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Governance

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1 May 2012

Indonesia: The Curious Case of the Governor's Middle Finger

Written by Agung Harsya · East Asia

The Jakarta Governor sparked controversy when he gave a middle finger salute in a youth event. He later claimed that he doesn't know the meaning of the gesture. Netizens share their reactions.

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30 April 2012

Portugal: Eviction Prior to Freedom Day Awakens Squatting Movement

Written by Sara Moreira · Western Europe

As the pent-up frustrations of citizens in Portugal keep growing a year since the international “bailout” of the country's public debt, the annual celebration of Freedom Day on April 25 marking the Carnation Revolution that ended a 41-year dictatorship in 1974, gained renewed momentum.

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Côte d'Ivoire: Reopening of Parliament Sparks Buzz Across Web

Written by Kanigui · Translated by Victoria Warren · Sub-Saharan Africa

The second parliamentary term of the second republic of the Côte d'Ivoire opened on Wednesday 25 April, in Yamoussoukro. Through this event, Guillaume Soro, former prime minister and president of the Côte d'Ivoire National Assembly since 12 March, wanted to highlight a break with the past.

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29 April 2012

Ukraine: Netizens Discuss Dnipropetrovsk Bombings

Written by Veronica Khokhlova · Eastern & Central Europe

There has been a great deal of speculation about the four bombings that rocked the city of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, on Friday. The timing of the blasts is key to most of the popular theories emerging online, as Ukraine is undergoing a very eventful period right now.

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28 April 2012

India: Protests Against the New IT Rules

Written by Rezwan · South Asia

In April 2011 the Indian government quietly issued amendments to the IT rules restricting web content that are designated as “disparaging,” “harassing,” “blasphemous” or “hateful.” The Indian netizens are campaigning against it online and are organizing street protests.

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Philippines: Demolition of Urban Poor Village Sparks Indignation

Written by Karlo Mikhail Mongaya · East Asia

At least one person was killed and scores were injured after police forces fired on protesting residents of Silverio Compound in Paranaque City, south of Manila, who were defending their homes from being demolished. The violent demolition has sparked a wave of indignation online.

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27 April 2012

Bangladesh: Citizen's Voice, A Citizen Watchdog for Public Services

Written by Salman Latif · South Asia

Citizen’s Voice (Nagorikkontho.org) is an online project to empower Bangladeshi citizens by having their voices heard regarding feedback on public services.

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Russia: Putin Proposes Contentious State Power Grab in Siberia

Written by Kevin Rothrock · Eastern & Central Europe

On April 20, 'Kommersant' revealed an ongoing legislative project to create a state company to oversee the economic development of Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East. The schism at the heart of the RuNet's response to this issue reveals certain fundamental apprehensions that shape online Russian civil society.

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26 April 2012

Panama: New Law Establishes Ministry of Culture

Written by Ariel Moreno · Translated by Negarra Akili Kudumu · Latin America

On April 24, 2012, the National Assembly of Panama approved yesterday the "Law of Culture", which among other things elevates the National Institute of Culture to the Ministry of Culture. The main sponsor of the law, Deputy Jose Blandon announced it yesterday on Twitter, which became a reflection of the Panamanians that approved the bill.

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Brazil: Activists Protest in Memory of Military Dictatorship

Written by Raphael Tsavkko Garcia · Translated by Melissa Mann · Latin America

A number of cities throughout Brazil held both real and virtual events to remember Brazil's Military Dictatorship (1964-1985). Activists held protests to push for punishing the Dictatorship's criminals and to fully open the still classified files.

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Updates about Governance

29 April 2012

Iran

Iranian bloggers protested against security forces who launched new hijab(veil) crackdown in Tehran. A Balatarin user published a photo of two agents and write they are like cockroaches when the weather becomes hot, they reappear.

• Fred Petrossian

Cote d'Ivoire

Suy Kahofi writes [fr] on Africa Vox about free medical care in Cote d'Ivoire : “The completely free care has, certainly, relieved the people, but it has been marred by problems : shortages in the supply of drugs, lack of nursing staff… The health professionals themselves do not seem to be convinced that care should be completely free, because it results in abuses…”

• Abdoulaye Bah

28 April 2012

China

Dan Harris from China Law Blog highlights the recent discussion on Hollywood's direct investment in China and bribery scandals.

• Oiwan Lam

26 April 2012

India

Debolina Raja Gupta notes that although the West Bengal Government In India had decided to take the hand drawn rickshaws off by 2005-2006 they are still plying in Kolkata roads.

• Rezwan

25 April 2012

Madagascar

French group Rhodia and German company Tantalus announced the signing of a Letter of Intent to exploit a 300 km-long region filled with rare deposits [fr] in the Ampasindava peninsula in the North-West of Madagascar. The group expects to produce 15,000 tons a year within the next 18 months, a total value estimated at 2 billion euros [fr]. Madagascar is still marred in a political crisis that was triggered by a land grab scandal. Meanwhile, the head of the transitional government Rajoelina has seemingly kicked off his presidential campaign [fr] [photos] after announcing two years ago that he would not run [fr] for president.

• Lova Rakotomalala

24 April 2012

Portugal

Though peaceful protests are scheduled for April 25 throughout Portugal (a national holiday that marks the end of dictatorship in 1974), mainstream media reported [pt] that “police prepares zero tolerance”. For Miguel Cardima from the blog Arrastão, the news intends [pt] to “insufflate fear” and to “justify violence in anticipation”. In Porto, citizens have organized Meditation for Change and a Clown Brigade.

• Sara Moreira

Slovakia

On April 18, 200-250 [sk] people attended a protest against illegal construction near Bratislava Castle, organized by Bratislava Openly [sk]. The west side of a new white house (a continuation of a historical building, photo here) had to consist of just the ground floor and a minimal attic, but the builder - architect Dušan Fischer - discovered a 2.5-meter [sk] mistake in the measurements of height above sea level and decided to use it to increase the building's height illegally (photo). Such violations are widespread in Slovakia; to set a precedent and prevent this from happening again, the protesters demanded demolishing at least part of the building.

• Tibor Blazko

Georgia

Writing on The PIK.TV blog, the channel's English-language editor, Tbilisi-based Nicholas Alan Clayton, comments on plans to construct a new city in Georgia. With little transparency in planning the Lazika development, recently referred to as an ‘instant city in a swamp' by the New York Times, the blog says that while many reforms since the 2003 Rose Revolution have been inspiring, this is not one of them.

• Onnik Krikorian

23 April 2012

Portuguese

Youtube user MinisterioDaVerdade published a video of a large parade on Saturday by Guinea-Bissaun residents of Lisbon, and their Portuguese families and friends, protesting the military coup which took place April 12. Marchers occupied the streets of Lisbon's Baixa neighborhood. Signs read “We have a consensus: No to dictatorship” and simply “peace.”

• Janet Gunter

Comments on "Governance"

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