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Colombia: Conflict Continues Between Uribe and Supreme Court · Global Voices
Carlos Raúl van der Weyden Velásquez

Over the past  year, Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez and the Supreme Court have been engaged in a fight because of the so-called Parapolitics scandal, where more than 30 lawmakers from the ruling coalition have been jailed, and dozens of politicians are being investigated, because of their alleged links with right-wing paramilitary squads, including Mario Uribe Escobar, the president's cousin, who wasrecently released. Last month, Semana newsmagazine revealed [es] that Uribe's press and legal secretaries met with the lawyer of former United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC for its initials in Spanish) boss Diego Fernando Murillo aka “Don Berna” lawyer and a demobilized paramilitary (who would eventually be murdered).  The meeting was held at Casa de Nariño (the presidential residency, or ‘Casa de Nari’, as it was referred to by some of the involved in leaked phone conversations), supposedly because they had information incriminating deputy justice Iván Velásquez.
The day after the Semana article was published, President Uribe defended his officials in a press conference [es], claiming that “that people who wanted to testify about things concerning national security are welcome at the Presidential Palace” and that “the material handed by the paramilitaries wasn’t enough to incriminate the Court.” This week, the Colombian ambassador to the Dominican Republic resigned because of his links to Don Berna's envoy, and the Attorney's office is probing him and the other officials involved.
Colombian bloggers seem to take sides on the issue, some supporting the government, some others supporting the Supreme Court, whose president reacted to the scandal claiming the Presidency was conspiring against it.
Atrabilioso [es]‘s Jaime Restrepo attacks  the Supreme Court because they seem to seek to damage the government.
Los magistrados, como cualquier ciudadano, tienen derecho a debatir, a exponer su defensa y a no guardar silencio frente a los delicados hechos cuyas explicaciones evaden o minimizan en el mejor de los casos. ¿Acaso esos cuestionamientos son irrespeto a la independencia de poderes? Por supuesto que no: Los señalamientos contra el poder judicial son graves y el país está esperando aclaraciones y, porqué no, procesos en las instancias competentes.
Sin embargo, que esos pronunciamientos tengan la intención de ocasionar un perjuicio internacional al poder ejecutivo sí deja a la luz una maniobra desesperada de ataque y muestra a la Corte como el último bastión de aquellos cuyos feudos, privilegios y vagabundería están amenazados por el gobierno Uribe. Semejante respuesta es la exhibición de una maniobra que intenta llevar la confrontación al escenario internacional para que puedan entrometerse, de lleno, los patrocinadores y aliados latinoamericanos y europeos de las Farc.
Nevertheless, the fact that those accusations are intended to cause international harm to the executive branch does reveal a desperate attack and shows the Court as the last bastion of those whose feuds, privileges, and lifestyles are threatened by the Uribe administration. That kind of answer shows the confrontational move that they are trying to take to an international stage so the FARC's Latin American and European sponsors and allies can fully meddle [in Colombia's issues].
At equinoXio [es], Marsares writes  about the intentions of those who leaked the information about the meeting to the media:
Aparte de lo que signifiquen estas visitas de delincuentes, de entrada hay un hecho curioso. La reunión se realizó hace tres meses y fue intrascendente. Si no lo hubiera sido, y dados las relaciones álgidas que mantiene con la Corte, muy seguramente el presidente hubiera aprovechado la situación para atacarla. Pero nada pasó. ¿Por qué ahora se saca a la luz pública? La deducción es clara. Quien filtró la información quería causar un escándalo que perturbara aún más las relaciones entre el poder judicial y el Gobierno.
¿Pero quién lo hizo?
(…)
Todo es posible, pero la hipótesis más razonable es que la filtración proviene de los paramilitares y todos caímos en la trampa que armaron: enfrentar a los poderes públicos. Como en el pasado lo hizo Pablo Escobar con bombas materiales, hoy sus herederos atacan con bombas de publicidad malsana, buscando como el extinto capo, debilitar al Estado colombiano.
Besides what these visits by criminals mean, since the beginning there is something interesting. The meeting took place three months ago and was insignificant. If it were not, and given the critical relationship he maintains with the [Supreme] Court, the president would likely have taken advantage of the situation in order to turn on it. But nothing happened. Why is this put into the spotlight now? The conclusion is clear. Whoever leaked the information wanted to cause a scandal to upset, even more, the relationships between the judicial branch and the Government. But who did it?
(…) Everything is possible, but the most reasonable hypothesis is that the leaking came from the paramilitaries and we all fell into the trap they set up: to bring the public powers into conflict. As Pablo Escobar did it in the past with real bombs, today his heirs attack with bombs of bad publicity, seeking to weaken the Colombian State just as the deceased mafia boss.
Don Blog Pérez takes the news with some cynicism [es]:
[E]l asunto es que hace siete meses a la Casa  de Nariño entró una camioneta en la que llegaron el abogado de alias Don Berna (paramilitar supuestamente desmovilizado), y un representante de la oficina de Envigado. El vehículo ingresó por la puerta trasera -por motivos de seguridad, claro-, y según explicó hoy Uribe el motivo de la visita fue la entrega de unas pruebas que incriminan a los magistrados de la corte suprema de justicia de manipulación de testigos, últimas tres palabras que Alvarito repitió como si fuera la única respuesta a todas las preguntas de los carnívoros periodistas.
¿Pero por qué se quedó callado el presidente y no sacó al aire las pruebas? pues según explicó él mismo, “las pruebas no eran nada trascendente”, es decir, que supuestamente los visitantes fueron a llevar pruebas falsas pero que él no podía negarles la oportunidad de hablar “porque este gobierno ha escucha’o a todo el que tiene algo qué decir” (que vaina, ¿será que Uribe no lee a Don Blog Pérez?). En fin, como al presidente nadie puede llevarle la contraria, digamos que se estaban tomando un tinto, de la forma más honesta, sincera, transparente, justa, noble, cristiana y legal que un gobierno como el nuestro puede hacerlo.
The thing is seven months ago [sic] a pickup entered  Nariño's House carrying aka Don Berna's (a supposedly demobilized paramilitary boss) lawyer and a representative from the [criminal organization known as] Office of Envigado. The vehicle entered the backdoor -for security concerns, of course-, and as Uribe explained today, the reason was the delivery of some evidence incriminating the magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice on witness manipulation, three words that Álvaro kept saying over and over as if it was the only answer to all the questions from the carnivorous journalists. But why did the President stay quiet and not publish the evidences? Because, as he explained himself, “the evidence was nothing significant”, that is, allegedly the visitors went to deliver false evidence, but he couldn't deny them a chance to talk “because this government has listened to everyone who has something to say” (too bad, how come Uribe doesn't read Don Blog Pérez?). Whatever, as no one is allowed to disagree with the President, let's say they were having a cup of coffee, with the most honest, sincere, transparent, fair, noble, Christian, and legal way a Government as the one we have could have done.

author: Carlos Raúl van der Weyden Velásquez


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India: Anti-tobacco policy · Global Voices
Rezwan

Suman Kumar criticizes the tobacco policy of India and tells that the anti-tobacco/anti-smoking policies taken by the government are not based on ground realities.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Rezwan


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Jamaica: Hopkinson Wins Award  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp congratulates author Nalo Hopkinson on her second Sunburst Award.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Japan: The Unhealthy Image of “Ladylike” · Global Voices
Chris Salzberg

Japanese blogger Miyakichi at Miyakichi Nikki writes about why the image of ladylike beauty in the world today so unhealthy [ja], tracing the preference for pale skin, 40cm waists and high heels back to the histories of Europe, America and China and connecting them to modern styles in Japan.

author: Chris Salzberg


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Japan: Virtual Boyfriends Social Network · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Akky Akimoto introduces a very distinctive social network game in Japan called Web-Kare – virtual boyfriends social network.

author: Oiwan Lam


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Japan: Wire Free Gadgets Network Bloggers Meeting · Global Voices
Chris Salzberg

The Agile Media Network blog has a post [ja] about a bloggers meeting in Tokyo's Shiodome area on September 29th, organized by NTT Communications, on the theme of “Wire Free Gadgets Network”. Doors open at 19.00 and the event starts at 19.30. There is no admission fee, but people interested in attending should register in advance here [ja]. (Presentations will presumably be in Japanese.)


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Macedonia: Computer games have positive effect · Global Voices
Elena Ignatova

Panta Rei writes [MKD] about a survey conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, which shows that the gaming experience can have positive social, political and ethical effect. The post offers a counterargument to those who favor discrimination against gamers in the Macedonian media.

author: Elena Ignatova


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Maldives: New Supreme Court  · Global Voices
Rezwan

Kanditheemlive reports that the first ever Supreme Court in the Maldives has been established by the president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom by virtue of the powers given to him in the new Constitution.


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Mexico: Suspects Arrested in Morelia Attack · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Suspects in the grenade attack in Morelia, Mexico have been arrested thanks to an anonymous phone call, writes Vivir México [es].

author: Eduardo Avila


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Moroccan Blogger Mohammed Erraji Acquitted · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

