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Southeast Asia: Initiatives to Celebrate International Day of Peace · Global Voices
Chan Myae Khine

Various youth groups in Southeast Asia are initiating several activities to celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21. The campaign is timely and relevant since many countries in the region are troubled by long running civil wars, border disputes, and separatist movements.
Chip Huyen, a Vietnamese youth and avid traveller, discussed how travelling can promote peace:
I believe that mutual understanding is the key to peace, and traveling gives you the first hand experience to really understand the world around us. As we understand more, we judge less. As we judge less, we are more willing to accept, rather than to hate or to be afraid of, the difference. We will not hate somebody just because they are of different color, different religion, or different culture.
Promoting Peace in Mekong
Rithy from Cambodia believes that peace is more than just an absence of conflict:
Peace is not only one issue, Conflict or war, but it is also our daily problems such as environment, politic, religion, education, justice, especially the “Living Standard” of the people which we cannot deal only one problem and we said we have peaceful country.
Some believe that adults have to treasure the values of children for peace. Mueanfun Kongchuai from Creative Youth Group of Southern Thailand mentioned how we should respect the choices of kids.
All I want to achieve is to respect and treasure the children’s freedom of thought whenever they want to decide on their own and create learning on their own. Finally, you have to respect what children choose.
Nway Nway from Sittwe, Myanmar recited a poem titled “We are all for all” during the Myanmar Youth Conference 2012.
Why we still need to fight with each other?
Since we are living under the same sun…
Why we still need to discriminate each other?
Since we are surviving under the same moon…
Why we still need to keep the conflicts go on?
Since we are struggling under the same sky…
We are children of the world.
We are children of the nature…
Under the same umbrella of hope and peace…
Protecting ourselves from war and hatred….
So, we all are for all….
Living to learn and learning to lead….
Napalmjoy lauded the unity between young Muslims and Christians in Philippines at the Peace Tech Youth Ambassadors Assembly.
It was so heartwarming to see. It is so rare to see Muslims and Christians interacting here in the Philippines, much less interacting as friends and without prejudice. We might as well be living in two different countries when it comes to Manila and Mindanao. These are teens maturing with a mindset of peace. Growing up in a time where Muslim was a byword for fear, it is wonderful to see the next generation grow up wanting to bridge the gap that has divided my country so deeply that we’ve gone to war because of it.
‘Stop Wars Stand For PEACE’.  Flag-mob activities in ASEAN Youth Forum 2012, Cambodia. Photo from Myanmar Youth Campaign Facebook Page
Mekong Peace Journey, which focuses on building a culture of peace in the Mekong region, held a series of activities recruiting young peace ambassadors in Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. For example, CTEP4Peace organises the Cambodia Thai Exchange program annually which aims to create better understanding and mutual trust between the two countries. Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian Human Rights Studies Network (SEAHRN) organises the annual conference on Human Rights and Peace & Conflict in Southeast Asia. In Myanmar, the Peace Network demands a stop in the ongoing civil war.
Peace Generation from Indonesia is organizing a “Rainbow for Peace” movement which is a new initiative and the first movement in Indonesia supported by community youth from the Peace Generation Yogyakarta.
The International Day of Peace will be celebrated in 8 cities and provinces in Cambodia organised by the Working Group for Peace.
Yangon-based Voluntary Youth Network composed of 17 volunteer groups in Myanmar is planning to organise several peace activities[my] such as singing peace songs and distributing peace posters with the common slogan of “STOP Civil War”.
SGM (Soka Gakkai Malaysia) in Malaysia is also organizing an exhibition – “Building A Culture Of Peace For The Children Of The World” to support the United Nations’ Culture of Peace Initiative.


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Syria: Happy Birthday Bashar? · Global Voices
Thalia Rahme

This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011/12.
Syrians marked the birthday of President Bashar Al Assad, who turned 47, on September 11, 2012, in their own way. With the Syrian Revolution reaching its bloodiest peak, many netizens took to their keyboards wishing it would be his last birthday. Others wished him a long life, a safety for Syria.
Mixed Wishes
Saloom links between September 11 attacks and Al Assad's birthday [ar]:
#ذكرى_11سبتمبر و #عيد_ميلاد_الاسد ! بيوم واحد !!! يا ناس هاي مؤامرة كونية !! العمى !! #بشار_الاسد #سوريا
@Saloom_27 The anniversary of September 11 attack and Bashar's birthday!!! Folks, this this a universal conspiracy!!!
Free Didi from Syria wonders:
@Kdana64: Is it quiet in #Damascus today cuz they are preparing for the celebrations of #Bashar's birthday? #MeWondering
And like many, Issam hope this will be the Syrian dictator's last birthday:
@Issam510: Today's Bashar's #Assad Birthday, I wish hem to be his last one #سوريا
Sheahana wishes are also not so happy [ar]:
اللهم اجعلها آخر الشموع التي يطفأها في حياته ،فكم ميلاد اطفأ شموعه #عيد_ميلاد_الاسد
@Sheahanaaa: Oh Lord! Make those the last candles he blows in his life!!! How many birthday has he extinguished?
Mohra – Wail (Foal and Gazelle) shares the same view [ar]:
كل عاام وانت بخيرر وشعبك ينزف ؟! اطفي شمعتك اليوم يابشار !! فهذي اخر الشموع التي تحرقها على ظهر شعبك
Lebanese Heba Bendak tweets:
@HebaBendak: I wonder how bashar is gonna celebrate his birthday. hmm his men will probably rape more women and kill more children as his b-day gift.
Last year, YouTube user syrianguy2020 uploaded a video to mark the occasion where he sings Bloody Birthday to Bashar:
But the Syrian President also had many supporters who wished him a long life, like Katia, for example:
@imSMKT: oh btw, today is #Syrian President Dr. Bashar's birthday :D happy birthday our leader~ God bless you and helps you bring this land to safety
Mary Aswad, a Syrian based in Germany, also extends her wishes:
@mary_aswad happy birthday to the greatest president, bashar al assad!
And Marco Al Tamimi, from Dubai, shares a prayer [ar]:
#عيد_ميلاد_الاسد عيد ميلادك اتى واعداءك قد سحقوا تحت بساطيل جيش سورية الباسل. عيد ميلادك اتى ومعارضيك يرفعون لك القبعه لصمودك لحب الشعب لك
@MarcoTamimi: This is your birthday and your enemies were crushed under the fleet of the courageous Syrian Army. This is your birthday and your opponents are raising their hats off to your resistance and for how much your people love you
On one of pro-Bashar Facebook pages we can see this banner dedicated especially to the occasion:
A pro-Assad page on Facebook marks his birthday with a banner
The caption reads:
They said today's a feast. Flowers are covering Damascus. I told them this is not any celebration. It is the birthday of the cherished, the Lion (Assad of Damascus)
This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011/12.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Thalia Rahme


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Syria: The Revolution through the Designs of Wissam Al Jazairy · Global Voices
Thalia Rahme

This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011/12.
The Syrian revolution has inspired many artists, writers, painters, directors and photographers. It has awakened the genie that was sleeping in many innovative Syrians, who are showcasing their work online.
The result is an amazing bouquet of photographs, paintings, songs and poems that depict not only the struggles and suffering of the Syrian people but also their high hopes and aspirations for a free and democratic country.
Wissam Al Jazayri is a young Syrian graphic designer, who uses his blog and Facebook page to contribute in his own pacific way to the revolution.
He tells Global Voices:
I decided to work for the revolution, following the storming of Al Omari Mosque in Daraa in April 2011. I tried to resort to Metaphysics to express my ideas, in order to reach the unconscious mind rather than the traditional and ordinary political design.
Wissam's activism has not been an easy mission for him. He has received various threats and he is wanted by the Syrian regime. He is currently staying in an anonymous place, while his parents have fled Syria to ensure their safety.
Below are some of his designs, all posted with his permission and can be found on his Facebook Page or on his website.
Revolution is a women, so do liberate yourself
Bread and Human being in the land of death
In the memory of Ghayath Matar
Dancers in the Dooms of a dictator
Freedom for all Syrian Artists
The Labour of Freedom
The revolution is a conflict between the past and the future
Requiem for a Dream
Life Does Not Stop
The Last Wish
This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011/12.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Not “Moving On” from Section 34 · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago advised earlier this week that the country should “move on” from the Section 34 debacle; contrary to his request, thousands of citizens marched against the betrayal of trust and bloggers are refusing to let the issue go.
aka_lol retorted:
Despite countless wishes and prayers from Anand, Hubert and Jack the population will not be moving on from Section 34 simply because this trio are the ones who should be moving on. What these politicians don’t realize or what they fear is that Section 34 is like a ham bone, the more you boil it the better the soup taste.
Quoting Friedrich Nietzsche [“I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you”], the blogger continued:
What is now a thick plot in public’s mind is that this Government never intended to move the country forward but to help criminals get a better grip around the people’s necks and balls. And speaking of balls, if the Prime Minister doesn’t act with…haste on this matter then the population will understand why criminals are held in such high esteem by the Government and why we must be very afraid of every action by this ruling force.
Plain Talk added:
Make no mistake, this whole Section 34 fiasco was not just a cluster-screw-up of epic proportions nor ‘novel-esque’ fiction brought to life, but a real tale of seedy conspiracy involving men of ill repute who, besides having multiples of matters before local courts for bid rigging and corruption are also wanted internationally to answer questions relating to money laundering. How this comes to be associated with Ministers of government and an alleged attempt to pervert the course of justice using the nation's legislature and some of the highest Offices in the land is destined to make for some gripping reading and I daresay we are in for quite a ride before we get to the back of this book.
The blogger, Phillip Alexander, also focused attention on the inadequate response of the government to the controversy:
Caught in arguably the most ignoble of pursuits and instead of simply coming straight with the people they swore to serve impartially and fair, the AG and crew seem to have opted instead for accelerating out of the skid by adding arrogance and bluster to the already swirling mass of conjecture that has many of the citizens of this country spitting mad…the Attorney General straddled the nation's Parliament…and went off on a righteous misdirecting tirade seemingly bent on putting the whole Section 34 matter if not at the feet of the opposition then at least on the entire Parliament itself in an attempt to make the matter go away…
Alexander also had questions for the Minister of Justice:
Did he really expect to throw a cat among the pigeons and that things would proceed quietly? Why aren't his stories adding up? Who else was in the loop? Was the Prime Minister involved? What exactly did she know and when? The irony in all of this is that the same people who were treated with such scant  respect may have the final say, and I daresay should not contemplate judgement or attach consequence until we have learned the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Meanwhile, The Eternal Pantomime dedicated an entire post to reminding people how the Minister of Justice “entered local politics” – one local newspaper suggested that he may “have been making arrangements for his entry into politics while he was still on the Bench”:
It appears that his appearance as a political candidate caused problems and concerns for many in the legal fraternity. Volney in a 24-hr time frame resigned from the judiciary and showed up at Rienzi Complex for a candidacy screening the same afternoon….and the UNC, that party with firm ethical and moral resolve embraced Volney as a candidate.
The blogger, Rhoda Bharath, continued:
For the last 2.5 years I thought Volney a colossal waste of time. Wondered why this Ministry of Justice had been created.  Then last week, Anand Ramlogan and Herbert Volney’s appointments began to make sense.  Ramlogan, who during the Manning era had portrayed himself as the people’s champion in his weekly newspaper columns, all of a sudden, seemed less enraptured with helping the people and more tied up doing nothing.  The AG, it turns out, would be Volney’s chief assistant in getting the Bill piloted through both the Lower and Upper Houses.  It seems that for all Volney’s loose cannon behaviour since the campaign trail, here is a man who understands our judicial system so well that he figured out precisely how to dismantle a decade-long case by the state against a group of persons with just one clause…
She made a link between the would-be effects of the Piarco defendants walking free and the country's attempted coup in 1990:
The country, I suspect, would have gone into melt down mode or just become completely catatonic…you see, what a lot of politicians just aren’t getting is that Ish, Steve and the Gang walking free is actually akin to the Muslimeen 114 walking free. The nation went into shock after that verdict, and then it went into a social decline.
The post also called for the resignation of both the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General:
It is pretty apparent to everyone that is Kamla and them pass the bill…and it looks like they passed the bill to aid the legal cases of the Piarco Perps. There seems to be no other reason for enacting Clause 34 so soon.
The evidence is stacked up:
1. We know that Volney piloted the Bill with the help of Ramlogan.
2. We know that Volney presented one version of Section 34 to the Lower House and a different version to the Upper House with the help of Ramlogan
3. We know that Volney promised to implement all structures and frameworks before proclaiming the Bill and then reneged on that promise to Parliament.
4. We know that Volney requested that the Bill be proclaimed and then the Cabinet met and in a cloak-and-dagger fashion had the Bill proclaimed by the president while the population was distracted with Independence celebrations.
In short, members of Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s Government appear to have conspired to hoodwink the population of Trinidad and Tobago
If Volney and Ramlogan don’t go…then the Parliament should be dissolved!
Plain Talk summed up the entire situation this way:
It appears that the only thing that we know with absolute clarity and certainty beyond a shadow of a doubt at this point in time is that the people of this country are held in the highest contempt by at least the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice if not the entire United National Congress and their co-conspirators in government.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Tunisia: In Defense (sort of)  of French Weekly on the Muhammad Cartoons · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

