Stories about Digital Activism from July, 2008
Serbia: Frontline Club's Live Discussion on Karadžić
From the Frontline announces: “Live discussion about Karadžić tonight Thu 31st July, 7.30pm UK time from the Frontline Club chaired by Ben Brown (BBC). Joining us will be Ed Vulliamy (Guardian and Observer), Kemal Pervanić (survivor of the Omarska concentration camp), Sir Geoffrey Nice (QC) and Gordana Igrić by skype...
Barbados: Setting Standards
As the government is granted a US$5 million International Development Bank loan to upgrade the national standards system, Barbados Free Press continues its call for standards to be adopted with regard to public accountability and transparency.
Dominica, U.S.A.: Politics & People
Chris at Dominica Weekly has “taken a strong interest in the US Presidential Election”, which leads him to consider the state of politics in his own country: “Perhaps the most effective thing we can do is speak our truth to power, speak up for what we need, and demand certain...
Italy: A National Registry for Roma People?
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's new right wing Cabinet recently launched plans to carry out a national registration of all Roma people in Italy, including fingerprints of all children. Italy is home to an estimated 150,000 Roma and Sinti people (often referred to as Gypsies). The ensuing, heated public debate over whether this measure amounts to racial discrimination is overflowing in the online space of Italy and beyond.
No to Kuwait's New Internet Law
Kuwaiti bloggers are angry at a proposed new Internet Law, which they claim would make their days as free bloggers numbered, after Attorney General Hamad Al Othman announced that a new law dealing with Internet crimes will be issued soon. Abdullatif Al Omar takes a closer look at the Kuwaiti blogosphere and their reactions to the impending law.
Kenya: 10,000 signatures needed
10,000 signatures are needed for political change in Kenya: “And everything goes back to normal? It can't end here. We need 10,000 signatures demanding they do something human for a change and reduce their salaries and give some of their own land to the people in this country who really...
Western Sahara: Eljahoub temporary released
Saharawi-Students provides an update about the trial of Maliha Eljahoub, a Saharawi law student and human rights activist arrested for “criminal charges” in Agadir on July 24. Eljahoub's trial is scheduled for August 13 in Marrakesh. He is currently on temporary release.
Haiti: Act 3, Scene 2
“It has been fascinating to follow. And we are thankful that we are now watching Scene 2 unfold, while not really certain of its outcome”: jmc strategies is watching the process develop as Michèle Pierre-Louis moves closer to potentially becoming Prime Minister of Haiti.
Trinidad & Tobago: Living the Truth
Blogging from Trinidad and Tobago, Ramblings and Reason bursts with pride when her “friend David not only got on a stage and said that he is a gay man, he also said he is living with HIV and has been for 11 years. For him, it was about being honest....
Barbados, Venezuela: Staking a Claim
Notes From The Margin is monitoring the “strident” tone of an article in the Venezuelan media which deals with the South American country's claim of Barbados’ waters: “Barbados has little reason to take on Venezuela’s claims other than Venezuela has the means to aggressively enforce its claims on the area...
Iran: Cleric's Protest Walk Ends in Jail
An Iranian cleric named Ali Reza Jahanshahi was arrested about two weeks ago, shortly after beginning a 960 kilometer (590 miles) protest walk from the southern Iranian city, Sirjan to Tehran. The cleric was protesting corrupt land appropriation in Sirjan, and complained the government was not doing enough to stop...
Russia: Level of Patriotism Among Pro-Putin Youth
LJ user makov_mak recounts (RUS) an improvised survey on the level of patriotism among pro-Putin youth, with some peculiar twists to it.
Macedonia: New Law for “Preventive Surveillance”
Metamorphosis reviews Macedonian NGOs’ and bloggers’ negative response to “the recent changes in the Law on Criminal Procedure and the Law on Interception of Communications, allowing special investigative measures (surveillance).”
Syria: In The Economist
The Blog and the Shower remarks on a recent article in The Economist on censorship in Syria.
Egypt: A Man's Views on Sexual Harassment in Egypt
In a series of posts tackling sexual harassment in Egypt, Marwa Rakha sheds light on a male Egyptian blogger's interpretation of what is really happening on the ground. "The Sex Files," by blogger Wael Nawara presents a rather interesting perspective on sexual harassment in Egypt.
Mourning a sexually harassed Egypt – Part 2
Reuters published survey on sexual harassment in Egypt is still stirring angry responses from Egyptian bloggers. Marwa Rakha sheds light on more reactions in this post.
Egypt Silences the Voice of Iran
Egyptian authorities shut down the Cairo office of an Iranian TV network over a film that justifies the killing of former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat by Islamic militants. Marwa Rakha sums up the opinions of Egyptian blogger Dina Ayoub about the incident in this post.
Trinidad & Tobago: Backhoe Backup
Blogging from Trinidad & Tobago, This Beach Called Life admits to a fascination with backhoes…
Haiti: Quest for Freedom
The Haitian Blogger publishes an article from the Haiti Action Committee Website that “expresses…the aspirations of many Haitian activists who are endeavoring to see Haiti regain its sovereignty and ability to be a self-sustaining, viable and thriving democracy.”
Trinidad & Tobago: What Next?
“What now then? Do we engage a Commission of Inquiry to look into the 1990 Insurrection? What we do next after all this time has to make sense…” Keith in Trinidad still has many unanswered questions about the attempted coup that took place 18 years ago, while Coffeewallah adds: “The...