The Blogoma, or Moroccan blogosphere, was buzzing today over news of Moroccan blogger Mohammed Erraji‘s acquittal. Erraji was arrested for writing, in the Arabic publication Hespress, that the king's charity toward his people encourages them to remain helpless rather than work hard.
Erraji's case inspired a bit of a renaissance within the Blogoma, reminiscent of when bloggers mobilized in support of Fouad Mourtada, an Internet user arrested earlier this year for creating a fake Facebook profile of another member of the royal family.  Inspired by prolific blogger Larbi and DigiActive, bloggers from around the world sent in photos of support and on Monday participated in a blog strike.
And today bloggers are celebrating both Erraji's release and the mobilization of the Blogoma.  Myrtus congratulates Erraji and hopes for change:
Congratulations to Mohamed Erraji!
Wishing you all the best! (:
But justice will not be fully served till those who wronged him have been diciplined accordingly. This should never happen again.
This is the perfect opportunity for the justice system to prove it's worth and build the necessary trust. The ultimate goal should be partnership and not constant strife between the citizens and the authorities in Morocco.
For the sake of peace and harmony, let us work together for a country we can all be proud of.
God bless!
Omar el Hyani [fr] is happy about Erraji's acquittal but laments Moroccan justice:
Le blogueur Mohammed Erraji a été acquité par la cour d’appel d’Agadir. Encore une affaire qui finit bien, mais qui montre à quel point notre justice est malade…
Navire Ivre [fr] expresses a similar sentiment:
Mohamed Erraji, premier blogueur à subir les foudres des autorités marocaines, a été acquitté en appel après abandonnant des charges retenues contre lui.
Est-ce que sa libération est un nouveau signal des autorités envers la jeunesse marocaine qui s’exprime sur internet, ou une erreur (une exception) qui ne peut faire jurisprudence ?
Mohammed Erraji, the first blogger to incur the wrath of the Moroccan authorities, was acquitted on appeal after charges against him were dropped.
Is it that his release is a new attitude of the authorities towards the Moroccan youth who express themselves on the internet, or an error (an exception) of the law?
Larbi, who had a large part in mobilizing the blogoma, believes that it was this mobilization that so strongly impacted the decision of the judge.  He says:
La mobilisation extraordinaire  a poussé à accélérer la procédure et arrêter cette mascarade judiciaire. Sans cette mobilisation on n’en serait pas là. Alors bien sûr il est facile de venir après coup dire que ce n’était qu’une erreur judiciaire qui a été « normalement » corrigée. C’est faux, c’est malhonnête.
Il était beaucoup question dans mes écrits du roi Mohamed VI. Je n’entends pas m’en excuser. Encore une fois le fond du problème est celui là : Le roi Mohamed VI règne et gouverne, l’Etat c’est lui, il concentre l‘essentiel du pouvoir, il est dès lors naturel qu’il soit objet de critiques acerbes, excessifs et durs. Et il n’est pas acceptable que cette épée de Damoclès qui s’appelle  « atteinte au respect dû au roi »  plane sur chacun de ceux qui critiquent le chef d’Etat marocain. Voilà le problème. Maintenant si d’autres préfèrent « blâmer les victimes » (pour reprendre la jolie expression de l’indispensable écrivain Laila Lalami ) c’est leur droit.
Il faut songer à une chose : C’est la première fois dans l’histoire du Maroc qu’un accusé soit acquitté après avoir être poursuivi pour manque de respect dû au roi. C’est la première fois. Tous les procès précédents ont été conclu automatiquement par des condamnations.  Alors au vu du lourd casier du Maroc en la matière qu’on ne vienne pas parler d’une simple erreur de justice .
The extraordinary mobilization helped accelerate the process and helped put a stop to this judicial masquerade. Without such a mobilization we would not have reached this outcome. So of course it is easy to declare ex-post-facto that this was simply a judicial error that was “normally” corrected. That is false, that is dishonest.
There was much mention in my writings of King Mohamed VI. I do not plan to apologize for that. Again the bottom line is this: King Mohamed VI reigns and governs, he is the state, he concentrates the bulk of power, it is therefore natural that he be subjected to acerbic, excessive and harsh criticism. It is not acceptable that this Damocles’ sword called “undermining the respect due to the King” hovers over all those who criticize the head of state in Morocco. That is the problem. Now if others prefer to “blame the victim” (to quote the beautiful expression used by most indispensable author Laila Lalami) it is their right.
We must consider something: this is the first time in the history of Morocco that a person is acquitted after being accused of lack of respect due to the King. This is the very first time. All previous trials have ended in automatic convictions. Therefore, given Morocco's heavy record in this matter, how can one speak of a simple error of justice. During the past few days, I saw many people from all around the world mobilized [in solidarity] with Mohamed Erraji. I saw activists and international organizations work hard for his release. Many anonymous and ordinary internet users and citizens. There were also many Moroccan bloggers. Unfortunatly not that many with regard to the “Blogoma”. I have to say that I cannot make a judgement. To each his freedom.
Finally, plus jamais d'illusions… [fr], claiming that “the blogoma is what bloggers make of it,” states:
Erraji a été acquitté pour vice de procédure, mais un autre débat est d’ores et déjà lancé. Difficile d’évaluer l’impact de la mobilisation (très relative) de la blogosphère marocaine dans cette issue heureuse. Difficile aussi de cerner les raisons d’une telle faiblesse de mobilisation (serait-ce le cursus du bloggeur ? La langue d’écriture ? Ou le sujet traité, en l’espèce touchant la personne du Roi?). Peut-être qu’une conjonction de pressions internes et une mobilisation internationale (certains blogs marocains jouant en l’occurrence un rôle d’intermédiaire), un mauvais calcul (selon moi à écarter vue l’existence du précédent de Fouad Mourtada) de la part du pouvoir, un message à passer et qui est déjà bien reçu et assimilé par bien de bloggeurs sur la sensibilité d’aborder certains sujets, ou comme le pensent certains, un excès de zèle, une justice dont les dysfonctionnements sont trop nombreux et un système que le pouvoir a mis en place, entretient, dont il est en principe imputable mais refuse (ou rechigne à) de démanteler car bien commode à blâmer suivant en cela la fameuse fable d’une monarchie bienveillante mais mal entourée et mal servie.
Erraji was acquitted on a procedural flaw, but another debate has already been launched. It is difficult to assess the impact of the Moroccan blogosphere's mobilization (very relative) in this happy outcome. It is also difficult to identify the reasons for weak mobilization (could it be the blogger's background? The language of the writing? Or the topic, in this case involving the King?). Perhaps a combination of internal pressure and international mobilization (some Moroccan blogs in this case playing an intermediary role), a miscalculation (in my view to be excluded given the Fouad Mourtada precedent) on the part of the regime, a message to send and which has already been well-received and assimilated by many bloggers on the sensitivity required when addressing certain issues, or, as some people think, an overzealousness, a justice whose failures are innumerable and a system that has been established and maintained by the powers that be and that they refuse (or are reluctant) to dismantle as it is quite convenient and fits the famous myth of a benevolent monarchy poorly surrounded and badly served.

author: Jillian C. York


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Nepal: New budget · Global Voices
Rezwan

Neil's Nepal hails the new budget of Nepal delivered to Legislature-Parliament today and commends the Finance Minister.


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St. Vincent & the Grenadines, U.S.A.: International Relations  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Ralphie boy, be careful the big bad US bomb we little St Vincent”: Abeni has some advice for her Prime Minister.


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The Blogma’s Whims · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

A Moroccan About the World Around Him presents his take on the power of the Moroccan blogosphere.


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Trinidad & Tobago: In God We Trust?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Who are they trying to keep out?  Is this what we've come to?”: Trinidadian blogger Coffeewallah is incredulous that a church has erected an electric fence around its premises.


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Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: Six Weeks  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“It looks to me as if Obama peaked too early, and that America is reassessing him…of course a lot can happen in six weeks”: Notes from Port of Spain is afraid he might be staring down the barrel of the US electorate choosing McCain/Palin.


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Another Malaysian blogger arrested · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Malaysian blogger Syed Azidi Syed Aziz, better known as Kickdefella, was arrested by the police because of his online campaign to fly the Malaysian flag upside down. The blogger was released Saturday afternoon.

author: Mong Palatino


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Belarus: Chernobyl Children Banned US Trip · Global Voices
Vilhelm Konnander

Osteuropablog comments on [GER] how Chernobyl children in Belarus are denied going to the US for rest and treatment.

author: Vilhelm Konnander


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Belarus: Lukashenko threatens break with the West · Global Voices
Vilhelm Konnander

LJ user navigatar writes about [RUS] threats by Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko to break relations with the West, in case the results of Sunday's parliamentary elections are not recognised.


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Brazil: Suspense as indigenous land rulings in limbo · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Brazil's Supreme Court (STF) decided to postpone the decision about  Raposa Serra do Sol land, which has been disputed by rice farmers and indigenous tribes, but is to vote next week on another less complex demarcation case. The resolution about Caramuru-Paraguaçu land in Bahia is, this way, going to lay down a legal precedent for nearly 150 other indigenous land claims that Raposa Serra do Sol was expected to set. Less complex, but no less important for the Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe people, who have been waiting for this decision for over 26 years. The ruling has been scheduled for September 24 [pt] and the case starts now to get blog attention. Anarquista Amador [pt] comments:
Esperar 26 anos por uma decisão não é sério. Este papo de que a justiça tarda mais não falha é barato demais. As pessoas envelhecem, morrem. As decisões não vêm e não há suspensão ou garantias. E longe de termos um Estado fraco, omisso, temos um Estado forte que garante que as decisões não sejam tomadas em prazos reais.
The date will mark a month of the future of Raposa Serra do Sol being held in limbo. On the day Brazil's Supreme Court  was supposed to rule, last August 27, an indigenous lawyer defended her people at the hearing for the first time in the history of Brazil's Supreme Court. Joênia Batista de Carvalho, of the Wapichana people, rose to the podium to make a presentation before its 11-judge panel. She defended the right to the Raposa Serra do Sol's territory, and denounced the fact that conflicts have led to the death of 21 of their leaders:
“We're accused of being thieves on our own land. We're slandered and discriminated against, and this has to end.”
After speaking for nearly two hours, the appointed rapporteur Minister Ayres Britto was the first one to vote, favoring the maintenance of Raposa Serra do Sol as a continuous indigenous land, which was seen as a strong reassurance of indigenous rights in Brazil. However, another Minister asked for for the case to be adjourned for further investigations, which means it is now on hold until another session is scheduled. Meanwhile, the blog talk and both lawyer Joênia's moving statement and Minister Ayres surprising vote have been criticised, commented on and commended:
D. Bertrand de Orleans e Bragança [pt], a great-great-great grand son of Brazil's last Emperor Dom Pedro II who travels across Brazil giving conferences for farmers and entrepreneurs in defense of private property and free enterprise, thinks that “Dr. Joênia's performance was purely emotional”:
Com essa argumentação, a Dra. Joênia não vai conseguir grande coisa. Será mesmo ir contra a inteligência dos senhores Ministros do Supremo querer chamar de racista a defesa dos produtores rurais, que são apoiados pela maioria dos índios da Serra do Sol, os quais, por sua vez, são em maior número que os da Raposa. Racistas seriam os índios que querem separar-se do País através da ocupação de uma imensa área, para ali, sentados sobre riquezas incalculáveis, serem os maiores latifundiários brasileiros, se bem que em posse coletiva. Um privilégio racista, esse sim.
With this argument, Dr. Joênia will not achieve much. It will even go against the Supreme Ministers’ intelligence to call the rural producers’ defense racist, when they are supported by most Indians from Serra do Sol, who, in turn, are bigger in numbers than Raposa's ones. The Indians, who want to split from the country through the occupation of a vast area, in order, from there and seated on incalculable riches, to become the largest Brazilian landowners, although in collectivity, would be the racists. A racist privilege, indeed.
Amanda Vieira [pt] is proud of the Wapichanan lawyer's performance:
Joênia Batista de Carvalho, nós temos orgulhos de você. Por ser índia, mulher, advogada, por fazer uma defesa tão brilhante, por nos fazer acreditar que a luta pela diversidade no Brasil vale a pena e dá muito certo. Salve Joênia! Contamos com sua sabedoria e seu exemplo.
Joênia Batista de Carvalho, we are proud you. For being an Indian, a woman, a lawyer, for making such a bright defense, because we do believe that the fight for diversity in Brazil is worth it and it will happen in future. Salute Joênia! We count on your wisdom and your example.
On the other hand, Yashá Gallazzi [pt] is not convinced about indigenous rights in the 21st century:
Devo presumir que tanto Joênia, como as ONG's (nacionais e internacionais), bem como alguns ministros do STF, prefeririam que tudo continuasse como era nos tempos antigos quando os aborígenes (essa foi a palavra usada por Ayres Brito) viviam em harmonia com a mãe terra. O problema é que em tal realidade idílica não haveria espaço para algumas faces próprias do progresso, como uma universidade, por exemplo. Elogiar uma descendente de índios que se formou em Direito e chegou ao ápice de fazer uma sustentação oral no STF é algo muito digno e válido. Contudo, isso há que ser resultado da capacidade técnica e jurídica da pessoa, não de sua origme étnica. A advogada índia é expressão da democracia e do sistema de liberdades democráticas próprios das sociedades ocidentais.
I assume that Joênia, as well as (national and international) NGOs, and some ministers of the STF [Brazil's Supreme Court], would prefer that everything remained as it was in ancient times when the Aboriginies (this was the word used by Ayres Brito) lived in harmony with mother Earth. The problem is that in this idyllic reality there would not be room for some of progress’ angles, such as a universities, for example. To commend an Indian descendant who graduated in law and reached the apex of making an oral support in the STF is something very decent and valid. However, this must be the result of the technical and legal capability of that person, not of their ethnic origin. The Indian lawyer is a sign of democracy and of the democratic freedom system characteristic of Western societies.
“The indigenous peoples have been resisting for 508 years. For respect to their lives, their culture and their land”. A demonstration of solidarity with the indigenous peoples of Raposa do Sol on the streets of Rio Branco – Acre, on the same day of the decision in Brazil's Supreme Court. Photo by  Talita Oliveira
Over 200 armed federal policemen had been sent to the region in anticipation of possible violence after the verdict, which was expected to bring conflicts, regardless of which side wins. Most likely, a new session will take place before the year's-end and it is hoped that the parties involved will not need to wait for 26 years. Or perhaps not, as Maria Rachel Coelho Pereira [pt], who was there last August 27, supposes:
As evidências da sistemática aliança entre abusos de poder político-econômico e impunidade em torno da causa anti-indígena, já abundantes no passado, parece continuar ainda hoje. No dia 27 de agosto passado ao sairmos do STF fomos surpreendidos com um boato de que o julgamento seria estrategicamente “empurrado” para o final de 2009.
The evidence of systematic links between abuse by political-economic power and impunity surrounding the anti-indigenous issue, which were already abundant in the past, seems to persist today. Last 27 August when we were leaving the STF we were surprised by a rumour that the trial would be strategically “pushed back” to the end of 2009.
A demonstration of solidarity with the indigenous peoples of Raposa do Sol on the streets of Rio Branco – Acre, on the same day of the decision in Brazil's Supreme Court. Photo by  Talita Oliveira
Talking about the abuse of political-economic power, Luiz Valério [pt] cites a recent case of intimidation of the media related to the Raposa Serra do Sol case. He writes about friction between journalist Leandro Freitas, from the “Nós Existimos” (We exist) movement and a rice farmer and politician accused also of attacking a Makuxi indigenous village, Paulo Cesar Quartiero, when the first tried to interview the latter last September 08:
Buscando ouvir a versão de Quartiero para a denúncia foi feita formalmente por 65 lideranças indígenas da Raposa Serra do Sol, protocolada e encaminhada à Funai em Roraima e Brasília, ao Ministério Público Federal, ao Ministério da Justiça e ao Conselho Indígena de Roraima, o jornalista foi tratado de forma desrespeitosa, assim como veículo de comunicação para quem ele trabalha. Esta não é a primeira vez que Paulo Quartiero age com desrespeito contra jornalistas. No primeiro semestre também foi ele o protagonista de outro atentado à liberdade de imprensa e livre exercício da profissão de jornalista em Roraima, quando determinou a captura de equipamentos de filamagens e fitas de vídeo de uma equipe da TV Ativa, que cobria o conflito na região da Raposa Serra do Sol.
Seeking to hear Quartiero's version of the complaint made formally by 65 indigenous leaders of the Raposa Serra do Sol, registered and forwarded to FUNAI [The Brazilian National Indian Foundation] in Roraima and Brasilia, the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Justice Deparment and the Indigenous Council of Roraima, the journalist was dealt with in a disrespectful manner, so was the media vehicle he works for. This is not the first time that Paulo Quartiero has disrespected journalists. In the first half [of the year] he was also the protagonist of another attack on freedom of press and the free exercise of journalism in Roraima, when he ordered the capture of an Active TV team's broadcasting equipment and video tapes, when they covered the conflict in the Raposa Serra do Sol's region.
A demonstration of solidarity with the indigenous peoples of Raposa do Sol on the streets of Rio Branco – Acre, on the same day of the decision in Brazil's Supreme Court. Photo by  Talita Oliveira. See more pictures of the demonstration.

author: Paula Góes


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Brunei: Abandoned children · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

A campaign to help three children who were abandoned by their parents was recently launched in Brunei.


