Stories from 11 May 2012
Iran: Calls for killing of ‘apostate’ rap artist
Several bloggers announced their support to Shahin Najafi, Europe based Iran singer.A Shi’ite cleric, has issued a death sentence against rap artist Shahin Najafi for apostasy. The sentence was issued after Najafi released a controversial song called “Naqi” (a Shi'ite saint).
Turkey: Outrage at Sentencing of Scarf Case Student
On May 11 Cihan Kirmizigul, an engineering student at Galatasaray University in Istanbul, was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in jail, accused of firebombing a building - but many believe his only "crime" was wearing a Kurdish scarf in the vicinity of the attack.
Armenia: NGOs Condemn Arson Attack on Gay-Friendly Bar
Unzipped: Gay Armenia posts the text of a statement by a group of NGOs including the Helsinki Citizens Assembly in Vanadzor, Women's Resource Center, and Pink Armenia, among others, condemning the 8 May arson attack on D.I.Y., a gay-friendly bar in Yerevan. The blog also reports that two members of...
Brazil: Homeless Movement in Belo Horizonte Surrounded by Police
“Ocupação Eliana Silva” [pt], a camping site of around 300 families in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, which had been occupied mostly by homeless workers [pt] on April 21, in protest against lack of housing conditions, was sieged by the military police today, May 11. Journalist Adriano Ventura (@adrianoventura) is tweeting photos...
Argentina Approves Death with Dignity Law
After a long debate in the Argentine Senate, the Death with Dignity project was converted into law with wide-ranging support. On Twitter the hashtag #Muertedigna (death with dignity) became a local trending topic after news broke out about the new law. There have been many different opinions.
Nicaragua: The Media's Challenges in Going Mobile
Carlos R. Fonseca [es] blogs about the use of mobile devices in Nicaragua. He looks at the challenges Nicaraguan media outlets face in creating mobile applications and mobile versions of their sites due to a lack of information on how Nicaraguans use mobile devices.
Robert F. Kennedy Award Will Recognize Social Media Journalism
One of the foremost international human rights organizations, the Robert F. Kennedy Center, is calling for nominations to a new Journalism Award on International Photography and International Social Media hosted by their European office in Florence, Italy.
Mali: Junta Aims to Take Back Control after Caretaker President's Term
Marcus Boni Teiga explains why he thinks we should not hold our collective breath for a resolution in the Malian crisis [fr]. While rumors of Captain Sanogo vying to be promoted General circulated in Bamako, reports indicate that the military coup leaders aim to seize back control of the country after the term...
China: In Bo Xilai Saga, Did Social Media Challenge Government?
Political struggle, murder, corruption, espionage and diplomatic conflict - the downfall of Bo Xilai from the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) elite ranks has turned out to be a multi-faceted story. It is also a good example of the disruptive role that social media plays in today’s China.
Russia: Yavlinsky Stir Reveals Opposition Rift
True to Yabloko's troubled past and present, Yavlinksy's May 10 blog post criticizing protest escalations has upset many and pleased relatively few. Current developments in the opposition have widened the gap between populist dramatics and nuts-and-bolts politics.
Mozambique: Space for Human Rights Debate Launched on Facebook
A new online space that aims to “sharpen critical awareness and the promotion of citizenship, human rights and access to information” in Mozambique was launched today, May 11, on Facebook by CODD – a Center of Studies and Promotion of Citizenship, Human Rights and the Environment. On their welcoming message...
Kenya: Mark Kaigwa to Global Voices: “The East is Coming to Africa.”
At the 2012 edition of the Berlin re:publica conference, which took place from 2-4 May., Kenyan blogger and entrepreneur Mark Kaigwa was a featured speaker at a session entitled "Silicon Savanna, how African technologies are changing the world". Global Voices took this opportunity to catch up with Mark and discuss his positive outlook about Africa's future.
Ethiopia: The World Economic Forum in Africa 2012
Over 700 leaders from more than 70 countries are attending the World Economic Forum in Africa taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian from 9 - 11, 2012. The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world.
Cuba: Remembering the Dissidents
This week, members of the Cuban diaspora have been blogging about two main things: the one-year anniversary of the death of dissident Juan Wilfredo Soto, and the re-arrest of human rights activist Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia.
Taiwan: Indigenous Tao People's 30 Year Nuclear ‘Nightmare’
After Japan's Fukushima nuclear accident last year, more and more Taiwanese have started to become aware of the problems caused by nuclear power plants. One of the most serious issues is nuclear waste on Orchid Island, where the Tao people have lived for generations.
Afghanistan: How to Use an Afghan Box Camera
The Presurfer shares a small video documentary of one of the only two remaining Afghan box photographers left in Kabul, and how he takes pictures and processes them inside a small black box.