As the French ministry of foreign affairs decided to temporary shut down 20 embassies [fr] after the publication of Muhammad Cartoons by French weekly Charlie Hebdo,  Linda Doufari in Nawaat takes a nuanced defense [fr] of the magazine. Doufari argues that although the decision is on par with the low level quality of journalism that the weekly has proven so far, it is necessary for the weekly to publish the cartoon in order to prove that it still is somewhat relevant, a difficult task for any media these days.

author: Lova Rakotomalala


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Venezuela: Discussion and Debate on the Road to Election Day · Global Voices
Laura Vidal

This post is part of our special coverage Venezuela Elections 2012.
With the battle for the presidency less than a month away, the conversation on the internet concerning the upcoming election on October 7 has intensified and multiplied. The conversation online highlights the separation between the visions incumbent Hugo Chávez and opponent Henrique Capriles have for the future of their country. As has become customary in recent years in Venezuela and its blogosphere, everyone is taking their side while pointing fingers at the other.
In the weeks leading up to the election, those supporting the government and those who are hoping that October will mark the end of Chávez's 14 year run will continue to debate challenges and concerns. The following statements serve to bring us as close as possible to an understanding of the complexities that remain hidden behind a division that, on the surface, only has two sides.
President Hugo Chávez visits Petare during his campaign for the presidential elections on October 7, 2012. Photo courtesy of Jesus Gil, copyright Demotix.
Carlos Balladares, author of the blog Venezuela y su Historia [es] (Venezuela and its History), warns us what's at stake in these elections. He argues that reflection is necessary and that the questions cannot stop at a simple description of the government's performance.
No hay que ver cifras simplemente [Hay que] salir a la calle y vivir este país, especialmente en sus ciudades que es donde se desarrolla la mayor parte de la Venezuela actual. […] ¿Hay menos crímenes, en especial los que se cometen contra las personas? ¿Los crímenes son menos violentos en general? ¿Hay más empleos con buenos sueldos? ¿Hay menos inflación? ¿Hay más industrias y progreso económico en general? ¿Dependemos menos del petróleo? ¿Hay menos barrios (zonas populares con viviendas informales)? […] ¿Las ciudades son más humanas? ¿Hay menos tráfico? ¿Hay más armonía entre los venezolanos o más odios? ¿En general los venezolanos (especialmente los jóvenes) quieren vivir en su país o preferirían emigrar a otro?
You cannot just look at the figures [You must] go out on the street and live in this country, especially in the cities where today's Venezuela is developing. […] Is there less crime, especially those committed between people? Are crimes generally less violent? Are there more jobs with better pay? Has there been a decrease in inflation? Has there been a growth in industry and economic progress in general? Are we depending less on petroleum? Are there less barrios (working class neighborhoods with makeshift housing)? […] Are the cities more humane? Is there less traffic? Is there more harmony among Venezuelans or more hatred? In general, do Venezuelans (especially the youth) want to live in their native country or would they rather emigrate to another?
Antonio Aponte, on the other hand, extends a reflection [es] concerning the challenges he has faced and those that the Bolivarian Revolution still confronts:
La Revolución Bolivariana tiene el difícil reto de ser pacífica y de desarrollarse en un mundo donde el capitalismo campea casi unánime, sin el ejemplo de otra manera de vivir que emocione, en medio de un pavoroso manto cultural que sofoca cualquier pretensión de insurgencia contra el capitalismo. Se desprende que la Revolución , aunque pacífica en su accionar, requiere de un drástico rompimiento con lo viejo, que debe ocurrir primero en el alma de los revolucionarios.
The Bolivarian Revolution faces the difficult challenge of being peaceful and developing in a world where capitalism abounds almost unanimously, without an example of another way to live that moves and excites people, amid a frightening cultural cloak that suffocates any desire for insurgency against capitalism. It becomes evident that the Revolution, although pacifist in its actions, requires a drastic break from the old, which should start first in the soul of the revolutionaries.
In the post “Capriles no puede” [es] (Capriles Can't) we see Aponte's views on the opposing candidate, Henrique Capriles Radosnki. Aponte sees Capriles as someone incapable of carrying out what are considered necessary changes.
Capriles capitalista, no puede, no tiene albedrío propio para hacer algo distinto a los intereses de los capitalistas, lo que significa que tendrá que poner el país al servicio de los intereses del gran capital internacional. Ya lo sabemos, no es necesario leer su programa, el que niegan, es suficiente revisar su historia: miembros de “tradición, familia y propiedad”, organización de fanáticos fascistas, motores del golpe de abril que revocó los poderes públicos y a la Constitución que ahora hipócritamente les parece muy buena y dicen defender, mostró odio hacia Cuba, atacó a la OPEP [Organización de Países Exportadores de Petróleo].
Capitalist Capriles, cannot, does not have the will to do anything against the capitalists’ interests, which means that he will place the country at the beck and call of international capital and its interests. We already know it, we do not need to read his agenda, which they deny, it's sufficient to review his history: members of “tradition, family, and property”, an organization of fanatic fascists, driving forces for the April coup that revoked public powers and the Constitution that now hypocritically seems great and something to defend, demonstrating hate towards Cuba, attacking OPEC [Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries].
Henrique Capriles Radonski in Caracas during his presidential campaign. Photo courtesy of Jesus Gil, copyright Demotix.
Among those holding countdowns to the elections is José Hernández, from the blog Textos y Anexos [es] (Texts and Appendixes). Apart from the countdown, this blog shares figures and articles that, according to its author, support the cause of Henrique Caprilles over that of Hugo Chávez.
Despite the tendency to argue one viewpoint, there are opinions that present both sides. In the case of blogger Petrusco, his vision comes from the center. Using this approach, and to conclude, we refer to the observations made by Petrusco [es], who notes that no matter who wins, there are major risks that should be taken into account:
De ganar Capriles eso significaría un importante retroceso para el país. Sin duda el plan de quienes promueven y pagan esta candidatura es el de retomar lo que estaba sucediendo aquí hasta 1998, en términos económicos, políticos y sociales. Contarían para ello con el apoyo facturado de los medios de comunicación, los cuales manejarían, con su acostumbrada habilidad, un coco perfecto para asustar a la oposición: aquel de que en el chavismo “todo era peor”.
A win for Capriles would signify a serious move backwards for the country. Undoubtedly, those who promote and pay for this candidacy have a plan to retake what has been happening here since 1998, in economic, political and social terms. To do so, they would count on the billed support of the media, which would operate, in line with its customary skill, as a perfect boogeyman to scare away the opposition: that in Chavismo “everything was worse”.
Speaking towards Chávez he adds:
De ganar Chávez eso significaría un peligroso estancamiento para el país. El encontrarse con que han sido reafirmados en el poder, luego de 14 largos años, sería entendido por muchos funcionarios malos, mediocres o corruptos que hacen vida bajo la etiqueta del chavismo, como una señal de que lo que están haciendo está bien y por lo tanto no necesita ser cambiado.
A win for Chávez would signify a dangerous stagnation for the country. For many poor, mediocre or corrupt officials who have lived under the label of Chavismo, finding that they have been reaffirmed in their position of power, after 14 long years, would be ill-understood as a sign that what they are doing is okay and therefore, nothing needs to change.
Petrusco writes in a final reflection:
Elegiremos entre dos grandes riesgos: retroceder o estancarnos. A menos que suceda el milagro, deseado por todos, de que nuestros políticos y empresarios dejen de comportarse y actuar como siempre lo han hecho desde que en estas tierras existe algo llamado “democracia”.
We will choose between two huge risks: reverse or stagnate. Barring a miracle, one that everyone is hoping for, that our politicians and businessmen stop behaving and acting as they always have since something called “democracy” exists in these lands.
This post is part of our special coverage Venezuela Elections 2012.

author: Laura Vidal


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Anniversary Interview with Occupy Wall Street Movement Activist · Global Voices
Juliana Rincón Parra

This post is part of our special coverage #Occupy Worldwide.
David DeGraw, one of the early participants of the 99% movement has explained about the birth and development of the Occupy Wall Street protest in a one year anniversary video (the first interview he has given in six months).
Interviewed by Cenk Uygur for the TV program ‘The Young Turks’, he touches on the emergence of the movement, the organization's pitfalls, how hard it was to unify such a diverse group people, the expectations to have him become a spokesperson of a leaderless organization, and also the triumphs of the movement.
As quoted by AmpedStatus.org, the 99% media outlet was what opened a new generation's eyes to see that they could make a change:
This is about empowering a new generation to be leaders, to be engaged. […] We have millions of people engaged in creating change that were not engaged and creating change a year ago. […] Occupy globally is the big bang of humanity’s next phase of evolution. It created this wild new ecosystem of mass transformation. Millions of people turned on, let out of the propaganda cage. The first step is that you have to open the prison door so people can come flying out and realize that we can change things. You say another world is possible. Now, another world is happening.
For the future, there is the need to get money to fund the movement, but DeGraw is quite closed about what the next big step will be. On his tumblr blog, he speaks about the evolution of the movement and where it should be going in the future:
It’s time to flip the protest script »
Instead of protesting what we are against, let’s rally around what we are for.
We need to occupy & amplify the solutions. Let’s occupy the forces that are evolving our society to a sustainable and prosperous future, for the 100%.
Let’s hold rallies around successful alternative monetary systems, alternative energy, alternative education, alternative media, alternative food, alternative healthcare, alternative systems of governance.
This post is part of our special coverage #Occupy Worldwide.

