Archive for
December 3rd, 2008
Stories
Russia: “Renat+Ainara=Love”
IZO translates from Russian LJ user avmalgin's observation (RUS) on Moscow's changing ethnic composition:
The benches on Tsvetnoi Boulevard are covered with inscriptions: “I love you, Rustamchik. Gyuzel.” “Renat+Ainara=Love”, everything in the same vein. Not a single Russian name. I went through them all, from one end to the other. Early on a Sunday morning the place was empty, but in the evenings it's a real Central Asian settlement. Why there? Or is it the same everywhere?
Below are a few responses (RUS) from LJ user avmalgin's readers.
LJ user dmitrivrubel:
Normal assimilation. Please note that everything is written in Russian, and Renat and Gyuzel are writing about their love for one another rather than declaring their faithfulness to Allah. It will get alarming when inscriptions in Arabic appear, which will feature quotes from the Quran or fatwas of Khomeini or Nasrallah.
LJ user ja_mayka:
Three weeks ago, also on Tsvetnoi Boulevard, I caught myself thinking that they were building Moscow on weekdays and spending their time off there on weekends )
LJ user sted_ats_02:
Perhaps not everything is as straightforward, though there's definitely a tendency. And Moscow, of course, isn't just the Russian people's capital, but also the capital of an empire (the former and the present one), with all the consequences inherent in this status.
LJ user avdoshin:
I think it's a totally normal situation for a multi-million city, whose government and business are acutely interested in the influx of cheap labor. It would be worse if all our gastarbeiters lived in some reservations and ghettos, as in New York or Paris. […]
World Disability Day in South Asia
December 1st is observed around the world as AIDS Day and the occasion is largely publicized. Unlike the attention World AIDS Day receives, World Disability Day barely registers on the world media’s radar.
Circle of friends by Flickr user Jimee, Jackie, Tom and Asha and used under a creative commons license
Celebrated every year on December 3rd, World Disability Day honors the contribution made to our world by those with physical and mental handicap. In case of South Asia, there is severe stigma attached any kind of physical and mental handicap. World Disability Day is an opportunity to spread awareness about the rights of the handicapped and that being differently able is not a sin or something to be ashamed of.
In India, activist Javed Abidi, the country’s leading advocate for the rights of the handicapped, will lead an event called “Dilli Chalo” or “Lets go to Delhi” to mark the occasion. It will be held at the historic India Gate.
Mr. Abidi says that India has made some progress in securing rights of the disabled but more needs to be done.
“Now, in India, as we are aware, we have had the Disability Act for the last 12 years. Last year we thought was a momentous year for two reasons. One was that our country ratified the UN Convention, and the second was that we also got the XI Plan. And in the XI Plan…..for the first time, there is a distinct chapter or a section on disability. And we thought that things were going to change. ……if we were look at the last one year, we find that things have not really moved the way we had expected them to move….”
Along with addressing legal issues related to the rights of the disabled and the opportunities they deserve, efforts are also needed to help those living in abject poverty because of their physical condition.
A news report published by the The National shows how urgently India’s poor disabled citizens need their government to take steps to insure that they are able to live in dignity.
Shaikh Azizur Rahman reported this November that an elderly father taking care of two severely disabled bed ridden daughters has asked the Indian President that they be allowed to be euthanized. He said that he is too poor to take of his daughters who need round the clock care and attention. Fatema, one of his daughters, says that she too wants her life to end.
“I told my father many times to bring poison for me. Nobody is helping me to kill myself.”
Across the border in Pakistan, there is still the mountain of odds facing citizens with disability. Writing for Dawn, Zahid Abdullah, who works for the Center for Peace and Development in Islamabad, says that country still has a long way to go before those with different ability can feel that society values them too. He also expresses frustration at slow pace of legal reform regarding the rights of the disabled.