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China: Milk Contamination to Catalyze Consumer Awareness · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Rich from Crossroad points out some potential positive impacts of the poisonous milk scandal on consumer awareness.


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Eastern Europe: Blogs in German on the Slavic Triangle · Global Voices
Vilhelm Konnander

Krusenstern presents [GER] a list of 24 blogs in German about Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.


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Estonia: Next population count by cyber census · Global Voices
Vilhelm Konnander

Osteuropablog notes [GER] that the next Estonian population census in 2011 may be conducted by way of the Internet.


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Iran: Ramadan and back to nostalgy · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Avayemoj, an Iranian blogger, says[fa] that Ramadan reminds her childhood when she was four or five years old. The blogger writes: ” in my home nobody talked about hell and not even about paradise.God was kind and merciful.”

author: Fred Petrossian


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Iran:Ahmadinejad and Drug Addiction Facts · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Emroozema, an Iranian blogger, says [fa] Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,Iranian president, recently said that there are only 600000 people who have drug addiction problems in country. The blogger informs that other authorities talk about three million addicted people where one million of them are under 19 years old.


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Iran:The Stoning of Soraya M. · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Parsarts reports that “The Stoning of Soraya M.” is a new, Iran-focused movie. It’s about a woman who gets stoned in a small town in Iran.


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Japan: DVD release by Politician Yuri Fujikawa · Global Voices
Chris Salzberg

The upcoming release [ja] of a DVD featuring 27-year-old Japanese politician Yuri Fujikawa [藤川 優里], member of the Hachinohe city [八戸市] assembly in Aomori Prefecture [青森県], is all the talk in the forums [ja]. Back when she first joined office in January of this year, Fujikawa was called “too beautiful” [ja], but at the time she had claimed [ja] that she had no plans to become a tarento.


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Lebanon: Homosexuality in Lebanon · Global Voices
Nash Suleiman

Homosexuality is one of the topics you would find on the black list of any Middle East government and almost in all of its societies and cultures. And while the presence of homosexuality can be spotted in every country in the region, governments and societies are still intolerant to such life style. Intolerance can even reach a point of denial as it was witnessed during Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinajad’s speech at Columbia University in 2007.
Lebanon stands out as a more tolerant space for homosexuality in the region compared to Saudi Arabia for example where homosexuality is often punished by flogging, life imprisonment and even beheading. Lebanon’s homosexuals enjoy the first association for gay people in the Middle East, called the Helem Foundation. In addition to that, Lebanon also has gay bars and nightclubs. But the real life for this section of the community is not paved with roses. A quick round up of blogs and spaces promoting this issue in Lebanon should give the reader a brief peek into how this community lives.
Mazaj at Majaz75 wrote about homosexuality in the Middle East and the role of religion in it, expressing his personal opinion on the matter:
Some people relate the attitude towards homosexuality in Arab countries to Islam, but that’s not completely true. Arabs, Muslims and Christians, consider homosexuality to be a sin. All Arabs are attached to religion; the Church and the Mosque have a key role in Arabs lives. Born as a Muslim, I feel it is very important to explain Islam’s and Sheiks’* views of homosexuality.
Some scriptures of the Quran, the Holy Book of Islam, were taken out of context, added to a Hadith** not correctly reported to Prophet Muhammad, and conveyed to Muslims by ignorant Sheiks to form a general look at homosexuality as a sin that is against the nature intended by god for humans. In this Hadith, gay guys caught in act are to be killed by throwing them down from the highest building in town. Considering that most buildings in most Arab peninsula’s towns were about 5-7 meters high at that time, this Hadith seems very ridiculous.
Majaz adds:
Being raised in a strict Muslim family, I struggled with my homosexuality in my early adolescent years, but I also had access to some rare Islamic scriptures, which allowed me to have a great look to how Islam dealt with homosexuality. I had come to the conclusion that Islam considers sexuality to be an identity, something to be born with. I also discussed this conclusion with well-known moderate Sheikhs, who confirmed it to me. Nevertheless, even the most moderate ones insisted that it is not acceptable to convey this fact about homosexuality in Islam to people for so many unconvincing reasons.
GayMiddleEast.com, a news site that focuses on the homosexual communities in the Middle East, posts an article written in a local Lebanese newspaper about an architect called Danny and his daily struggle in Lebanon as a homosexual:
Danny said he was open about his sexuality in Europe, but has been forced to keep a low profile in Lebanon mainly for two reasons: a non-tolerant society, and fear of his parents’ reaction.
“Being gay in Lebanon is very hard,” he said.”I come from a highly conservative family, and if my parents knew about my sexuality it would be devastating for the both of us,” he said in a low, shaky tone. “I don't want to ever think about their reaction if they knew.” Danny added that he has never tried to be open with any of his friends about his sexuality, saying he preferred to stay “in the closet” for the time being.
“I can never consider being open about my sexuality over here,” he said, explaining it might cause him a lot of trouble, especially at work.
“I have seen how colleagues at work react when they encounter a person who they suspect is gay,” he said. “They avoid him as if he has a disease, and even harass him sometimes.”
Another post by GayMiddleEast.com refers to few incidents that occurred a couple of years ago regarding two social clubs known for their homosexual crowd:
On the night of November 12, 2005, 6 men were arrested in Acid nightclub, a known gay venue in Sin el Fil. No charges were pressed against them. The detainees were released after 3 days of detention. Although no physical abuse was reported, the police were verbally abusive towards the men.
A week later, another known gay club, X-OM, was raided. The police checked IDs and inquired about drug use in the venue. No arrests took place that night.
Acid and X-OM were probably targeted by the police for their openly gay clientele, although legally they had no pretext for any arrests. Article 534 of the Lebanese penal code explicitly states that “penetrative sex against nature” is punishable by law, and not homosexuality per se or the adoption of a gay identity. Laws against public indecency may be enforced if excessive displays of affection or other such behavior is witnessed, but this does not entail the same sort.
Meem, a community of lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders, queers and questioning women in Lebanon, moderates a blog where members can post and share experiences and news. Pazuzu, in her post, shares a personal experience she went through while walking home one night:
Well, I passed by a couple of guys, one those men that scare you (or is it any man that scares you when you are in my situation?). Anyway, typically the first sign of your vulnerability in these situations is that the predators start discussing you in your face:
- Bint yamma sabe hayda?
And for our non Arabic readers :
- Is he a boy or a girl?
But it’s fine I guess, it wasn’t the first time that my sexual identity was questioned, though I didn’t look particularly boyish that day. The real treat was when the second guy opens his mouth. I guess he was encouraged by his friend’s attitude, thinking maybe I am a boy that likes to look like girls, to be honest, I am not sure what he was thinking but he said to me:
-Baddak nitsalla? Ta3a nitsalla
Again, respecting the non Arabic readers:
-Wanna have fun? Let’s have fun together
Al Jaras, a local Lebanese TV station, was commenting over some photos of Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres’ wedding when Jexy at Meem‘s blog realized that in addition to pronouncing Portia's name wrong, the TV presenter went on insulting the homosexuals in general as she describes it:
The first thing that was on my mind: “Seriously you dummy! You wanna trash them? Fine! But at least get the names right!”. And what added up, she was talking at the same time about the Indian man that married a certain animal! Is this where we belong? In the same category of man/animal marriage!? She kept displaying the photos over and over again, adding up “Hayda dod el din [this is a sin]!“. The heavenly angels assigned her to label people and decide what’s wrong and what’s against religion! I wanted to call and ask her: “Honey, if the sight of Ellen and “Borita” sickens you this much…why do u keep displaying them?” But then again, every word she was saying was showing nothing but IGNORANCE.
Learn more about the gay community in Lebanon by visiting Helem Association and Meem Foundation.

author: Nash Suleiman


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Poland-Ukraine: Saving the 2012 UEFA Soccer Championship  · Global Voices
Vilhelm Konnander

The 8th Circle discusses how Poland and Ukraine – despite domestic political turmoil – cope with preparations of the 2012 UEFA soccer championship.


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Russia-Georgia: Arkady Babchenko interview · Global Voices
Vilhelm Konnander

From the Frontline directs attention to a translation of an interview from Neue Zürcher Zeitung with Russian Novaya Gazeta journalist and photographer Arkady Babchenko about his coverage of the war in South Ossetia.


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Russia-Georgia: Reflections on Russian Military Operations · Global Voices
Vilhelm Konnander

Wu Wei reflects upon the Russian military operations against Georgia following the escalation in South Ossetia into full-scale war and poses questions about mistakes made on both sides.


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Russia-Georgia: The Spoils of War · Global Voices
Vilhelm Konnander

Robert Amsterdam writes about alleged war profiteers following Russian troops into Georgia.


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Russia: Intravenous Drug Use Leading Cause of HIV/AIDS · Global Voices
Juhie Bhatia

