congress.
AAP Vs BJP : Is “Aam Aadmi Party” more threat to BJP than Congress in 2014 loksabha general election? http://t.co/SnC8rD8ppk
— Aggressive Aam Aadmi (@bharat_builder) January 17, 2014
Amid the fray is one candidate for prime minister, the chief minister of India's western state Gujarat Narendra Modi from BJP, who seems to be using the people's dissatisfaction to his advantage. A polemic figure for his hotly debated role in the deadly 2002 riots in the state between Hindus and Muslims, he's popular in the business world, and seems to be the only option for voters who neither want to depend only a new political party like AAP nor want to vote for the Congress.
In fact, even AAP members like former police officer Kiran Bedi seem to be rooting for him:
Supporting @narendramodi is a sacred call! To save ourselves from a HUNG Parliament! Yes I Am in a bandwagon–of India First!India Secure!
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) January 18, 2014
“Indian bosses have become so fed up with the status quo that they are prepared to overlook Modi's past,” writes blogger Schumpeter for the Economist. This is also true for Indian businessmen, regardless of Modi's confusing role during the Godhra riots.
Modi is also said to have a huge support base among the young Indian IT generation, several of whom actively assist him with his online campaign, especially:
In times of difficulty some people break down,While some break records.Performers r born in difficult situations like #NaMo
— ☆NAMO☆WILL☆BE☆PM☆ (@VisVp) January 13, 2014
Secular India on the line?
But some believe that Modi may pose a threat to India's secular heritage.
In 2002, riots broke out in Gujarat's Godhra after a train carrying Hindus was burnt down as it was coming from the holy city of Ayodhya in North India. What followed was the worse example of Hindi-Muslim violence in India's recent history. Between 900 and 2,000 people were killed, more than whom were Muslim, including Muslim politicians and businessmen.
Modi, who was chief minister of the state at the time, was cleared of any wrongdoing in the handling of the violence by authorities, but still some accused him of involvement in a conspiracy or not taking enough action. Several commissions have been set up with the intention of bringing the guilty to justice. As of April 2013, 249 convictions had been secured, 184 Hindus and 65 Muslims, while some victims still await justice.
Although, what Modi achieved in his last re-election as the chief minister of Gujarat deserves a mention. A documentary by noted Indian television journalist Barkha Dutt revealed that Modi's government managed to garner support from Muslim businessmen who were able to revitalize their businesses after the Godhra carnage. The Open magazine also reports how Modi has managed to reach out to Muslims “like never before“.
But what future does a prime minister like Modi hold for India? In a column in the Financial Express, Mahesh Vyas of the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy claims that investments in Gujarat post-2002 have only reached around 13 percent of the total investments in India, as compared to 21 percent before the Godhra riots. Additionally, the economic boom has not been equal in all regions of the state.
Others remain wary because of his leadership during the riots and his membership with BJP, a right-wing Hindu party.
.@nramind‘s masterful account of why a @NarendraModi prime ministership wd be disastrous 4 democratic secular #India http://t.co/dWbT3wjCcu
— Narayan Lakshman (@narlak) November 5, 2013
The people of India have a tough choice to make ahead of them.

author: Manasi Gopalakrishnan


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Dr. House Hits Sore Spot with Russians · Global Voices
Andrey Tselikov