author: Juliana Rincón Parra


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What’s the Verdict on Uganda@50 Independence Song? · Global Voices
James Propa

Uganda gained its independence on 9 October, 1962, making it 50 years independent this year. Many activities are going on around the country, and because music is part and parcel of national culture – and one of the fastest growing industries in the country – there had to be an official celebration song.
Yoga Yoga (meaning ‘congratulations’ in Luganda) is the official song that features Ugandan artists including Esther Nabaasa, Ruyonga, Barbara Kayaga, Hum Kay and Richard Kaweesa. You can listen to the song below or download it here.
Many Ugandans came out and commented on the song via social media platforms, some of them praising the song while others saying it neither represents all Ugandans nor Ugandan culture:
Javie Ssozi thinks the song has great vocals:
@jssozi : Celebrating #Uganda50 in Style – The theme song #YogaYoga is super vocal.. http://soundcloud.com/thenewvision/official-jubilee-song …
Rosebell Kagumire (a Global Voices contributor) thinks the song is great:
@rosebellk: And here is the Theme Song as #Uganda celebrates 50 years of Independence. Great one! ‘Yoga Yoga’ http://soundcloud.com/thenewvision/official-jubilee-song …
Uganda at 50 logo. Image source: Uganda at 50 Facebook page.
Patrick Mugumya thinks the song is good but wonders why it has a repetitious name and thinks its not very groovy:
@mugumya: Got two problems with the Jubilee Song #YogaYoga: 1. Name (why name it twice) 2. It aint too groovy (danceable). Otherwise its cool
Tusiime K Samson thinks the song sounds too foreign:
@Samwyri : Gerald Kiwewa RT @primagaba: This #YogaYoga song is foreign!! even the accents were purchased on some foreign tarmac! #LooksforRonaldMayinja
Mark Keith Muhumuza thinks the song sounds more South African than Ugandan:
@mumakeith: The#yogayoga song sounds like it is from South Africa. Especially the Chorus… Its a good song but just doesn't feel like #Uganda@50
Commenting on a story at the New Vision website, Rodgers criticizes the opposition for opposing every government move including the song, however useful the move might be:
It’s unfortunate that we have a group of Ugandans that will oppose everything that comes to their mind. Style up guys, opposition does not mean opposing everything. Good work from those talented Ugandans, who know what to do at the right time.
Reacting to the same story, Francis notes that the song is good to listen to, but is not motivational:
While the song is good to listen to , it does not , provoke or motivate jubilation. If we need a Jubilation song, musicians have to go back to the drawing bard. It should be a song that most Ugandans will associate with.When the jubilation song is played, it should not leave any one seated. Check how songs like Hakuna Matata, Wipolo or We go We go or the World cup songs change the atmosphere when played. However, the song should be able to appeal even beyond the borders of Uganda. Let musicians compose songs and Ugandans choose the one they feel should be a jubilee song.
Ugandan Economic Monitoring State Minister, Henry Banyenzaki, launched the song in Kampala at the Independence Monument on 5 September 2012.

author: James Propa


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Bullying in a Networked Era: A Literature Review · Global Voices
Solana Larsen

A new report aims to help parents, educators, caregivers find answers.
Bullying in a Networked Era by the Youth and Media team at The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University finds that the characteristics of online and offline youth bullying are very similar. What can be done?

author: Solana Larsen


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China: Are Overloaded Vehicles to Blame for Harbin Bridge Collapse? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

On August 24, 2012, a highway bridge in Harbin city in China's Heilongjiang province suddenly collapsed, leaving three dead and five injured. Yesterday the investigation report came out which stated that the collapse was caused by overloaded vehicles.
It seems that no one believes in the so-called expert report, but first of all, let's take a look at the video taken by citizen eyewitnesses soon after the bridge collapsed:
http://youtu.be/hpoblLaNIuo
Local media outlets pointed out that in the past ten years there have been more than 85 news reports [zh] about collapsed bridges. Some netizens have pointed out that this fact is related to corruption in the construction tendering process.
Truth digger's micro-blog post [zh] about construction tenders has been re-posted more than 21,600 times in 3 weeks:
【不垮是奇迹】大桥由国家投资18亿公开招标，中标的不会建桥，也没能力建桥，以15亿转包；承包的也不会建桥，以12亿转包；转承包的也不会建桥，以10亿转包；承包的有能力建桥，可是10亿不够啊，于是拿1亿来贿赂工程监理，1亿收买验收部门，7亿来建桥，赚1亿。桥不垮，诞生一个人类建筑史上的奇迹。
[It would be a miracle if the bridge did not collapse] Let's say the central government invests RMB 1.8 billion [approximately USD 1.2 billion] for bridge construction. The company that wins the tender does not know how to build the bridge and contracts it out with a RMB 1.5 billion bid to a sub-contractor; the sub-contractor does not know how to build the bridge and contracts it out again with a RMB 1 billion bid. Finally the sub-sub-contractor knows how to build the bridge but RMB 1 billion is not enough. So it spends RMB 0.1 billion to bribe the quality control officials, another 0.1 billion to bribe the quality verification department. Eventually it spends 0.7 billion on building the bridge while making 0.1 billion profit. If the bridge remains sound and safe, this would be a architectural miracle in human history.
Without addressing the real problem, even the official media outlet People Daily questioned [zh] the so-called expert report in its micro-blog comment:
【微评论：事故调查要回应“百姓常识”】同样是超载，为何轮胎和车架没事儿，桥却塌了；同样是大桥，为何卢沟桥承重430吨，哈尔滨高架桥却无法承受420吨？群众的常识或许未必科学，但既然是调查通报，既然为了惩前毖后，就要回应常识，而非自说自话，笼统给出“各项指标均符合设计要求”的结论。
[Micro comment: The investigation should answer to people's common sense] If it is overloading, how come the tyres and the bodies of the vehicles remained intact while the bridge collapsed. How come Macro-Polo bridge could support up to 430 tons of weight while the Harbin bridge could not support 420 tons of weight? People's common sense may not be scientific. But if the investigative report is to prevent future disasters from happening, it has to address people's questions rather than putting the investigation in abstract terms like “all indications showed that the construction is up to standard requirement of the design”.
More than 1,400 micro-bloggers joined the discussion on the People's Daily's comment thread:
木木山风oliver：就算我缺乏常识都能看出来问题, 专家是被”招安”了的, 连说句真话都不敢?
oliver: Even though I am not very knowledgable, I can still see the problem. The experts have surrendered and dare not to speak the truth.
小白杨514341：几辆车造成的超载，假如不超载但是塞车呢？？？几百辆车。。。不敢想象
514341: A few vehicles had resulted in the overloading. What if in the case of traffic jam when there are hundreds of vehicles on the bridge at the same time… what would have happened?
rocky的小围脖￼：笑话！既然“各项指标均符合设计要求”,而现在桥又塌了，那就应该追究设计单位的责任！调查组并不缺少专业知识，缺少的是直面问题的勇气！
rocky: This is a joke! If it is really the fact that “all indications showed that the construction is up to standard requirement of the design”, now that the bridge collapsed, the responsibility should lie with the design unit. The investigation team has so many experts in it, but they lack the courage to speak the truth.
韩飞1985sunshine：现在是怎么回事？桥塌了怪车，车坏了怪路不好？政府部门吃屎的？为何处这种结论？当人民群众是傻子？
1985sunshine: What happen to our country? Blame the vehicles for the collapsed bridge? So if the vehicles broke down, should we blame the road? The government department are good for nothing? How can they accept this kind of conclusion? They see people as idiots?
小黄的树洞：把责任全推给死者，受害车辆变成肇事车辆，他的桥倒是无瑕可寻，无耻无下限。
Tree cave: Blaming the dead ones for the incidents, the victims have become the trouble bearers. There is nothing wrong with the perfect bridge, what can be more shameless than such conclusion?
一塌糊涂两眼泪：由此可见！反对贪腐比所谓爱国保岛更重要！否则，人民将无一寸土地，无任何权利！
shedding: Now we can see anti-corruption is more important than the protect Diaoyu Island act [refering to tension between China and Japan over the disputed Diaoyu Islands]. Or else people won't have any rights in our homeland.
纵横四海6263：派100辆超载车去日本，破坏他们的交通体系
Four seas 6263: Let's send 100 vehicles to Japan and collapse their transportation systems.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Return of Maoists in Anti-Japan Protests Brings Anxiety · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Maoist protesters became a major spectacle in the series of anti-Japanese protests in China that took place between September 15 – 18, 2012, with Chairman Mao's portraits and nostalgic slogans praising the nation's founder standing out in the crowds.
To many intellectuals the Maoists’ return to the Chinese political scene carries the bitter memories of the rounds and rounds of political campaigns and prosecutions, such as the Cultural Revolution, in Chinese history. That's why the incident of an 80-year-old man being beaten up by a Maoist Professor Han Deqiang during the rally in Beijing on September 18, has caught a lot of attention on Chinese micro-blogging platforms in the past few days.
Maoist leftists in the anti-Japan protests
Lao Ye shared [zh] his observations in his micro-blog about the return of Maoists in the anti-Japan Rally in Beijing:
The Maoist protesters stood out in the anti-Japan rally with their red banner and Chairman Mao's portraits. Photos from Lao Ye on Weibo.
【从“小平您好”到“毛主席，人民好想您”】9月18日，北京学生和群众举行抗曰游荇。毛泽东的画像和标语异乎寻常的多。有学生打着“毛主席，人民好想您”的横幅。84年学生打着“小平您好”的横幅，曾作为历史的一个标志。但是今天，没有看到任何人举邓的画像或标语。这种变化值得关注
[From “Xiaoping Nihao” to “Chairman Mao, People really miss you”] On September 18, among the Beijing students and mass demonstrators, quite a number of them were holding Mao's portraits and banners. One of the most popular banners was “Chairman Mao, people really miss you”. Back in 1984 students were holding “Xiaoping nihao”. The banner had become a historical sign of a new era [economic reform]. Today, we can't see anyone holding Deng's portraits or slogans. Such change has some implications.
Incidentally, a drama happened during the rally in Beijing. While the Maoist protesters were chanting “Chairman Mao, people really miss you”, an 80-year-old anti-Japan protester yelled at them: “Miss my ass!”
One of the protesters beat up the old man and called him a “traitor”. A blogger later identified [zh] the attacker to be Han Deqiang, a famous Chinese nationalist and founder of Maoist website “Utopia“, who teaches at the Beihang University in Beijing.
Later, an aggressive statement [zh] written by Han was circulated widely in many blogs and forums:
我一向反對打人，一向主張和平說理。但是，遇到不講理的人，遇到造謠、誹謗、污蔑開國領袖，破壞中國人民團結，給日本當漢奸的人，我忍無可忍，不能再忍！寧可為此被拘留，也不能讓這等漢奸放肆、猖獗！…… 在群情激憤聲討小日本、想念毛主席的游行隊伍中，不容許出現這種明目張膽的漢奸言論。今後如果在游行隊伍中遇到這樣的漢汗，該出手是我還會出手！犯了法的，我認罪伏法，但絕不認錯。
Usually I am against violence and pro rational and peaceful discussion. But when confronted with someone unreasonable, who makes defamatory remarks to our nation's founder with the intention to destroy Chinese people's unity and to serve the Japanese interest as traitor, I could not remain silent. I would rather be arrested than letting them showing off and creating a scene… This rally is an occasion to protest against little Japan and to remember Chairman Mao, I would not allow the presence of such outrageous traitor's talk. If I come across this again in future rally, I would do the same thing. I broke the law, I would accept its rule. But I would never apologize.
You may find it surprising that quite a number of netizens have actually expressed their supports for Han [zh]:
@张宏良：【支持韩德强正义之举，坚决打击汉奸】全世界所有国家都有捍卫信仰自由的权利，美国一部影片侮辱了伊斯兰的信仰，形成世界反美风暴。为什么唯独中国人民没有信仰自由？没有信仰毛主席的自由？没有捍卫自己信仰的自由？为什么专门立法允许任意侮辱毛主席？而人民群众却没有任何捍卫自己信仰的法律权利？
Zhang Hongliang: [Support Han Deqiang's just action in cracking down on the traitor without hesitation] Every country has rights to defend their religion. The American film that insulted Islamic belief has resulted in waves of anti-US protests. Why only in China don't we enjoy religious freedom? Why can't we have the freedom to believe in Chairman Mao? And the right to defend our beliefs? How can we allow the law to give liberty to those people who insult Chairman Mao? While people don't have the legal rights to defend their beliefs?
天马101：红潮的来临，摧毁了一切妄想变色中国的阴谋破产。美国及一切国内西奴走狗妄图在中国的阿拉伯自由之春没有迎来。却迎来了一场一切反动派谈之色变的毛泽东思想大潮。这不是以他们意志为转移的，人民向往的春天之风使他们始料不及！也一定会让那些过高估计中国汉奸西奴力量的外国势力重新评价中国人民！
Tianma101: The red wave has destroyed the conspiracy that attempted to change China. The United States and its slaves in China attempted to bring the Arabic Spring to China but what they see now is a big wave of Maoist thought returning and the anti-revolutionaries’ faces have turned pale. Such a wave cannot be changed with their will. People have created their own spring. This would make the foreign powers re-evaluate the influence of their slaves in China.
汪海林：事实上，近年来毛左被捕被禁言的不少，一有机会依旧上街公开打出旗帜和画像，这种勇气是yy公知所不能比的，敢于上街亮出身份并表达自己政治观点，是脱离键盘党和嘴炮党的必经之路。
Wang Hailin: The fact is in the past few years, many Maoist opinions have been repressed and censored. It is thus very courageous for them to take the opportunity and bring their banners and Mao's portraits to rally in the streets. To express one's opinion in the street is a concrete step [of action] rather than mere online talking.
Of course there are also opinions against the aggressive Maoists; below is a selection of skeptical voices [zh]:
范晓杨：与日本的军国主义相比，毛左给中国带来的危害更大，更值得我们警惕
Fan Xiaoyang: When compared with Japanese militarism, the harm that Maoist Leftists have brought to China is much bigger. We have to be aware of this.
伯林2011：毛时代让中国人的智力、道德以及整个社会的文明水准都急剧倒退，可以说是前所未有的野蛮时代。然而在这几天的闹剧之中，仍只有毛式语言能堂而皇之的粉墨登场。乌有等网站虽曾被封，但毛左的言论自由度依然很大，他们可以公然叫嚣杀汉奸，公开打人，相比之下，自由派则备受打压，文明和民意不能上街。
Berlin2011: During Mao's era, the intelligence and morality of the society and civilization was regressing rapidly. We can even say that we entered a dark age of barbarianism. In the past few days, only the Maoists could appear in the protest scenes. Even though Utopia had been blocked several times, Maoist Leftists enjoy freedom of speech to a large extent. They could call out loud for the killing of traitors and even beat up people. On the other hand, the liberal is repressed. They could not express their ideas in the rally.
张林峰微博￼：【政治生态】2012是毛左势力走向衰落的开始。毛左势力将呈现极端化、暴力化与边缘化特征。他们也即将迎来内部分化的阶段。
Zhang Lifeng: [Political ecology] The Maoist leftists are losing their power in 2012. That's why they have become so extreme, violent and marginalized. They will probably have internal conflict and will spilt up soon.