While sub-Saharan Africa remains the region most heavily affected by HIV, a UNAIDS report says that some of the most worrisome increases in new infections are happening in other places, such as Russia. Many HIV/AIDS experts have also expressed concerns that Russia, as well as other former Soviet Union states, are facing widespread HIV/AIDS epidemics. But unlike many other parts of the world, the majority of HIV cases in Russia are due to intravenous drug use.
Russia's HIV epidemic continues to grow, though not as quickly as it did in the 1990s. Estimates vary, but it is thought that almost one million people are living with HIV in Russia. Injecting drug use is the main way that HIV is transmitted — it was responsible for two-thirds of newly registered HIV cases in 2006. Neil Smith, posting on docshop.com, elaborates on the issue.
“Certain parts of Russia are plagued by HIV/AIDS outbreaks as a result of people sharing syringes and needles. The problem is so serious that the World Health Organization has tabbed Russia as the nation with the worst HIV/AIDS epidemic in all of Europe, encompassing nearly a million infected people. VOANews.com cites ‘intravenous drug use, especially among young people’ as the primary vehicle causing the rapid infection to continue and worsen with each passing year. Moscow and St. Petersburg are believed to be the most heavily impacted areas.”
Drug addiction, along with HIV/AIDS, only became major problems in Russia after the Soviet Union fell, as opened borders made it easier for illicit narcotics to enter. Now it is estimated that between 1.5 million and 3 million people in Russia are intravenous drug users, injecting heroin and other opium-based narcotics. Many of these users inject with non-sterile syringes, increasing the risk of HIV transmission.
In his blog, Kh. Atiar Rahman talks about the growing drug problem and its ripple effect.
“Unfortunately, the social base of drug addiction is expanding. Today this disease has percolated to all sections of society, encompassing the territory – world wide, especially the depressed areas. This is leading to an avalanche-like spread of AIDS…Most of the drug addicts — up to 53 percent — are persons with no definite occupation. It is they who strengthen the army of distributors now as well, which in its turn gives go to a crime flare.”
One method being used to discourage the spread of HIV through tainted syringes are needle-exchange programs. There were more than 50 needle- and syringe-exchange projects operating in Russia last year. One such program is run by the Humanitarian Action Fund, based in St. Petersburg, who operate a mobile clinic on a refurbished bus. The bus makes nightly stops in areas frequented by drug users and provides clean needles and syringes, as well as other health and social services. This video, narrated by the organization's founder, Sasha Tsekhanovich, talks about their efforts and the stigma that drug users face.
Another method that many health experts say is critical to controlling the spread of HIV among injecting drug users is substitution treatment. For example, providing methadone, a synthetic form of opium, to heroin addicts to help wean them off heroin. Methadone treatment is not being administered in Russia, though, and the issue is considered taboo. Earlier this year the country's chief public health officer said that Russia was not ready to adopt practices such as methadone replacement therapy. A post on a Drug Rehab blog further explains.
“Methadone treatment is taboo in Russia because many feel that it is simply replacing one addiction with another. In fact, even bringing up the topic can provoke serious legal sanctions. Posting studies that show the effects, both positive and negative, of methadone treatment are illegal also. In fact, charges are often brought up against doctors that post these findings on their websites. Because methadone treatment is difficult to get in Russia, many find that the detox is ineffective and once they leave the drug rehab program, they use again.”
However, experts also point out that it's not just drug users that are being affected by HIV/AIDS in Russia. Transmission through unprotected heterosexual sex has been increasing steadily since the late 1990s as well, and there's a substantial overlap between sex work and injecting drug use. Unkie Dave, blogging on Booming Back, says the key to slowing down the HIV epidemic globally is to look at the whole picture.
“AIDS is a disease of poverty and ignorance, affecting the most vulnerable and marginalised in any society. In America it is a disease of black women, in Russia it effects intravenous drug users, in Thailand it affects sex workers, and so on. But by focusing on only one group in any culture, it gives the impression that all other groups are unaffected, leading to risky behaviour by the mainstream, and the further marginalisation of those at the edges.”
Photo of Close Up Syringe by big_chocolate_monster on Flickr.

author: Juhie Bhatia


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Saudi Arabia: Outcry Over Fatwa to Kill Satellite TV Owners  · Global Voices
Nash Suleiman

Aside from being the world's dominant oil producer and home of the largest hydrocarbon reserves, Saudi Arabia is the key player in the Arab and Muslim world. Ruled by the  Al Saud family since its establishment in 1932, Islamic laws are adopted as the one and only constitution to obey.
The media plays a huge rule in preserving the stability that the Al–Saud aim to maintain. Not a long time ago, the Saudi government restricted televised broadcasts into two main channels (owned and run by the government). One was in Arabic and the other in English. When the cable and satellite broadcast networks were developed around the world, the Saudis made it clear that purchasing such equipment is prohibited and banned by law. Nonetheless, smugglers and well connected individuals managed to acquire this new technology which slowly began to surface in every household.
While the rest of the Arab world began to adopt this technology and update their broadcast range and reach, Saudi Arabia in an attempt to catch up with the region's fast pace allowed the use of this new trend and soon updated its own channels to broadcast internationally.  Although over the past few years, lectures and social awareness campaigns were promoted by the Saudi government to prevent the influence of Western cultures and anti-Islamic habits deemed corrupting to the Islamic communities, there wasn’t a single incident of an extreme ruling that could be compared to the latest fatwa (religious decree).
Sheikh Saleh Al-Laheedan, the head of the Saudi Supreme Judiciary Council, issued a fatwa that makes it permissible to kill the owners of satellite TV networks that broadcast immoral content. And although the Sheikh didn’t specify any particular channels, this announcement created a wave of controversy and attacks from the international and western media in particular, as well as Arab media and bloggers. And even though the Sheikh issued another statement, following the worldwide response, in which he clarified his original fatwa as not to kill people randomly but bring them to justice and issue the death penalty if they were found guilty, it didn’t calm or answer some people’s frustration and questions.
Ali Alomari posted a video of the fatwa declared by the Sheikh and backed its message up, since in his opinion a change is needed in  society to maintain an open mind without compromising Islamic values:
فتوى واضحة في مدلولها, صريحة في لغتها, ومتفقة تمام الاتفاق مع روح الإسلام؛ تلك التي أصدرها سماحة الشيخ صالح اللحيدان -رئيس مجلس القضاء الأعلى وعضو هيئة كبار العلماء- عبر إذاعة القرآن الكريم من المملكة العربية السعودية؛ حيث أفتى -سماحته- بجواز قتل مّلاك القنوات الفضائية الهابطة “قضاء” إذا قدر على منعهم فلم يمتنعوا ولم يمكن دفع شرهم بعقوبة دون القتل…
The fatwa by his Eminence Sheikh Saleh Al-Laheedan is clear in its message and purpose and is in line with Islam's spirit. His fatwa decress that the killing of the owners of satellite channels which broadcast immoral material is their destiny. If they are warned and chose to disregard such warnings, then there are no other ways to stop their evil doing than by killing them.”
In his post regarding the fatwa, Yaser Al-Ghaslan took the opportunity to address the Sheikh by asking him to be more transparent in his future speeches and requested that future fatwas should shed the light on more day to day issues that are more critical and real to many Muslims in the region:
لن اطالب هنا بأن لا يفتي فضيلتة في القضايا التي يراها حساسة رغم ظروف الوطن المختلفه و لن اطالبه بأن يقدم مصلحة الوطن و الشعب على ما يمليه ضميرة الديني تجاه القضايا التي يراها مفسده و خروج عن الدين، بل أطلب أن يكون واضحا و شفافا في فتاويه القادمه بخصوص قضايا بلادنا الحقيقية و التي تمس الناس مباشرة مثل غلاء الأسعار و موقف الشرع حول أفضل طرق الوقايه من الغلاء و تقديم النصح للناس من أجل عيشه كريمة، كما اطلب من فضيلته أن يفتي بضرورة محاسبة المسئولين المقصرين صراحة و أن يكون مباشرا في نقده و فتواه و تقديم النصح بدلا من الحديث في العموم و إطلاق الأحكام العمومية
I am not here to question the Sheikh's wisdom or intentions. I am asking him to take issues that effect people directly with a clearer approach and speeches, issues such as the ever rising prices of goods and the best ways to deal with providing our citizens with decent living conditions. I also ask of him to direct the blame on those responsible with all honesty in his criticism and fatwas instead of generalizing.
Ibrahim Hudhaif's post on this issue was more of a response to a piece by writer Turki Al-Hamad, where the latter expressed his disgust at how the human life is so cheap:
يقول الكاتب تركي الحمد … هل صار الإنسان بهذا الرخص؟ وهل أصبح الحكم بالقتل بهذه السهولة … وكأن المقتول دجاجة؟ ثم ينهي كلامه ويقول المحرض على القتل فهو قاتل!!! انتهى
أين هؤلاء عندما تقصف أمريكا عرسا في أفغانستان ويسقط الأبرياء بسبب معلومات خاطئة قدمت لهم … هل صار الإنسان بهذا الرخص؟
أين هؤلاء عندما قتلت أمريكا أكثر من مليون عراقي في العراق … هل أصبح الإنسان رخيصا لهذه الدرجة يا تركي؟
أم أين هم عندما عذبت امريكا المعتقلين بسجن أبو غريب واستخدمت شتى أنواع الذل والمهانه تجاه المعتقلين … ويحاكم جندي واحد فقط ويسجن كم شهر!!! … لهذه الدرجة الإنسان رخيصا يا أديبهم … سبحان الله
Writer Turki Al-Hamad asks when did the human life become so cheap and easily disposed and compares it to  killing a chicken, and ends his piece claiming that the those who promote killing are killers as well.
Let me ask you Turki, where were those attacking the Sheikh's fatwa when the US bombed a wedding in Afghanistan based on false intelligence?! Is human life that cheap?!
Were were they when the US killed more than a million citizens in Iraq? Is human life that cheap?! Where were those voices when the US tortured the prisoners in Abo Ghareeb and used all sorts of humiliation methods while questioning them? And at the end only one US soldier were accused in court and sentenced for few months in jail?! Is life that cheap Turki?!
Blogging to tackle the issue behind the fatwa rather the fatwa itself, Abed Al Aziz Al Sweed writes his post admitting he didn't listen or watch the Sheikh's speech but he is more interested in the core of the issue:
ما أتمناه ألا تنشغل الصحافة بظاهر الفتوى وإثارة صحافية “مغرية” فيها، بل علينا تجاوز ذلك، إلى اللب والأسباب. لقد كتب الكثير عن الفضائيات والمسؤولية الأخلاقية التي يجب أن تحكم أعمالها وتؤطر نشاطها إلا أن كل هذا، وهو عصارة رأي عام مستهدف من القنوات يجب أن يعطى حقه الأخلاقي… لم يحرك ساكناً ويحدث تغييراً يذكر في برامج تلك الوسائل الإعلامية، بل أن الاستمرار شجع على تزايد توالد فضائيات أقل ما يقال عنها إنها مخجلة بحثاً عن الربح السهل السريع.
What I am really hoping for here is for the media to avoid exhausting its resources on the this post-fatwa frenzy for commercial gains, and actually pay more attention to the reasons and elements building to this fatwa. A lot of these broadcasting networks were questioned in the past regarding their ethics and responsibilities on what they are broadcasting and promoting, but those questions came back empty handed. And unfortunately such disregard in the past encouraged the multiplication of those networks, and the least I can say is that they merely are a shameful display running behind easy financial gains.
Ahmad Ba Aboud, asks himself personal questions implied by this controversy, and while finding his answers he states that such an incident proves how behind the community has become in the absence of tolerance and intellectual debates that could have saved the country from sinking into such useless controversies:
-  حتى لو توقفت القنوات التي يملكها سعوديون عن بث ما يحوي الخلاعة و المجون، من سيمنع الناس من مشاهدة القنوات الأخرى التي ستستمر في بث ما تشاء لمن يريد!.
– و لو فرضنا أن كل القنوات العربية توقفت عن بث الخلاعة و المجون، من سيمنع الناس من مشاهدة القنوات الأجنبية التي تبث على الأقمار الصناعية التي يصل بثها للدول العربية؟
– من سيوقف ما يوجد في الأنترنت من محتويات غير أخلاقية و تحمل صفات المجون و الخلاعة؟
– أليس من حق الناس أن تشاهد و تحكم بنفسها و تقرر ما تشاهده و ما تمتنع عنه؟
– كيف يمكن المطالبة بوقف قنوات التسلية و التي تبث الخلاعة و المجون في ظل شح وسائل الترفية و النشاطات الإجتماعية في السعودية؟ أين سيذهب الناس في أوقات فراغهم؟.
– إلى أي حد يجب على السلطات أن تتدخل في مواجهة ما قد ينظر إليه البعض على أنه خطر على المجتمع (متمثلاً هنا في صورة القنوات المتهمة بالمجون و الخلاعة) و بأي صورة يكون هذا التدخل؟.
Even if the Saudi-owned channels stopped broadcasting the programs in question here, what will withhold people from switching to other channels?
Even is all the Arabic TV channels shut down these provocative programs, what will stop the viewers from switching to foreign channels?
What about the internet and its content that is full of indecent material? Who can control that?
Don't people have the right to watch and then judge what they consider worthy?
In a country like Saudi Arabia, where the absence of recreational activities and spaces is being compensated with watching and interacting with entertainment programs on TV, what will people do in their free time once these programs are shut down?
How far should the authorities go in their effort to cleanse what they deem threatening to the community's values?
Bassam Sebati posted an article reflecting his disapproval of this fatwa and possible link to the recent killing of 4 journalist working at a TV show in Iraq:
It seems it was not enough what the Wahabis did since they hijacked Islam and Saudi Arabia, but also they continue to be the source of most of the mayhem across the Middle East. They just don't stop spreading hatred and murder for any reason they find right before their eyes…
…One day after this evil verdict, assassins killed four TV journalists from Iraq's Al-Sharqiyah Satellite TV channel while filming a show about feeding the fasting people in the holy month of Ramadan. The show called, “Breaking Your Fast Is on Us,” is a popular TV show, widely watched by many Iraqis during the holy month. The TV channel picks families who have financial difficulties and make them a huge meal of Iftar, along with other presents like house equipments, including refrigerators, stoves, ovens, TV-sets, etc.
I don't know if the killing of these journalists is linked to what that evil Sheikh issued, but it seems it's not disconnected. It's wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong and should be stopped.
Menassat.com published an article that rounds up reports by some major media networks about Al-Laheedan's fatwa.


