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India’s Aam Aadmi Party Wins Hearts and Forms Government in Delhi · Global Voices
Rezwan

Arvind Kerjiwal, leader of Aam Aadmi Party, addressing a crowd. Image by Rohit Gautam. Copyright Demotix (10/6/2013)
The hottest new party making waves in India's political scene, Aam Aadmi Party, has secured the crucial support of members of Indian National Congress to form government.
Aam Aadmi Party (Common Man's Party, abbreviated AAP), led by anti-corruption crusader Arvind Kejriwal, emerged as the second largest party in the December 4, 2013 Delhi Assembly election, playing the spoiler to Indian National Congress, who took third and saw an end to their 15-year-rule in Delhi state government.
After first attempts at forming government failed, Indian National Congress’ support allowed AAP to reach the 36 seats necessary for a majority in the Delhi Assembly. 45-year-old Kejriwal became the seventh Chief Minister of Delhi and has asked for ten days for create a system to resolve people's problems in Delhi.
A vote of confidence on the floor of the Assembly on January 2, 2014, with AAP's 28 members, seven Congress members, one JD(U) MLA member and one independent in favor, sealed the deal for Kejriwal and his party. Before the vote, Kejriwal made the case for AAP and the common man in a speech:
Who is an aam aadmi? AAP believes that the middle class is part of the aam aadmi, anyone who is tired of this corrupt system is aam aadmi.
I was reading two people died of cold in Delhi. Millions have been spent after independence and perhaps this could have been avoided if the money was well-spent. Where did all the money go? The aam aadmi wants to know. We must acknowledge that politics in this country has been criminalised.
The speech generated much buzz on Twitter:
Moved to tears with #arvind kejriwals speech. I promise today to vote for #aap and support them in any way I can. Damn all other partys
— kunal kohli (@kunalkohli) January 2, 2014
watched Arvind Kerjriwal's speech. 2014 is looking more lively. hoping for a better india. #AAP
— mohammed hisham CG (@hishamcg) January 2, 2014
Aamir Khan on NDTV, other parties used to say give us ur vote we will rule you, Arvind kejriwal say give us vote and I will let u rule.#AAP
— ARJUN GROVER (@ArjunGrover4u) January 2, 2014
Strange to see jitters are running down the spine of traditional political parties after the advent of #AAP. #BJP & #Congress. #India
— Kumar Manish (@kumarmanish9) January 2, 2014
To all young n old ctzns of India : Honestly, ask urself if u ever heard such issues raised in assembly post independence #aap @Riczb
— rajesh (@rkpolasa) January 2, 2014
People are showing interest in politics than cricket because of #AAP! pic.twitter.com/Z7rQxEeU8W
— Kapil (@kapsology) January 2, 2014
#2014WillBring something new in politics history because of #AAP !!
— Bathroom singer (@pradeeptamilan) January 2, 2014
However Shamit Manchanda reminds AAP's declaration on December 10 that it will neither take nor extend support to BJP or Congress as the new party was formed as an alternative to them:
Have been an #AAP supporter. What irks, pre-election they declared they will not take /give support to BJP/Cong Why did they betray my trust
— Shamit Manchanda (@shamit) January 2, 2014
AAP sought public opinion after Congress supported most of its 18 points and offered to provide support to form a government and got a favorable response. “We are not a party, we are representatives of people,” maintains the party. In the past three weeks time, AAP has reportedly gained 500,000 new members and 300 offices around India and is aiming for the nationwide 2014 Lokshava elections.


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Lebanon: I Am Not A Martyr  · Global Voices
Nada

Lebanon is no stranger to violence. Bombings are frequent and perpetrators are never held accountable. On December 26 and January 2, two car-bomb attacks have left at least 13 people dead and many more injured. In addition, a dual bombing in November that left over 20 dead and ongoing violence in different areas around the country make it difficult to be optimistic about 2014. Yet, after each bombing, people just go back to their everyday lives and innocent victims are soon forgotten. Because this is wrong, the #NotAMartyr movement encourages people to take a stand:
A place for all those who believe that death is not a solution.
A place for all those who do not want to be called martyrs in vain.
A place to pay tribute for all those who died; are dying and will unfortunately keep dying in the future.
A place where we show the world that we care.
A place where we show everyone that we want change.
Lebanon needed a wake up call from the state of lunacy well described on Hummus for Thoughts:
We have become a nation of justified claustrophobia and justified paranoia; we have stopped hoping that this bomb would be the last because we know that another bomb will soon follow; we are living in the not-so-discreet shadow of our catastrophic civil war and are aimlessly waking up every morning not really understanding what the hell is going on; we are engulfed in our own sectarian lunacy exacerbated by our own (suffocating) corrupted religiopolitical class; and we have never failed to remind ourselves how we’re failing to do anything about it.
Many of us are cursed with persistent hope, and more and more of us are cursed with hopelessness. Whatever your current state of mind is, let us at least be clear: we are not martyrs. We’re not dying for a cause. We’re just dying.
After the December 26 bombing, the death of a bystander, one anonymous, innocent face amongst other, started a small wave: When 16 year old Mohamed Chaar died from his wounds right after the December 26 bombing, Lebanese netizens shared his picture and the last selfie he took, moments before the bomb exploded, to remind the world that the teenager is not a martyr, a word often used wrongly. Blogger The Lebanese Expatriate explains[ar] why it matters [ar]:
محمد الشعار ليس شهيداً، فهو لم يختار القتال إلى جانب طرف ضد آخر.
محمد الشعار ليس شهيداً، فهو لم يدعم العنف ولم يكن مستعداً لتضحية بحياته من أجل قضايا سياسية أو دينية.
محمد الشعار ليس شهيداً، محمد الشعار ضحية.
Mohamed Chaar is not a martyr, he did not chose to fight for one side against another
Mohamed Chaar is not a martyr, he did not support violence and was not ready to sacrifice his life for a political or religious cause
Mohammed Chaar is not a martyr, Mohammed Chaar is a victim.
The wave of solidarity with Mohamed Chaar turned into the hashtag  #NotAMartyr or #مش_شهيد on all social media platforms, as an attempt to reclaim a country by stating what change must happen in Lebanon.
On Twitter, Mariam Akanan denounces Lebanon's sectarian politics:
@Akananmariam: بدي حجابي يمثل إماني و حبي للسلام مش انتمائي السياسي او الحزبي. #مش_شهيد #notamartyr
@Akananmariam: I want my hijab to represent my faith and my love of peace, not my political affiliation or party.
@LebaneseVoices refuses the constant violence:
@LebaneseVoices I'm tired of head counting my family every other week to check if they have survived explosions #notamartyr #انا_مش_شهيد #لبنان #Lebanon
Mashrou3 Leila frontman @hamedleila wants to hold his boyfriend's hand without being afraid of the police:
Hamed Sinno: I would like to hold my boyfriend's hand without being afraid of the police
And many others:
@leabaroudi:
I want criminals to be held ACCOUNTABLE #notamartyr pic.twitter.com/qn6pSp7WxY
“I want to raise my kids in Lebanon”
@safran3
#notamartyr #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/P9HPYiClN2
I want to stop hearing my parents say: “Stay at home, if anything happens we'll blame ourselves”
Shared by Ellen Francis on Facebook
#NotaMartyr has a Facebook page where you can see and read more statements by netizens.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Nada


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PHOTOS: Cyclone BEJISA Wrecks Havoc on Reunion Island    · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

Cyclone Bejisa by @delarue_julien on twitter
Cylcone Bejisa made landfall on January 2 on the French island of Reunion. One person died, 15 people were seriously injured and around 82,000 homes reportedly suffered power cuts. The cyclone has now left the island and the red alert is lifted. Here are additional photos and videos of the damages taken by local citizens:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mXLMJe7oKM
Video of cylone Bejisa in Reunion Island by animax2013 on Youtube.
Les dégâts de #BEJISA à Saint Denis #LaReunion sur notre page facebook. https://t.co/orv7bCfC4k pic.twitter.com/VV9jdkH92B
— Cyclone Ocean Indien (@Cycloneoi) January 3, 2014
Damages from Cyclone Bejisa in the city of Saint-Denis

author: Lova Rakotomalala


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PHOTOS: Tunisia in 2013: A Rough Year · Global Voices
Afef Abrougui

The year 2013 was a rough year for Tunisia: two political assassinations, protests, military and security forces targeted by armed groups and a never ending political crisis.
On February 6, Chokri Belaid a leading member of the opposition and a staunch critic of Tunisia's Islamists was gunned down outside his home. His family accused the ruling Islamist party Ennahdha Movement, while the government laid the blame on Ansar al-Sharia.
Thousands Attended Funeral of Belaid on February 8 in Tunis. Photo Credit: Elyes Jaziri (used with permission)
Protester Waving Tunisian Flag at Belaid Funeral. Photo Credit: Elyes Jaziri (used with permission)
As news of Belaid's assassination spread, protesters took to the streets of Tunisia, clashing with police and torching Ennahdha offices.
Police Fired Tear Gas to Disperse an Anti Government Protest on February 6. Photo Credit: Amine Ghrabi
On Republic Day [July 25], anti-government protests had once again rocked the country following a second assassination in the span of less than six months. Mohamed Brahmi, an opposition member at the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) was gunned down outside his home in broad day light. Brahmi's family and the opposition also blamed Ennahdha. The latter denied any involvement.
Mohamed Brahmi Laid to Rest on July 27. Photo Credit: Lilia Blaise
Following Brahmi's assassination, rival protests were held and Tunisia plunged into a political crisis that lasted for months.
Pro Government Protesters Gathered Outside PM's Office on August 6. Photo Credit: Ennahdha's Facebook Page
Protesters Calling for the Departure of the Government and the Dissolving of the Constituent Assembly (NCA)  Form a Human Chain Between the PM's Office and NCA Headquarters on August 31. Photo Credit: Amine Ghrabi
In 2013, Tunisia had also witnessed an increase in armed militancy targeting armed and security forces. Throughout the year, Tunisian authorities  had been hunting for armed groups in the mountainous area of Chaambi, some 290 kilometers from the capital Tunis, where mine explosions left several injuries and deaths among the military and police.
On July 30, eights soldiers were killed in an ambush in Chaambi, leaving the nation in shock.
Candles Lit to Pay Homage to Soldiers Killed in Chaambi. Photo Credit: Seif Allah Bouneb
In late August, the Tunisian government listed Ansar al-Sharia Tunisia (AST) as a “terrorist organization”, blaming it for the assassination of Belaid and Brahmi and linking it to armed groups operating on Mount Chaambi. AST is a radical Islamist group demanding the implementation of Islamic law in Tunisia.
Police Implementing a Government Ban on AST Congress on May 19 in Kairouan. Photo Credit: Nawaat
In October, eight security officers had also been killed during clashes with gunmen in Sidi Ali Ben Aoun (province of Sidi Bouzid) and Gboullat (province of Beja). During the same month, a suicide bomber blew himself up on a beach in the resort city of Sousse. The suicide bomber only killed himself and left no deaths or injuries.
As 2013 was coming to an end, Mehdi Jomma, the Industry Minister in the current three-party coalition government, was nominated as the new PM, following talks between the opposition and the government.
Meanwhile, the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) is set to adopt a constitution and put in place an election board tasked with organizing presidential and parliamentary elections in mid January. Will 2014 bring an end to Tunisia's political crisis and  crown a three-year long democratic transition with free and fair elections? Only time will tell.
In this Cartoon by La Bulle de Dlog, 2013 is Wishing 2014 “Good Luck.