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China, US: Anti-Japan Protesters Stop Ambassador’s Vehicle  · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

A YouTube video uploaded by Weiwei Ai shows how a group of Chinese anti-Japan demonstrators stopped United States Ambassador Gary Locke's vehicle at the back of the US embassy to protest against America's foreign policy. Above is a screen capture of the moment.


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China: Writer said “I am a Traitor” · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Sijia Song from Tea Leaf Nation has translated a Chinese prominent writer, Li Chengpeng's latest blogpost: “Confessions of a Traitor”. The post has received more than 200,000 views and 19,000 comments in less than two days on Sina Weibo.


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Japan: Film Festival to Celebrate Peace Day · Global Voices
Keiko Tanaka

On Peace Day, 21 September, the UNITED FOR PEACE FILM FESTIVAL 2012 will be held in Yokohama, Japan. Students from around the globe have entered five minute videos – watch some now.
Here's the ‘Story of the Snowman‘ finalist; you can watch the other videos of the ten finalists here.

author: Keiko Tanaka


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Japan: Fukushima Nuclear Cleanup Worker Dangers Revealed · Global Voices
Keiko Tanaka

This post is part of our special coverage Japan Earthquake 2011.
Japan's new online citizen media site 8bit news uploaded a video [ja] on 18 September, 2012, by Tetsuya Hayashi, who unexpectedly found himself working as a cleanup worker at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
He had applied for a job entitled ‘Backup Logistics Support’, but actually found himself on the front line, exposed to high doses of radiation amounting to 1 mSv per minute.
One of the key stories of Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster was the damage sustained to the coastal power station.
The video [ja – now made private] explains the terrible condition of workers in Fukushima Daiichi (see below for English):
18、19の未成年も含め、放射線作業の知識や経験もない素人集団が、十分な教育も受けられないまま、経歴を詐称させられ安い賃金で現場に送り込まれる現実に直面した。
Workers as young as 18, 19 years were sent to the site, without adequate training or education. We were told to write resumes with fictitious work experience.
One Twitter user found this exposé so flagrant that she decided to translate the video transcript into English.
あまりにひどいので、英語発信しました。→【実名告発・特ダネ】原発作業員を「嘘の履歴書」で現場に。下請け構造不正の実態　@8bit_HORIJUN　さんより
This is too much. I translated into English. →【Real Name/Breaking News】Nuclear Workers Are Sent To Site with False Resume. Truth about multiple subcontractors via @8bit_HORIJUN
The full translation of this video by Yuri Hiranuma can be read here.
This post is part of our special coverage Japan Earthquake 2011.


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Japan: Should a Famous Comedian’s Mum Be Allowed Social Aid?  · Global Voices
Mari Wakimoto

In April 2012, a Japanese magazine reported that the mother of a famous wealthy comedian Jun-ichi Komoto had received social aid. The payments are understood to have began when his income was still unstable; the amount gradually decreased as his income grew and have now been terminated.
Nevertheless, he became the subject of massive outrage in the media and online, due to the misconception that he did not support his mother despite having a large income – even though legally he did nothing wrong.
Satsuki Katayama, an upper-house politician from the first opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP – conservative) revealed the comedian’s name on her blog [jp], and insisted that the criteria for receiving social aid should be tightened. She repeatedly asserted this on her Twitter [jp] account [aggregated here] and in media interviews, resulting in further online disputes.
Here are tweets favouring Ms Katayama’s position:
@kikko_no_blog [jp]:
お腹を痛めた子どもが２人もいて、そのうちの１人は吉本興業の人気芸人で、毎晩のように後輩たちを引き連れて飲み歩いてたって言うのに、お腹を痛めたお母さんは生活保護を受けて暮らしてたなんて、これほど酷い話はない。世界でたった１人のお母さんにこんな思いをさせるなんて最低のクズ野郎だよ。
@wranglerrefugee [jp]:
@SekoHiroshige ブログ拝見しました。年老いた母と病弱の姉まで扶養している私からすれば、次長課長河本氏の問題は看過できません。正直者が馬鹿を見ることは許してはならないと考えております。
@masaki_26 [jp]:
@katayama_s 生活保護を受けられなくてお亡くなりになられた方も多数います、今も受けられなくて生きるのにギリギリの方がいます。そう言う人が助けられる日本であって欲しいです。金持ちが自分の出費を減らす為の生活保護では無いのです。見て見ぬ振りをする今までから変わりましょう。
@tsukurin51 [jp]:
@katayama_s 私も片山議員を支持します！そう、生活保護は生きるか死ぬかの選択なんです。国や行政はこの境界線を明確にするべき。それが難しいなら生活保護を受けている人にはボランティア活動や何らかの義務を科すべき。
ただで月20万円近くもらうなんてあり得ない！
While Ms Katayama stated she does not intend to pursue liability [jp] of a person or a company, quite a few supportive comments blame the comedian himself, as shown by quoted tweets here. Others raise questions regarding her action.
@chervbim [jp]:
生活保護叩き。叩きやすいところを見繕って激しく叩き、見せしめにする。今後失業者が激増するのに憲法で保障されたセーフティーネットである生活保護の受給が白眼視され、罪責感を強要される社会になる。一度落ちたら死ぬしかない社会だ。大人しく我慢してたら死ぬまで小突き回されるぞ。
@oginonatsuko [jp]:
生活保護費の漏給は餓死や孤独死だけではなく年間3万件を超える自殺、その十倍以上といわれる自殺未遂の大きな要因でもあると思う。この状況を打開するために政治家がやるべきは個人情報をリークして生保受給経験者の家族を叩かせることではないはず。やるべきことをやっていないのは政治のほうだ。
@qianbianwanhua [jp]:
保護受給をしている「一部のひと」の苦しみや痛みは、無視されてもいいものなのか。誰がそれを決めるのか。生活保護を切り下げて、一体誰が得をするというのか。生活保護然り、「一部のひと」を切り捨てて「多数のひと」を幸福にする、などという発想は、いったいいつ、止まるのだろう。幻想なのに。
As a result of this overheated dispute, the comedian lost more than one commercial appearance. He held a press conference [jp] to apologise on May 25, 2012. While he emphasized no law was broken he apologized for his lack of awareness and expressed he would like to return the aid she received.
He actually returned [jp] the amount quoted by the local government on June 26, just one month after the press conference.
On the other hand, some netizens are getting anxious over actual effects on people's lives by this chain of events. Hearing a comment [jp] by the Head of LDP’s panel on social aid [jp], Mr. Hiroshige Seko, to aim for the modification of the social aid system, @yukipaon tweeted [jp]:
つまり、弱者は死ね、と。 → 親族の扶養義務徹底…自民、生活保護法改正案を提出へ…
“LDP to submit Social Aid Reform — Thorough Duty of Support by Family –” In short, the weaker should die.
Mikata Takahashi, a user of blogos, left a humorous but sarcastic comment [jp]:
無理だよ。賛成・反対の前に、３親等に扶養義務を持たせる法律なんて作れっこない…(中略)…それよりも「困っている叔父さんは助けなさい」と国家に言われる事に違和感あるね。そのうち法律で「婚姻を結んだ男女は、週２回以上セックスをしなさい」と定められそうだ。
Impossible. Before you thumb [like] up or down, you can’t make a law which obligates one to support relatives within third-degree of kinship […] I rather feel unreasonable to be ordered “to help your uncle in need” by the state. It may be legislated that “man and woman in marital relationship shall have sex twice or more in a week” soon.