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Saudi Arabia: Why Should Arabs Have Access to the Internet?  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

For days, cyberactivists have been busy discussing the case of Moroccan blogger Mohammed Erraji, who was arrested, put on trial, sentenced – and then freed, and then put on trial again and finally acquitted.
His crime? Posting this article, part of which is translated here into English, on Hespress [Ar], in which he describes how the Moroccan King's charity and gratuities towards his people benefits “the lucky sons and daughters of this country and overlooks the rest.”
He explained his point:
Countries which respect their citizens do not turn them into beggars under the feet of nobility. Instead, they develop factories and workshops for them to work in and earn their living with dignity. Even if we assume that such gratuities are only dispersed to deserving citizens such as the special needs and poor, which is impossible at any rate, this isn't anything that makes Moroccan citizens proud. The right to work, health care and education are granted by the Constitution. Therefore, the state should provide decent means of living for its citizens – other than humiliating them in this shameless manner.
And bloggers around the region have been nodding their heads in agreement – for they might just as well substitute the name Morocco from the article and replace it with the name of their countries.
Who is Mohammed Erraji? Why did he write what he wrote knowing well that in many countries in the Middle East criticising members of the vast Ruling families is very likely to result in repercussions and punishment? Saudi blogger Fouad Al Farhan, who recently found himself behind bars for his writings in Saudi Arabia, visits Erraji's blog looking for answers.
After learning about Erraji's arrest, Al Farhan visits his blog:
I visited his blog for the first time and was eager to visit his first posts, which usually speak about the blogger's view towards blogging and the reasons why he is joining this wave. They also explain what his ambitions are and what he hopes to achieve through blogging. I found him saying in one of his first posts:
“I want to fill the pages of this blog with all the ideas which are erupting in my hear like an active volcano at times, and like cool refreshing breezes at others. I want to sit for long hours in front of the computer. I want to write about everything in my private life, and about politics, sports, religion, about everything. I want to write without stopping …”
With these words the Moroccan blogger Mohammed Erraji started his journey in the world of blogging. This journey, which started and will never be erased from his memory, and the memory of his family and friends for the rest of their lives. Mohammed Erraji, like many of our creative youth, is someone we never pay attention to until tragedy strikes.
About Erraji, Al Farhan says:
محمد الراجي عمره ٢٩ عاماً وعمر مدونته سنة ونصف. لولا أنه ذكر بنفسه بأنه لم يتجاوز المرحلة السادسة في مستواه التعليمي لما صدقت. هو “أمازيغي وعربي في نفس الآن” كما عرف عن نفسه. أما توجهه الفكري فيلخصه كما يلي: “مستقل بأفكاري ولا أحب أن أكون تابعا لأحد ، عندما يكون لدي موقف من قضية ما ، أدافع عنه بشراسة، وفي المقابل أستمع بأذن صاغية الى الآخرين ، وأقبل الحوار مع الجميع ، عندما أختلف مع شخص ما ، أختلف معه حول أفكاره ومواقفه فقط ، وليست لدي خلافات شخصية مع أحد”. في آخر تدويناته يصرخ في وجه “الجبناء” كما أسماهم مطالباً “بحماية سمعة وطنه” الذي يحبه ويعشقه. أوطاننا العربية التي نعشقها ويحاول البعض بكل جد وإجتهاد وبكل طريقة ممكنة أن يفقدنا الأمل في إصلاحها إما بتهوين المخاطر التي نمر بها أو بإقناعنا بشرعية “الخطوط الحمراء” التي هي في الأصل خطوط حمراء تحمي “المستفيدين” من أوضاع حرياتنا المفقودة في أوطاننا العربية.
Mohammed Erraji is 29 years old and his blog is a year and a half old. If he hadn't mentioned that he hasn't exceeded the sixth grade at school, I wouldn't have believed him. As he describes himself, he is “an Amazigh and an Arab at the same time.” He summarises his ideaology as: “I am of independent thought, and I don't like to be anyone's follower. When I have a certain stance towards an issue, I defend it ferociously. In return, I listen to others, accept dialogue with everybody, and when I disagree with someone, I disagree with their thoughts and stances only, and I have no personal conflicts with anyone.” In one of his last posts, he screams in the face of “cowards,” as he called them, urging them to “protect the reputation of his nation,” which he loves – our Arab nation which we love, which some are exerting all their efforts, in every manner available to them, to make us lose hope in reforming it, either by exaggerating the dangers we are facing, or convincing us of the legality of the “red lines” which are in reality red lines which protect those benefiting from our lost freedom in our Arab world.
Al Farhan says he spent the entire day reading Erraji's blog. He notes:
أعجبني نقده وأفكاره وإستقرائه وحججه وقوة لغته. أعجبتني جرأته وتسميته الأشياء بأسمائها. وجدته يعبر عن وجهة نظره بكل صراحة حول الإرهاب وغيرته على الإسلام من تصرفات المتطرفين وأطروحاتهم. تناول “أسامة بن لادن” بالإسم ونقده وأختار أن لا يؤجر عقله لكل من يستغل سوء أوضاعنا بطرح حلول تدميريه وإرهابية لا تقود إلا لمجتمعات خوف وعنف وظلام.
محمد الراجي لم يختبيء تحت معرفات وهمية في منتديات الإنترنت ليعبر عن رأيه بطرح متطرف أو صراخ لا يسمن ولا يغني من جوع. محمد الراجي فهم التدوين جيداً ولديه ثقة إيجابيه في ذاته وعقله وفكره نهلها من محيطه العائلي وتربيته التي يفتخر بها.
ولذلك قرر محمد الراجي أن يدون.
I admired his criticism, thoughts, analysis, arguments, and the beauty of his language. I admired his courage in calling things by their names. I found him expressing his ideas about terrorism and his concern over Islam and the reactions of extremists and what they do candidly. He wrote about Osama bin Laden, calling him by his name, and criticised him. He chose not to sell his mind to those who abuse our situation by suggesting terrorist solutions, which only lead societies to fear, violence and darkness.
Mohammed Erraji did not hide behind pseudonyms on Internet forums to express an extreme opinion or scream nonsense. Mohammed Erraji understood blogging for what it is, and has a positive confidence in himself and thoughts, which he learned from his family and upbringing, which he is proud of. This is why Mohammed Erraji decided to blog.
According to Al Farhan, had Erraji decided not to blog, his options would have been:
1. المضي في حياته اليومية بحثاً عن لقمة عيشه فاقداً الأمل في إمكانية أن يحدث تعبيره عن رأيه أي فرق في تحسين الواقع أو إيضاح مواطن الظلم. وبذلك ينضم للملايين من الشباب العربي المحبط
2. تأجير عقله لمتطرف يقول له بأن حمل السلاح والعنف هو الحل والمخرج من هذا الواقع العربي المظلم مثلما فعل الكثير من الشباب العربي المحبط أيضاً للأسف الشديد.
3. البحث عن مواطن أخرى ليخرج “كل الغضب الذي يتزاحم في صدره مثل حمم بركان هائج” من مخدرات وحشيش ومتع مدمرة وقع فيها الملايين من الشباب العربي المحبط.
1. Continue with his life earning a living without any hope that expressing his idea would improve reality and highlight where injustice is. This way he will be ones of the millions of depressed young Arabs
2. Renting his mind to an extremist who will ask him to carry arms and commit violence as a means to get out of this unjust Arab reality, as many young men have unfortuneately done.
3. Finding other avenues to express all this anger raging inside him like a volcano such as drugs and hashish and other dangerous entertainments which have claimed millions of young depressed Arabs.
Al Farhan explains that Erraji rejected all those options and immersed himself into blogging instead.
Turning his attention to the allergy of some governments towards freedom of expression, Al Farhan writes:
مشكلة الحكومات العربية مع الجيل الجديد من الشباب أنها لم تستوعب بعد أن الوقت تغير. هذا الجيل مشتعل بالغيرة وببراكين الغضب والأسئلة التي تتزاحم في عقله تبحث عن إجابات لحال وضعنا العربي المحبط.
The problem with Arab governments with the new generation of young people is that they have not grasped that times have changes. This generation is fired up with feelings towards their nation, with overflowing volcanoes of anger and questions rushing in their heads looking for solutions for our depressing conditions as Arabs.
In explaining how the world has changed, Al Farhan says:
في زمن ما، كان العربي في المغرب يسمع عن ما يحصل في المشرق عن طريق إذاعة لندن أو مونت كارلو أو صحيفة بائتة هنا أو هناك. بعد عالم الإنترنت، أصبحنا نعرف كل صغيرة وكبيرة إما عن طريق الفضائيات أو الإذاعات أو مواقع الإنترنت أو البريد الإلكتروني أو تويتر أو الفيسبوك. لم يعد هناك شيء مخفي.
Early on, Arabs in the Maghreb used to hear about what was happening in the East though the radio stations of London or Monte Carlo or old newspapers from here and there. After the Internet, we now know everything happening through satellite channels, radio stations, websites, email, Twitter and Facebook. There is nothing which can be hidden anymore.
Access to the Internet, adds Al Farhan, has made the world a different place. He therefore asks:
إذا كانوا لا يريدون منا أن نحلم وأن نتكلم ونطرح أفكارنا وأحلامنا للحوار والنقاش فلماذا يسمحون بإدخال الإنترنت في بلداننا العربية؟
If they did not want us to dream and speak and express our ideas and aspirations in dialogues or discuss them, why have they allowed the Internet into our Arab countries?

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Singapore bans imported milk from China · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Singapore Dutch lady brand of strawberry flavored milk was found with melamine, the same chemical which caused several injuries and death in China. Imported milk from China is now banned in Singapore. A blogger writes: “As a testament to how inter-linked the world now is and how processed many foods have become, the chain of affected food products has extended to products manufactured outside of China.”


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UK: Azerbaijani Gay Artist Deported · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports that gay Azerbaijani artist Babi Badalov has been deported from the United Kingdom to Azerbaijan. The blog also says that faced with protests, the British Midlands Airways’ spokesperson turned off his phone to avoid calls lobbying on Badalov's behalf.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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UK: Azerbaijani Gay Artist’s Deportation Update · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports that following pressure on Azerbaijani Airlines, the details of Azerbaijani artist Babi Badalov's deportation from the UK have been changed. The blog calls on concerned individuals and organizations to lobby British Midlands Airways (BMI) who will fly Badalov to Baku in just a few hours.


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Ukraine: 77 words on parliamentary upheaval · Global Voices
Vilhelm Konnander

Eternal Remont notes that the latest political crisis in the Ukraine – the dissolution of parliament – was rewarded a full 77 words by a subsection of The New York Times. In his view, the next turmoil might end up in the Gardening Section.


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Vietnam: Dishonest gas stations · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Some gas stations in Saigon are cheating their customers, Saigonnezumi writes.