author: Afef Abrougui


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Police Open Fire on Striking Garment Workers in Cambodia · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

One of today's photos. Made early afternoon at Veng Srey BLVD, Phnom Penh, #Cambodia. pic.twitter.com/A2Xh7nPoU9
— Ate Hoekstra (@HoekstraAte) January 3, 2014
Four are confirmed dead and dozens injured after police and military clashed with striking garment workers in the industrial area of Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia.
Tens of thousands of garment workers have been on strike since the last week of December after the government refused the demand of unions to raise the monthly minimum wage to $160. The current minimum wage is only $80 dollars and the labor council is only willing to grant a $15 dollar hike in basic pay. As protests intensified, the government agreed to raise the minimum wage by another $5.
But workers have been firm in asserting their $160 minimum wage demand. The garment sector is a $5 billion dollar export industry in Cambodia which employs more than 600,000 workers. Many of the leading clothing brands in the world get their supply from Cambodia, which has one of the lowest minimum wage rates in the Asia-Pacific.
John Vink reported what he saw on the scene of the clash:
At least 3 people were shot dead and several were severely injured by hundreds of bullets fired by armed forces during a brutal crackdown in the morning of January 3rd on barricades set up by thousands of striking workers on Veng Sren road, in the industrial area of Phnom Penh. Several others were arrested and subsequently tasered, beaten up or beaten unconscious
Very gruesome pics of wounded/dead all over facebook. Looks like civil war instead of quelling #protests. #Cambodia
— Cambodia Guide (@camboguide) January 3, 2014
Tension rose yesterday when police arrested several protesters, including monks and human rights activists. In response, protesters set-up road blockades which the police tried to clear in the morning. Witnesses claimed that police used live ammunition in dispersing the protest.
military police occupy Veng Sreng street. At least four protestors were arrested and one was seen bleeding pic.twitter.com/H59wkhPdsI
— Vannarin Neou (@vannarinneou) January 3, 2014
Licadho described the crackdown as the “worst state violence against civilians to hit Cambodia in fifteen years.” The human rights group is demanding that
…security forces must now put an immediate end to the use of live ammunition against civilians and ensure that all those injured are safely transported to hospital without delay
Ou Virak of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights thinks that the police acted violently to protect the interest of big business:
While many of the political demonstrations which have taken place over the last few months have been met with restraint from the security forces, there is an increasingly clear link between the excessive use of force by security forces and the protection of the big business of Cambodia. Of the 25 cases where we noted excessive use of force, 21 were related to strikes by garment workers or protests over land.
Frontline barricade pic.twitter.com/Z9jZHh3FpX
— Kevin Doyle (@doyle_kevin) January 3, 2014
Ekreach Clinic was destroyed by rioters after its rejected to cure some victims in a clash at Canadia Park, Jan 3. pic.twitter.com/UBq0o6D62o
— Sopheak SREY (@sopheaksrey) January 3, 2014
Workers got the support of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party which vowed to raise wages by $160 if it is able to assume power in the country.
The opposition has been holding daily protests at the Phnom Penh Freedom Park to press for the ouster of the incumbent government which has been accused of manipulating this year’s election results. Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in power in the past three decades although his party lost many seats in the recent parliamentary polls. The opposition has boycotted the parliament sessions even though it has 55 seats.
Many workers have joined the opposition rally which could further undermine the Hun Sen administration. Labor unions have vowed to continue the protests until their demand is granted by the government.
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy announced their intention to file charges against the government in relation to the bloody crackdown of the strike:
We will lodge a complaint to the ICC so that those criminals in power who today ordered soldiers to open fire on workers, be prosecuted.
For its part, the government accused the opposition of provoking the violence to get public sympathy.
The strike of garment workers and the opposition rally produced the biggest ever street demonstration in Cambodia in recent decades. After today’s violence, the political crisis in Cambodia is expected to worsen.
*Thumbnail used is from Facebook page of CNRP, Cambodia's opposition party.

author: Mong Palatino


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Puerto Rico Is a Global Music Powerhouse  · Global Voices
Ángel Carrión

Renowned, multi-talented Puerto Rican pianist and composer Brenda Hopkins Miranda has written an article for the online magazine 80 grados in which she asks herself why Puerto Rico has not taken full advantage of its wealth of homegrown musical talent and calls for music to become one of the pilars of the country's economic development [es]. Miranda's piece was motivated by her experience during a recent visit to Costa Rica during which she was struck by the fact that the vast majority of the music being played everywhere from a jazz cafe she visited to the radios of passing cars and on television was pure Puerto Rican. Reflecting on the tremendous amount of music production in Puerto Rico, she writes the following:
Cada vez que viajo lo compruebo: la música es nuestro producto nacional. La música nos distingue. ¡Puerto Rico es música! Cuando estoy en otro país y digo que soy puertorriqueña de lo primero que me hablan usualmente es de nuestra música y nuestros artistas. Aquí lo sabemos. Por algo decimos que en Puerto Rico encuentras un músico “en cada esquina” o “debajo de cualquier piedra”. Estamos hablando de músicos de la más alta calidad. Y por supuesto no son solo nuestros músicos los que se destacan. También sobresale el talento de nuestros reconocidos ingenieros de sonido, luminotécnicos y artistas gráficos entre otros. Ya lo dije antes, el petróleo puertorriqueño es nuestro recurso humano.
Every time I travel I realize it: music is our national product. Music sets us apart. Puerto Rico is music! When I am in another country and I say I am Puerto Rican, the first thing people usually want to talk about is our music and our artists. We know this. That's why in Puerto Rico we say you can find a musician “on every corner” or “under every rock.” We are talking about musicians of the highest caliber. And it is not just our musicians that stand out. The talent of our sound engineers, lighting designers and graphic artists, among others, is also well known. I have said it before, Puerto Rico's petroleum is its people.

author: Ángel Carrión


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Russians on the Return of Sherlock · Global Voices
Daniel Alan Kennedy

Still from the BBC's trailer for Sherlock's series three premiere. YouTube screenshot.
Russia has a long history of Anglophilia dating back to the Victorian era. Whilst the UK and Russia have had strained relations in the past few years, this hasn't had much of an effect on ordinary people's opinions. Russians are avid followers of English Premier League Football, with Roman Abramovich going as far as to purchase Chelsea FC. Wealthy Russians have bought up so much of London's West End that Londoners sarcastically refer to their city as “Londongrad” or “Moscow-on-Thames.” While the UK reacted to the death of Margaret Thatcher with deep ambivalence, Russians greeted the news of the passing of the “Zheleznaya Ledi” or “Iron Lady” with almost uniform commiseration.
English literature has never gone out of vogue. Doyle's ingenious detective, an incorruptible arch-rationalist and autodidact, was adapted for the Soviet and Russian screens numerous times, most recently in 2013, when a big budget television series was broadcast with much fanfare (and rather dismal reviews).
It's little surprise then that many Russians, were anxiously awaiting the New Year's Day premiere of the third series of Sherlock, the widely popular BBC adaptation that updates the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his assistant, Dr. John Watson, to the 21st century. The series’ name in cyrillic, “Шерлок”, began trending on twitter as more and more Russians tuned in to watch it on Russia's Channel 1. The premiere centred on the return of the titular hero to London following a two year absence, during which he had faked his own death in order to dismantle the criminal empire of his arch-nemesis, Jim Moriarty.
British Dreams, a Russian twitter account that caters to Russian fans of British television gently mocked [ru] the online excitement.
Год 2023. -Мам,а почему меня зовут Шерлок -У меня просто были трудные времени,доченька.
— British Dreams (@Pollytwilight) January 3, 2014
The year is 2023. – “Mum, why am I called Sherlock?” – “It was just a confusing time for me, my daughter.”
The long-awaited episode, which had attracted much speculation amongst the show's rabid online fanbase, sharply divided viewers. Some were pleased [ru] with the show's return.
Шерлок – самый лучший детектив в мире! 3 сезон на уровне, круут)
— Виктория (@Enimyy) January 3, 2014
Sherlock is the best detective show in the world. Series 3 is on form. Good stuff.
Others were less impressed. One blogger, who goes by the nom de plume “have gods love“, singled out a litany of reasons [ru] her friends had been less than impressed with the third series’ premiere, including a perceived overemphasis on gay themes (in one of the show's running jokes, Watson and Holmes, two adult men living together in west London, are often mistaken for a gay couple).
Стон катится по френдленте: новый Шерлок не так хорош.
Слишком много кривляний, слишком много стеба, слишком много внимания фанатам, слишком много отношений, слишком много гомосексуальной темы, слишком мало сюжета… Андерсон не тот, Мэри никакая…
И главное – “Что-то не так. Вроде как те же и там же, но не так”.
There's a groan echoing through my newsfeed: the new Sherlock isn't so good.
Too much over-acting, too much banter, too much pandering to the fans, too many relationships, too much of the homosexual theme, too little plot… Anderson [one of Sherlock's minor rivals] isn't quite right, Where's this Mary [Watson's new fiancee] come from…
But mainly – “Something's not right. It looks sort of the same, but it's not right”.
Several Russian netizens announced their intention to stop watching the series, owing to their dislike of the premiere. Nevertheless, the interest the premiere generated demonstrates the enduring popularity of British cultural exports in Russia. The speed with which Channel 1 had a Russian-language localization ready for broadcast (and one which, according to one blog dedicated to the show, was a vast improvement [ru] on the last two series’) also shows that Russia's demand for British entertainment continues unabated, despite Moscow's penchant for taking potshots at the UK. Whatever Kremlin officials choose to mutter at future international conferences, it can be safely assumed that ordinary Russians will be ready to hang on  Benedict Cumberbatch's every word.

author: Daniel Alan Kennedy


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South Korean Lawmaker Proposes Bill Denying Right to Counsel for Anti-State Criminals · Global Voices
Lee Yoo Eun

A ruling party lawmaker, Kim Jin-tae proposed a bill [ko] that either denies or greatly limits the right to counsel for criminals who are accused of committing ‘anti-state activities’. It has already drawn harsh criticism from civil rights lawyers who call it ‘utterly unconstitutional idea’ [ko] and sparked heated debates in major South Korean online venues. Vice chairman of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society's Judicial Committee, Lee Jae-hwa (@jhohmylaw) tweeted [ko] as below.
김진태 의원, “反국가 헌정질서 파괴범, 변호인 접견권제한 발의” http://t.co/Nz2MLIsNfA 김진대, 단단히 미쳤구나. 이 다음엔 고문을 허용하자는 법안 발의하겠구나.
— 이재화(변호사) (@jhohmylaw) January 3, 2014
[After linking to news article [ko] about the bill] Kim Jin-tae is totally delusional. What would be his next step? He may even propose a bill legalizing torture.

author: Lee Yoo Eun


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154 Elected in Bangladesh Before Any Votes Are Cast · Global Voices
পান্থ রহমান রেজা (Pantha)

