Stories from 20 February 2013
Bolivia: Indigenous Communities Battle for Territory
Plans for a road which would cut through the heart of the Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory, or TIPNIS, continue to provoke debate and cause conflict in Bolivia. Here we bring you the latest developments on the matter as well as a related video produced for our Video Activo project.
[Webcast] Thoughts On The Fallout from Kony 2012
Ruha Devanesan explores how Invisible Children has responded to criticism of Kony 2012 and adapted its messaging and asks what lessons can be learned by the human rights advocacy community.
Journalist's Stabbing a ‘Warning’ for Tajik Opposition
A Tajik journalist and critic of the regime is in hospital after being stabbed in Moscow. The netizens in Tajikistan have little doubt that the attack on the journalist was politically motivated and that it was a taste of things to come in the months leading to presidential elections due in November.
President Correa, “Citizens Must Control Technology”
It is increasingly important that citizens control technology. That is why we must expand the use of these open tools in our society. The Free Software Association of Ecuador has published an open letter [es] to the recently re-elected president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, encouraging him to take action and...
Barbados: Elections Tomorrow
As Barbados gets ready for its national elections tomorrow, two blogs share their perspectives, here and here.
Jamaica: Reggae, Bleaching and Black History
It's Reggae Month and Black History Month…Jamaica Woman Tongue looks at the bleaching phenomenon against that backdrop.
The Bobs Awards Are Back – Nominate Your Favourite Sites & Microbloggers today!
That blog or online activism site you visit each day without fail. That microblogger whose 140 characters sparkle with such wit and insight. Here's your chance to have those sites and users rewarded for their excellence by nominating them for the Bobs, Deutsche Welle's 9th annual international blog and social...
Saudi Arabia: Activist Accuses Judge of Conflict of Interest
Earlier today, February 20th, the first hearing session for Saudi Political and Civil Rights Association (ACPRA) co-founder Dr Abdulkareem al-Khadr was held at Criminal Court in Buraidah. Among his "crimes" are "calling for and inciting to break the law, spread chaos and disturb public tranquility and safety by writing and publishing a statement that calls for protesting in public squares."
Targeted by Kuwaiti Police, Stateless Video Blogger Calls it Quits
A video blogger in Kuwait is walking away from his cyber-activism, writing that police have threatened and beaten him. Mona Kareem tells us why the Angry Bedoon will no longer be sharing videos of oppression against stateless people in Kuwait.
Turkey: Lynch Attempt on Kurdish Members of Parliament in Sinop
Kurdish members of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and Democratic Congress of the People (HDK) faced a lynch attempt by almost 2,000 angry protesters during their visit to Sinop, a city in Black Sea region of Northern Turkey. Baran Mavzer charts netizen reactions.
Brazil: Turtles Take Over Public Transport
While the citizens of Porto Alegre protest against the increase in bus fares [pt], bus companies demonstrate against the adjustment of wages. On February 19, a “turtle operation” took place, in which vehicles ran at speeds below 30 km per hour. The website PortoAlegre.cc shared a number of suggestions from...
Brazilian Artists Idealize their Mona Lisa
Digital arts gallery Urban Arts and It’s Noon launched an online challenge that has attracted artists from all over Brazil: If you were Leonardo da Vinci, what would your Mona Lisa look like?
Global Voices Seeks Part-Time Developer
Global Voices seeks a part-time web designer and developer to help maintain and redesign our many WordPress and other LAMP-based sites, working closely with our primary developer
Brunei's ‘Nature Avengers’ Think Big
Green Brunei is a non-profit group that “promotes environmental education and creates awareness on environmental conservation and clean technology through media, activities and projects.” It aims to be the biggest green community in Brunei. Its recent project was Nature's Avengers, which involved students and young volunteers.
“Ask Angy” Humanizes the Experience of Undocumented Immigrants
Angy Rivera shares her immigration story with the world in hopes of humanizing this complex experience, particularly in the United States. Two years ago she publicly announced that "she did not fear being undocumented," and since then she writes a column entitled Ask Angy, in which she responds to questions, doubts, and comments.
Matisse Bustos Hawkes, Witness and the Power of Video
We spoke with Matisse Bustos Hawkes, communications manager at Witness, an international non-profit organization that uses the power of video and narrative to open the world's eyes to human rights' abuses.
Bengali Language History Not Lost on Youth
Farah Subhan at Amader Kotha highlights how Bangladeshi youth feel about 21 of February, the day commemorating the martyrs of the Bengali language movement, also known as the The International Mother Language Day.
Brazilians Push Back Against Porto Alegre Bus Fare Increase
A fight is brewing in the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre over an increase in bus fares.
India at the Forefront of One Billion Rising
Reports from the online and mainstream media show Indians participating in huge numbers across the country and India trending at the forefront of the global campaign, One Billion Rising.
