Stories from 22 April 2012
France: #RadioLondres, Election Day Fun and Dissidence on Twitter
After a gloomy presidential election campaign, French voters are finally having fun on voting day, with hashtag #RadioLondres, to oppose the ban on publication of early results.
Iran: Pet Dogs Seized by Security Forces Once Again
The Iranian Society for Prevention of Cruelty against Animals report that last week about 20 dogs in Pardisan Park in Tehran were arrested as their owners walked them.
Vietnam: Agent Orange Victim and his Music
Meet Thanh Tung, a talented player of dan bau which is a traditional monochord instrument in Vietnam. Tung is also an Agent Orange victim who lost his eyesight at the age of twelve.
Malaysia: Religion, Academe, and Freedom
Hwa Yue-Yi tackles the issue of academic freedom and religious freedom in a Muslim-dominated society like Malaysia
Bahrain: One-Woman Demo!
We have become accustomed to seeing million-man protests in Arab countries, but how about a one-woman protest?
Jordan: New Website for Short Stories
Project Pen is an initiative to promote short story writing by Arabs and “encourage a new generation of writers, creating new kinds of stories, for a new kind of readership”. By sharing stories across social media, and by connecting writers with each other, Project Pen intends to bypass traditional publishing...
Bahrain: Tear Gas, Violence Surround F1 Grand Prix Race
Bahrain hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 22 but the run-up to the event has seen huge protests. In clashes police have been firing tear gas and stun grenades at protesters, and one protestor, Salah Abbas Habib, was found dead.
Armenia: A Tale of Two Nations
Security, in the Caucasus and beyond…. comments on the 97th anniversary of the massacre and deportation of 1.5 million Armenians from the Ottoman Empire in 1915. Considered an act of genocide by many historians and countries, the blog explains why the events are still very much politically relevant to both...
Armenia: Human Rights Organizations Concerned by Film Festival Obstruction
After threats, intimidation and incitement to violence led to the cancellation of a film festival to be held in Armenia's second largest city of Gyumri, nationalists have attacked a human rights organization for the same, prompting concerns about freedom of expression.
Serbia: Upcoming Elections Offer Few Choices, Inspire Apathy and Humor
Much unbeknownst to most people in the world, Serbia is, in many ways, looking at its most important election since the 2000 revolutionary elections that toppled the government of Slobodan Milosevic. As politicians have started campaigning avidly, so have many bloggers broken their silence on this issue. Danica Radisic reports.
Colombia: “Lleras Law2.0 ” Taken Before Constitutional Court
The “Lleras Law 2.0”, which was hastily approved to fit requirements for a Free Trade Agreement with the United States, was taken before the Constitutional Court on April 18 by Senator Camilo Romero [es], who argued it contains parts that threaten rights enshrined in the Constitution. Netizens [es] are invited [es]...