Without a single vote being cast, Bangladesh's ruling Awami League and allies have won more than half of the seats in parliament because an opposition boycott has left so many candidates without challengers.
Among the 39 registered political parties only around 12 are participating in the general election on January 5, 2014. As a consequence, 154 out of 300 seats have been automatically decided.
An 18 party alliance led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are boycotting the election, demanding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resign and allow a neutral caretaker government to oversee the balloting, as was previously called for by the constitution.
For months, opposition supporters have engaged in violent protests across the country to stress their demands. This has caused huge and costly damages and hampered the day-to-day lives of citizens.
Three persons, including a woman, have been burned as miscreants lobbed a petrol bomb onto a bus at Paribagh in Dhaka, on the third day of the Opposition's nonstop blockade of the city protesting the election. Image by Khurshed Alam Rinku. Copyright Demotix (3/1/2014)
Sajeeb Wajed Joy, the son of Prime Minister, admits on Facebook [bn] that the opposition boycott puts the validity of the election in question, but says the election must be held to uphold the constitution (the constitution requires a parliamentary election be held before January 24):
[…] সাংবিধানিক শুন্যতা তৈরি যেন না হয় তাতে, নিখুঁত না হলেও এই নির্বাচনের কোন বিকল্প নাই। আমাদের মহান সংবিধানকে সমুন্নত রাখার দায়িত্ব এখন সম্পূর্ণ আপনাদের উপর। আপনি যদি অসাংবিধানিক উপায়ে ক্ষমতা দখলের কোন সুযোগ দিতে না চান তবে, ভোটকেন্দ্রে যান এবং ভোট দিন।
[..] We have to ensure that a constitutional vacuum does not arise, we have no option other than this election even it will not be perfect. The onus to uphold the constitution is on us. If you do not want others to gain power through unconstitutional means then please go to your nearest polling station and please do vote.
However Kathakata blog thinks [bn] that the government's actions discourage voters:
[…] এই উপসংহারে পৌঁছালে কি ভুল হবে যে ভোটাধিকারের প্রশ্নটি, জনগণের দ্বারা নির্বাচিত হওয়ার প্রশ্নটি এখন আর মূল্য বহন করে না? ইতিমধ্যে জানা ফলাফলের মাধ্যমে বাংলাদেশের ভোটাররা যেহেতু জানেন, তাঁদের ভোটের মূল্য নেই, সে ক্ষেত্রে নির্বাচনের দিনে ভোটকেন্দ্রে যাওয়ার জন্য বিরোধী দল নয়, সরকারই আসলে ভোটারদের অনুৎসাহী করতে সক্ষম হয়েছে। তাতে করে বিরোধীদের ডাকা ‘বর্জন’ বা ‘প্রতিরোধের’ চেয়ে আরও বেশি কারণ তৈরি হয়েছে ভোটারদের ভোট না দেওয়ার।
[..] Would it be wrong to conclude that the question of exercising our right to vote, an election by the people, means nothing now? As many voters in the country know from the already declared results, their votes have no value. In this case the government, not the boycotting opposition, has discouraged voters from going to polling stations on the day of the election. So this has given more cause not to cast votes than the opposition call to “ignore” or “occupy”.
Blogger and activist Rasel Pervez (who is currently on bail after being detained for his writing) quotes [bn] minister Obaidul Quader and says the election is not democratic:
[…] আজকে যেমন ওবায়দুল কাদের বললেন সংবাদ সম্মেলনে ৫ই জানুয়ারীর নির্বাচনটা হয়ে যাওয়ার পর তারা সকল দলের অংশগ্রহনে, স্বচ্ছ নিরপেক্ষ এবং গণতান্ত্রিক নির্বাচনের জন্যে সংলাপ করবেন। তিনিও জানেন ৫ই জানুয়ারীর নির্বাচন গণতান্ত্রিক হচ্ছে না।
[…] Just as Obaidul Quader said in a press conference, after the election of January 5 they will hold a negotiation to arrange an all-party, free and fair and democratic election. He himself knows that the January 5 election will not be democratic.
On Twitter, Mahbubul Karim has named the 10th national parliament election a “selection”:
ইলেকশন নয়, নির্লজ্জ সিলেকশন হচ্ছে http://t.co/em0sLJDSIz via @sharethis
— Mahabubul Karim (@Safi_ctg) December 24, 2013
Its not election, but a shameful selection http://t.co/em0sLJDSIz
Police fire water cannon, tear shell to stopped a procession by lawyers supporting the opposition BNP and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami near the Supreme Court in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Image by  Zakir Hossain Chowdhury. Copyright Demotix (29/12/2013)
Blogger Shaman Shattik writes [bn] on Aamar Bandhu that he wants Awami League in power again to see the completion of the ongoing trial of war criminals.
কথা উঠেছে, সবদলের অংশগ্রহণে নির্বাচন না হওয়ায় গণতন্ত্রের গতি ব্যাহত হবে ৫ই জানুয়ারীর একতরফা নির্বাচনে। কথাটার মধ্যে যতটুকু সত্য লুকিয়ে আছে, তার চেয়ে বেশি সত্য বোধ হয় জনগণের কাছেই সুবিধৃত হয়ে আছে। সরকারগুলোর জনগণের নিজস্ব মৌলিক সমস্যাগুলো সমাধানের সম্পূর্ণ আন্তরিকতার পরিবর্তে দূর্নীতি থেকে অধিকতর দুর্নীতির দিকে আরো ৫ বছরের জন্য যাত্রা করাটা নিশ্চিত করবে। কেননা, এই দুই দলই দুর্নীতিতে “কেউ কারে নাহি ছাড়ে সমানে সমান।” সেক্ষেত্রে ৫ই জানুয়ারির নির্বাচনে এই মূহুর্তে পুনরায় নির্বাচিত হতে যাওয়া আওয়ামী সরকারকে আমি ততদিন পর্যন্ত ক্ষমতায় দেখতে চাই, যতদিনে বেশিরভাগ চিহ্নিত যুদ্ধাপরাধীদের বিচারের রায় সম্পূর্ণভাবে কার্যকর হয়ে যাবে।
The talk of the town is that democracy will be hindered as all parties are not participating in the January 5, 2014 election. As much as there is truth in that statement, a higher truth is exposed to the citizens. Instead of being frank to solve the basic problems of the citizens, these governments are eager to extend their terms/grab power for the next five years. Because both the major parties are neck-and-neck when it comes to corruption and abuse of power. In this case I actually want to see the inevitable winners of the January 5, 2014 election, the Awami League, be in power as long as it takes to complete the ongoing trial of war criminals.
The Prime Minister says [bn] the opposition party boycott is to blame for the uncontested winners in more than half of all constituencies.
Also read: Why the Opposition in Boycotting the Election in Bangladesh

author: পান্থ রহমান রেজা (Pantha)


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Iran: What is the Next Stage of Filtering? · Global Voices
Farid

Milad tweeted with irony that the next stage of filtering in Iran is cutting the electricity to prevent everyone from using any technology.
فاز بعدی فیلترینگ قطع برق هست. که دیگه کلاً نتونیم از هیچ تکنولوژی ای استفاده کنیم :)))
— Milad (@miladsafarzadeh) January 2, 2014