Like in India and Pakistan, the society in Nepal too views physical and mental handicaps as a result of past life’s sins. Handicapped are usually treated as sub human; they have very limited access to education and meaningful employment. Often you can see a person with physical disability begging on the streets to sustain life.
Meen Raj Panthi says that families hide those with a disability to protect their honor and prestige:
“The notion that people with disabilities have equal rights and duty as any other individual, is largely absent from the popular mindset.”
Children are most vulnerable to discrimination. National Disabled and Helpless Upliftment Association in Nepal cites an example of a little girl named Manisha held captive by her parents because she is blind:
“While her parents work at fields, she is often locked in her own room and tethered with rope by her parents because she has no one to look after her at home. But her elder brother and sister go to school.”
Thumbnail image by Flickr user Shizhao and used under a creative commons license
French Guiana: The Unheard Blackout
For more than a week now, French Guiana has been in turmoil. The population is protesting against the skyrocketing price of gas by blocking roads, closing schools, and businesses. The cost of gas is currently €1,77 per liter (US$ 2,25), in contrast to the price of oil, which has been going as low as US$ 50,00 per barrel in the past weeks. The French Guianese blogosphere echoes this massive mobilization.
In a post on November 28, Le Blog Guyane [fr] explained the economic, political and social interests at stake, which justify this great popular and political rallying.
“Déjà que la vie est chère ici, mais avec l'essence à 1,77 euros ça devient plus gérable pour beaucoup de gens. Du coup blocage total des transports, voiture, avion, déchargement des bateaux. Petit probleme, certains bleds isolés dépendent de l'essence pour l' électricité, la filtration de l'eau étant électrique, plus d'eau potable en début de semaine prochaine (le fleuve est pollué au mercure des chercheurs d' or), plus d'électricté pour les dispensaires, etc….. “
He also focuses on the fact that this great general blackout has largely not been covered by international media, although the problem has aroused a rarely-seen-before commitment from the Guyanese population and politicians to act.
“Eh oui, des barrages partout, plus d'écoles ni de magasins ouverts,plus d'essence, il reste l' hopital et la police….. Bon vu qu' apparement la Guyane n' interesse pas trop les médias ni notre cher président, ni même beaucoup le secrétaire d' etat à l' outre mer…”
A post on the blog Dom et Steph en Guyane [fr] highlights the necessity for the population and the authorities to start a great debate on the question of greener energies.
“Espérons aussi qu'un débat de fond sur les alternatives à la consommation de pétrole soit initié.”
Egypt: American Books
Egyptian blogger Asmaa Yasser - Dawn - writes here about her experience at the Mubarak Public Library:
…
ما لفت نظرى هو ما رأيته فى المرات الأخيرة التى ذهبت فيها الى هناك وكنت بصحبة أصدقاء لى كبار وصغار..وجدنا رفوف جديدة فى قاعة الصغار عليها مجموعة من كتب وقصص الأطفال والتى تبدو هيئتها الجديدة والجميلة من على بعد..لفتت نظر الأطفال فأشاروا الينا ان نذهب لنراها عن قرب..وجدناها صادرة عن عدة دور نشر و وجدنا هذا الشريط المطبوع أسفل أغلفتها..شريط أبيض مكتوب عليه بوضوح “من الشعب الأمريكى”..أظنها جزء من المعونة على شكل ثقافى..أحببت أن تشاركونى رؤيتها وما تكون لدى من خواطر حول ذلك.
…
But in my recent visits there with some of my friends, I've noticed some new shelves in the children's hall with new and neat books on them. Also the young ones among us have noticed those new books and wanted us all to go there to see them. And there I realized that they all have the logo of the USAID on them. And I think they are part of the U.S. non-military foreign aid program, but this time in the cultural form. And I want to share with you my thoughts about those new books.
