Stories about Governance from August, 2014
Indian Security Forces Open Fire on Peaceful Protestors in Manipur
The Nagas in Ukhrul are protesting the ban on rallies and the militarisation of their home, which defies decade-long ceasefire between Naga separatists and the Indian Government.
Stop Complaining About the Government! Instead, India Wants Citizens to Help
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has launched the “MyGov” website, which invites Indian citizens to participate actively in the country's governance and development.
Azerbaijan's President Doesn't Really Get Twitter. He Doesn't Really Get Azerbaijan, Either
Azeri president Ilham Aliyev's official Twitter feed is so bad it is funny. But behind the comedy lurks the darker realities Aliyev's bumbling forays into social media are covering up.
Former Prime Minister Feeds the Meme Machine With Rejection of Trinidad & Tobago's Highest Honour
Patrick Manning doesn't want the Order of Trinidad and Tobago from current Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who he accused of breaking proper award protocol and attacking him in the past.
‘Citizen Lawmakers’ in the Philippines Are Organizing a Campaign To Do What Politicians Won't: Abolish Pork Barrel
Hundreds of organizations hailing from various sectors have united in a historic attempt to collect enough signatures for a law abolishing the corruption-tainted presidential and congressional pork barrel.
How To Find Happiness In Democracy
From Bhutan, the land of Gross National Happiness, blogger Passang Tshering shares how people can achieve happiness in democracy. He compares democracy to love marriage and says that there are three groups of people, the lovers, the haters and the concern citizens. The Lovers are the ones who swear by...
India’s LGBT Community Dares to Hope After Health Minister’s Comment on Gay Rights
Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that everybody has human rights and it is the job of the government to protect them.
Scholars and Experts Are Urging the German Government to Rethink Its Unconditional Support of Israel
Due to several anti-Semitic outbursts from some protesters, reporting on Gaza in Germany over the past few weeks has been overshadowed by a debate on anti-Semitism.
Serbia’s ‘Declaration of Internet Freedom’ Wins Big Support from Western Dignitaries
Serbian bloggers have drafted a Declaration of Internet Freedom, and representatives of the international community are showing their support.
China Insists That Hong Kong Should Only Have Pro-Beijing Candidates — for National Security
China's Basic Law Committee Li Fei said that "the person who governs Hong Kong must be a patriot" or the city risks turning into an independent political entity.
Experts Say Technical Issues Are Behind Egypt's Power Outages, but the Prime Minister Blames the Muslim Brotherhood
Egyptians suffer from daily hours-long blackouts while government officials make contradicting statements regarding the cause.
African Ebola Survivors Share Their Stories of Recovery and Stigma
"Thank god for the doctors. They gave me a certificate that indicates I am free of Ebola in case anyone would still doubt."
Is Zambia’s President Sata Working Quietly Behind the Scenes or Seriously Ill?
Zambia's President Michael Sata has not been seen in public since May. Many are speculating that the former publicity-loving politician is ailing.
Critics Fear Bangladesh's New Media Monitoring Policy Will Stifle Free Expression
Questions have been raised by many about the new draft broadcasting policy of Bangladesh. Such a policy was much due, but analysts say its regressive and will control the media.
Why Protesters in Trinidad & Tobago Are Against the Proposed Constitutional Reform Bill
With general elections due next year, some suggest it is an attempt to boost the government's approval ratings before citizens go to the polls, while others see more sinister motives.
Arrests Made in Man's Fatal Beating Have Not Renewed Faith in Jamaica's Police
The case has continued to fuel protests and discussions in Jamaica, which has a history of police brutality and other similar forms of violence.
SMS Death Threats Stoke Fears on Fate of Abducted Journalist in Maldives
The messages came just days before the unexplained disappearance of journalist and democracy advocate Ahmed Rizwan Abdulla.
Clashes After an Attempted Theft of 450 Cattle Leaves 15 Dead in Madagascar
#LeMonde #Afropages Madagascar : des affrontements entre voleurs de zébus et gendar… http://t.co/S0hKDuSvKJ pic.twitter.com/GbzjNjCTzz — Afropages (@Afropages) August 18, 2014 Armed forces and dahalos (highwaymen in Malagasy) clashed in Amboasary Sud in the southern region of Madagascar on Aug. 15 over a theft of humped cattle (Zebus), a type of domestic cattle with...
Thailand's Military Junta Cements Its Power With ‘Undemocratic’ Interim Constitution
Thailand’s military government has enacted an interim constitution which critics described as a charter that is designed to perpetuate a military dictatorship.
Derailed Train Exposed Inefficient Philippine Mass Transport System
Scores were injured when a train overshot its stop at a busy intersection in south Manila. The crash ignited an intense discussion about the weak and inefficient mass transportation system in the Philippines. Authorities vowed to improve train service amid rising public anger over the incident.
A Syrian in Brazil: An Interview With Global Voices Contributor Rami Alhames
From Syria to Brazil, from engineering to activism and finally Global Voices, Rami Alhames has an interesting story of his own to tell.