author: Farid


text:
Let’s Talk About Positive Things · Global Voices
Juan Arellano

Behind each of the stories you read in 2013, there are hundreds of authors and translators that believe in the power of citizen voices to tell the world.
On their behalf, we thank you for joining us during this past year that has ended and we share a selection, chosen by our very own translators, of the most positive news on 2013 from the posts that we published.
Image from user Cirofono on Flickr under the CC license By 2.0
From Chile, Elizabeth Rivera [es] gives us her choice:
Uno de los post que más me llegó este 2013 fue “Cuando los niños de la tercera cultura crecen” escrito por Danica Radisic. Nunca antes había escuchado la descripción de lo que es un “niño de la tercera cultura” y cuándo lo leí, sentí como hacía sentido mi forma de ser “nómada” y mi fuerte necesidad de generar puentes de comunicación más allá de mi círculo social. Fue un post muy personal para mí. Me sentí identificada 100%, pero lo más importante, vi que muchas almas en Global Voices – entre otras organizaciones multiculturales- comparten conmigo estos rasgos que nos hacen encontrar en Internet el espacio para lograr esa conexión que tanto buscamos. Mostré este post a personas que me conocen, con la alegría de quien ha encontrado una nueva verdad. “Ya sé lo que tengo, tiene un nombre”, les decía.
Creo que esta es la gran magia de Global Voices. Podemos encontrar en los rincones más inesperados una historia compartida o un interés común que estrecha la interconexión que siempre hemos tenido como seres humanos y que recientemente estamos viviendo palpablemente gracias a la tecnología.
One of the posts that got me the most in 2013 was “When Third Culture Kids Grow Up“, written by Danica Radisic. I had never heard a description of what a “third culture kid” was before and when I read it, I felt like my “nomadic” ways and strong need to build bridge of communication beyond my social circle made sense. It was an extremely personal post for me. I identified with it 100%, but most importantly, I saw that many souls at Global Voices -among other multicultural organizations- share with me these features that make us find the online space as a place to achieve that connection that we look for so much. I showed this post to people who know me with the joy of someone who had found a new truth. “Now I know what I have, it has a name,” I told them.
I think that this is the great magic of Global Voices. In the most unexpected corners, we can find a shared history or common interest that tightens the interconnection we have have always had as human beings and that we are recently palpably living thanks to technology.
From the same place in South America, María Angélica Marín [es] reflects:
¿Qué subrayar de lo positivo de colaborar con GV? Hay muchísimas cosas y una de las potentes, al menos para mi, es poder dar voz a grupos que pocas veces la tienen. Pienso en sub-grupos de población como grupos étnicos que muchas veces permanecen, aún en el siglo XXI, aislados o con poco o ningún acceso a los avances de la civilización; en fín, en personas, instituciones, grupos que batallan por abrir posibilidades de crecimiento, de esparcimiento a quienes por razones diversas tienen limitaciones para alcanzarlos solos. Asimismo me gusta mucho el espíritu de camaradería y de entre-ayuda que prevalece en la mayoría de quienes participan y/o colaboran con GV y no hablo solamente de los benévolos, lo hago pensando en todos y cada uno de quienes hacen parte de la gran familia de GV de la que me siento orgullosa de hacer parte (espero portarme bien para que no me echen…ja, ja).
En fin, me gusta el poder con la traducción, en mi caso al español, participar en hacer circular información que de otra manera podría ser ignorada por aún mas hispanófonos si no fuera por GV.
What positive thing can I highlight from working with GV? There are many things and one of the powerful ones, at least for me, is the ability to give a voice to groups that seldom have one. I think of sub-groups in populations, like ethnic groups that often remain, even in the 21st century, isolated or with little or no access to the progress of civilization; in short, in people, institutions, groups that struggle to open opportunities for growth, recreation for those who for various reasons face limitations to achieving it on their own. I also really like the spirit of camaraderie and support that prevails in the majority of the people who participate in and/or collaborate with GV and I'm not talking only about the volunteers, I do it thinking about each and every person that form part of the great GV family, which I am proud to be part of (I hope I behave myself so they don't kick me out… ha, ha).
Anyway, I like the power of translation, in my case into Spanish, participating in circulating information that might otherwise be ignored by even more Spanish speakers if it weren't for GV.
Meanwhile, one of our most constant collaborators, Gabriela García Calderón [es], describes her favorite article:
El artículo que me gusto más durante 2013 fue en realidad una noticia breve de Kazajistán, donde una mujer nos cuenta de sus sueños. Ella no sueña con ser rica ni tener superpoderes. Sus sueños son tan simples como “ser financieramente independiente. Quiero que mi esposo y mi hijo estén orgullosos de mí”. Creo que de eso se trata Global Voices, de saber con qué sueñan las personas comunes y corrientes, para identificarnos con ellas, independientemente de si viven el otro lado del mundo.
The post I liked the most during 2013 was actually a quick read from Kazakhstan, where a woman tells us about her dreams. She doesn’t dream about being rich or having superpowers. Her dreams are as simple as “to be financially independent. I want my husband and my son to be proud of me.” I think that is what Global Voices is all about, knowing what ordinary people dream about so we can relate to them, regardless of whether they live on the opposite side of the world.
Milton Ramírez [es], from Ecuador, presents his thoughts on what lies ahead for citizen media in 2014:
Where media is headed in 2014 and what is reported is something that concerns us citizens. As Michael Coops establishes, “Media monopolies have meant far fewer local, independent and diverse broadcast outlets.” As such, the article, dedicated to those who do not fill pages, those common, but forgotten faces in Latin America is something that caught my attention this year. And we Ecuadorians continue waiting for more contributions to Humans of Ecuador.
From Argentina, Carolina Saucedo [es] describes the article that had the greatest impact on her, which she translated in 2013:
El artículo que me tocó traducir y más me impactó en el 2013 fue uno sobre un derrumbe en una fábrica textil en Dacca, Bangladesh, y cómo desde el periodismo ciudadano y Global Voices se logró atraer la atención mundial sobre las condiciones de trabajo de los/as trabajadores/as en este país. El 2013 fue también un año marcado por las noticias provenientes de países como China, Rusia, Egipto y Siria, donde los medios ciudadanos y las redes sociales contribuyeron y contribuyen día a día a permitir la libertad de expresión que los medios de comunicación tradiciones les niegan a sus ciudadanos/as, como así también a difundir la lucha de aquéllos, quienes protestan contra la opresión. Personalmente, siento que con mi participación en Global Voices puedo contribuir humildemente en esa lucha de muchos/as ¡Gracias por permitirme ser parte!
The article that I translated and one that had the greatest impact on me in 2013 was one about textile factory collapsing in Dacca, Bangladesh, and how, through citizen journalism and Global Voices, the workers’ conditions in this country attracted the world's attention. 2013 was also a year marked by news coming from countries like China, Russia, Egypt, and Syria, where citizen media and social networks contributed to and daily continue to allow for the freedom of expression that the traditional media denied its citizens, as well as spreading the struggle of those who protested against the oppression. Personally, I feel like with my participation in Global Voices I can humbly contribute to that fight of many. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of that!
Romina Navarro [es] tells us that the article he most enjoyed was one related to one of the topics she likes the most: Caring for the environment:
I am a lover of living beings in all forms, and have a special fascination with the rainforest and the species that characterize it. To see that there are still many people who fight to protect this vital space, which is also ours, from other living beings, fills me with pride and makes me see that we are still capable of sharing the planet with other creatures in harmony. I really enjoyed translating this post in particular, as well as also reading additional information about the topic. I sincerely hope that in 2014 we all have much more news like this to share and less of the other kind.
This year I translated a post about the crisis due to lack of drinkable water in Bangalore (India), a city that has grown uncontrollably in recent years and that, due to the drought and poor urban planning, has dwindled and contaminated their water preserves. But while there are still some that can afford the luxury of wasting this precious liquid by filling pools in the center of Bangalore, volunteers from the Art of Living Foundation have led marches on foot with the goal of informing citizens about how to save water and have planted trees to prevent soil erosion in the basin of the Kumudvathi river, demonstrating that ecological activism can awaken consciousness and irrigate, with love for the Earth, the seed of hope.
Gala Gil Amat [es] responds to the following questions: What does it mean to be a translator, and specifically, one for Global Voices?
Ser traductora para Global Voices es una experiencia única porque no solo me permite hacer aquello con lo que más disfruto (traducir), sino que también me ofrece la oportunidad de adentrarme en aspectos del mundo que no conocía gracias a la gran variedad de noticias que traducimos.
Uno de los artículos que traduje fue el primero que se publicó sobre la muerte de Mandela y recuerdo que sentí una gran emoción al hacerlo, ya que para mí significó un tributo a su persona.
Además, debo agradecer a Global Voices que me diera la posibilidad de asistir al evento de Traduemprende en Barcelona, donde puede entrar en contacto con muchos traductores profesionales con los que compartí experiencias y anécdotas.
Being a translator for Global Voices is a unique experience because it does not only allow me to do what I enjoy most (translate), but also gives me the opportunity to delve into aspects of the world that I did know about thanks to the great variety of news that we translate.
One of the articles I translated was the first that was published about Mandela's death and I remember feeling very emotional upon doing it, since for me it signified a tribute to him.
Additionally, I must thank Global Voices for giving me the opportunity to attend the Traduemprende event in Barcelona, where I could contact many professional translators with whom I shared experiences and stories.
From Venezuela, Adriana Gutiérrez [es] brings us closer to the Rising Voices project:
En 2013 me permití seguir un poco más de cerca la labor que ha estado haciendo Rising Voices en la formación, empoderamiento y amplificación de las voces en las comunidades marginadas, permitiéndoles hacerse un lugar propio en la coversación global. Pueblos indígenas, grupos de campesinos, poblados remotos de poca accesibilidad, RV se ha encargado de reducir la brecha digital, permitiéndoles sacar provecho a las nuevas herramientas bien sea para expresarse y crear soluciones a sus problemas cotidianos como para difundir y documentar su cultura para su preservación.
In 2013, I allowed myself to follow the work that Rising Voices has been doing a bit closer in training, empowering, and amplifying the voices in marginalized communities, allowing them to make a place for themselves in the global conversation. Indigenous villages, groups of villagers, remote villages with poor accessibility, RV has taken on the responsibility of reducing the digital divide, allowing them to capitalize on the new tools either to express themselves and create solutions to their everyday problems and to spread and document their culture for its preservation.
Finally, Cati Restrepo [es] shares one of the articles of the aforementioned project:
Uno de los posts que más me encantó en 2013 fue Comunidades indígenas de Oaxaca envían videocartas” porque demuestra que el problema nunca es la herramienta (Internet, por ejemplo) si no su uso. En este caso, la historia le demuestra a quienes juzgan internet, que este puede ser usado para disminuir fronteras y generar espacios de conversación desde las diferencias que nos caracterizan como seres humanos.
One of the posts I loved in 2014 was “Sending Video Letters from Oaxacan Indigenous Communities” because it shows that the problem is never the tool (the Internet, for example), but how it is used. In this case, the stories show people who judge that Internet can be used to decrease boundaries and generate spaces for conversation from the differences that characterize us as human beings.
Global Voices and the Spanish Lingua team wishes you a happy 2014!

author: Juan Arellano


text:
Opposition Rallies and Public Gatherings Now Banned in Cambodia · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

After the violent dispersal of striking garment workers, the government of Cambodia has banned the political opposition from staging more rallies in Phnom Penh, the country’s capital. Even the gathering of two persons in the streets is now prohibited.
Civilians wearing red arm bands joined the police in dispersing the crowd gathered inside the Phnom Penh Freedom Park. Photo from Licadho.
Four people died yesterday and dozens were injured after police opened fire at garment workers who have been demanding a monthly minimum wage of $160. Currently, garment workers receive $80 a month.
Workers got the support of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party which vowed to raise wages if it assumed power in the country. The opposition has been holding daily protests at the Phnom Penh Freedom Park, also known as Democracy Plaza, to press for the ouster of the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen which has been accused of manipulating this year’s election results. The opposition has boycotted the parliament sessions even though it has 55 seats.
The opposition was able to gather tens of thousands in the streets since December. The protest was the biggest anti-government rally in Cambodia in recent years.
Today, the protest camp has been forcibly removed by government forces. The local government said the opposition’s protest permit was cancelled because of security issue.
Licadho, a human rights group, described how the protesters were dispersed from the Freedom Park:
The violence began at around 11.00 this morning when hundreds of police and military police blocked roads surrounding Freedom Park and rapidly and without warning moved in to clear the park of protesters. As they approached, the residing protesters, many of whom were monks or women with their children fled in fear leaving behind their belongings. The forces were accompanied by hundreds of thuggish civilians wearing red arm bands who used metre-long steel poles to beat and intimidate the peaceful protesters
These guys with steel pipes just told me they are "taking a walk to get some exercise" pic.twitter.com/UH9AyDLxE9
— Julia Wallace (@julia_wallace) January 4, 2014
#cambodia Favorite pass time activity of thugs and cops. pic.twitter.com/c72xgryxIs
— oudomnimith (@oudomnimith) January 4, 2014
Licadho’s report about the street patrolling of uniformed officials accompanied by civilians wearing red arm bands was echoed by Ruom:
On January 4th, seemingly intent on preventing any further protest, police surrounded Freedom Park, the major rallying point for the Cambodian National Rescue Party – the main opposition party. Uniformed officers and plain clothed citizens, armed with wooden rods and pieces of rebar, forced CNRP supporters – largely comprised of rural seniors – out of the park. For the next hour they destroyed the tents and stage that had been host to rallies since October
Twitter reports also verify the brutal protest crackdown which the government ordered today:
It's very quiet here now. Almost no one on street save a handful of motodops. A truckload of very weary-looking 'security-guards' heads out
— Abby Seiff (@instupor) January 4, 2014
There have been skimishes all day around Wat Phnom, with police and army — helicopters have buzzed the street on and off.
— Brad Collins (@deerpig) January 4, 2014
All political opposition chased and beaten. Warrents out for leaders. Gatherings of more than 2 ppl banned #cambodia @Henry_Langston
— Nathan Thompson (@NathanWrites) January 4, 2014
Brutal force used on peaceful protesters savagely beaten monks included.
— Sochua Mu (@MuSochua) January 4, 2014
Even journalists were attacked by thugs in the streets:
Can't recognize him, but a photographer who appeared to be wearing a press pass was just attacked by gov't sec forces @pressfreedom @hrw
— Abby Seiff (@instupor) January 4, 2014
Ou Virak of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights is angered by today’s event and warns against more violence coming from the state:
…the time for free speech is over. The events that have taken place over the past several days are a major step backwards for Cambodia in terms of democracy and human rights.
The opposition CNRP announced that it will cancel a scheduled rally on Sunday because of the crackdown but it condemned the government repression including the reported issuance of arrest warrants against its leaders.