…
كثير من كتب المجموعة على هذه الشاكلة..هى معانى راقية ولكن الا تلاحظون كم هى مفصولة عن مرجعيتنا الاسلامية..فليست هناك اشارة ولو بسيطة الى ربط قيمة كالتسامح عند الطفل بحب الله له او بقدوة فى تاريخنا القديم او الحديث..يمكن تبرير ذلك بان الطبيعى لكاتبة لا تدين بالاسلام_على قدر ملاحظتى_ان لا ترجع الامور اليه..لكن النقطة الهامة هنا هى انهم _واحتملوا منى شيئ من نظرية المؤامرة المدروسة:)_ يمدون الينا يد العون بكتب مهداة الينا تحمل بداخلها قيم فى اصل اسلامنا وهويتنا ولكنها مفصولة عنها .
…
The books have got many positive values and morals, but they are all separated from our Islamic values. There is not even a single hint that relates some noble value like forgiveness for example to our beliefs and our own cultural heritage. This is normal because the writers are non-Muslims but what really concerned me here - and please bear with me and my conspiracy theories :) - is that such books are intended to separate those noble values from our Islamic beliefs.
Iran: A Nation of Bloggers
The short video essay below, “Iran: a Nation of Bloggers” was created by students at Vancouver Film School (VFS). Aaron Chiesa, Toru Kageyama, Hendy Sukarya, and Lisa Temes created this video as part of their work for the VFS Digital Design program.
In the Vancouver Film School blog one of the designers, Lisa Temes, describes the team’s process in approaching this piece:
Our goal for this project as motion designers was to complement an informative and powerful script by using subtle yet engaging imagery. Although we took inspiration from sources such as the recent animated film Persepolis, we created all of our assets by photographing live subjects and tracing them in illustrator, so we were able to achieve the exact look we were aiming for.”
Thailand: Airports reopen but crisis not yet over
Bangkok’s airports are now open. The protesters have agreed to end their protests after the country’s top court ordered the dissolution of the ruling party which forced the Prime Minister to step down. Military troops are now guarding the airports. Tourists are advised to contact their airlines and tourism offices to check for flight schedules.
Last week protesters belonging to the People’s Alliance for Democracy have occupied Bangkok’s two airports demanding the removal of the corrupt government. The airport takeover has stranded more than 300,000 passengers in the country.
Because of the favorable court order, the protesters have declared victory. However, they vowed to launch similar protest actions in the future if reforms are not instituted. Excerpts from PAD’s statement:
“The PAD would like to call on whichever side that attains power to run the country to find a solution for the current problems and not to create conditions for another political turmoil in the country. Do not bring to power people from the Thaksin regime. Address the wrongdoings conducted by those in the Thaksin regime. Join with the people in making new politics a reality.”
The PAD would like to make the following pledges.
1. If a proxy government of the Thaksin regime is set up again or if there is an attempt to amend the Constitution or the law to whitewash the wrongdoings of those in the Thaksin regime, to benefit politicians, or to lessen the power of the King, the PAD will return.
2. From now on, if there is any government which comes into power but is insincere in its efforts to launch new politics with the people, the PAD will return.
Thaksin is former Prime Minister of Thailand who was ousted in a coup two years ago. PAD accused the last two Prime Ministers of being puppets of Thaksin.
Thai Politico interprets the PAD statement:
“The implication at the moment is that if the next PM is not to the PAD's liking they will occupy the airport again. Will the security forces now completely secure Thailand's airports so that nothing like this can take place again? Or will we see the army back off like scared rabbits into the corner?”
New Mandala believes PAD’s victory will be short-lived:
“The celebrations by the yellow shirts at Suvanabhumi will be short-lived. The parliament has not been dissolved and the government looks very likely to maintain its majority. The Democrat-except-when-you-can’t-win-an-election-and-then-a-judicial-coup-is-OK Party simply can’t muster the numbers. More blatant judicial or military intervention will be required to remove the government.”
Political cartoon by Sacravatoons
PAD is popular in Bangkok (but the airport takeover has made it less popular today). PAD is accused of having close ties with Bangkok’s elite. On the other hand, most of the rural voters are supportive of Thaksin’s party. Someone asked: What if the farmers staged their own protest against PAD and the urban elite by refusing to plant rice?