author: Mari Wakimoto


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Kazakhstan: Western ‘Meddling’ in Controversial Trial Condemned · Global Voices
Steven Hermans

In December 2011, at the end of a 7-month strike by disgruntled oil workers, deadly riots in the town of Zhanaozen near the Caspian Sea shocked the formerly peaceful nation of Kazakhstan. The violent government response to the riots and the subsequent trials of protesters and police involved drew considerable criticism from international observers, who felt the government was out to quash all opposition and clear itself of the blame.
Now a final trial is underway to judge the involvement of Vladimir Kozlov, leader of the unregistered opposition party Alga, who is accused of inciting the riots together with two other strike leaders.
(Global Voices Online already reported about the trial that some Kazakhstani netizens had described as “a Pussy Riot of our own”.)
Kozlov's connection to Mukhtar Ablyazov is a major part of the accusation. Mukhtar Ablyazov is a former rival of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. He is currently hiding in Europe and is wanted by Kazakh and British authorities. Although narratives differ, Kazakhstani authorities allege that Ablyazov pocketed 550 million US dollars when serving as head of the nation's largest bank, an accusation that made the man a universally despised figure in Kazakhstan.
Supporters of political oppositionist Vladimir Kozlov await a verdict in a courtroom in Aktau, western Kazakhstan. (Screen capture from a video uploaded on August 16, 2012 by YouTube user ladakz).
Reactions at home and abroad
While Western NGO's and journalists condemn the trial of opposition leader Kozlov as unfair, Kazakhstan's bloggers have little sympathy for the man. Besides the direct supporters of Kozlov and his party, most other voices appear to back the government-initiated trial and expect Kozlov to be punished.
More importantly, many netizens condemn what they see as attempts by Western governments and organizations to interfere in Kazakhstan's internal affairs by criticizing the trial.
For instance, popular Kazakhstani blogger Yaroslav Krasiyenko (aka MontKristov) writes in an article entitled ‘Dr. Freedom House, who are you to [word omitted] lecture me?‘ [ru], that one of the trial's strongest critics, the NGO Freedom House, has discredited itself by its dependence on funding coming from the U.S. government:
“Freedom House — неправительственная организация со штаб-квартирой в Вашингтоне (США). Её бюджет на 66-80 % посредством грантов финансируется правительством США.” По художественной силе этот абзац близок к фразе “Матильда – непродажная девушка, живущая за счёт богатых мужиков”.
“Freedom House is a non-governmental organization with headquarters in Washington, DC (USA). Sixty-six to 88 percent of its budget is made up by grants from the U.S. government.” Written in artful prose, the meaning of this paragraph lies close to the phrase “Matilda, an incorruptible girl living at the expense of the rich men”.
After listing a series of alleged human rights violations committed by the U.S. government, the blogger concludes that Washington's actions diverge significantly from its human rights rhetoric. Therefore, he announces, the U.S. has no right to judge the way Kazakhstan manages its internal affairs.
Blogger Anara (Bazanara), who is attending the controversial trial, writes [ru] critically about the foreign observers:
О тех иностранных, промолчу. Кто пожелает, могу предоставить фото спящего иностранного журналиста и российского блоггера Щелокова, говорящего по мобильному телефону в зале суда. А знаете для чего они это делают? Скандал им нужен, любой.
I will remain silent about those foreigners. If anyone is interested, I can provide photos capturing a sleeping foreign journalist and Russian blogger Schelokov talking on his cell phone in the courtroom. Do you know why they [attend the trial]? They need a scandal, any scandal.
Many Kazakhstanis are frustrated by Westerners who they feel are quick to point out problems in the oil-rich Central Asian nation, while refusing to take note of similar issues in their own countries.
As a response to a Google Plus post entitled ‘Is Kazakhstan the new Uzbekistan?‘, Twitter user Kairat replies with a quote from the Bible:
In another person's eye one can notice a mote, but in one's own – cannot see a log.
Kazakhstanis are proud of the achievements of their young nation, and feel they are capable of handling their domestic problems without the interference of patronizing outsiders. It appears that the generally politically apathetic citizens of Kazakhstan want to return to the peaceful status quo that ruled the country prior to the Zhanaozen riots, while seeing the political opposition's struggle for human rights and an uncorrupted leadership as dangerous and destabilizing.

author: Steven Hermans


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Madagascar: How a Tiny Island Can Explain the Root of the Crisis   · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

Lalatiana Pitchboule published a two-part detailed investigative report [fr] on what is at stakes when it comes to the appropriation of the tiny island of Juan de Nova (4.4 km2) off the west coast of Madagascar in the Mozambique Channel. In short, The legal fight over the possession of  the Juan de Nova Islands means the acquisition of 17 billion barrels of petrol and 167,000 billion cubic feet of shale gas. A similar independent report [fr] has been published by Agnès Joignerez on the EELV website.


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Mozambique: Photos of Bike-Taxis in Quelimane · Global Voices
Sara Moreira

“Mozambique: Taxi bicycles prevail in Quelimane.” Photo by António Silva in Sapo (public domain)
A photo album by António Silva on Sapo illustrates the widespread use of bicycles as taxis in the flat city of Quelimane, in Mozambique, a place where there the lack of public transports has opened the path for a healthier environment.

author: Sara Moreira


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Pakistan Bans YouTube Over Controversial Video · Global Voices
Sidra Rizvi

In an attempt to appease the growing unrest in the country, the Government of Pakistan decided to block the social networking site YouTube as of Monday, September 17, 2012. The move came hours after protests in the southern city of Karachi turned violent, leaving two protesters dead.
The order for the ban came from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Raja Pervez Ashraf after the request for removal of the infamous video was refused. A statement from his office said “The direction has been given after YouTube refused to heed to the advice of the government of Pakistan to remove blasphemous material from its site.”
The trailer of the movie titled ‘Innocence of Muslims’ unleashed a series of violent protests when it was uploaded onto YouTube last week. The movie was made by Sam Bacile, an Israeli-American real-estate developer who wanted to showcase his view of Islam as a hateful religion. Muslims across the world have taken to streets to condemn this movie and are demanding its removal from YouTube. The United States (US) consulates in as many as 20 countries have come under attack, with angry mobs pelting stones and chanting anti-US slogans.
Students of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad protesting against the film ‘Innocence of Muslims’. The Pakistani Government have blocked YouTube, and announced a holiday on Friday to protest against it. Image by Sultan Dogar. Copyright Demotix (18/9/2012)
In Pakistan, the protests began on Friday (14th of September, 2012) after the prayers when people marched towards the US consulates in rallies organized by various religious parties. Due to increased security of all diplomatic agencies, the protests were controlled and no casualties were reported.
The situation turned worse on the eve of Sunday, September 16, when a group of people protesting outside the US consulate in Karachi clashed with the police. As all the roads leading to the consulate being heavily cordoned off, friction between the protesters and the security personal resulted in aerial firing. Dozens of people were seriously wounded as a result of which two later succumbed to their injuries. The embassy was pelted with stones and a police post was also set on fire.
In Peshawar, the protest also turned violent when the protesters were barred from entering the consulate. The police tried to disperse the crowd using tear gas shells and aerial firing that injured two people.
On Tuesday in neighbouring Afghanistan, a suicide bomb claimed the lives of 12 people in retaliation for the movie.
While Google has blocked access to the infamous video in Egypt, India, Indonesia, Libya and Malaysia it has not been removed. Reports of YouTube being banned in Bangladesh have now surfaced after the request for the removal went unheeded.
According to the acting Chairman of Bangladesh’s telecommunications, Giashuddin Ahmed, the website was banned to website “to prevent violence and social disorder over the derogatory video”.
Facebook status of the largest Islamic faith community online on its demand to remove blasphemous movie about Prophet Mohammed at YouTube. Image by Sherbien Dacalanio. copyright Demotix (17/9/2012)
The reaction in Pakistan over the YouTube ban have so far been mixed.
@DrAQ_Khan: I am certainly in favor of permanent ban on youtube if they are not willing to remove the disgraceful material from their site #YoutubeBan
@vak: instead of handling the situation intelligently, let's build a wall around ourselves #pta #youtubeban
@FayXaan: I totally support #YoutubeBan until they delete those vdos, & make an international law 4 future abt it,as its there 4 child & animal abuse
@SecularlyYours: First class display of #MuslimRage by the#Pakistani government: #YouTubeBan. Idiots. & then the world wonders why Pakistan is in dark ages.

author: Sidra Rizvi


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Panama: Interview on Struggle over Naso Territory · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Intercontinental Cry shares a video interview with Adolfo Villagra of the Naso indigenous community in Panama:
Tensions are mounting in the indigenous Naso territory in Bocas del Toro province, western Panama, where protestors have blocked access to the Bonyic Hydroelectric project, a 30MW dam currently under construction on the banks of the Bonyic river.
Read more about their struggle in another post in Intercontinental Cry.

author: Silvia Viñas


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Ukraine: United Opposition’s Rally in Odessa · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Odessablogger writes about the recent rally of the United Opposition's Arseniy Yatsenyuk in Odessa, explaining “why the unpopularity of the Party of Regions has not been reflected in the rising popularity of the United Opposition”:
[…] A monologue stating just how bad Party of Regions are then ensued. […] The gist of this monologue was that (even though we were a complete and utter abortion in government), if you don’t vote for us then they will win. And we think they are worse than we are. […]

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Video: Mini-Documentaries Showcase Venezuelan Artists  · Global Voices
Laura Vidal

Through their YouTube account, the creative team Mostro Contenidos [es] has released a documentary series called ‘Memorabilia‘ [es, en], where they present a collection of short interviews with Venezuelan personalities who have stood out -nationally and internationally- in film, entertainment, and the arts.
In their promotional video, the team describes how, despite their own doubts in undertaking a project without financing, they've managed to gather interviews with an interesting array of characters. In the videos, which have been shared by many in Venezuelan social networks, viewers can hear about the artists’ opinions, experiences and work. These interviews offer a glimpse into the history of contemporary Venezuela and how some of the identities that define it are shaped.
Here we share some ‘Memorabilia’ episodes.
The documentary series opened with an interview (subtitled into English) with film director Marcel Rasquin:
Painter Oswaldo Vigas, who is considered one of the most important contemporary Venezuelan artists, tells his story in this episode (which also includes English subtitles):
In the following video the team interviews film director Margot Benacerraf:
In another episode the team talks to Nelson Garrido, “artist, maker of images and poetic terrorist”:
More projects, more videos, and more interviews (some subtitled into English) are available on Mostro Contenidos’ YouTube channel.