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Why the Opposition is Boycotting the Election in Bangladesh · Global Voices
পান্থ রহমান রেজা (Pantha)

Dhaka is packed with thousands of posters as the candidates campaign for the 10th general election in Bangladesh on January 5, 2014. Photo by Naveed Ishtiyak © Copyright Demotix (28 Dec 2013)
When Bangladesh holds its general election on January 5, 2014 the ruling party and its allies are already sure to win more than half of the seats in parliament. This is a consequence of an opposition boycott led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
But why are more than 25 political parties boycotting the election?
In countries with mature democracies, the governing parties don’t leave office during elections because everybody plays by the rules. But in Bangladesh, the tradition is to mistrust political leaders and expect that they will abuse power to rig votes. That's why the Bangladeshi constitution previously required a caretaker government to assume power during elections. However, in 2011 the parliament unilaterally abolished this system, allowing for general elections to be held under elected partisan governments.
The BNP led opposition had been demanding a caretaker government for the election since the passing of the 15th amendment to the constitution. Instead the government made a counter proposal to install an all-party interim government headed by the existing Prime Minister. The opposition refused. Since then, there have been a plethora of protests, including general strike, blockades, agitations, long marches etc.
Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, the editor of Suhshashoner Jonney Nagorik (Sujon), a civil society think tank, opined in an interview with the Daily Kaler Kantha [bn] why the opposition is not willing to make compromises:
বিরোধী দল মনে করে, এ রকম হলে তারা নির্বাচনে জিতবে না। তারা মনে করে, যদি নির্দলীয় সরকার নির্বাচনের সময় থাকে, তাহলে তারা ভোটে জিতবে। তারাও এখানে ছাড় দিতে চায় না, কারণ ছাড় দেওয়া মানেই ঝুঁকি নেওয়া। পরাজয়ের ঝুঁকি। বাংলাদেশের প্রেক্ষাপটে নির্বাচনে পরাজয়ের ঝুঁকি নেওয়ার কোনো অবকাশ নেই। এটাই হচ্ছে ক্ষমতার রাজনীতি।
The opposition thinks they will not win the election if it is held under the ruling party. They will only win if a neutral caretaker government runs the election. They do not want to be lenient, because they know if they are flexible, they are more exposed to the risk. The risk is losing the election. There is no option in Bangladesh politics to accept defeat. This is power politics.
On October 25, the day the election commission declared the schedule for the elections, the opposition, led by BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, immediately refused it. They started their infinite strikes and blockade programs that crippled the country.
Violent protests
The protests to postpone elections and to establish a neutral caretaker government by the main opposition parties have led to violent protests and the deaths of 111 people [bn] in the past month alone.
A report by Human rights organization Ain O Shalish Kendra (ASK) says that violent political clashes in 2013 left 507 people dead, including 15 members of the police and two of the Border Guard Battelion, and 22,407 people injured (See Global Voices report).
Partha Sarathi Dey Tweets to the opposition leader:
বছরের শেষ দিন, এই বছর শেষবারের মত বলি, মোহতারেমা, নাশকতার রাস্তা ছেড়ে দিন। কিছু জঙ্গী জামাত শিবিরের সন্ত্রাসীদের… http://t.co/ct2WDVC8r8
— Partha Sarathi Dey (@parthabgd) December 31, 2013
Today is the last day of the year. Begging you Ma'm for the last time, please leave the road of violence… Except for some Jamaat-Shibir extremists you are alone. Please be mindful about the development of the nation.
There have been many international attempts to mediate between the feuding parties. The United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki Moon sent a letter to both the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition urging them to meet and negotiate. He also sent a special envoy to Bangladesh. Many ambassadors and members of civil society have tried to mediate. But all efforts have failed due to the rigid stance by both leaders. This is why the country now heads for an opposition-less election.

author: পান্থ রহমান রেজা (Pantha)


text:
10 Young Artists from Hong Kong  · Global Voices
I-fan Lin

Tian-Shuai Yang introduced 10 young artists [zh] from Hong Kong in the House News. The writer explained that Hong Kong's artworks are of great potential because for foreign collectors, the water-color and colonial imageries is exotic while for the local collectors, they like the colloquial elements such as the street scene, skylines in the artwork.

author: I-fan Lin


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Aam Aadmi Party Clone In Bangladesh · Global Voices
Rezwan

Blogger An Ordinary Citizen writes:
Many in Bangladesh are inquisitively looking at the development of Aam Aadmi Party in India and hoping that a similar phenomenon may develop in Bangladesh.
Co-incidentally the success of the Aam aadmi party has inspired a group to float an Aam Janatar Dal –Common Man’s Party –in Bangladesh. The tentative launch of this party will be on January 17, 2014.

author: Rezwan


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Argentina: Intense Heat Affects Polar Bear in Captivity · Global Voices
Laura Schneider

Arturo, a bear in captivity at the Mendoza zoo in Argentina, is suffering from the heat waves. The general population has not been indifferent and want the bear to be in conditions that allow him to endure the high temperatures.
There is already a precedent in Argentina, when polar bear Winner died [es] due to the high temperatures that are experienced during the summer months. Arturo is the only polar bear in Argentina. On his blog, Marcos Abarza Baumann [es] writes [es] about the conditions in which the bear is currently living:
Las condiciones en las que vive el oso Arturo en el zoológico provincial de Mendoza son deplorables y sin embargo no dejan de indignarnos cada día más: Ahora circula en YouTube un video en el que se puede ver como los empleados del Zoo utilizan mangueras para refrescar al animal que sigue viviendo en el mismo recinto mientras terminan de construir uno nuevo.
LE TIRAN AGUA A UN ANIMAL QUE VIVE EN EL HIELO PARA IMITAR LAS TEMPERATURAS BAJO CERO. Esto parece un chiste pero no lo es, fijate:
The conditions that Arturo the bear is living in at Mendoza's zoo are deplorable, yet they continue to outrage us even more everyday: There is now a video going around on YouTube that shows the zoo employees using hoses to refresh the animal that is still living in the same enclosure while they finish building a new one.
THEY THROW WATER ON AN ANIMAL THAT LIVES IN THE ICE TO IMITATE BELOW-FREEZING TEMPERATURES. This seems like a joke but it's not, look:
This video was published on YouTube by Julieta Godoy.
The Facebook page POLAR BEAR Arturo [es] tells the story of the fight [es] that has been going on since October 2012, even though as of now nothing has changed:
Y EMPEZÓ UN NUEVO AÑO … Y SIN EMBARGO , TODO SIGUE IGUAL
Arturo sigue encerrado en su caja de cemento y pintura celeste .-
Empezamos esta lucha en Octubre de 2012 , ya van dos veces que levantamos las copas por él … y nada
A NEW YEAR HAS BEGUN… BUT EVERYTHING IS STILL THE SAME
Arturo is still enclosed in his box of cement and sky blue paint.-
We began this fight in October of 2012, we've already raised our glasses twice for him… and nothing.
Meanwhile, Duende Visual [es] is asking of the authorities [es] that Argentina be a pioneering country in animal rights:
Podemos convertir a la Argentina en un país pionero en derechos animales, donde se pueda proteger como corresponde a las especies en vías de extinción, brindándoles a su vez un espacio donde poder vivir libres y felices, generando a su vez conciencia en la población, convirtiendo así a los animales en nuestros hermanos, no inculcándole a las nuevas generaciones que los animales son bienes o cosas.
We can make Argentina into a country that is a pioneer of animal rights, where endangered species can be protected as they should be, and given a place where they can live freely and happily. We can raise awareness throughout the population, turning the animals into our brothers and sisters, and not raising the new generations to believe that animals are goods or things.
Twitter also echoed the situation, as we see in these two recent tweets:
Por qué no hacen nada las autoridades de Mendoza? están esperando que se muera de una vez? señores, esto es maltrato. http://t.co/KbaN4stQB9
— El Campito Refugio (@elcampito) diciembre 26, 2013
Why aren't the authorities in Mendoza doing anything? Are they just waiting for him to die? Ladies and gentlemen, this is abuse.
http://t.co/aBNLRGeUN7 vía @todonoticias POR DIOS DIFUNDAN QUE LIBEREN A ESE ANIMAL SE ESTA MURIENDO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Janet Vitry (@janetvkorman) diciembre 23, 2013
http://t.co/aBNLRGeUN7 vía @todonoticias MY GOD, SPREAD THE WORD: THEY MUST FREE THAT ANIMAL, HE IS DYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Small image from the Facebook page POLAR BEAR Arturo [es].

author: Laura Schneider


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As Afghanistan Faces a Critical Year, President Karzai Plays a “Risky Game” · Global Voices
Samea Shanori

As United States combat forces prepare to pull out of Afghanistan by the end of this year, the country's president Hamid Karzai is dragging his feet on the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA). The document provides a legal framework for a limited presence of American troops in Afghanistan after 2014, mainly to train the country's security forces.
“Unnecessary” complications
The BSA was negotiated in 2012. In an apparent attempt to share the responsibility for signing the agreement with tribal elders, Hamid Karzai convened a loya jirga, or the grand assembly, in November 2013, to weigh in on his decision to strike the deal with the US. The tribal elders supported the security pact and urged Karzai to sign the document promptly. The Afghan president, however, has chosen to ignore loya jirga's recommendation, telling the elders that he would not sign the BSA until after the presidential elections due in April 2014.
Interestingly, the chair of loya jirga has called the four-day gathering of the assembly “unnecessary,” saying that Karzai should have signed the security pact without the tribal elders’ approval.
Concerned over the controversies within the Afghan government, Samira Hamidi tweeted:
How controversial!!!! Even the head of #BSA Jirga organising Committee says the Jirga is unnecessary. http://t.co/UGVDQVKq0k
— Samira Hamidi (@HuriaSamira) October 21, 2013
“Risky game”
Karzai's decision to postpone the inking of the agreement has been interpreted as a “risky game of brinkmanship” ahead of the elections. The “game” has created an atmosphere of uncertainly among Afghan netizens.
Hamid Karzai addressing the joint meeting of US Congress on June 15, 2004. Image by the White House, part of public domain.
Twitter user Watan Dar offers an explanation for Karzai's unwillingness to sign the pact:
@WhiteHouse @ForChuckHagel contrary to Loya Jirga & Peoples wish, #Karzai wants #US to leave! He is afraid of accountability if US remains.
— watan dar (@Wataandarr) December 10, 2013
A recent survey suggests that the majority of Afghans support the new security pact with US. Many prominent Afghan politicians are also in favor of the deal. Mahmoud Saikal, the country's former deputy foreign minister stated that Afghanistan needs the BSA. Amrullah Saleh, a former national security chief, tweeted:
The BSA should result in total collapse of Quetta Shura and end of Pak based Talib sanctuaries. The central pillar of our righteous demand.
— Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh1) November 29, 2013
Karzai's reluctance to ink the security agreement has found support from the Taliban leaders. Reacting to loya jirga's approval of the BSA, a senior Taliban leader pledged that the group would continue fighting as long as the foreign “infidel” troops remain in Afghanistan. He also stated that the Taliban did not have any hope left for peace with the current regime.
Other opposition parties in the country have a more favorable view of the new security agreement. The Cooperation Council of Political Parties and Coalitions of Afghanistan (CCPPCA) proposed to sign the BSA immediately, noting that the delay might compromise the fragile security and jeopardize the 2014 elections.
Courting neighbors
After refusing to finalize the BSA by the end of 2013, Karzai spent his energy during the last weeks of the year visiting Iran, Pakistan, and India. Interestingly, Iran urged Karzai not to strike the deal with US, warning that a continued presence of American troops was a threat to the region.
Concerned about the possible consequences of Karzai's “games”, Afghan netizens tweeted:
Karzai Plans Cooperation Pact with #Iran while refuses to sign BSA with the U.S. – http://t.co/5lHzkc4lDi
— Farzad Lami (@FarzadLameh) December 8, 2013
Susan Rice says, fulfilling Karzai's long list of demands need a magic wand, which we don't have one. #BSA
— Ahmad Mukhtar (@AhMukhtar) November 26, 2013
Some netizens, however, believe that the new security agreement with the US is not actually such a big deal:
Funny how #Afghanistan is led to believe that without signing of #BSA, she'll be nothing. Why all the pressure? Give it a break, Uncle Sam!
— Shuja Rabbani (@ShujaRabbani) December 10, 2013
“Playing with fire”
In a bid to convince Karzai to finalize the security agreement, Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari visited Kabul in December 2013. Zebari claimed that the security pact was in Afghanistan's best interests, pointing to a deterioration in security in Iraq after its refusal to ink a security agreement with the US.
FM of #Iraq where security pact with US was rejected, advising #Afghan gov how to negotiate #BSA with the super power, says #Pajhwok.
— Daud Junbish (@DaudJunbish) December 2, 2013
Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel and US National Security Advisor Susan Rise have warned Karzai that his unwillingness to sign the BSA might lead to a complete withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. In addition, James Dobbins (US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan) warned Afghanistan of civil war if the agreement was not signed.
Arif Rafiq tweeted:
Karzai claims Dobbins threatened to drive Afg into “civil war.” Now Dobbins says US told K he's “playing with fire.” https://t.co/DZwOhrmWbl
— Arif Rafiq (@ArifCRafiq) December 10, 2013
2014 is a critical year for Afghanistan as the US and NATO troops are leaving the country, handing over the responsibility for maintaining security to the fledgling national security forces. Hamid Karzai who has served as Afghanistan's president during the past twelve years will be replaced in elections due in less than four months. While he refuses to finalize the security pact with the US, other presidential hopefuls have remained silent on the issue. Therefore, what is awaiting Afghanistan and its people in the near future remains a mystery.