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Jordan: A Popular Cafe Shut Down in Ramadan Crackdown · Global Voices
Mohammad Azraq

On Sunday, September 14, 2008 trendy Books@Cafe in the old part of the Jordanian capital Amman was forced to close down after the police cracked down listing various accusations such as: obscene public affection, lack of hygiene, and serving food and alcohol during fasting hours in Ramadan. Co-owner Madian Al-Jazera describes what happened on 7iber, a popular citizen journalism website in Jordan. His post yielded about a 150 comments.
According to Al-Jazera:
The night before Ramadan, the police violently stormed into the café and asked us to close down. “This is the holy month of Ramadan!” they barked. Since we are officially licensed and they could provide no official papers, we refused to close.
This is the third year we operate, fully licensed by the Ministry of Tourism and the Hotel and Restaurant Association. This is very important, because we are categorized as 3-star tourist, with recent faxes from the Ministry endorsing the permit to operate all day with regular food and drink service, including alcohol.
Sunday night, we get shocked with the visit from the police with an order to close. There was no reason within the order. Of course, they only come at night so that there is no one to call or anything to do. When we showed them our papers, they kept calling us a night club. We are licensed as a restaurant. To them, if alcohol is served, then it is a night club. This is the logic we encountered, regardless of the fully accredited and legal license.
The commenters were divided between those who were in complete denial about the cafe's shutdown, and those who were in support. Some interpreted the crackdown as a setback on civic liberties and rights in the country, while others agreed that drinking alcohol and eating during Ramadan should be prohibited. Meanwhile, the debate rages around Islam, coexistence, and democracy.
Here is a selection of reactions from 7iber:
By Faris on Sep 18, 2008 | Reply
This is very sad news Madian, I hope there’s a peaceful resolution to this situation, it seems some elements in the government like to flex their muscles every chance they get, and a clear indication of a lot of uneducated people behind this.
What about Christians? non-Muslims?
If they’re going to act like we want this to be a theocracy, a purely Muslim nation, let’s cut to the chase and do some ethnic cleansing already, I’ve already taken the initiative and ethnic-cleansed myself.
By Maha on Sep 19, 2008 | Reply
Thank God that finally such places are closed in Jordan!
It’s funny that for you people “human rights”, “Freedom” and “Democracy” are synonyms for DRINKING ALCOHOL, NOT FASTING, HOMOSEXUALITY and other digusting stuff!!
For those who don’t want to respect our relegion and live with our tradition in Jordan as a muslim country, I advise u to leave to another country
For more on the story visit 7iber here.
Bloggers in Jordan picked up the story on their blogs and here is what some of them had to say about it.
Tim, a young American living in Amman, wrote:
This is a real shame because we all love Books and it was one of the few places where you could still have a meal with alcohol during Ramadan. Some other places have been closed too, according to the piece above. Beyond the inconvenience to us degenerate expats, this is also symptomatic of the public tendency here to obsess about things like alcohol, Zionist conspiracies in music festivals, foreign cartoons and boycotts, etc. rather than actual issues. As long as these types of things continue to easily rile the masses, the government will be more than happy to play along and smother any rational criticism about things that matter. It's not hard to close down restaurants.
More on Tim's opinion here.
And Naseem Tarawneh had this to say:
I understand both points of view. I understand the one that says there should be freedom of religion and people should be allowed to eat and drink whenever they like. I also understand the one that says it’s Ramadan and people need to respect the will of the majority, especially if it’s only one month of the year. I even understand the point of view that this is not in fact a religious argument but a political one.
And it is this latter view that I see to be the most pertinent.
More on Naseem's opinion here.

author: Mohammad Azraq


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Armenia: Pro-Government Youth Group Formed · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Unzipped comments on stumbling upon what looks like the start of a series of anti-smoking actions staged by a new pro-government youth movement. The blog says that Miasin appears to be poorly organized and lacked the creativity of other youth movements which have emerged in Armenia in the past year and a half.


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Blogger of the Week: Leonard Chien · Global Voices
Deborah Ann Dilley

I would like to introduce you to Leonard Chien, English-Chinese translator and interpreter from Taiwan, and a Lingua powerhouse for Global Voices.  At the recent GV Summit in Budapest, Leonard famously announced that we would always know when he had a day off as he would translate more articles of Global Voices that day. In fact, when asked what he would chose for a superpower he said “May I increase my translation rates?” So what more can we learn about Leonard than his love for translating? Read more to find out.
Photo courtesy of LuisCarlos Díaz
You have been writing in your blog “Back from the World” since July.  Why did you start writing, and why did you decide to write in English?
I start this blog after coming back from GV Summit in Budapest. I used to blog only in Chinese. After the summit, I feel strongly motivated to stay connected with all the people I know during the Summit. In this case, blogging in English seems to be necessary. GV people “know” each other more or less via internet, but meeting in person is a totally different story. With that experience in Budapest, I am more attached to Global Voices and this group of people. We often say “keep in touch” when we leave, and having an English blog, to me, is really the way to keep in touch with them.
How and when did you get connected with GVO?
I started to translate English posts into Chinese as a practice and put them online since 2004. On November 15, 2006, I got an email from PipperL, another Lingua Chinese translator, inviting me to translate for GVO. I clicked the link, read it, and I am hooked. GVO combines two things I like the most: translation and international issues. That's how the story begins. I keep that particular email he sent to me until now, because in retrospect, it is truly a watershed moment in my life.
Explain the work that you do for GV Lingua.
I translate GVO posts from English to Chinese. Also, Portnoy and I are managers for the whole GV Lingua projects. All we do is try to make the whole Lingua experience as enjoyable as possible.
How does what you do for GV Lingua fit into the world of citizen media?
Traditional media, in every part of the world, only focuses on a few big powers and nearby countries, which leave most of the world in the dark. The beauty of citizen media, in my opinion, is to reveal news and perspectives that may be neglected or overlooked by traditional media. To many of my friends who only speak Chinese, GV Lingua has become the major source of African and Latin American news, for instance. We shine lights to places they won't be able to see in the past. Of course it is due to precious efforts from our authors around the world.
As a translator, how do you decide what to translate?
I translate what I am interested. Some people emphasize we should translate what interests readers, but to me, they are “unimaginable mass”. I never know what readers really prefer, so I follow my heart. Time is sometimes a constraint. If I have other translation or interpretation works to do, I tend to do shorter posts. Earning a living is still crucial to a freelancer like me. I don't and can't oppose long, long articles. GV authors have every right to write posts as long as they want or need. Lingua translators will try their best.
What is your most memorable blogging or translating experience?
The other day, one classmate asked me about the presidential election in Paraguay. I was surprised and wanted to know how she knew about it. It turned out that she read my Chinese translation of Eduardo Avila's post. That's when I know my translation has an influence to others for sure.
How would you characterize the Taiwanese blogosphere?
The blogosphere in Taiwan has a wide variety of interests, such as travel, cuisine, and celebrity. Unfortunately, I am occupied by GV and other things that interest me more, so I don't pay much attention to it.
Give me an example of your average day.
It would be quite boring to most people. I wake up normally at 8, do translation (GV included) before and after lunch, take a walk before sunset (to bookstores sometimes), read after dinner, and watch TV or movies for pleasure. Before bedtime, I write blogs or do more translation (GV included). The more paid works I have to do, the more eager I want to translate GV posts. Weird, huh?
How do you see GV Lingua progressing over the next few years?
GV Lingua is booming in numbers for the past one and a half years. The trend will probably stay for a while. Then we should focus on ensuring every Lingua team is sustainable, as volunteers come and go. As Lingua manager, I feel obligated to help volunteers be connected to the whole GV community. I am still thinking of ways everyday.
Do you have any hobbies?
I love reading, be it magazines, books, newspapers, websites, or others. I read four or five books at a time. After one or two chapters, I put down one book and read another, no matter how attractive the plot is. It may not sound good to others, but it's the way I am.
What is your worst habit?
I love to collect advertising postcards, which my mom always complains because it occupies a sizable part of my place. Everyone should only take one postcard each, but I often end up bringing back two or three of the same kind, as I think I should have backup if I lose one of them. I even waste weekend afternoons walking around Taipei and looking for new ones. It's silly. I don't buy postcards for myself when I am abroad. I look for free ones.
Photo courtesy of Joi Ito
How did you view the people of GV before you met then in Budapest, and afterwards?
I always think of GV as a group of people devoting their time and efforts towards their different goals. It's great that people with different interests can all benefit from GV experience, be it bloggers, translators, activists, etc. After meeting GV people in person, I can really feel this huge energy among us. Outsiders may think GV people are idealistic, opinionated or aggressive. These impressions may or may not be right, but the most important thing is, just as our Outreach Director David Sasaki says, “we are having a good time in GV.” I had a wonderful time in Budapest.
Finally, describe yourself and how you see the world.
I am always optimistic, believing the world will be better in some ways tomorrow. I am always curious, wondering what surprises may come next. I am always talkative, trying to fill up all blanks in conversations. The world, online or offline, is a playground to me. We can always have fun.

author: Deborah Ann Dilley


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Taiwan:Cairo Declaration and Taiwan’s status · Global Voices
David Reid

It is almost 65 years since the Cairo Declaration. Jerome Keating looks at the rhetoric of it and asks why the status of Taiwan remains undetermined after all this time.

author: David Reid


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Costa Rica: Thoughts On Not Voting in Next Election · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The blogger at 3CCV [es] lists possible scenarios and why he/she will not vote in the next elections in Costa Rica, including the fact that both the current government and opposition has left him/her disillusioned.


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Cuba: Rebuilding After Hurricane Ike · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

In spite of the damage caused by Hurricane Ike, residents in San Cristóbal, Cuba are trying to rebuild and helping their neighbors [es] writes Zenia Regalado.


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Egypt: Egyptian Railways – 125 Years Old · Global Voices
Tarek Amr

Egyptian blogger Zeinobia celebrates here the 125th anniversary of the Egyptian Railways.
Historically and internationally we were the second country after UK to have a railways. Today from 125 years on the 16th of September 1856 Egypt inaugurated the first railway in Africa and in the East.
It was during Khedive Abbas I era.The Railway was from Alexandria to Cairo “209 km”. Khedive Abbas I whom we rarely remember signed  an agreement with Engineer Robert Stephenson to build the railways  for 56,000 Pounds in 1850. In 1851 Stephenson had accepted to be Engineer-in-Chief to the Egyptian Railway between Alexandria and Cairo. In 1855 Stephenson inaugurated the first two moveable bridge in Egypt at Kafr Zayat and Benha.

author: Tarek Amr


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Georgia: Rock for Peace · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

This is Tbilisi Calling comments on Friday's free concert held in the Georgian capital by Canadian soft rock star Bryan Adams. The blog by British journalist Matthew Collin says the concert was billed as “Peace, Freedom and Democracy for Georgia,” but was ironically sponsored by a Russian-owned mining company. Adams will also reportedly donate money to repair a school destroyed by Russian bombs in Gori. CNN's iReport carries a citizen-journalist video report by BuddhaGeo who was at the concert.


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Indonesia-made aircraft · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Little-known fact: Several Indonesia-made aircrafts are still being used in the Philippines, Malaysia and Pakistan.


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Iran:Anti discrimination petition · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Visa for Ordinary Iranians blog invites Iranians to sign an anti discrimination petition against Canada's embassy in Tehran. This blog says “only a minority of several hundred Iranian artists and intellectuals invited to other Toronto events this summer were granted visas.”


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Korea: Teachers and Education · Global Voices
Hyejin Kim

