Stories about Digital Activism from January, 2012
South Korea: National Security Law Draws Intense Criticism
North Korea Tech wrote a blog post on South Korea’s controversial National Security Law that bans display and distribution of North Korean material. Recently, several citizens were arrested under this law for posting seemingly benign North Korean songs or news clips.
Syria: Emergency Refugees
With large scale violence in Syria, the exodus towards neighboring countries is increasing continuously (Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey). As per Islamic Relief [it] non-profit organisation, at least 650 Syrian families (mostly from the high risk areas of Homs and Hama) are in urgent need of food, sanitation and other assistance. Currently different activities such as fundraising and other initiatives are taking place, details here....
Azerbaijan: Corrupt Cops Captured on Video Dismissed
Radio Free Europe's Tumblr blog reports that a video shot by its Baku Bureau of traffic police taking bribes off motorists in the Azerbaijani capital has led to their dismissal.
Cameroon: Essayist and Blogger Arrested and Charged with Robbery
Enoh Meyomesse, a Cameroonian writer and blogger, was arrested on November 22, 2011, at Nsimalen airport in Yaoundé, Cameroon on his way back from Singapore. Charged with robbery by the military court of Bertoua, in the north of the country, he is now detained at Nkondengui prison in Yaoundé.
Madagascar, Ethiopia: Arable Lands on Sale
The association “Collectif TANY” for the Protection of Land in Madagascar has published an exhaustive list of the instances of Land Grab by foreign entities in Madagascar [fr]. They warn the public opinion that sales or leasing of arable lands at discount prices are still taking place in Madagascar (2...
Global Voices in French: Translators’ Choice 2011
In 2011, volunteer translators at Global Voices in French translated hundreds of articles and updates on world events and we'd like to say "'Merci!". We've asked them which translation struck them most, during this epic year. Here is the French translators' selection!
Brazil: Blogger Criticizes Report on the Murder of Indigenous Child
Blogger Rogério Tomaz Jr publishes [pt] the report made by the FUNAI (National Indian Foundation) on the alleged death of an 8 year old Awá-Gwajá child in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, which states that all was just the result of “unfounded rumors and a lie” . He repudiates the...
Cuba: Political Arrests in 2011
Uncommon Sense and babalu refer to a report from the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, which states that there were “4,123 politically-motivated arrests — including almost 800 in December alone — of human rights activists and other dissidents” last year.
South Korea: Anger and Suspicion Grows Over Election Rigging
A political scandal is brewing in South Korea over alleged election rigging, despite the police's conclusion that the nation's election commission website was disconnected due to a distributed denial of service (DDOS) attack.
Cuba: Farinas Arrested Again
Uncommon Sense reports that Guillermo Farinas, ” a psychologist…independent journalist [and] of Cuba's best-known human rights activists” has once again been arrested, along with “11 other anti-Castro activists”.
Hungary: “Hey Europe, Sorry About My Prime Minister”
Marietta Le reviews some Hungarian netizens' views on the January 2 protest against the country's new constitution.
Cuba: Reports of Repression
babalu reports on “another wave of repression against the island's peaceful human rights activists” here and here.
European Union: ACTA and Citizens’ Digital Rights
Greek blogger Michalis Panagiotakis writes [el] about the upcoming ratification of ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) in the European Parliament, and the issues arising with regard to the restriction of citizens’ digital rights.
Lebanon: Nasawiya Call to March Against Rape Laws
Nasawiya, an initiative committed to gender justice and equality in Lebanon, is calling upon netizens to mobilise the “masses to join the march against Lebanon’s backwards rape laws on January 14 at 12pm from Ministry of Interior in Sanayeh.” “Please help us spread the word by blogging about the demo...
Hong Kong: Protest Against Luxury Brand to Defend Local Identity
A recent video showing a Dolce & Gabbana security guard telling a local Hong Kong resident that photographs of the store cannot be taken from the outside sidewalk, while wealthy mainland Chinese shoppers are free to shoot away, led to a large protest this weekend.
Africa: ICTs for Refugees and Displaced Persons
In Africa and elsewhere, ICTs have become an important tool at times of crisis with technologies such as SMS, VOIP, and mobile phones becoming especially invaluable for refugees and displaced persons.
Nigeria: Meet the Organiser of Occupy Nigeria in London
MyWeku interviews the UK organizer of Occupy Nigeria movement: The removal led to petrol prices doubling overnight and triggered a spate of protests that seem to be gathering momentum. The demonstrations are being led and organised by Occupy Nigeria under the globally recognised “Occupy Movement”.
India: #IFeelUp Tweet-a-thon Is Underway
Sandeep Varma reports that @theviewspaper, in partnership with 7up, is hosting an interesting virtual conference during 8-10 January 2012. The #IFeelUp Tweet-a-thon is said to be the World’s largest online conference.
Venezuela: Netizens Threatened, Hacked
Naky Soto Parra, in her blog El Zaperoco de Naky [es], posts a message by Global Voices contributor Luis Carlos Díaz, who has been receiving threats for his online activity. Luis Carlos explains that the threats and cyber-attacks come from hackers who target netizens that criticize the government. He calls...
South Asia in 2011: A Year Full of Controversies and Protests
2011 was an eventful year. We have seen extensive use of social media in South Asia to discuss many controversies and protests. In this post we highlight Global Voices South Asian team's coverage throughout the year.
Eurozone Crisis: 2011 Citizen Media Responses
The year 2011 will be remembered for the European debt crisis and its impact on the global economy, but also for its hard consequences on everyday lives. We sum up Global Voices coverage and citizen media responses to the Eurozone crisis in the past year.