“Everybody lies”: everything Hugh Laurie is wearing and using is captioned with random Russian companies and factories as a riff on his joke that Russia produces nothing for export. Anonymous image distributed online.
British actor Hugh Laurie (Gregory House, Bertie Wooster) caused quite a stir on the RuNet this weekend, when he reacted vehemently to a Guardian article [ru] describing Vladimir Putin's views on homosexuality and the Olympics. Laurie tweeted (and was retweeted over 4,000 times):
I'd boycott Russian goods if I could think of a single thing they made besides the rest of the world depressed.
— Hugh Laurie (@hughlaurie) January 18, 2014
He followed up the joke a few minutes later, after some users gave vodka as an example of Russian exports:
Yes, alright, Russian vodka is ok if you need to clean the oven. For drinking, it must henceforth be Polish.
— Hugh Laurie (@hughlaurie) January 18, 2014
Twelve hours later Laurie softened his statement:
I retract. Instead, I urge good, kind Russians to stand up to the slab-faced goons who deal in this kind of poison.
— Hugh Laurie (@hughlaurie) January 18, 2014
Laurie's tweets were quickly translated [ru] into Russian, and fell on fertile ground — incensing various patriots, nationalists, and other Russians who may not enjoy outside criticism. Popular photo-blogger Ilya Varlamov tweeted, for instance:
Этим твиттом хочу официально отправить нахуй Хью Лорри вместе с его мнением о наших товарах и его планах об их бойкоте — Ilya Varlamov (@varlamov) January 18, 2014
With this tweet I want to officially tell Hugh Laurie to go f*ck himself, together with his opinions of our goods and his plans to boycott them
The hilariously nutty municipal deputy Ernest Makarenko ranted, confusing Laurie and his onscreen persona Dr. House:
Как смеет этот докторишка Хью Лори оскорблять страну, в которой родились: Пушкин, Суворов, Путин, Гагарин, Невский, Столыпин, Лобачевский?!
— Эрнест Макаренко (@ErnestMakarenko) January 19, 2014
How dares this puny doctor Hugh Laurie insult the country which gave birth to Pushkin, Suvorov, Putin, Gagarin, Nevsky, Stolypin, Lobachevsky?!
Makarenko later tweeted [ru] calling to ban Laurie from entering Russia, in order to keep out the “sodomite lobby.” Generally, some homophobic Russians [ru] took Laurie's statements defending Russia's gays to mean that he is gay himself. Lena Miro, a popular fitness blogger, even wrote a long post [ru] arguing that because Laurie has an “ugly” wife, that means he is a closeted homosexual.
Others were happy to point out what they saw as hypocrisies — one blogger noted [ru] that Laurie became well known for playing Bertie Wooster in the BBC productions of P.G. Wodehouse Jeeves and Wooster novels. The same Wodehouse, huffed the blogger, cooperated with Nazis when he was a captive during WWII! Others pointed out [ru] that the UK buys Russian gas and oil, so perhaps Laurie could boycott driving and heating his house.
Still others were more incensed by Laurie's attacks on Russian vodka, than Russia itself. Young journalist and blogger Lolita Gruzdeva wrote a long letter to Laurie [ru], wondering why he is attacking the Russian national drink, and inviting him to visit her in Moscow so she can show him “real” Russia. The spoof twitter account of Vladislav Surkov also tweeted, jokingly:
Хью Лори убил не русофобством, а любовью к польской водке… Русофобство – лишь тяжёлый бред, а любовь к польской водке – фатальный диагноз.
— Сурковъ (@SurkovRussia) January 18, 2014
Hugh Laurie is killing me with his love of Polish vodka, not his russophobia… Russophobia is simply severe delirium, but love of Polish vodka – that's a fatal diagnosis.
This pill from Laurie was perhaps especially hard to swallow because just a few months ago, while on tour in Russia, he said that he “loved” Russian vodka in an interview [ru].
Meanwhile, other netizens engaged in a little soul searching, wondering if Russia does indeed produce anything for export that is worth boycotting. One blogger thought [ru] that Laurie is unlikely to boycott Russian military exports, but that Kaspersky Antivirus is one product that Russians can be proud of. His readers had trouble coming up with more examples.
In the end, after Laurie's “retraction,” the media storm went as quickly as it came, with this joke as a last hurrah:
А депрессию этот ваш Хью Лори бойкотировать, значит, не хочет. Комедиант, ебена матерь.
— Kreutzwald (@Kreutzwald) January 19, 2014
So, as I understand, this Hugh Laurie doesn't want to boycott depression. What a great f*cking comedian.


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European Citizens Call for the Protection of Media Pluralism · Global Voices
Sara Moreira

Website: MediaInitiative.eu. For updates follow @MediaECI on Twitter and ‘like’ the Facebook page European Initiative for Media Pluralism.
“European institutions should safeguard the right to free, independent and pluralistic information”. The quote, from the Media Initiative website, summarizes the main idea behind a pan-European campaign that aims at urging the European Commission to draft a Directive to protect Media Pluralism and Press Freedom.
The Media Initiative is running a European Citizens’ Initiative – a tool of participatory democracy “which allows civil society coalitions to collect online and offline one million signatures in at least 7 EU member states to present directly to the European Commission a proposal forming the base of an EU Directive, initiating a legislative process”. The petition is available in 15 languages and can be signed online:
Protecting media pluralism through partial harmonization of national rules on media ownership and transparency, conflicts of interest with political office and independence of media supervisory bodies.
A short video presents the campaign:

author: Sara Moreira


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How Much Longer Can Russia’s Zuckerberg, Pavel Durov, Survive at Vkontakte? · Global Voices
Kevin Rothrock