On the 15th of September, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MEST) announced that they will make public the number of teachers who joined Korean Teachers & Education Workers’ Union (KTU) at each school after the MEST agreed to open international secondary schools on the 4th of September. The KTU was founded in 1989 and teachers (KTU teachers after) had fights against the authorities, defended teachers’ rights, and put voice to concerns about education. At that time, many teachers were dismissed. Currently, KTU teachers comprise the highest number of labor union members (80,000 of 200,000) and the KTU is the strongest labor union. While the KTU is regarded as an important group fighting for teachers’ rights and for changing the school environment, it is also criticized for focusing on politics rather than education, for concentrating only on teachers’ demands rather than their duties, and for supporting education only as the last concern..
However, this sudden announcement of the MEST raises a series of questions.
Mogibul suggests more information be opened.
앞으로는 초중고교의 전교조 가입교사수를 공개하게 된다고 한다. 나는 전교조의 요즘 정치적 성향에 대해서는 별로 좋아하지 않지만 교원노조는 있어야 한다는 점에서 전교조를 이를테면 ‘비판적 지지’ 하고 있다. […] 전교조의 태동과 투쟁은 지금 생각해도 감격스러운 것이었다. 성직이라는 미명하에 착취받던 교사들의 권익보호와, 사람으로 취급받지 못하던 학생들의 인권에 대한 이의제기라는 점에서 그 역사적 의미는 지극히 중대한 것이었다. 세월이 20여년 흘러 지금 전교조는 그 당시 전교조와 많이 다르겠지만 여전히 전교조가 그 존재의미를 갖는다는 것은 누구도 부인할 수 없을 것이다.
지금 교육부 생각은 전교조 교사수 공개 -> 학부모 반발 -> 전교조 탈퇴압력 으로 이어질 것이라는 것이겠지만 전교조가 대응하기에 따라서는 반드시 그렇게 되지 않을 수도 있을 것 같다. 만일 전교조 수뇌부가 쫌 반성을 하고 지금 하고 있다는, 시대에 뒤떨어진 정치적 투쟁을 중단한다면, 학부모들이 갖는 인상도 많이 달라지지 않을까. 통일교육이니 뭐니 하는 것도 군부독재때 이야기지 요즘같이 북한의 실상이 적나라하게 드러나는 시절에 몇십년전하던 이야기를 반복한다는 것은 자살행위라고 본다.
그건 그렇고.
기왕에 이런저런 정보를 공개할 거라면 전교조 교사수 뿐만 아니라 좀 더 실질적인 학부모 관심사에 대해서도 공개해보자. 개인의 합법적인 권리인 전교조 가입여부도 공개하는 판국이니 이런 것쯤은 쉽게 공개할 수 있을 것으로 본다.
1) 학생 성추행으로 처벌받은 교사수
학생을 성추행하는 교사가 무척 많다고 알고 있다. 개중에 처벌받는 넘들은 극소수라고도 알고 있다. 그런데 처벌받은 넘들도 다른 학교에 가서 버젓이 선생행세를 한다고도 알고 있다. 이런 넘들이 있는지 없는지 학부모가 알아야 하지 않을까?
2) 처벌받은 기록이 있는 교사수및 범죄 종류
선생중에도 전과가 있는 사람들이 있을 것이다. 성추행도 성추행이지만 촌지를 받아먹다가 걸린 넘도 있을테고 폭행전과도 있겠다. 전과자들의 재범율이 높다는 것도 고려대상이겠지만 학부모들은 이런저런 처벌을 받은 넘들이 교사행세를 하고 있는지 아닌지 알 권리가 있다고 본다. 노조가입자수도 공개하는 마당에 이런 중요한 정보를 공개안한다는 것은 이상하다.
3) 교장교감의 재산변동상황 공개
교장 교감이 되기 이전과 이후를 비교하여 재산이 얼마나 늘었나를 보여주는 것이다.[…]
Anyway,
If the government wants to disclose the information, why don’t they do other things that parents will be really interested in? What the government plans now is related to individuals’ legal rights. So it will not be so hard for the government to publicize other matters.
(1)	The number of teachers who have been punished by sexual harassment
I heard that there are teachers who have sexually harassed students. Of them, a few are punished, I know. However, those punished teachers are also transferred to other schools and get back to being teachers again. Shouldn’t parents know about this information as well?
(2) Number of teachers who have criminal records
I am sure that there are teachers with criminal records. There are teachers who were caught because of sexual harassment, bribes, and violence. As we know, criminals likely have the tendency to commit second offenses. I think that parents have the right to know about whether these kinds of people still work as teachers or not. It will not be strange because the number of the KTU teachers will be publicized soon.
(3)	Assets of principals and vice-principals.
How much their assets have increased after they become principals or vice-principals should be open to the public.[…]
Many bloggers, such as Amnesty Diary, complain about this decision of the government.
명절 지나고 신문을 받아보니 가관이군요. 학교별로 교원노조 가입자 수를 공개한답니다. 아마도 학교간 경쟁을 통해 교육의 질을 높이려면 학부모에게 충분한 정보가 주어져야 하고 교원노조에 따른 가입자 수 역시 학교 교육환경에 영향을 미치는 변수이므로 공개되는 것이 타당하다는 논리가 아닌가 싶습니다. 물론 실제로는 학교별 전교조 교사의 수를 공개하고 학부모들이 전교조 교사가 많은 곳을 회피하게 함으로써 교육 현장에서부터 전교조에 대한 압력을 증가시켜 결국 도태시키려는 작전이겠지요. 궁극적으로 대학입시에만 목매는, 그리고 목맬 수 밖에 없는 우리 현실에서 혹시라도 전교조 교사의 수와 대학입시 결과 간에 상관관계라도 밝혀지면 상당히 파문이 커질 것입니다. 고교 선택의 유일한 조건이 결국은 대입성적이 될테니까요. 상당히 머리를 쓴 것 같기는 한데 치사하기 이를데 없는 작전입니다 그런식이라면 학교별로 교사들의 출신대학교도 밝히십시오. 이건 교육의 질에 영향이 전혀 없습니까? 특히 교육감들과 교장선생님들의 출신대학과 과거 근무한 학교의 근무 당시 대입성적도 밝히십시오. 아니, 이분들의 학교시절 성적과 IQ도 관계가 있지 않겠습니까? 밝히시지요. 머리나쁜 교장선생님이 운영하는 학교는 싫은데요. 제게는 교사들의 출신지역과 집에서 구독하는 신문의 종류도 밝히십시오. 특정지역 출신 교사나 특정 신문을 보는 교사가 많은 학교는 안 보낼랍니다. 교육청에 있는 장학사들의 근무지와 당시 입시성적도 좀 밝혀주면, 이사갈때 참고가 되겠네요. 생각해보면 밝혀야할 정보가 참 많습니다.[…]특히 매달 재학생들이 교장선생님의 학교운영방식에 대해 평가하도록 해서 모두 공개하십시오. 한심하기 이를데 없는 발상이지만, 그래도 역시 생각해보아야 할 것이 남습니다. 만일 대부분의 시민들이 전교조 선생님들을 환영하는 입장이라면 과연 이런 정책이 나왔을까요? 오히려 시민단체에서 공개하라고 해도 정부가 목숨을 걸고 막으려고 들었겠지요. 따라서 이런 문제의 배후에는 전교조에 대한 사회의 인식이 중요한 요인이 되었다는 점을 부정하기 어렵습니다 (그렇다고 이 정책이 정당화되는 것은 물론 아닙니다). 지난번 서울시 교육감 선거에서도 보았듯이 전교조 프레임이라는 것이 흑색선전의 수단이 되어버리는 이 참담한 현실과 전교조에 대한 적대적 분위기를 어떻게 보아야 할까요? 여론 조작을 일삼는 일부 언론에 책임을 물어야 할 것이고, 전교조를 죽이지 못해 안달하는 정부당국에도 책임이 있을 것이고, 입시 위주의 그릇된 교육현실과 이를 낳은 학벌위주의 사회분위기에도 책임이 있을 것입니다. 물론 상황이 이 지경이 되도록 적절하게 대응하지 못한 전교조 자신의 책임도 가벼이 볼 수 없겠지요. 하지만, 주범은 역시 시민들, 특히 학부모들이 아니겠습니까? 아무리 국민 모두가 죄수의 딜레마 상황에 몰아넣어져 서로 협력해서 잘 살기보다는 자기 가족만 챙겨야 하는 상황에 몰려있다해도 마음만 먹으면 다른 상황을 만들 수 있었을 겁니다. 결국 선택의 시민의 몫이었고 전교조에 대한 사회의 분위기를 만든 것 역시 시민들의 결정에 의한 것이아니겠습니까?  전교조가 잘못한 것이 많다는 식의 비판은 저도 충분히 들었습니다. 전교조를 옹호하려는 것이 아닙니다. 잘못된 것은 준업하게 비판하고 개선하도록 해야하겠지요. 그러나 전교조가 생겨서 학교현장이 교육현실이 더 나빠졌습니까? 학부모로서 제가 느끼기에는 많이 좋아졌습니다. 아직 만족스럽지는 않아도 과거와 비교하면 현격한 차이가 납니다. 전교조없이 이런 변화가 가능했을까요? 아이 다니는 학교가 어떻게 돌아가는지 궁금해서 학교운영위원이라는 것을 해본 적이 있습니다. 전교조의 폐해, 이런 것은 전혀 못 느꼈고 아직도 학교는 교장을 확실한 중심으로 해서 돌아가는 것을 느꼈습니다. 지금 교육현장에 불만이 있다면 그것이 전교조 때문입니까, 아니면 그보다는 전교조가 아직 충분한 힘이 없기때문입니까. 개인적으로 저는 훨씬 적은 부담으로 학부모를 하게 해 준 전교조가 고맙습니다.[…]
Negative view of the new policy:
교과부가 `교육관련기관의 정보공개에 관한 특례법’ 시행령에 각 학교의 교원단체 및 노조 가입현황을 추가하기로 결정했다고 15일 밝혔다. 이제 학부모는 각 학교의 학업성취도 평가 결과와 함께 교총, 전교조 교사 현황까지 알 수 있게 됐다. 이에 대해 교과부는 국민의 알권리 충족을 위한 결정이라고 주장하고 있다. 물론 전교조는 강력히 반발하고 있다. 하지만 전교조 이외의 사람들은 정보공개는 당연한 것 아니냐는 생각을 내보인다. 오히려 ‘가입현황을 공개한다고 해서 세력이 위축된다면 그동안 활동이 올바르지 않았다는 증거 아니냐’, ’뭔가 켕기는 구석이 있는 것 아니냐‘면서 전교조를 공격하기도 한다. 아직 개인명단까지 공개되는 수준은 아니다. 이에 대해 한나라당 조전혁 의원 측은 개인명단 공개까지 주장하고 있다고 한다. 그것이 학부모의 관심사이기 때문이라는 논리다. 정보공개, 알권리, 어떻게 보면 별것 아닌 것 같긴 하다. 그러나 그렇게 단순한 사안이 아니다. 이것은 반노조, 반교육 정책이다.
-학부모를 이용해 전교조를 공격하다-
현재 학교선택제가 추진되고 있다. 전교조 교사 비율이 높은 학교를 학부모들이 좋아할까, 싫어할까? 우리 국민일반의 반노조, 반전교조 정서에 비추어 볼 때 전교조 교사의 비율이 높은 학교는 선택기피학교가 될 가능성이 높다. 선택기피학교는 퇴출압박에 직면할 것이다. 이렇게 되면 전교조 교사와 학교 사이엔 적대적 관계가 형성된다. 학교는 자기가 살기 위하여 전교조 활동을 압박하기 시작할 것이다. 국가가 전교조를 억누르고 싶으면 정정당당히 탄압(?)하고 여론의 지지를 얻으면 된다. 이렇게 기묘한 방법으로 압박하는 건 반칙이다. 협잡에 가깝다. 학업성취도 평가까지 공개되기 때문에 전교조 비율이 높고 성적이 낮은 학교일 경우 전교조가 마녀사냥의 대상이 될 가능성이 대단히 높다. 학생성적은 학부모 재산에 비례하므로 교사와는 상관이 없지만, 우리나라에서는 아이 성적이 교사탓이라는 신화가 통한다. 더 ‘협잡’스러운 것은 이 정보공개에 학부모와 교사간 이간질의 성격이 있다는 점에 있다. 한국 교육수요자들의 궁극적인 관심은 입시성적 극대화에 있다. 전교조는 교육이 입시성적 극대화에 종속되는 것을 원천적으로 거부하는 집단이다. 그러므로 교육수요자들과 전교조는 대립관계에 있다. 학교선택제를 통해 입시경쟁구조를 강화해놓고 전교조 현황을 교육수요자들에게 공개하면, 교육수요자, 즉 학부모들은 결국 전교조를 공격하게 될 것이다.
국가가 ‘비겁하게’ 학부모의 손을 빌려 전교조를 탄압하는 모양새다. 정상적인 교육을 하는 교사이고자 하는 전교조의 열망과, 입시교육 강사로서의 교사를 원하는 학부모들의 열망이 충돌하는 것을 교묘히 이용하고 있다. 치사하다.
–Attacking the KTU using parents—
At present, the new system that parents and students can choose school will start. Will parents like schools having many teachers from the KTU or not? Generally people have the tendency to be against labor unions and KTU and therefore these kinds of schools will be avoided by parents. Then teachers will be pressured to be withdrawn from the KTU. It will cause hostile relations between KTU teachers and schools. In order to survive, the schools will start pressing KTU teachers’ activities down. If the government wants to press the KTU down, they have to do it in court and through that they should receive supports. This tactic that they are using now is not right. It is more likely cheating. If a school has a high number of the KTU teachers and low achievement of test scores, those KTU teachers will be in the situation of a witch hunt. Now students’ test scores are in proportion to parents’ wealth, but we still believe the myth that teachers and children’s test scores are related. What is more annoying is that this public information can cause alienation between parents and teachers. The final interest of Korean education users is to maximize scores of college entrance examinations. However, the KTU is an organization against education being subordinate to maximizing scores of college entrance examinations. Therefore, the education users and the KTU are having a confrontation. If the system whereby parents can choose schools will start, the competition of schools will be stronger. If the number of KTU teachers will be opened to education users, education users –parents—will attack those KTU teachers. The government is cowardly using parents in order to suppress the KTU. Teachers who would like to give normal education and parents who want teachers to focus on entrance examinations will collide each other and the government will make use of it.