author: Samea Shanori


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China: Beijing Rapper, Shuangzi · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

The Sound Stage, a Youbute Channel introducing Chinese independent music band, introduce Shuangzi, a Beijing Rapper in their latest episode.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Most Favorite Censored Micro-blogs · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Jason Ng from Blocked in Weibo, a blog dedicated to monitor censorship in China twitter-like Weibo,  picked five of his most favorite censored micro-blogs in 2013.


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Egypt: The Muppets Intelligence Agency · Global Voices
Tarek Amr

On one of Egypt's most famous talk shows, the screen was split in two. A Muppet-like character occupied one side of the screen — on the other side, a menacing teenager threatened to throw the puppet in jail. The show's host moderated the debate between the two, Abla Fahita, the puppet, and Ahmed Spider, the teenage-looking conspiracy theorist.
Look into the beady evil eyes of terrorism, via @SooperMexican
Such a scene would be fine if the show were a satire, but it is not. Last week, Ahmed Spider made an official complaint against Vodafone Egypt and puppet character Abla Fahita, who appeared in one of their advertisements, accusing them of sending hidden messages to terrorists in the ad. The complaint was subsequently referred to state security prosecutors, who deal with cases involving terrorism and security threats. The prosecutors have since brought officials from Vodafone Egypt in for questioning. The list of suspected spies and terrorist allies in Egypt already includes a pigeon, a stork and a shark — now we can add Abla Fahita the puppet and her daugher, Carolina, aka Carcoura, to the list.
In response to the news, Paul Sedra tweeted:
@sedgate: With the Abla Fahita investigation, #Egypt once again challenges North Korea for the title of most paranoid state on earth.
Many Egyptian netizens could only deal with the news through sarcasm.
@Cairo67Unedited: If anyone from TV calls asking 2 use ur Kitten in their next phone ad #Egypt hang up on them:Next thing u know cat is on trial
Abla Fahita portrayed as Che Guevara – via @khlud_hafeez
Nevine Zaki mocked Abla Fahita calling her the Che Guevara of our generation.
May Sadek and Pakinam Amer tweeted about the puppet, who now has more than 1 million fans on Facebook, and is no less than a revolutionary figure.
@maysadek: ‘F’ for fahita. Not as strong as ‘V’ for vendetta .. But it'll do the job fine..#ablafahita
@pakinamamer: Abla Fahita should lead the next revolution. She'd be our V. The faceless resistance. #3abath #Surrealism
@MohAnis: Rumor has it that #ablafahita is seeking asylum with the muppet show or sesame street.
Satirical comments kept on drawing laughs on social media.
@_amroali: #Egypt has saved the world from a big terrorist threat not seen since the Muppets tried to take Manhattan #AblaFahita
@HoudaBelabd: #Egypt: Ministry of Interior is actually recording phone calls and Facebook conversations between #AblaFahita & Mickey Mouse!
@anasaltikriti: After the Vodafone puppet fiasco, are there any more sensible people out there who respect the coup government?
@AyaYousry: The #AblaFahita story made it to The Economist under “Silly Season in Egypt“
Rumors also suggested that SpongeBob SquarePants may be the next suspect. A question was asked on Google Ejabat wondering whether the cartoon character is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood given the fact it is yellow and has four fingers — just like the banners of Rabia.
Raba logo, via @Rassd_Now
Out of the fear of getting arrested for using the Rabia logo as their avatar [after Egypt outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood], some social media users created alternative logos.
Alternative Raba logos via @nsfadala
On a more a serious note, Mohamed ElGohary wondered whether the Egyptian government is using the case as a vehicle for blackmailing Vodafone Egypt:
Earlier in November Bloomberg published that “Telecom Egypt May Buy Vodafone Local Division When 4G Is Offered“. Personally I don't want for this acquiring to happen, since it will decrease/eliminate competition in mobile/4G emerging market .. The million dollar question here, as Vodafone actually wants to buy the government stakes, is this BS accusation a dirty step for blackmailing/forcing Vodafone Egypt to comply to what the government wants?
The Facebook page of Kazeboon published the following image that asks which cases prosecutors investigate and which ones they don't.
Sarah Carr compared Ahmed Spider to Glenn Beck in her blog post about Abla Fahita's case:
When human rights organizations call for opening investigations with Vodafone [Ar], after illegal recording for activists are being leaked from the state security, but the general prosecutor ignores them, and only wakes up when Spider calls for investigations with the same company because of Abla Fahita, then it is safe to call Egypt The Muppet Show. (via Kazeboon)
Every country has its Glenn Beck type public figures, the difference in Egypt is that they are taken seriously where it suits the political ambitions of those at the reins and serves a useful purpose. Thus we have the Public Prosecutor accepting a complaint about a finger puppet while nobody has been charged for the deaths of nearly 1,000 people at Rab3a, because the current mood is almost fascistic in its reverence for the state and for state hegemony and for state opponents to be eliminated. If there was a page equivalent to We Are All Khaled Said now it would be Turns Out We Are All Adolf Hitler. Comedy and tragedy often overlap.
Finally, Holly Dagres tweeted:
@PoliticallyAff: Although we're getting a good laugh from Abla Fahita, it shouldn't shift our focus from @Repent11 and rest of imprisoned AJE staff #Egypt

author: Tarek Amr


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Hero or No Hero? Opinions Split Over Jailed Tajik Tycoon · Global Voices
Alexander Sodiqov

A court in Tajikistan has recently sentenced a former minister and emerging opposition leader to 26 years in prison on charges seen as politically motivated. Since his arrest in May 2013, Zayd Saidov has become a symbol of resistance to the repressive state for many opposition activists, journalists, and intellectuals in the country.
Among social media users, however, there is no agreement on whether Saidov's imprisonment should be condemned or celebrated. For some netizens, the former tycoon is no hero. Blogger Kharsavor Kharsavorovich asks [ru]:
Could someone please explain to me how exactly Zayd Saidov has become our local Khodorkovsky [Russian oligarch who became a hero for many Russians after his imprisonment in 2003]? Why is everyone mourning him? He is not the first (nor the last) to be sentenced on politically motivated charges. So, why do so many people speak in his defense?
But Rustam Gulov suggests [ru] that Saidov has already become a hero for many Tajiks:
[W]hatever one says about Zayd Saidov, nobody actually sees him as a criminal. On the contrary, in the eyes of most people, he is now a victim, a victim of the machinery of the state, a political victim…
His reputation is growing; people pity him, respect him, learn from him, and write articles about him…
[After some time], people will start imitating him!

author: Alexander Sodiqov


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More Than 100 Schools Torched in Anti-Election Violence in Bangladesh · Global Voices
পান্থ রহমান রেজা (Pantha)