Pavel Durov's “Die Hard” tenure as general director of Vkontakte. Images mixed by Kevin Rothrock.
Russia is one of the few nations on the planet where Facebook is not the dominant online social network. Russia’s alternative, Vkontakte (“In Touch”), started out as a simple clone of Mark Zuckerberg’s website, but it’s since grown into a multibillion-dollar company, with celebrated programmers and millions of users throughout the Russian-speaking world. For the last year, however, Vkontakte’s creator and general manager, Pavel Durov, has been at the center of several scandals choreographed to force his ouster.
In April 2013, Durov was implicated in a bizarre car accident that left a traffic police officer with minor injuries. Several liberal media outlets in Russia also published allegations that Durov and Vkontakte had cooperated with the Kremlin to stifle political protests during the 2011-2012 “Winter of Discontent.” Rumors also spread that Durov had fled the country to the United States, where he was supposedly planning the release a new instant messaging application called “Telegram.”
Around the same time, the investment group United Capital Partners suddenly purchased 48% of Vkontakte. It now seems likely that UCP engineered the attacks against Durov, planting the stories in the media, in order to pressure the website’s founder into selling his 12% stock, paving the way to a more pliant general manager, who would be more open to “monetizing” the service.
Pavel Durov on his 26th birthday, 10 October 2010, photo by Gayanz Manukian, CC 3.0.
Today, January 20, 2014, the notoriously Kremlin-connected newspaper Izvestia published an article [ru] claiming that Durov had resigned as head of Vkontakte, taking most of the staff with him to work on the Telegram project. Izvestia also reported that Vkontakte is and has been actively recruiting new technical staff from Mail.ru and Yandex.
Within hours, Vkontakte press secretary Georgii Lobushkin wrote [ru] on his VK page that Durov is not leaving his post as general director, refuting “any contrary reports.” Curiously, before publishing the article, Izvestia reporter Vladimir Zykov did ask [ru] Lobushkin for an official comment on the rumor about Durov’s resignation, but the Vkontakte spokesperson refused to deny the story at the time. (Afterwards, clearly deflated by Lobushkin’s later statement, Zykov wrote [ru] on Facebook that he’s developed an eye twitch and the shakes.)
Several others at Vkontakte have now refuted Zykov’s report, including Durov himself, who told Forbes.ru, “This is disinformation, which well characterizes the newspaper Izvestia.” The head of USM Advisors, which manages Alisher Usmanov’s 40% stake in Vkontakte, also denied [ru] the news about Durov stepping down, though Durov’s relationship with Usmanov has been shaky lately. (In December 2013, Usmanov said in an interview [ru] that he and Durov are working through some “fraternal issues” about managing Vkontakte.)
Despite the responses by Durov, Usmanov’s group, and Lobushkin, some [ru] in the RuNet still think Durov’s departure could be imminent. Even within Vkontakte, there are lingering suspicions. For instance, technical director Nikolai Durov (Pavel’s brother) partly defended Zykov’s Izvestia article, writing in comments [ru] on a Vkontakte post that he suspects the rumors might be true that someone in the company is trying to recruit new programmers, presumably to replace staff after ousting Durov and his team.
Whatever the conclusion of the Durov Saga, it is apparent that divisions within Vkontakte continue to spill into the media, where stories emerge alleging Durov’s conflicts of interest, his illicit use of company resources, and now even his resignation. The reason for the bad blood among shareholders is supposedly Durov’s reluctance to embrace more advertising on the site, but there is also speculation that his loyalty to the Kremlin and its growing insistence on controlling the Internet is too unreliable. How much longer can Durov survive at Vkontakte? Will his adversaries relent before he’s gone or behind bars?