Stranded tourists are now recounting their experience in Thailand. Tuesdaynight narrates how he and his wife were able to leave the country by traveling to Malaysia and Singapore by land. He writes:
“Finally, I have to say, after all this, I consider us to be lucky. We found a way out of the country and it worked. I truly feel for the hundreds of thousands people whose travel was impacted because of this. More importantly, I feel for the Thai people who have yet to find some form of political stability.”
Despite the airport chaos, life in Bangkok seemed like normal the past week. Oneditorial writes:
“During the week, I called my family to get their views on this event. They did not seem to be thinking too much about what is going on. They still carry on their daily lives as usual. As a matter of fact, on the day I talked to my mother on the phone, the entire family was completely absorbed in watching a Thai soap on the telly, never mind the fact that the country is in a state of political turmoil. I just wish I could be as detached as them.”
Andrew Biggs asks if the airport crisis would produce positive results:
“Could it be that the pain, shame and anger we have all experienced with the PAD’s closure of the airport actually be heralding a new era of politics in Thailand? Could it possibly be that something good is going to come out of all this?”
An anonymous commenter criticizes the organizer of the protests:
“Im sure terrorist groups in South-East Asia have witnessed the complete lack of security at the airport and thus it would be a sitting duck for groups who plan terrorist attacks against planes and passengers. Bangkok as a major hub? I dont think so any more. What airline will want to fly in and out of Bangkok when the airports own security guards ran like scared children from their own people. Shame on Thailand for allowing this anti democratic group to act like terrorists and hold an entire country to ransom. Thailand is about to see the trickle down from this catastrophe and I pity the ordinary people who were not involved in this protest but could lose jobs.”
Gabriella Haynes describes the mood in Bangkok:
“The atmosphere in wider Bangkok since the protests started has been calm and business as usual in general. While the city’s residents don’t take the sporadic and seemingly random spurts of violence and the loss of life and income lightly, there is no sense of widespread panic and concern. International news agencies report airport mayhem and interview distressed and worn-out tourists stranded in the country, yet most Thais I have spoken to only express concern about the potential violence of the situation and concern for the economy.”
And let’s not forget that pro-government supporters are also numerous in the city:
“The PAD has ceased their protests for now but the capital has also been inundated with pro-government supporters, which means the situation has not been completely diffused.”
Flickr photos from Ronn Ashore and Willie Lunchmeat
Thomas Wanhoff from Vietnam is disappointed that tourists are complaining of missed flights while Bangkok protesters are fighting for some cause:
“This is just unbelievable. There are people in Thailand trying to fight for democracy (but of course is their understanding of), at least stand up against the corrupt government, and tourists are just complaining about missed flights.”
Links for Wed, 2008-12
Luis Figueroa of Carpe Diem [es] writes about recent shootouts between narcotrafficking group sin Huehuetenango, Guatemala. He also looks at some of the arguments for more stricter gun control laws, but says that they would not prevent such crimes.
From the Frontline writes about the “testing times for Croatian journalists”: “In October Ivo Pukanić, the editor of the Nacional Magazine, and a colleague were both killed in a car bomb explosion in central Zagreb. The assassination shocked the nation, yet the situation has not improved. Well-known journalist Drago Hedl continues to receive threats to his life for his investigation of a high level Croatian politician in the killing of Croatian Serbs in the town of Osijek during the 1991-1995 war.”
Tanya Kazyra, a participant in a summer program for children from Belarus’ Chernobyl-affected areas, has finally returned home, and now there is some hope that the governmental ban on travel outside the country for all “Chernobyl Children” might be lifted, Chernobyl and Eastern Europe Blog reports.
Lituanica writes about the parliamentary election results and re-posts a letter to the editors of the German Times regarding the publication's election coverage.
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