Guards carry ballot boxes and equipment to a polling station that will be used for the 10th parliamentary elections. Image by Naveed Ishtyak. Copyright Demotix (4/1/2014)
The eve of Bangladesh's 10th national parliamentary elections saw a wave of violence as more than 100 schools turned polling stations in 20 districts were set fire by protesters and a polling officer on duty was beaten to death in Thakurgaon.
The elections scheduled for 5 January 2013 are particularly tense, with many opposition parties led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotting the vote and their supporters engaging in violent protests throughout the country.
Web users have harshly condemned the torching of schools. Farhana Azim Shiuly wrote on Facebook:
নির্বাচন প্রতিহত করার জন্য দেশে অনেক ভোট কেন্দ্র পুড়িয়ে দেয়া হচ্ছে। এমন খবর শুনে টিভির সামনে বসে দেখলাম আগুনে যা পুড়ছে তা তো ভোটকেন্দ্র নয়। আগুনে জ্বলে যাচ্ছে সারি সারি স্কুল ঘর। বছরে ১ দিনের জন্য যাকে আমরা ভোটকেন্দ্র নামে ডাকি, বাকি ৩৬৪ দিনই তার নাম স্কুল। রাজনীতির নামে মানুষ পুড়েছে। এখন পুড়ে যাচ্ছে মানুষ গড়ার কারখানা।
Many polling stations across the country are being burnt to halt the elections. I heard the news and sat in front of the TV only to find that the burning houses are actually local government schools. Fire is engulfing an array of schoolrooms. What we call a polling station one day in some years are actually educational institutions. We have seen that people are being burnt for no reason in the name of politics. Now the labs for forming people are being burnt.
Writer and educationist Joydeep Dey Shaplu denounced the arson and reminded that Bangladesh already does not have enough schools for its huge population:
যুদ্ধক্ষেত্রে স্কুল পোড়ানো হয় কিনা আমার জানা নেই। তবে যাই করা হোক, একবার ভাবা হয়, যুদ্ধের পর শান্তির সময় কি করে দেশ চলবে। এই বোধটাও আজ আমাদের নেই। দু'দিনের রাজনীতির জন্য তিল তিল করে গড়ে ওঠা শিক্ষাব্যবস্থাকে ধ্বংস করে ফেলা হচ্ছে। চোট পেলে সেরে যায়, বিকলাঙ্গ হলে তো কিছুই করার থাকে না। আন্দোলনের নামে পুরো জাতিটা বিকলাঙ্গ হয়ে গেলে কাদের নিয়ে দেশ চালাবেন আপনারা?
I don't know whether schools are burnt during war. But whatever is done, there is a thought, how the country will progress after the war. In our country, the developing education sector (in its own war of decreasing illiteracy) is being destroyed. A little sickness heals, but if you are crippled, you will suffer for life. If you cripple the nation in the name of protest, how will you take this country forward?
On Twitter, media worker Jabed Sultan Pias (@piasbd) wrote that he lost his first school in his hometown to fire:
১. আমার প্রথম স্কুল। মদনপুর সরকারি প্রাথমিক বিদ্যালয়, নেত্রকোনা। গতকাল নাকি আমার প্রিয় স্কুলে আগুন দিয়েছে। খবর… http://t.co/A9KqZYstgO
— Jabed Sultan Pias (@piasbd) January 4, 2014
1. My first school, Madanpur Government Primary School, Netrokona. Yesterday they torched my beloved school.
Lawyer Shah Ali Farhad (@shah_farhad) tweeted that this time the target are the schools by the opposition protesters:
Target now schools! Over 100 schools torched by BNP Jamaat thugs across #Bangladesh http://t.co/MIhBy3IEX0 #SaveBangladesh from #Terrorism
— Shah Ali Farhad (@shah_farhad) January 4, 2014
Opposition party supporters set a van on fire at Shanti Nagar in Dhaka ahead of the Bangladesh National Party led 18-Party Alliance’s countrywide 84-hours strike. Image by mamunur Rashid. Copyright Demotix (9/11/2013)
Trees also became a target for protesters. Hundreds of trees across highways were cut down to use as road blockades during recent political violence across the country. Sheikh Rokon wrote in Facebook:
Yes, enjoy the ‘politics’ my friends. They had cut thousands of roadside trees for ‘blockade’. Now they have started burning the schools to ‘block’ the election. Claps! Claps! Claps!
Bangladesh has witnessed such opposition-less elections before, but the protests was not as violent. Arif Jebtik reminded violent protesters:
[…] এরশাদের ১৯৮৮ সালের নির্বাচন ঠেকাতে আলাদা আলাদা অবস্থান থেকে চেষ্টা করেছিল বিএনপি, আওয়ামী লীগ, জামায়াত, বামদল সহ সবাই-কিন্তু সেই নির্বাচন ঠেকানো যায়নি।
খালেদা জিয়ার ১৯৯৬ সালের ১৫ ফেব্রুয়ারির নির্বাচন ঠেকাতে আলাদা আলাদা অবস্থান থেকে চেষ্টা করেছিল আওয়ামী লীগ, জামায়াত, বামদল-কিন্তু নির্বাচন বন্ধ হয়নি।
সুতরাং আগামীকালের নির্বাচন ঠেকাতেও বিএনপি-জামায়াত পারবে না।
কিন্তু এর আগের ঘটনাগুলোয় স্কুল পোড়ানো হয়নি।
এবার স্কুলগুলো পোড়ানো গেল-এটাই নগদ লাভ। জামায়াতকে কোলে তুলে নিয়ে রাজনীতি করে বিবর্তনে এই জায়গাতেই পৌঁছাল বিএনপি!
[..] In 1988 during President General Ershad's time, all the main political parties (Awami League, BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the leftists) tried to stop the elections but could not succeed.
During BNP's 15 February 1996 one-sided elections, Awami League, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the leftists all tried to resist the election but failed.
So BNP-Jamaat will not be able to stop this election.
But in all previous incidents no schools were burnt.
This time BNP has gained this accolade. This is their politics of promoting Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's cause.
Journalist Fazlul bari blamed Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami for the arson of schools:
নির্বাচন ঠেকানো নিয়ে বিএনপি হাল ছেড়ে দিয়েছে’ এমন একটি রিপোর্ট ছাপা হবার পরই ‘হাল’ পুরোপুরি নিজের কর্তৃ্ত্বে নেয়া শুরু করে দিয়েছে যুদ্ধাপরাধীদের দল জামায়াত-শিবির! পেট্রোল বোমা, মানুষকে পুড়িয়ে মারার সন্ত্রাসের পর ভোট কেন্দ্রে আগুন দেয়া সহ অকল্পনীয় নানান সন্ত্রাস শুরু করে দিয়েছে দেশ বিরোধী এই অপশক্তি! […]
There was a report published recently that BNP has given up on resisting the elections. After that, the party of war criminals Jamaat entered the charade of showing who's in control. They have already used petrol bombs on people in buses, houses and are not below such extreme violence like burning schools.

author: পান্থ রহমান রেজা (Pantha)


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One Year in Asia · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Antoine Lavenant, with his girlfriend spent a year in Asia – China, Laos, Cambodia, Thaïland, Malaysia, Philippines and Sri Lanka. The video is a brief record of their exciting journey.


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PHOTOS: First Visit to Shinto Shrine of 2014 in Japan · Global Voices
Keiko Tanaka

Image of Kanda Myojin shrine in Tokyo by blogger Tokyobling. Photo used according to blogger's reblog rule
Hatsumōde (初詣 hatsumōde), the first Shinto shrine visit of the New Year, is a common practice among Japanese. Tokyo-based blogger Tokyobling posted a series of photos about the ritual of Hatsumode in Japan.

author: Keiko Tanaka


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PHOTOS: Humans of Ethiopia · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Inspired by Brandon Stanton's Humans of New York (HONY), Nina Steinberg has created a Facebook page Humans of Ethiopia that provides glimpses into people's lives in Ethiopia.
The description reads:
As I explore Ethiopia this summer I have decided to create a space where I can share my glimpses into the lives of strangers, new friends, and the fascinating way of life I am coming to understand here. Inspired by Brandon's Humans of New York.
Take a look at a few photographs republished from the Humans of Ethiopia page.
Traditional cloth weaving is a centuries-old tradition in Ethiopia. Photo by Humans of Ethiopia. Used with permission.
Ethiopian soldiers walking in an empty street. Photo by Humans of Ethiopia. Used with permission.
Ethiopian women carry wood on their backs to make a living. The load they carry goes up to 70 pounds and the hike distances that can be more or less than 18 miles. Some of these women may even weigh less than the load they are carrying. Their average daily income is less than two US dollars. Photo by Humans of Ethiopia. Used with permission.
An Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a beautiful ritualized way of drinking coffee. The green coffee beans are roasted and then the pan is walked around the room so that everyone can get a waft of the coffee aroma. The coffee beans are crushed, mortar-and-pestle style. The coffee powder is then boiled in a clay pot called a Jebena (seen in the left of the photo). Finally, the coffee is poured into little china cups on a tray and served to everyone – it is served three times. Photo by Humans of Ethiopia. Used with permission.
I caught them waving chat at the goat and laughed at the thought of a goat getting high. But when I came over to snap a photo, the father wouldn’t smile until he clarified that he was only feeding the goat chat… not his precious little girl. Photo by Humans of Ethiopia. Used with permission.
Eat at facefood. Photo by Humans of Ethiopia. Used with permission.
Ethiopian designer, Salam Nigussie, showing off her product: “I designed and made what I'm wearing.” – Salam Nigussie. Photo by Humans of Ethiopia. Used with permission.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Why Rape And Sexual Violence Continue · Global Voices
Rezwan

“I will not forget what happened today, one year ago”
This video was released by Video Volunteers on December 16, 2013 to commemorate Nirbhaya, who died in the 2012 Delhi gang rape incident. The incident was the only conviction of 706 reported cases of rape in Delhi that year. Statistics indicate that in India a woman is still raped every 22 minutes. The conviction rate for rape stands at an abysmal 25%.
This video provokes interesting discussions on the reasons why rape and sexual violence continue.


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A Year of Campaigns for Iran · Global Voices
Farid

A photo from Just Access, a campaign by Arseh Sevom to highlight the effect of sanctions on ordinary Iranians.
Iranians witnessed two major political events in 2013: The election of a new president and the beginnings of a nuclear deal. Both of them kindled hope in the hearts of many Iranians for a better, less painful future.
Meanwhile, repression and censorship continues in the country: from the filtering of WeChat to the mass arrest of tech people and poets.
Several internet campaigns launched throughout 2013 with diverse topics ranging from fighting cancer to making fun of the Israeli Prime Minister; from protecting dogs to campaigning for a fictional presidential candidate.
A Common Enemy
Two Iranian cinema stars, one inside the country and one in exile, joined efforts in an online campaign to support compatriots suffering from cancer.
In May, Bahram Radan in Iran joined former co-star, Golshifteh Farahani, now living in exile in Paris, in a video on YouTube as part of a campaign to save the life of Shahrzad, a fellow Iranian suffering from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).
Act Like Man, Dress Like a Woman
Several Kurdish men have photograph themselves dressed as women as part of a Facebook campaign to say, “Being a woman is not an instrument to punish or humiliate anybody.” The photos appeared on a Facebook page named “Kurd Men for Equality”. The story began when a man dressed in a red dress was paraded by security forces through the streets of Marivan in the Kurdistan province of Iran in April as punishment by a local court for a domestic dispute.
#IranJeans: Yes We Do Wear Jeans
In October, Iranians flooded the internet with posts, tweets and photos as they mocked the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamian Netanyahu's remark that Iranians are not free to wear jeans.
Fictional Character for Presidential Election
In May,the activist website United4Iran and the serial web comic Zahra's Paradise launched the virtual campaign “Zahra For President 2013″ to expose Iran's corrupt political system through satire.
Just Access
A combination of international sanctions and mismanagement by the Iranian government are blamed for the current state of medical chaos in Iran.
JUST ACCESS by human rights organisation Arseh Sevom was one campaign launched to restore access to medication, humanitarian goods, and other non-sanctioned items for people living in Iran.
Global Voices recently reported on the medical situation in Iran by interviewing Iranians inside country.
Saving “Best Friends”
A non-governmental shelter for stray dogs, Pardis Animal Shelter, in Tabriz started its work at the end of October along with a virtual publicity campaign. Iran's authorities frown on dog ownership and dogs generally. On their Facebook page the shelter say they wish, “To be the voice and shelter for voiceless and defenseless creatures!”
Pardise animal shelter Facebook page


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Censorship, Prosecution Drive Exodus of Opinion Leaders from China’s Sina Weibo · Global Voices
Jack Hu

