Stories about Governance from June, 2010
Russia: Chechen President Launches Blog
Ramzan Kadyrov [EN], president of the Chechen Republic [EN], launched a blog ya-kadyrov [RUS] at Livejournal. In his first post Kadyrov writes that he is “a sociable and to the limit outspoken person”, and that he “hopes to develop friendship and discuss various events with his readers”. There is no option to...
Malaysia: Historic jail demolished
Despite the protest of concerned citizens, artists, and historians, the Malaysian government has decided to demolish the 115 year old Pudu Jail, a historical landmark in Kuala Lumpur. Bloggers react
Chile: Students Arrested After Protesting Against University Reform
A week ago the government of Sebastian Piñera announced a major reform to the higher education system. At the inauguration ceremony of the president of Universidad de Chile (University of Chile) Víctor Pérez, students were arrested while protesting against a reform which they fear will get rid of public higher education.
Guinea-Bissau: Are Armed Forces linked to Narcotraffic?
General António Indjai, who led the military unrest of April in Guinea Bissau, was yesterday appointed [pt] Armed Forces Chief of Staff by President Malam Bacai Sanha. The blogosphere has been talking about his aledged active role with narco trafficking [pt].
Bangladesh: Hartal Is Back
Hartal, a South Asian form of strike action is back in Bangladesh after almost three years. Bangladeshi netizens react.
Iran: A woman may face stoning to death
According to several blogs including Rahrovaneraheakbar [fa], Sakine Mohmadi Ashtyani may face stoning to death in near future in Tabriz, in Iran. She was accused of having sex with two men who killed her husband.
Iran: People resisted the Morality Police
A video film shows how people in Rasht, in the northern Iran, resisted the Morality Police when they wanted to arrest a woman. Read more here.
Pakistan: Banning The Internet
Reacting on the recent court verdict of Lahore High Court, which may lead to banning of an entire range of websites, Adil Najam at All Things Pakistan explains “why banning the Internet in Pakistan may actually be a good thing”.
Bangladesh: Poverty In Numbers
An Ordinary citizen highlights the results of a recent survey of BSS (Bangladesh Statistical Bureau) which is focused on basic requirements enjoyed by the people of Bangladesh.
Russia: Bloggers React to President Medvedev's Silicon Valley Tour
For the first 24 hours, Dmitry Medvedev's @KremlinRussia Twitter account provided a unique opportunity to send unmoderated comments to the Russian president. Then all the comments were removed, and the era of the Russian unmoderated online democracy ended. Gregory Asmolov reviews Russian bloggers' reactions to the president's visit to California.
Mozambique: 35 Years of Independence
On the 35th anniversary of Mozambique's independence [en], blog Moçambique Para Todos [Mozambique For All, pt] publishes several opinion articles, reflecting upon the political situation and the economical dependency of the country as well as the conclusions of a survey related with the political decisions which were made in 1975.
D.R. of Congo: The Murder of Human Rights Activist Floribert Chebeya
Floribert Chebeya, the leader of a human rights organization in D.R. of Congo, was found dead on June 2 under suspicious circumstances. Protests against his murder and other killings and rapes are planned by the Congolese diaspora this week.
Russia: Charges Against Alexanyan Dropped
Robert Amsterdam reports that “Russian prosecutors have finally dropped their case against Yukos lawyer Vasily Aleksanyan”: “But I don't really see this as a sign of clemency or change, or a sudden recognition of judicial independence. Russia just admitted that it held an innocent individual for two years for no...
Poland: “Still Divided”
Raf Uzar summarizes the results of the first round of Poland's presidential election and concludes: “What is really thought-provoking is the fact that after centuries of turmoil and upheaval, Poland is still a country divided.”
Russia: President Medvedev is “iPhone Compatible”
Julia Ioffe announces at True/Slant that “Russian president is iPhone compatible.” More on Dmitry Medvedev's visit to California by Julia Ioffe – here, here, and here, and by Jamestown Foundation Blog – here.
Brazil: “Tsunami” hits some of the poorest riverside cities
At least 46 people have been killed and an estimated hundreds are missing after torrential floods swept through states in the north-east Brazil, in the worst environmental tragedy in the local population's memory.
Afghanistan: Drug use keeps on rising
Nick Fielding reviews a report from the UN's Office of Drug Control, which indicates that almost a million people in Afghanistan – roughly 8 per cent of the population between 15 and 64 years old – are drug addicts.
Kyrgyzstan: Constitutional Referendum, Pro et contra
Ekaterina writes [ru] (and Andrei translates) a analysis of the situation around constitutional referendum in Kyrgyzstan, which is expected to bring more legitimacy to the Interim Government.
El Salvador: Transparency Begins with Citizens
Carlos Abraham Rodriguez [es] says he would like to see more transparency from the government of El Salvador; but he also adds that it is the citizen's responsibility to ask for it and to support initiatives that will make the government more transparent.
Madagascar: A Strange 50th Independence Day Anniversary
The Anniversary of Madagascar 50th Independence Day is on June 26th and the festivities are already underway. Still, the atmosphere is not exactly festive because of the political and economic uncertainty.
Singapore: Tax on church groups
Recognizing that many church groups are establishing various business establishments, Irreligious from Singapore asks whether it is right to exempt church groups from paying taxes.