A post from a KTU teacher:
나는 여전히 전교조 교사다
마침내 교원평가를 빌미로 밥그릇이나 챙기는 단체로 몰리고 있는 가운데 오마이에도 맨꼭대기에 교원평가의 독배를 마시라는 기사가 올랐다. 전교조 안에 있는 사람들이 조금씩 생각이 다른 것은 분명하다. 어쩌면 나도 독특한 생각을 하는 사람 가운데 하나일 것이다. 교원평가가 교원의 질을 높일 것이라는 거짓을 믿지 않는다. 가르치는 일을 평가하는 누구나 인정하는 절대 기준의 잣대가 있다면 아마도 그것은 교육이 아닐것이다. 가르치고 배우는 일은 기계와 기계가 아닌 사람과 사람이 하는 일이기 때문이다. 수학 선생을 평가한다고 하자. 우리가 자로 잴수 있는 것은 교사의 시험 성적이나 그 교사에게서 배운 학생들의 시험 성적을 고를 것이다. 아마도 아이들의 성적을 잣대로 쓸 가능성이 높다. 아이들의 시험 성적을 높이기만 하면 좋은 수학 선생이라 말하는 사람들도 많겠지만 다른 말을 하는 사람들도 그 만큼 많다. 아이들과 학부모의 평가를 말하지만 조금은 나을지 몰라도 그것 또한 교육의 단편만을 평가하긴 마찬가지다.[…]조합원이 한둘인 사립학교에서는 왕따로 살아가는 전교조를 이른바 보수로 불리길 좋아하는 골통들이 그토록 몰아세우는 까닭은 우리에게 미래를 바꿀 힘이 있기 때문일 것이다. 세상엔 돈보다 중요한 것이 아주 많고 노동자도 세상의 주인 가운데 하나라는 것을 가르치는 것이 그들에게 두려운 것이다. 교장이나 교감이 되려고 굽신거리지도 않고 애들을 점수따는 기계가 되라고 닥달하지도 않는 이들이 미운 것이다. 재벌에게 돈을 퍼주면 흘러 넘쳐 서민의 삶이 나아질 것이라는 허풍따위가 통하지 않는 세상이 올까봐, 아메리카가 다 옳은 것이 아니라는 것을 모든 사람이 알까봐 빨갱이로 덧칠하며 전교조를 흔들어대고 있는 것이다. 맨손의 노동자가 자본의 거대한 힘에 맞서려면 노조의 이름아래 똘똘 뭉쳐야하고 때로는 힘찬 파업을 벌여야한다는 너무나도 당연한 진리를 가르치는 사람들이 전교조 교사들이다. 평생을 노동자로 살아가신 어머니 아버지를 부끄러워하지 않게하고 아이들 또한 당당한 노동자로 나설 수 있게 가르쳐야 하는 것도 전교조 교사가 할 일이다. 전교조가 하는 일이 가끔은 내 생각과 다를 떄도 있지만 나는 여전히 전교조 조합원인 것이 자랑스럽다.
Due to anti-teacher evaluation protests (teachers have protested against evaluating teachers-editor), teachers are regarded as a group who just cares about their own meals. Even Ohmynews put an article saying that it is time for teachers to drink poisonous alcohol, teacher evaluation. The KTU teachers also have diverse opinions. I would be also one of the teachers who have different opinions. I don’t believe that the teacher evaluation will raise the quality of teachers. If there is an absolute standard to evaluate teaching, it can’t be education. To teach and to learn mean interaction of humans and humans, not what machines and machines do. Let’s say we evaluate a mathematic teacher. What we can say for evaluation is what scores the teacher for herself (or himself) had before and what scores her (his) students have. You can say that if students have higher scores, they have a good teacher. However, there are many people who don’t think like that either. Now we talk about a teacher evaluation that students and parents participate. People think this could be better. But it could be also showing one side of education.[…] The reason why conservatives are against the KTU teachers who are isolated at private schools is because we have power that can change future. They are afraid because we teach that there are many more important things than money and that laborers are also one of the centers in this world. They hate us because we don’t suck up to the upper position in order to become the principals or to become the vice-principals, and we don’t force students to have high scores. They are afraid that students are not going to believe that having more conglomerates doesn’t mean citizens’ betterment, and America is not always right. That’s why they call us commies and try to shake the KTU. When laborers in bare hands are facing the magnificent power of the capitalism, they have to gather together under the name of labor unions and sometimes have to speak out through strikes. Teaching those natural principles is the KTU teachers. Not to be ashamed of mothers and fathers who have lived as laborers in their entire lives and teaching how to be righteous laborers are what the KTU teachers do. Sometimes, what the KTU does doesn’t match what I think, but I am still proud of being a member of the KTU.
People (including me) remember the moment when young teachers at our secondary schools were kicked out of the school gate. A blogger shares what he remembers at his school in the time of the establishment of the KTU.
국어 시간이었다. 담임선생님이 오셔서, 자습을 해라, 너희들은 공부만 열심히 하면 되니까 쓸데없는 관심 갖지 말고 공부나 하라는 지시를 하고 가셨다. 공부만 하면 되니까 공부나 하라……. 나는 그 말을 되씹으며 자꾸 슬퍼지는 마음을 억누르느라 허생전만 건성으로 읽고 있었다. 그런데 어느 사이엔가 교실 전체가 논쟁마당이 되어 있었다. 논쟁의 한쪽 대장은 동철이였다. 나중에 동철이는 회장이라도 되는 양 아주 일어서서 이렇게 말했다. 교사는 노동자가 아니다, 그러니 노동조합에 가입하는 건 잘못이다, 법이 그렇고 스승에 관한 우리 나라의 전통이 그렇다. 신문과 텔레비전에서 떠들던 말이어서 새로울 게 없는데도 동철이는 제 말처럼 당당하게 내뱉었다. 여러 다른 아이들 역시 처음 듣고 감동하는 듯이 고개를 끄덕이는 게 우스웠다. 앞자리의 용준이가 나섰다. 우리가 법을 알면 얼마냐 아냐, 그리고 노동에는 정신노동과 육체노동이 있다고 배웠는데 선생님은 정신노 동자가 아니냐, 좌우간 왜냐 선생 무슨 나쁜 일에 나설 분은 아니니까 섣불리 입방아 찧지 말고 기다려 보자. 동철이가 이내 대꾸를 했다. 나는 왜냐 선생 나쁜 사람이라고는 말하지 않았다. 누구든 판단을 잘못할 수는 있다. 정부에서 막고 다른 선생님들도 동의하지 않는 일을 하는 건 잘못이다.반대하는 사람들이 우리도 다 아는 정신노동 육체노동을 몰라서 그럴 것 같냐? 경석이도 한마디 거들었다. 우리 아버지가 그러는데, 무슨 노동조합이든 거기에 드는 사람은 모두 빨갱이라더라.내 마음은 분명 선생님 편이지만, 선생님께서 ‘판단'을 잘 하셨는지 잘 못하셨는지, 잘했다면 왜 그런지 알 수 없어서 논쟁에 끼여들 수 없었다. 그런 문제에 대해 내가 너무 아는 게 없음을 절감하였다. 다른 애들처럼 어디서 주워들은 이야기를 자기 것처럼 뇌까리기는 죽어도 싫고, (중략) 아침에 등교하려니까 교문이 한쪽만 열려 있었다. 그리고 교문 주위에 교감과 교무주임 선생님, 그리고 못 보던 이들이 서성이고 있었다. 나는 설마 하였다. 하지만 교실에 들어가 아이들이 입모아 하는 얘기를 들었을 때, 그건 사실이 되었다. 왜냐 선생 이 학교에 못 들어오게 막은 것이었다.[…]
우리 사회는 ‘노조'라면 ‘빨갱이'와 같은 것으로 보는 사람이 생각보다 많다.[..]그런데 막상 전교조가 왜 나쁘냐고 물으면 제대로 말하는 학부모는 그리 많지 않다. 그저 잘 못 가르친다고 말은 하는데, 그렇다고 제대로 된 근거가 있는 것은 아니다. 그저 나쁠 뿐이다. 노조에 들어간 사람은 ‘빨갱이'니까.[…] 물론 전교조가 하는 일이 다 옳다는 것은 아니다. 가령, 나는 전교조가 교원 평가제를 무턱대고 안 된다고 하지 말고 좀 더 부드러운 생각을 했으면 한다. 교원 평가제를 부적격 교사를 골라내 잘라내는 수단이 아닌 부족한 실력을 끌어올리는 장학의 도구로 만들어 교사의 연대의식을 높이고, 평가의 대상을 교사뿐만 아니라 교장으로 넓힐 수 있도록 전교조가 목소리를 냈으면 좋겠다. 그리고 학생과 학부모에게 더 가까이 다가갔으면 한다. 오늘날 전교조가 맞서야 할 것은 이명박 정부보다 우리 사회의 뿌리 깊은 ‘반노조’ 정서일 것이다. 그 편견을 걷어내는 게 쉽지 않겠지만, 꼭 해내야만 한다.
Our society thinks that ‘labor union’ is equal to ‘commie.’ […] However, if we ask parents why they don’t like the KTU, they just mumble that those teachers don’t teach well, but without any evidence. They just think that they are bad. They just think that people in labor unions are ‘commies.’ I am not saying what the KTU does is all right. For example, the KTU should not criticize the teacher evaluation without any conditions. It is not the system to cut off disqualified teachers, but to raise their skills and to soften teachers’ clique. The evaluation should be applied to principals as well as to teachers. I hope that they approach closer to students and parents. What the KTU should be against is not the Lee Myung Bak government, but the sentiment of ‘anti-labor union’ that our society has. It is not easy to get rid of the prejudice, but it should be.
Here is a poem of a famous poet and a teacher who was dismissed in 1989.
어릴 때 내 꿈은
어릴 때 내 꿈은 선생님이 되는 거였어요.
나뭇잎 냄새 나는 계집애들과
먹머루빛 눈 가진 초롱초롱한 사내 녀셕들에게
시도 가르치고 살아가는 이야기도 들려주며
창 밖의 햇살이 언제나 교실 안에도 가득한
그런 학교의 선생님이 되는 거였어요.
플라타너스 아래 앉아 시들지 않는 아이들의 얘기도 들으며
하모니카 소리에 봉숭아꽃 한 잎씩 열리는
그런 시골학교 선생님이 되는 거였어요.
나는 자라서 내 꿈대로 선생이 되었어요.
그러나 하루 종일 아이들에게 침묵과 순종을 강요하는
그런 선생이 되고 싶지는 않았어요.
밤늦게까지 아이들을 묶어놓고 험한 얼굴로 소리치며
재미없는 시험문제만 풀어주는
선생이 되려던 것은 아니었어요.
옳지 않은 줄 알면서도 그럴 듯하게 아이들을 속여넘기는
그런 선생이 되고자 했던 것은 정말 아니었어요.
아이들이 저렇게 목숨을 끊으며 거부하는데
때묻지 않은 아이들의 편이 되지 못하고
억압하고 짓누르는 자의 편에 선 선생이 되리라곤 생각지 못했어요.
아직도 내 꿈은 아이들의 좋은 선생님이 되는 거예요.
물을 건너지 못하는 아이들 징검다리 되고 싶어요.
길을 묻는 아이들 지팡이 되고 싶어요.
헐벗은 아이들 언 살을 싸안는 옷 한 자락 되고 싶어요.
푸른 보리처럼 아이들이 쑥쑥 자라는 동안
가슴에 거름을 얹고 따뜻하게 썩어가는 봄 흙이 되고 싶어요.
Then, I became a teacher like in my dream.
I didn’t want to be a teacher who forces silence and obedience to students all day.
I didn’t want to be a teacher who bind them to late night, shout at them with such a forceful face, and teach examination questions.
I didn’t want to be a teacher who tricks students even though I know it’s not right.
I have never thought that I would become a teacher who suppresses such naïve children even though some of them give up their lives.
But my dream is still to be a good teacher.
I want to be stepping stones for students who haven’t crossed the water yet.
I want to be a stick for students who ask where the road is.
I want to be a cloth for students in rages and in freezing world.
While children are growing like green barley,
I want to be the sand that has manure on its chest and get warmly rotten
(I apologize for the clumsy translation of such a nice poem: editor)

author: Hyejin Kim


text:
Mexico: The City of Ideas Conference · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

La Ciudad de las Ideas (The City of Ideas) is a conference that will be held in Puebla, Mexico.  Andrés Bianciotto already has his ticket and looks forwards to the ideas presented by a diverse group of speakers [es].