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Zambia: Former First Lady, Betty Kaunda, Dies · Global Voices
Gershom Ndhlovu

There was an outpouring of grief on social media networks on Wednesday September 19, 2012, following news of the death of former Zambian First Lady, Betty Kaunda. She was the wife of Zambia’s first president Dr Kenneth Kaunda, who ruled from 1964 to 1991, when his ruling United National Independent Party (UNIP) lost to the Movement for Multiparty Democracy.
Mama Kaunda’s death was particularly shocking because less than three weeks before her death, she and her husband, Dr Kaunda, celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. She had been wheelchair-bound since suffering a stroke in 1991.
Writing on the Facebook group, Zambian People’s Parliament (ZAPP), one netizen, Aquino Mutale, put out a brief obituary for the former First Lady, who was fondly known as Mama Betty Kaunda both during her stay in State House and after:
Zambia's former First Lady, the late Betty Kaunda, dies at 84. Picture courtesy of Zambia watchdog, used with permission.
Mr Speaker she was born on November, 17, 1928 at Mpika to Kaweche Banda and Milika Sakala Banda.
Sir, the then Betty Banda went to school at Mbereshi Girls and also did training at the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation’s Women’s programme and worked as a teacher in Mufulira.
Mr Speaker! Kenneth Kaunda the first President of Zambia married married Betty Banda in 1946. Mama Betty, was Zambia’s first lady from October 1964 to November 1991. She preferred to contribute quietly, mostly behind the scenes, to greatly support her family and nation and had been matron of many organisations and projects.
Sir – mama Betty Kaunda was considered the mother of the nation. MHSRIP
Writing on another thread on the ZAPP, Waziona Nkhwekwe Chirwa stated:
Mr Speaker, it is with great sorrow and sadness that I received the news that Mama Betty Kaunda has died and now belongs to the ages. Mama Betty Kaunda Contributed to our independence, by the support she rendered to Dr Kaunda and his comrades during the struggle. The history of Zambia will never be complete without the mention of her name. M[a]y her soul rest in peace.
Commenting on the story of the former First Lady’s death, Lion wrote:
All future First Ladies of Zambia must take a leaf from the humility of this woman. She never tried to hog the limelight and act as if she was a government official. She knew her place in society and carried herself with great dignity.
MHSRIP
Lion’s comment stems from the fact that almost all of Zambia’s subsequent First Ladies have been actively involved in community activities. The late President Frederick Chiluba’s wife, Vera Chiluba Tembo, runs an NGO she called HOPE Foundation and the wife of the third President, the late Levy Mwanawasa, Maureen, runs the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative.
The wife of immediate past President Rupiah Banda, Thandiwe, was active in supporting her husband’s political activities, whilst incumbent President Michael Sata’s wife, Christine – a medical doctor – is active in health-related matters such as the fight against cancer.
On Twitter, the hashtag #RIPBettyKaunda was started to pay tribute to Mama Kaunda:
@malama_mukonde: Awwwww MaMa Betty… May your beautiful soul rest in peace and thank you for being such an inspiration. God be with you. RIPBettyKaunda
@ErasmusMweene: Rest in eternal peace Mama Betty Kaunda! I know you are in a better place. What a race you have run…RIPBettyKaunda
Although at some point it was thought that the news was a hoax:
@lwangamwilu: RT GNdhlovu: “: @lwangamwilu: why are they saying it's a hoax?” It isn't, Panji [Mama Betty’s first born son] just confirmed in a Whatsapp message. RIPBettyKaunda.
Mama Betty Kaunda maybe gone, but her memory, at least to those who lived in the time her husband was the country’s president, will live on.

author: Gershom Ndhlovu


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Angola: Police Puts End to Protest · Global Voices
Sara Moreira

The Angolan collective @Central7311 informed on Twitter that some of its members were detained on September 20, 2012, “for holding a peaceful demonstration” which intended to “pressure the opposition not to take their place in parliament after clearly fraudulent elections”. The demonstrators were released six hours after the detention, Maka Angola reports [pt].


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Australia: Same Sex Marriage Debate Unleashes Beast · Global Voices
Kevin Rennie

It was bound to be a bad time for Australian Senator Cory Bernardi after he suggested in a parliamentary debate on legalizing same sex marriage that it could lead to marriage between humans and animals.
Liberal senator Cory Bernardi has resigned as [Opposition Leader] Tony Abbott's parliamentary secretary amid a fierce backlash over comments he made linking gay marriage to the social acceptance of having sex with animals.
Onliners vented their disgust with Bernardi’s remarks. Troy Murphy, a presenter for 2SSR 99.7 FM, operated by Sutherland Shire Community Radio, responded in the strongest terms:
Bernardi’s comments are a nasty suggestion that turns homosexuality – a normal sexual orientation – into something shameful and disgusting. Young people across the country who are gay continue to suffer depression, isolation and suicide because of this type of prejudice.
Why does the gay community have to be continually and openly belittled and humiliated in the federal parliament?
This kind of strong condemnation was quickly replaced by humour.
National Day of Action for Same Sex Marriage in Sydney. Photo by  Jagath Dheerasekara, copyright Demotix (8/1/2009)
In CORY BERNARDI POSSESSED BY SATAN digitalseance tries to explain all:
Now, let’s not blame Cory.  It’s not his fault that satan has decided to work through him – he’s in a position of power and satan obviously wanted to get rid of him, after all Cory has been an ethical whirlpool distributing virtuous diatribes against all the sinners he sees around him – and he sees a lot.
Scott Dooley describes himself as a ‘promising young comedian’. His tweet refers to a public relations encounter by Tony Abbott with a puppy named Mittens at the RSPCA earlier in 2012:
@scottdools: Does anyone have Cory Bernardi's address? My fiancé, Mittens and I want to send him a “Save The Date” card for our wedding. 19 Sep 12
Wes Mountain’s cartoon ‘Welcome to Civic Education Class’ tries to put Bernardi’s views in their political context:
Welcome to Civic Education Class.
Courtesy – Wes Mountain of This is Australia. Today.
It's not all one-sided. Conservative blogger Bill Muehlenberg is organizing a petition in support of Bernardi and defends his speech in a post In Defence of Cory Bernardi on Menzies House:
South Australian Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi has just been hung out to dry by his own party. Why? Because he had the guts to tell the truth, and his PC political mates were too chicken and too spineless to back him up. He was speaking on the homosexual marriage bill, and had the courage to suggest where all this might lead.
Tweeter Jack R Herman seems to be using Reductio ad absurdum (Latin: “reduction to absurdity”) in response to Muehlenberg's argument.
@jackaargh: .@menzieshouse and Cory Bernardi might let us know which animals they believe are capable of giving informed consent to partnerships. 20 Sep 12
Inevitably, there is also a Facebook page Support Cory Bernardi
Reese Williams cried hypocrite against the pages’ admin:
@reesieboi: The ‘Support Cory Bernardi’ is noting they need to support free speech but are deleting posts by those who oppose him. LOLOLOLOL #hypocrite
20 Sep 12
Meanwhile, Senator Bernardi is taking his new fame to the U.K. where he may not receive a warm reception from some of his conservative colleagues.
Cory Bernardi has flown from one storm of controversy to another, with British news organisations branding the South Australian as “disgraced” ahead of his expected arrival in Oxford this weekend.
It is a story that's likely to dog his political career for some time to come.
To sample the reaction try the twitter search for Cory Bernardi.

author: Kevin Rennie


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Bangladesh: Jibon Tari – A Floating Hospital for the Poor · Global Voices
পান্থ রহমান রেজা (Pantha)

Bangladesh is a country of 160 million people and most of them live in villages that are close to riverbanks. The land is criss-crossed with many rivers of different length and width, most eventually pouring into the Bay of Bengal in the country’s south. They come to almost 700, including the branching streams- and make up a 15,000 mile long water network, one of the largest in the world.
On this large network of waterways, a river barge called the Jibon Tari has been sailing to the most remote regions of the country, bringing doctors, nurses and medicines closer to people who, until then, did not have ready access to such medical facilities.
The name Jibon Tari, taken from a poem by the Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore, means the Boat of Life. It is a floating hospital, the first of its kind in Bangladesh. It started its journey on the 10 April, 1999, from the riverbank of Mawa in Munshiganj district. The inspired vision was to build a hospital which could be taken to the people in need where the accessibility of medical help is particularly poor.
Jibon Tari is anchoring near remote villages, bringing doctors, nurses and medicines. Image courtesy Facebook page of Impact Foundation Bangladesh.
The boat is funded by Impact Foundation Bangladesh, which is a branch of a London-based aid organisation specialized in helping to cure disability in the developing world.
The Jibon Tari is a specially built three-deck engineless barge pulled by tugs from one place to another. It is equipped with modern hospital facilities and equipment to provide excellent and affordable medical and surgical treatment to tens of thousands of under-served people. It is 40 meter x 10 meter in size, with an air-conditioned large surgical theatre with three operating tables, a 3 bed post-operative room, a 12 bed in-patient ward, an x-ray machine and a pathology laboratory.
It also includes outpatient clinics and the top deck contains live-in accommodations and a state of the art training facility. It has accommodation facilities for on-board doctors, nurses, visiting volunteer surgeons and other support staff. The welcome initiative has been featured on CNN. Here is a video of the CNN coverage.
HelpThemSmile blog shares the story of Mita, a girl from a rural poor family with a cleft lip who was cured at Jibon Tari:
One day he (Mita's father Fazlul Haque, a poor farmer) came to know from a medicine shop owner that there is a boat hospital somewhere where they are correcting this type of defect in gratis…He got the location of Jibon-Tari, which was located at Chamrarghat of Kisoregonj district. Fazlul haque became upset again because it is so far, almost 500 kilometers from the place where he lived. Determined to try again for his daughter, one morning he started his journey with his daughter for Chamrarghat.
The on duty doctor of Jiban Tari examined Mita and informed her father that she could be cured through surgery…The surgery was performed and stitches were removed after a week. Fazlul Haque was overjoyed when he saw the changed face of his beloved daughter.
Doctors on deck. Image courtesy web page of Impact Foundation Bangladesh
Aussi Bangla Smile is a team of nurses, surgeons and anaesthetists from Australia who came to Bangladesh on multiple missions to perform life-changing surgeries on cleft lip and cleft palate patients in Bangladesh. The Aussi Bangla Smile Project members used their annual leaves to find time for theses missions and even paid their own air fares. They also played a vital role in raising funds for the medical equipment and supplies.
Dr. Hasan Sarwar tells the story of how the Aussi Bangla team changed a little child Marium's life by operating on her cleft lip in the Jibon Tari Hospital:
Just after being born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, baby Marium, perhaps only a day old, was abandoned on a public bus. She was discovered by some passengers, and then the police placed her in an orphanage in Mymensingh, Bangladesh.
A good friend [..] brought Marium to the Aussi Bangla Smile team at the Jibon Tari floating Hospital which was then about two hours travel from the orphanage… At the time of her operation, Marium was nearly five months old. Due to her deformity, she was unable to eat properly. She was anaemic, malnourished, and weighed only 4kg.
The operation was performed by Dr Sarwar. Post-operative recovery was uneventful, and the next morning Marium looked very happy and began smiling which captured everyone’s hearts.
Team Leader Judy Barlow and the rest of the team were so moved that they decided to sponsor Marium up to the age of 10. Ten team members immediately donated AU$360 (27,720 Taka) for one year’s expenditure on milk and other needs.
Since its launch the Jibon Tari has provided primary health care services to a total of 377,416 people. 31,099 patients underwent surgeries including orthopedics, plastic surgery, eye and ear, nose and throat. 70,853 different types of pathological tests were done. X-rays of 16,760 patients were taken. 19,090 patients had Intra Ocular Lenses (IOL) implanted in their eyes during Cataract Surgery. 7,548 patients received physiotherapy treatment, 335,381 people received health information on prevention of disability. 2,376 received training on antenatal care, postnatal care and safe motherhood. 1,849 NGO workers, school teachers and community leaders received training on nutrition and their relationship with disability. (Source)
Andrina Schwartz visited the hospital and shared her reactions in a post titled ‘Hope Floats':
The floating hospital looks like any other three-story building when you see it from a distance. But as you get closer, you realize it’s not connected to land – it’s sitting in the middle of a river surrounded by rice patties. [..]
Jibon Tari will remain in its current location for 3-6 months. During that time, basic ailments will be healed, sight restored, clubbed feet repaired, and smiles will take the place of cleft lips. All of which will bring hope back to the people of rural Bangladesh.