Screen capture of Sina Weibo message when a user opens a deleted page.
Famous law professor at Peking University He Weifang greeted his followers in the new year on Sina Weibo, China's most popular social media platform, with a goodbye message. The professor, who has often been attacked online for his support of constitution rights, is one of many opinion leaders who have fled the microblogging website since China has upped its censorship and prosecution efforts.
He wrote:
【祝新年】各位本微博之友：新年来临之际，谨表达真诚的祝福和感谢！三年里，你们给了我很多鼓励，从评论中我也学到不少新知。美好的交流让我在虚拟空间里寻觅到真实的情感。过去一年里，眼看着一个又一个我熟悉的博主从这里消失，心中不免怅然。于我，是将本微博告一段落的时刻了。再见！
[Wish you well in New Year] I express sincere wishes and thanks to Weibo friends with the coming of the new year! You have given me encouragement and I've learned plenty of new knowledge from your comments. Good communication lets me find true feelings in a virtual space. I've felt upset seeing some familiar accounts gradually disappear throughout the past year. So now it’s the time for me to call it quits with Weibo. Goodbye!
Popular citizen lawyer Yuan Yulai pitied He:
2014第一天，贺卫方说要告别微博。但愿只是一时的情绪宣泄。这年头，没微博，就是哑巴。尽量说些真话，是一种社会责任，同时也是一种生理需要。
Professor He said he plans to leave Weibo on the first day in 2014. I wish it’s just a temporary emotional response. Without Weibo, people would be dumber nowadays. Speaking the truth is a social responsibility and a physical need.
Fan Zhongxin, a law teacher, is also considering quitting Weibo:
【是否该休博？】微博敏感词与日俱增，删帖禁言销号日益严重，很多朋友退出微博，微博一片萧条肃杀，温和改良的声音越来越没有人愿意听。我是否也该退出了！新一年了，也许不该再耗时间在微博上费口舌，对国家和社会该做的且实际有益的事情太多了！
[Is it about time to quit Weibo?] Sensitive words are increasing, meanwhile the phenomena of deletion, censorship and banning user accounts are so common. Many friends have quit Weibo and gone silent. The atmosphere on Weibo is so chilling. Meanwhile, moderate voices and discussion of political transformation have received less and less responses. Should I quit Weibo as well? Facing a new year, maybe I shouldn't spend too much time talking on the platform. There are too many more effective things that I should do for the nation and for society.
China's crackdown on online “rumor-mongering”, widely seen as a movement to suppress criticism of the ruling Communist Party (CCP), has effectively silenced Weibo, with high-profile bloggers reining in sensitive posts for fear of detention. Since the launch of the nationwide campaign in August 2013, hundreds of people have been detained across the country on charges of libel or “inciting trouble” for posting unverified or critical information on Weibo.
In addition, China's top court fueled public fear by publishing a judicial interpretation in September that said users can be prosecuted for posting rumors seen by more than 5,000 people, or forwarded more than 500 times. The main target of the crackdown are liberal public opinion leaders, in particular, citizen right lawyers and activists, whose Weibo accounts have been banned or deleted.
Data by Weiboreach, a firm providing social media data analysis, showed the number of posts by influential microbloggers was on average 11.2 percent lower per day in August than it was earlier in the year.
Below is a list of prominent public opinion leaders who have been prosecuted and harassed in the past few months:
- Xu Zhiyong, an anti-corruption campaigner who has called for officials to disclose their wealth, was arrested in August and his account on Weibo was deleted.
- Wang Gongquan, an outspoken venture capitalist, was taken away by police in September on charges of disturbing public order after he helped lead a campaign for the release of another activist.
- Pu Zhiqiang, a citizen right lawyer, has seen his account in Weibo banned and he has to change his account names to publish posts.
Xu, Pu and Wang are all listed on Foreign Policy’s Global 100 Thinkers of 2013.
- Zhu Ruifeng, one of China's most prominent whistleblowers, discovered that authorities had deleted his four microblog accounts in July after he released a video of a district party chief in the southwestern city of Chongqing having sex with a mistress.
- Liu Hu, an investigative journalist who has accused deputy director of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce of dereliction of duty, was arrested on a charge of defamation in September, and his Weibo account removed.
- Zhang Lifan, a prominent scholar of modern Chinese history and outspoken critic of Mao Zedong, found that all of his microblogs and columns were removed simultaneously without warning or any tip-off on the same day the Third Plenum of the Communist Party ended.
- Zhang Xuezhong, a law associate professor in Shanghai critical of Marxism and excessive political infringement on judiciary, was forced to quit his job and lost his Weibo account.
- Zhang Qianfan, a constitutional law expert at Peking University and one of the leaders of the constitutionalist movement, also found that his account was deleted.
While the ruling party certainly gains an upper hand in the ideological battle, it is also slowly killing Sina Weibo, a tool to build trust among people. Chinese venture capitalist Wang Ran lamented the situation:
和微信上的各种爆料比，微博也快成新闻联播了。
In comparison with breaking news in WeChat, Weibo is turning into Central Television's National News Broadcast Program [party propaganda].
Popular online commentator and Sina Weibo administrator Old Xu proclaimed the coming death of Weibo:
微博成为新闻联播，那就离死不远了!
Weibo would be close to death when it becomes [state-owned] CCTV News!

author: Jack Hu


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‘China New York Times’? Welcome to Tycoon Chen Guangbiao’s Dream · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Chen Guangbiao, a Chinese billionaire with a penchant for performing dramatic acts of charity, claimed on December 31, 2013 that he was planning to buy the New York Times during his New Year's trip to the United States, despite the publisher's denials that the famed newspaper was up for sale.
The billionaire wrote in Chinese tabloid the Global Times that he is willing to spend his life savings on purchasing the New York Times and will reform the paper by improving its credibility and objectivity once the acquisition is completed.
Given his previous eccentric public performances, such as handing out 100 yuan (approximately 16 US dollars) paper bills on a Beijing street, or selling canned air online to buy the Diaoyu Islands, most Chinese people saw the news as another performance of the same kind.
Cartoonist D.S.X posted a caricature of Chen Guangbiao's attempt to acquire the giant media corporation.
In fact, it turns out Chen is not nearly rich enough to make a successful deal. Currently, Chen's wealth is worth one billion yuan (approximately 16 million US dollars), while the New York Times has a market value of 2.4 billion US dollars. When confronted with the finance question, Chen replied in his typical eccentric fashion that if he did not have enough money to buy the paper, he could buy a page [zh] which he would top with the banner “China New York Times”.
Back home, Chinese Web users joked about Chen's grandstanding and suggested that he buy local papers, such as the People's Daily or the Global Times, instead.
On Sina Weibo, China's popular microblogging website, Siling Ben, an artist, pointed out that Chen is a typical example of the bad behavior of China's riche nouveau:
陈光标轰轰烈烈的飞美国去了，标哥做事一向只为博眼球，感觉这次又是个新年笑料，而《纽约时报》回应不对谣言置评，不啻是一记耳光。 #司令点评#一个国家如果不能在基本价值观念方面与世界融合并提高国民的人文素养，钱再多也只能出产土豪土鳖和无厘头奇葩，在世界舞台不可能得到真正的尊重。
Chen Guangbiao made a big fuss and flew to the US. Such an eye-catching act is so typical of him. It is just a New Year's joke. The New York Times did not make any comment on the rumor. This is like a slap in the face to him. When a country cannot integrate with the world on some fundamental values and develop humanistic concern among its people, no matter how rich the country is, the wealthy act like thugs and royalty and cannot gain respect from others on the world's stage.
Weibo user “Big Bear” made a similar argument with more moderate tone:
陈光标做了许多慈善，这一点我无可厚非，令人敬佩，但这并不能掩盖他的无知和幼稚，试问纽约时报离开美国人自由的思想还是纽约时报吗？你是想谋杀它吗？
Chen Guangbiao has done much charity work, this is respectful. But his generosity could not cover up his ignorance, without the belief of American freedom, can the New York Times still be the New York Times?
Shanghai-based Weibo user Chen Jinguo re-posted an imagined conversation between Chen Guangbiao and the owner of the New York Times:
话说陈光标来到纽约，《纽约时报》老板与标哥谈判。问：“你是做什么的。”答：“我是收废品的，包括废铜、废铁还有废纸，废物利用。”问：“那你怎么想起收纽约时报了呢。”答：“废报纸我也收啊”。
The story started with Chen Guangbiao's arrival to New York City, and the negotiating between the owner of the New York Times and Chen began. Q: “What is your major business?” A: “Recycling, including copper, iron and paper, anything reusable.” Q: “Why do you want to buy the New York Times?” A: “I also recycle paper!”
Film critic Zhou Liming suggested Chen buy the White House instead:
我希望标哥直接收购白宫，然后让他的手下人轮流坐庄。收购成本可以靠卖门票回收。收购《纽约时报》，太小儿科了。
I wish Brother Biao would buy the White House instead. Then he could ask his men to sit at the entrance and sell tickets to cover the cost. Buying the New York Times is such a small deal.


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Christmas in the Puerto Rican Diaspora · Global Voices
Ángel Carrión

To mark the end of the “official” Christmas season in Puerto Rico, we share some links to the online magazine La Respuesta, which focuses on gathering the experience of the Puerto Rican diaspora in the United States, about some thoughts regarding Puerto Rican Christmas traditions by two authors living in the diaspora.
Yessenia Flores Díaz, in her post “Preparando para las Navidades en la Casa de Abuela,” remembers her Christmastime experiences during her childhood while growing up in Brooklyn, New York, when visiting her grandmother's apartment:
You can only imagine the energy inside my abuelita’s tiny two-bedroom apartment during this time of year, the beginning of Advent, when she received her offspring and their offspring and their offspring’s offspring.  My family is huge and to give you an idea, my dad is number 17 of 19 children born to Felix and Regina Flores (en paz descanse) in rural Puerto Rico […].  Yes, you read that correctly.  It is not a typo.  I come from a large, loving family.
Dorian Ortega, in her post “My Acculturatd Chrismas: An Introduction to Acculturated Stress and Cultural Buffers,” explains the ways that Puerto Rican immigrants have dealt with acculturated stress provoked by suddenly having to live in a culture quite different from theirs. One of thos ways is by holing on to their Christmas traditions:
Puerto Ricans have immigrated to the U.S. for over 60 years and for the first time in this century, outnumber the population in Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans continue to rank highest among Latina/os for mental illnesses and have experienced their share of acculturative stressors. However, studies show that a strong cultural identity and adaptability serve as great protective buffers. My family, like many others, have found ways to hold on to our traditions brought by our ancestors and adapted them for the generations raised in a country with both similar and conflicting values. The holidays have served as a way to relate to one another and bring peace, which helps in times of distress.


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Mass Resignations Within the Ruling Party of Burkina Faso · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

Morin Yamongba reports that 75 members (including former ministers) of the ruling party in Burkina Faso, Le Congrès pour la démocratie et le progrès (Congress for democracy and progress) have left the party to join the opposition [fr] because of alleged lack of plurality within the party. They also oppose the proposed amendment to the constitution that would allow the extension of the presidential mandate [fr]. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2015.

author: Lova Rakotomalala


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Moment of Truth for Puerto Rico’s Economy Looms on the Horizon · Global Voices
Ángel Carrión

Puerto Rico is currently going through one of the worst economic crises in its history. Its public debt reached $70 billion in 2013, an amount that is practically unpayable for the country. The severity of the problem has resulted in Puerto Rico being called “the Greece of the Caribbean” on several occasions.
In this context, Sergio Marxuach, Director of Public Policy for the Center for a New Economy (CNE), a non-partisan think tank dealing with topics related to Puerto Rico's economy, recently wrote an article published originally in the newspaper El Nuevo Día (The New Day) where he reflects [es] upon what awaits Puerto Rico in 2014:
Hemos visto cómo todo lo que parecía sólido en Puerto Rico —los bancos, la propiedad inmueble, la deuda gubernamental— se ha desvanecido en el aire, tal y como advirtiera Karl Marx en 1848. Esto no se debe a una situación coyuntural pasajera, o a que nuestros gobernantes no han sabido utilizar bien los poderes que supuestamente tienen. No. Esta crisis es mucho más profunda y va a requerir en este año que comienza que Puerto Rico tome decisiones de naturaleza moral y existencial.
We have seen how everything that appeared to be solid in Puerto Rico —the banks, real estate, and government debt— has vanished into thin air, just exactly as Karl Marx warned in 1848. This is not due to a passing economic situation, or to our government officials not knowing how to effectively utilize the powers that they supposedly have. No. This crisis is much deeper and it is going to force Puerto Rico to make both moral and existential decisions in the coming year.
The article by Marxuach has been republished on the CNE's webpage and in the online magazine 80 grados [es]. It has also been shared widely on social networks.