Global Voices · Citizen media stories from 2010 August 19

19 August 2010

Daily archive · 2 posts

Stories from 19 August 2010

Tech and Transparency in MENA: A Long Way to Go

Written by Anas Qtiesh · Middle East & North Africa

Technology for transparency activists are making headway in the Middle East and North Africa, but greater access to both technology tools and skills and legal assistance is needed in order to maximize their potential.

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France: Racism and Politics

Written by Abdoulaye Bah · Translated by Lova Rakotomalala · Eastern & Central Europe, Western Europe

Following a speech from French president Sarkozy that France ought to consider stripping delinquents of their citizenship and the planned expulsion of groups of Roma people back to Rumania and Bulgaria, the UN Comittee on the Elimination of Racial dDiscrimination (CERD) denounced a "recrudescence of racism and xenophobia" in France. Bloggers weigh in on the tense social scene in France.

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Updates from 19 August 2010

Haiti

The Caribbean Camera reports that the Haitian community is concerned about the relatively low number of Canadian student visas being granted since the January 12 earthquake, saying: “This problem comes just as Haiti needs international education as much as investment to get back on its feet.”

• Janine Mendes-Franco

Pakistan

Teeth Maestro writes about a second relief mission of OffroadPakistan and MotorSports Club of Pakistan and asks other Pakistanis to step up their efforts as they simply cannot wait for the state of flood victims get worse.

• Rezwan

Bhutan

Bhutan's well planned and executed development of Bajo Town is going to make it a dream town for many Bhutanese and foreign tourists, according to Passu Diary.

• Rezwan

Mauritania

Kal writes that the severe floods in Mauritania have cut off communication between many cities, impeding the transport of critical food supplies. He adds that the limited number of sewer systems has resulted in destruction of ancient mosques. Here are photos of the flood damages [Ar].

• Lova Rakotomalala

Azerbaijan

Aaron in Azerbaijan, a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) blog, reflects on how Ramadan is observed in Azerbaijan. Although a secular republic, with many people not observing fasting, the blog says it is nonetheless impressed by the dedication of those that do. Meanwhile, another PCV blog, From the Land of Fire, maintains its daily diary of Ramadan.

• Onnik Krikorian

Trinidad & Tobago

My Chutney Garden visits Grande Riviere, “a small fishing village that is best known for attracting nesting leatherback turtles.”

• Janine Mendes-Franco

Honduras

Juan Carlos Rivera in Mirada de Halcón provides a personal account [es] (including photographs) of what he calls a police “attack” on a bridge blockade by the Resistance Front (Frente de Resistencia). Juan Carlos says he had to run away to avoid tear gas from police and bullets from civilians; he also reports that police arrested, dragged and hit protesters and other civilians who were not participating in the blockade. Juan Carlos admits that some of the policemen showed respect toward the “physical integrity of several citizens.”

• Silvia Viñas