author: পান্থ রহমান রেজা (Pantha)


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Bolivia: One Killed as Rival Miners’ Conflict Escalates · Global Voices
Pablo Andres Rivero

The unresolved conflict between tin miners in Bolivia has escalated this week, keeping the country under tension. After another clash at the Miners Labour organisation building (FSUTMB in Spanish) on Tuesday September 18, 2012, nine miners were injured and one died of his wounds, all provoked by the use of dynamite in the conflict.
The government has called for a truce, although mining leaders are still standing firm.
As reported by Global Voices last week, the dispute involves private cooperative miners from the La Paz Departmental Federation of Mining Cooperatives (Fedecomin in Spanish) and employed miners from the state-run Bolivian Mining Corporation (Comibol in Spanish). Both rival groups are seeking to take control of the Colquiri zinc and tin mine, nationalised from Glencore International by Bolivia’s government in June 2012.
Miners during Tuesday's clash which left one dead and nine injured. Photo by Alejandra Rocabado, copyright Demotix (18/09/12).
The conflict arises from Supreme Decree 1337, signed by left-wing President Evo Morales, which outlines the new operating activities in the Colquiri mine, enabling both private cooperative miners and the State-run Comibol to work there.
Colquiri unionised miners refuse to give the cooperative miners participation, claiming that nationalisation means full state-control over natural resources. Furthermore, unionised miners are blocking the access of both police forces and private cooperative miners to the Colquiri mine, 92 miles (149 kilometres) from La Paz.
The conflict between private cooperative and unionised miners is not new [es]. In 2006, 16 miners were killed in the Huanuni mining centre under the same conflict terms. Back then, Evo Morales and the newly sworn in left-wing MAS (Movement for Socialism) government also failed to prevent the clash.
Bolivia’s Ministry of Communication uploaded a video on YouTube showing Tuesday's clash [WARNING: Graphic content].
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEmiBjq4A-w&feature=player_embedded
Negotiations are still underway, although both groups remain in a “state of emergency” and more workers from other parts of the country are joining the protests near La Paz.
Well-known Bolivian economist Horst Grebe (@horst_grebe) [es] commented via his Twitter account:
@horst_grebe: Violencia y #ConflictoMinero en La Paz no se limita a #Colquiri, Es la pelea política por el orden minero entre estatistas y privatistas
@horst_grebe: Violence and #ConflictoMinero (miners’ conflict) in La Paz is not restricted to #Colquiri, it is a political struggle between statists and privatists.
As a way out of the conflict, there are a number of unions, left-wing political organizations and thinkers demanding absolute nationalisation [es] of the mining sector in Bolivia.
Others, like Bolivian writer Fernando Molina, address the issue from another angle. In an article [es] published on InfoLatam, Molina writes that:
En estas situaciones extremas la única solución reside en la intervención de una autoridad. Pero el gobierno boliviano no tiene la claridad ideológica ni los recursos para poner orden. Por razones obvias, lo que quisiera sería estatizarlo todo, pero con ello se haría de una carga laboral que sería imposible de sostener en el momento en que los precios de los minerales caigan. Además, los cooperativistas más establecidos no quieren ni oír hablar de ello (y tienen la fuerza política para defenderse).
In these extreme situations the only solution lies in the intervention of an authority. But the Bolivian government doesn't have the ideological clarity nor the resources to restore order. For obvious reasons, they would like to nationalise everything, but that would be a workload impossible to sustain over time when mineral prices fall. In addition, more established [private] cooperatives do not even want to talk about that (and they have the political strength to defend themselves).

author: Pablo Andres Rivero


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China: Good Englishman in Xian · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Peter Barefoot from ChinaSMACK translated a local media's feature story of a British engineer, Tony, who founded the “Yellow River Soup Kitchen” in Xi’an in 2005 and has distributed food to the homeless people there regularly since then.


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China: Trial of Former Chongqing Police Chief Wang Lijun · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Samuel Wade from China Digital Times sums up local and overseas report on the two-day trial of former Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun, who seek shelter in the U.S embassy briefly and exposed the murder of British citizen Neil Heywood.


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Costa Ricans Debate In Vitro Fertilization · Global Voices
Roy Rojas

For several years, a discussion has been ongoing in Costa Rica about whether to approve the medical treatment of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The Legislature, whether through lack of interest or ability, was not able to reach an agreement on this, and the time limit imposed by the Inter-American Court on Human Rights (IACHR) expired. Because of this, the country was sued and currently is in the process of conclusions and resolutions by the judges.
The country is clearly divided on the issue, so much so that the actual percentage for and against cannot be stated; there is practically a tie between those who support and those who oppose this technique.
The webpage Amelia Rueda [es] reports that according to Ofelia Taitelbaum,
the Ombudsman [es] of Costa Rica, “the new application of IVF is clearly a discrimination against women”.
Taitelbaum expresó que el no poder tener hijos es una enfermedad y comparó el procedimiento de FIV con operaciones clínicas más complejas, como el caso de una operación a corazón abierto.
Taitelbaum stated that not being able to have children is an illness and she compared the IVF procedure to more complicated clinical procedures, like open heart surgery.
In 1995, Costa Rica issued a decree that allowed and regulated the IVF technique. However, in 2000, the Constitutional Chamber of Costa Rica issued a decree on the issue and stated that the technique violates the right to life of the unborn, making the country the only one in America which prohibits this treatment.
On September 5 and 6 the IACHR listened to the parties, leaving a final resolution pending. The Jamaican judge, Margaritte May questioned  [es] the Attorney General of Costa Rica, Ana Lorena Brenes, whether Costa Rica prohibits the death of gametes in all forms. The attorney responded that of course it did and the judge then asked how one could manage to avoid their deaths in a woman's uterus. The judge inferred sarcastically that Costa Rica, in order to avoid the waste of zygotes, it should stop couples from having sex.
On the radio program Amelia Rueda, Gabriela Arguedas, a biotechnology expert, asserted [es]:
Que no se permita la FIV en Costa Rica es discriminatorio y viola el derecho de cada quien de elegir en su vida
To not allow IVF in Costa Rica is discriminatory and violates the right of each person to choose in their lives
On the radio program Nuestra Voz, a live debate was organized and led by journalist Amelia Rueda. Many Costa Ricans expressed themselves via Twitter, broadcasting their opinions and showing the clear division in the country.
[translator's note: all Twitter references are in Spanish]
Alejandro Gutiérrez (@agutierrezmata) said:
@agutierrezmata: @ameliarueda Increíble que a estas alturas no se permita la FIV por un tema religioso, que medieval se escucha eso
@agutierrezmata: @ameliarueda Unbelievable that by now IVF is not allowed because of religion, that sounds so medieval
On the other hand, Jota Pe Zeta (@barvak) stated:
@barvak: @ameliarueda Yo me opongo a la FIV porque creo en la vida a partir de la fecundación no por una cuestión de religión.
@barvak: @ameliarueda I'm opposed to IVF because I believe in life at fertilization, not because of religion.
Rita Chaves Casanova (@chavescasanova), a deputy in the Legislative Assembly, asked:
@chavescasanova: @ameliarueda ¿Si FIV 18% de efectividad y otras ejemplo Naprotecnología 64%, porque insistir en la menos efectiva?
@chavescasanova: @ameliarueda If IVF is 18% effective, and others like NaProTechnology is 64%, why go with the less effective?
While Carlos Chacón (@charlie350z) thinks:
@charlie350z: #CostaRica tendrá que pasar ‘una verguenza’ internacional para entrar en razón con el tema #FIV #nuestravoz @ameliarueda
@charlie350z: #CostaRica It will take an international embarrassment to come to our senses with the issue #FIV (IVF) #nuestravoz @ameliarueda
On June 16, 2012, thousands of people marched in San José against discrimination in various forms, including those who claimed to have been affected by the IVF ban.
Thousands marched for Human Rights in Costa Rica. Photo by José Daniel Clarke CCByNC
In the blog Animal Político [es] Geraldina Gonzalez de la Vega writes about the issue and says:
La decisión de Costa Rica de prohibir la FIV viola el derecho a constituir una familia, el derecho a la intimidad y el principio de igualdad y no discriminación. Para ello la Comisión considera 4 cuestiones:
Costa Rica's decision to prohibit IVF violates the right to form a family, the right to privacy and the principle of equality and non-discrimination. The Commission therefore considers four issues:
Miguel Mejía Carballo, one of the victims, gave his testimony at trial [es]:
“El anhelo de todo hombre es ser padre, cuando se casa, formar un hogar como toda pareja. Si no es por la ciencia, no es por un médico, yo no voy a poder tener un hijo.”
The desire of every man is to be a father, when you marry, to create a home as a couple. If not for science, if not for a doctor, I won't be able to have a child.”
Costa Rica is in a time of change. Society is calling for it, especially with human rights issues. An example of this is that on August 3, the group Citizens for Human Rights  [es] organized the campaign “Human Rights Now!”, in which different Costa Rican personalities called on the State to guarantee human rights for all.
As of this writing, the country is waiting for the final resolution by the IACHD, which has two months to issue its final decision. In November we will know the end of this long story, which has had the country at the center of criticism by human rights defenders.