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Is the Vybz Kartel Trial an Opportunity for Jamaica?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Jamaican music has always, and continues to capture the imagination of the world, and so have its musicians, especially when they blur the lines between celebrity and outlaw.
One of the most recent dancehall artists to get on the wrong side of the law is Adidja Palmer, better known as Vybz Kartel.  A big name in the music business, he has collaborated with A-list hip hop musicians like Jay-Z, Rihanna and Eminem.  Towards the end of 2006, he made headlines in the region over an ongoing feud with his former collaborator Mavado, which led to fans of each side mobilising themselves into two factions – Gaza and Gully – which often culminated in street clashes.  Other controversies have followed him – the skin bleaching issue and now several murder charges.
One Jamaican blog, Cucumber Juice, recently examined “the value of the Vybz Kartel trial”, first taking issue with glaring inconsistencies in the media's reporting of the facts:
There is so much rich detail in the charges that were brought against Mr. Palmer.  So many moving parts.  I am grateful for the page on The Jamaica Gleaner that lists all its articles on Mr. Palmer’s charges.  Unfortunately I realized a lot of problems with the reporting.  After reviewing over 2 years worth of articles I could almost predict the phrasing and wording…there has obviously been too much copying and pasting and not enough editing or (attention to) detail.  I saw inconsistent name spellings, inconsistent facts (e.g., Just how much bail was Mr. Palmer granted for Charge 2, JM$3 million or JM$1 million?).
After doing the research to come up with the above timeline and to properly refresh my memory about the charges against Mr. Palmer…I’m expanding my definition of quality to mean not only the kind of reporting being done on the trials but also how the reporting is presented.  The poor quality of the former is amplified by the at least equally poor quality of the latter.  It’s sloppy.
She continued, this time addressing the third offence on which the dancehall star is charged:, “the murder of Clive Williams (aka Lizard) on August 16, 2011″, which she sees as an opportunity to right some wrongs:
This trial (for Charge 3) has captured the attention of a lot of Jamaicans.  A significant portion of…trial watchers are Vybz Kartel fans but others are following the case because, frankly, this is a high-profile landmark case and it’s the first time (that I can remember) a popular person actually going on trial for something and the trial not dragging out over a number of years.  Evidence is being presented, the judge is making rulings; it seems that things are moving along.
But more than the unfolding of this case is the characteristic of a large number of people who are following [it].  They are people most likely to encounter Jamaica’s criminal justice system.  Too often the average Jamaican’s experience with Jamaica’s criminal justice system is hostile, even deadly. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is viewed with suspicion and contempt. Our courts are viewed as inefficient, burdened, and, I think, unjust.  I believe the fancy parlance is that there is a trust deficit. Like him or hate him, Mr. Palmer’s alleged misdeeds have provided us with the opportunity to teach and, perhaps, even to address that trust deficit.
I’m wondering why neither the media nor Jamaica’s legal community is grabbing hold of this opportunity.
In particular, she saw clear roles for the Jamaican media and judiciary:
I think that it’s fair to expect Jamaica’s media to be doing more with the coverage of these trial.  It’s fair to expect the legal community (which would include the judiciary) to proactively engage the Jamaican public to capitalize on this interest.  Use it as an opportunity; you have a captive audience – the average Jamaican – that needs the information.  Kartel ah ‘dem’ artist but I guarantee you that ‘they’ also identify with him…by calling upon their own experiences: in custody for over 2 years, no bail, charged with an array of things.  It’s David versus Goliath; the underdog versus the big opponent already considered unjust and unfair.  Babylon at work, even.
That’s why lawyers are important: to be the interpreter and navigator of that system on his or her client’s behalf.  The lawyer knows the system and that the system is meant to represent and protect the society.  They must…defend their clients against it not to bring the system down but to ensure a fair result, to ensure justice.
Next, she took on the way in which information is being disseminated online and offered suggestions:
I’ve seen some journalists and lawyers live tweet the trial.  Good.  But their reporting is necessarily limited by their own interest and availability. There isn’t even a consistent hashtag being used to allow easy curating of (relevant) tweets.  Where’s the dedicated live tweeter (perhaps a former court reporter or a law student?) who will deliver dispassionate reporting on what is said from the stand and ruled on from the bench, and who will follow that reporting up with an end-of-the day wrap up and, geez I dunno, Legal Lesson of the Day?
At most these internships could cost a newspaper a transportation stipend and a lunch per diem. The student gets credit and a good entry on the résumé.  Put interns on a rotation to cover this trial (it is news) and maybe another trial on a live blog.
Why is all this so important to her – and so many other Jamaicans?  She summed it up by saying:
The law touches every aspect of society; it defines the boundaries for our interactions.
If you are at all interested in justice then you must be interested in ensuring that the ‘average man’ is aware of his rights and feels empowered to exercise them.  That’s the opportunity of this trial and it’s being wasted.


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Jamaica: MLK Recognises the Role of Garvey  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Diaspora litblogger Geoffrey Philp uses the occasion of Martin Luther King Day to agitate for the exoneration of the late Jamaican Pan-Africanist, Marcus Garvey.