author: Roy Rojas


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El Salvador: Reflecting on the Future of Blogs · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Like many netizens around the world, Salvadoran bloggers are discussing the future of blogs. Fernando Marroquin [es] and David Mejía [es] are two Salvadoran bloggers who have recently touched on the subject in their blogs.
Fernando Marroquin's post “The Salvadoran blogosphere is dying” [es] was prompted by a tweet where David Mejía (@damejiar) [es] refers to another Salvadoran blogger, Mario Francia [es], putting his blog “on hold”:
@damejiar: Pero leo que mi amigo @mariocopinol pone en stand by su blog, y solo ha recibido 2 comments?? Es la realidad :(http://t.co/ZhodrQZ7
@damejiar: But I read that my friend @mariocopinol is putting his blog on stand by, and he has only received 2 comments?? That's reality :(http://t.co/ZhodrQZ7
Image copyright Vima, from Shutterstock.
Fernando Marroquin writes [es] that “without a doubt, little by little the Salvadoran blogging community is fading away.”
Algunos -quizás David y yo estamos incluidos- a pesar de que no actualizamos nuestros blogs desde hace tiempo o no con la frecuencia que lo hacíamos hace unos años seguimos conservandolos. No se si mas por amor a esa época o porque realmente los usemos. Mas me inclino a que los que fuimos de los primeros blogueros lo hacemos por un sentimiento de lo que alguna vez fue una gran comunidad que incluso se reunía para discutir temas y conocernos.
Some -perhaps David and I are included- are keeping our blogs even though we haven't updated them in a while or as often as we did a few years ago. I don't know if that's more because we love that time or because we actually use them. But I'm inclined to think that those of us who were among the first bloggers do it for a sense of what once was a great community that even got together to discuss issues and meet each other.
He mentions the blog Hunnapuh, and adds:
La comunidad bloguera salvadoreña cada día se va reduciendo, hay que admirar aquellos blogs con el de Hunnapuh que siempre se mantienen, m que admirarlos hay que apoyarlos para que esa luz no se apague.
The Salvadoran blogging community is shrinking. We have to admire blogs like Hunnapuh which are still up; more than admire them we have to support them so that their light won't go out.
Fernando concludes:
Lo cierto es que este mi blog es un libro de recuerdos y mientras pueda, siento que en honor a la historia y lo que este blog representa no solo para mi sino para algunas personas mas, debo de mantenerlo en línea con la esperanza que de ves en cuando, como hoy, escriba algún articulo.
The truth is that this blog of mine is a book of remembrances and while I can, I feel that in honor of history and of what this blog represents not only for me but for some other people, I must keep it online with the hope that from time to time, like today, I will write a post.
David Mejía opens his post entitled “Are blogs dying?” [es] with an image of his Google Reader feed, where he found “a terrifying scene”:
Google Reader, “Are blogs dying?”. Image shared by David Mejía in his blog damr.net
Si, es la reaildad, tengo más de un año de no entrar pero el número de actualizaciones no era el que esperaba, en otro tiempo en una semana de no abrir el Google Reader hubiera encontrado por lo menos 7-8 entradas nuevas por cada blog, hoy los tiempos han cambiado, los medios han evolucionado y poco a poco podría suponer que los blogs mueren.
Yes, it's true, I hadn't opened Google Reader for over a year but the number of updates I found was not what I expected. In another time if I didn't open Google Reader in a week I would've found at least 7-8 new entries in each blog. Times have changed, and the media has evolved and little by little we could suppose that blogs are dying.
David concludes his post and invites other bloggers to comment on the issue:
Concluyo que solo pocos fueron los privilegiados que evolucionaron sus blogs a otro nivel (como ALT1040) y la gente los usa como referencias de peso, sin embargo con los pequeños la historia es diferente.
Aunque no tenga el mismo ritmo de actualización, para muchas ocasiones este blog informará, y lo hará en el momento oportuno.
I conclude that only a few were privileged and their blog evolved to another level (like Alt1040 [es]) and people use them as important references, however the story is very different for small blogs.
Even though it doesn't have the same updating rhythm, in many occasions this blog will inform, and it will do it at the appropriate time.
We conclude this brief reflection on Salvadoran blogs with a comment [es] on David's post by blogger Ligia, whose blog Qué Jóder turned 8 years old [es] on September 14, 2012:
La brevedad y la inmediatez de FB y Twitter cambiaron las cosas para quienes escriben y para quienes leen blogs (o solían hacerlo); se requiere menos tiempo para elaborar ideas/comentarios y menos tiempo de espera para recibir respuesta. Eso además de que ahora se descubre y comparte contenido de terceros porque honestamente, es, o parece, mucho más interesante que el propio.
Todavía no me veo dejando de lado mis blogs ni los que sigo, aunque la frecuencia de actualización haya disminuido.
The brevity and immediacy of Facebook and Twitter have changed things for those who read and write blogs (or used to); [Facebook and Twitter] require less time to elaborate ideas/comments and less time to wait to receive an answer. Also now you discover and share content by others because honestly, it is, or seems to be, a lot more interesting than your own.
I still don't see myself leaving my blogs or the blogs I follow, although how often they are updated has decreased.


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Global Voices Seeks Caucasus Editor · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Global Voices (GV) is seeking a part-time Editor to oversee our ongoing coverage of citizen media in the Caucasus.
The Editor will direct Caucasus coverage and recruit and coordinate volunteer contributions. The Editor will produce and/or edit several in-depth stories per week, as well as shorter posts linking and pointing to important topics, events, and writing as it occurs. The work will involve translation, analysis, and editing, to elucidate and identify trends, ideas, and social and political currents about the region's citizen media.
The Editor will be chiefly responsible for providing as broad and complete coverage as possible of citizen media of the Caucasus, as follows:
Recruiting: recruiting authors to cover the countries in their region; for managing authors’ output and editing and publishing posts; and maintaining a regional Google Group.
Posting to the Global Voices web site:
Interested candidates please send CV and Letter of Interest explaining why you'd be a good candidate for the job to: adminjob AT globalvoicesonline DOT org
We will be accepting applications through October 15, 2012.
See our vacancies page for other current opportunities with Global Voices.

author: Georgia Popplewell


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Guinea: Fightings Between Peuls and Malinkes Erupt in Conakry    · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

Guinée TV1 reports that clashes between Peuls and Malinkes [fr], two of the largest ethnic groups in Guinea erupted in Madina, a borough of Conakry. Protesters blocked Conakry’s main bridge and barricaded other roadways, according to witnesses, who said security forces were deployed but did not intervene right away.

author: Lova Rakotomalala


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India, Pakistan: Let People Meet · Global Voices
Rezwan

Aman Ki Asha Milne Do Petition Logo
Visa restrictions prevent citizens of India and Pakistan from visiting families in the other country. There isn’t even a tourist visa protocol between these two biggest neighbours of South Asia. Journeys To Democracy promoted the Aman ki Asha Milne Do petition to change this.

author: Rezwan


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Iran: Bear’s Torture Commemorated with Day Against Animal Cruelty  · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Celebrating ‘Day Against Cruelty to Animals’. Photo by Shima Jalaeiyan.
Last year in Iran, a brown bear and her cubs were tortured and killed  on camera as a game by “hunters” in Samirom, Isfahan. It shocked many Iranians from different walks of life.
The video of the killing was shared by animal rights groups on 20 September, 2011 and this motivated activists to name 20 September a “Day Against Cruelty to Animals”. This year the day was marked for the first time (photo above) and “Brown Bear Awards” were distributed to animal rights activists.
Interview with an animal rights defender
Sepher Salimi, Animal rights activist
Global Voices has conducted an interview with  Sepehr Salimi, a blogger and animal rights activist who has used online citizen media for years to spread the word about animal protection:
Global Voices (GV): How do you evaluate the role of social media and citizen media to raise awarness regarding animal rights in Iran?
Sepehr Salimi (SS): Whereas social media has significant impact on people's awareness of animal rights, conventional media sources such as radio and television have a greater effect. Unfortunately, in Iran, there is no platform for awareness and involvement in protecting animal rights, so the responsibility is left to animal activists.
We cannot forget that Iran is a vast country. Its rural areas, which are most closely connected with wildlife, are unfortunately unable to obtain access to media and learn about animal rights. One of the benefits of citizen media is the rapid spread of information. In addition; most of the citizens in different parts of Iran play their own role in animal rights and wildlife watch. Fortunately, websites and weblogs related to animal rights and environmental protection have expanded greatly in recent years. This led to our great achievement in increasing awareness and involvement in the fight to protect our environment and animals’ rights.
GV: What are the main challenges animal rights activists face in Iran?
SS: Without a doubt, the biggest challenge is the lack of laws protecting animal rights, so when abuse does occur there is no legal process to rebuke the guilty parties and there is no institutional conduit in place where animal activists can bring their grievances. Public awareness is low and misconceptions among people about animal rights causes more cruelty to animals as well. In addition, lack of support by influential people such as artists and athletes in this area can lessen the rate of spreading information and can diminish civic engagement. Furthermore there are a number of manifestations of animal cruelty such as poorly managed zoos, excessive hunting, and destruction of animal habitats by building industrial facilities and roads through protected areas. These obstacles keep us from protecting our country's environment and wildlife.
Our country is geographically located in an arid climate. The shortage of water amplifies the effect of human activity in relationship to destroying the environment.
Brown Bear Awards
GV: I frequently hear some people say, why do you go after animal rights, when human rights are still not respected in Iran? What is your answer to this “complaint”?
SS: I think that there is no separation between these two and if we just look at this on a larger scale we can understand that the main purpose of both groups is to live in a better world. When we reach a level that we can respect for the environment and animal rights, then we will be able to respect each other. That is the main reason I think that there should not be any distinction between these two causes. I've seen a lot of cases where animal abuse began in childhood and grew into cruelty towards humans in adulthood. For instance, if you remember the tragic event last summer in Norway where an avid hunter shot and killed over 100 people. The famous anthropologist, Albert Schweitzer, said that 90% of criminals participate in and enjoy torturing and killing animals at in early age. The FBI identifies this as common trait in serial killers. In conclusion, for having a healthy society there must be no separation in animal and human rights. We are all inhabitants of this world. So by trespassing into their habitat we violate their rights. So now more than ever it is our responsibility to protect them.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Macedonia: Activist’s Trial to Continue in November · Global Voices
Filip Stojanovski

On his Facebook page, activist Žarko Trajanoski wrote [mk] about the latest session of his trial (started in 2010):
‘The Process’ continued – the accused presented his defense in absence of ‘the brave’ plaintiff, whose attorney said he did not know his whereabouts. The Court was allegedly informed that he moved out…
Žarko Trajanoski
Trajanoski published the text of his defense on his blog [mk] and on Okno.mk [mk]. On Facebook, he added:
The trial will continue during the first week of November. We'll watch videos, if the plaintiff comes… One more treat: the Judge asked me about the meaning of the word ‘charlatan.’ I told her that next time I'll bring a dictionary, so we can look it up :)

author: Filip Stojanovski


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Mexico: #YoSoy132 Tackles Media Democratization · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

The Mexican youth movement #YoSoy132 has presented a document on media democratization. Marco Antonio Gómez Lovera in the blog Vivir México [es] outlines and analyses the group's proposals.
Marco quotes a section where the group defines media democratization as:
Generating mechanisms to achieve plurality in the search, production, and reproduction of content in a communicative spectrum where the private, the public, and the social coexist.
Read the whole document [es] on Scribd.