Stories about Governance from November, 2012
The Plights Of The Stateless Chakmas of Arunachal Pradesh
Paritosh Chakma recently visited Chakma villages in Papumpare district of the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh and wrote about their plights. Thousands of Chakma refugees were transferred to the Chakma Settlement Areas in this region during 1964-69 and most of them still remain stateless.
Rise of Bulgaria's Tomato Revolution
On November 24, people gathered in front of the Bulgarian Parliament in the capital city of Sofia, thus officializing what has become known as the 'Tomato Revolution.' Rayna Stamboliyska reports.
Spain: Minor Beaten by Catalonia's Police, Call for Minister to Resign
The use of force by Catalonia's police force, during November 14, 2012's general strike has brought about a wave of online condemnation. The events, which took place in the middle of an historic electoral campaign, has caused four of the region's political parties to petition for Catalonia's Interior Minister Felip Puig, to resign. One of the more controversial cases is of two minors who were attacked by the police.
Spain: Catalan Elections – “We are all Garcia”
This Sunday, voters in Catalonia head to the polls . The electoral campaign, which has honed in on the question of independence, began last week with a polemic video posted on the Youtube channel of the unionist Catalan People's Party (Partit Popular de Catalunya or PPC). The video rapidly generated a negative reaction among Catalan netizens on Twitter, who created the hashtag #totssomgarcia or "we are all Garcia", expressing solidarity with "Spanish" Catalans and criticizing the divisive content of the PPC campaign spot.
Bangladesh Protests Against Open Pit Coal Mining in Phulbari
In Phulbari, 350 kilometers northwest of the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, local communities have come together to raise their voices against the proposed Phulbari open pit coal mining project. If implemented, it will evict almost 100000 inhabitants from more than 100 villages within a 59 sq. km radius and will create a long term impact on the environment.
Pakistan Stands With Palestine
A number of rallies and protests were held in Pakistan to show solidarity with the Palestinians in their recent conflict with Israel. Using social media, people have raised concerns over the grave situation, displayed support and also condemned the government for being more involved in Gaza rather than dealing with the increased terrorism back home.
Trinidad & Tobago: Hunger Striker Prepared to go the Distance to Protest Highway
Environmental activist and literature professor Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh has gone on a hunger strike to protest the construction of the Debe to Mon Desir section of a highway in southeastern Trinidad. Bloggers discuss whether his cause is worth his life.
Iran: ‘Back to the Stone Age’
Iran Abad writes with irony that Iran's regime has an extraordinary talent to take Iranian economy back to the Stone Age.The blogger mentions several examples such as giving more incentives to buying luxury cars than purchasing medicine.
Iran: Ten Members of Pan-Iranist Party Arrested
Several bloggers reported that security forces arrested ten members of Pan-Iranist Party in Iran. Neshador writes media remained silent about this case. [Update:most of them were released after few days of detention]
Why Vote-Rigging in Ukraine's Elections Shouldn't Go Unpunished
Ukraine’s recent parliamentary elections were marred by allegations of vote-rigging and other forms of corruption. Veronica Khokhlova reveals some of the criticisms leveled by Ukrainian civil society against the elections, and argues that this may be the time for the opposition to rally around a common cause.
Malaysian Residents Oppose Rare Earths Refinery
Malaysia is set to build the world's largest rare earths refinery after the High Court rejected petitions opposing the project. In response environment groups, residents, and concerned citizens have vowed to step up protests against the plant.
YouTube Temporarily Lands on Russia's Internet Blacklist
Thanks to a temporary glitch [ru], the Russian federal government briefly banned the entirety of YouTube earlier today. This comes shortly after Google's IP address [ru] also temporarily appeared on the state's Internet blacklist. Russian bloggers were quick [ru] to sound the alarm in both instances, prompting officials to correct the mistakes within...
2012 Census is Undergoing in Bolivia
Bolivia holds today, November 21, the National Census of Population and Housing 2012. Citizens are restricted from leaving their homes until 23.59 hrs local time. Media, bloggers and netizens are commenting and reporting via Twitter using #Censo2012 and #CensoBo.
Did News Story on Riches of China's Premier Weaken Reformists?
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo’s final days in office have been tainted by allegations that his family has used their power and influence to amass a personal fortune. The scandal also prompted China’s netizens to speculate on the internal struggle within the Communist Party.
People Believe China's Hope Depends on Democracy
Rachel Wang from Tea Leaf Nation reports on the result of an online poll in Sina Weibo conducted by People's Daily, in which a landslide majority of people vote for democracy as the hope of China's future.
Iran's Power Shakedown Before the Presidential Election
Iran’s judiciary recently denied President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad access to one of the country’s most notorious prisons. Does this decision suggest that the outgoing President’s power and influence is on the wane ahead of next year’s elections?
Bolivia, Do You Have Internet?
After more than a decade, Bolivia’s National Census of Population and Housing will be held on November 21, 2012. There is only one question regarding Internet access, and it inquires only about the service, disregarding type of connection, quality, uses, and more. Analysts and activists argue that the government has missed an opportunity to collect in-depth information on this matter.
A Dying Putin Shakes Up Russia's Defense Ministry to Promote An Heir?
Earlier this month, as Americans prepared to re-elect President Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin fired his long-time ally Anatoly Serdyukov, the man who's served as Russia's Defense Minister since 2007. Russian netizens are now busy speculating about his replacement, Sergei Shoigu, and whether or not he's meant to replace a rumored-to-be-ailing Putin.
Hurdles in Making Italy's Illegal Workers ‘Legal’
The results of the legislative decree passed this summer in Italy to regularise thousands of illegal workers by regularisation of their undeclared employment, have not lived up to expectations. Here's a review of online reactions and analysis.
What is the Role of the Army in Africa Today?
The army has often played a determining but ambiguous role in the African political process. Between 1950 and 2000, 53 African countries were subject to military coups leading to regime change. After a period of respite in the 1990’s, the African continent was once again the scene of many military coups in the first decade of the 21st century, with 27 attempts at takeover. Being both a factor in the consolidation and the destabilisation of regimes, the army is regarded with suspicion in most countries and does not seem to know how to adapt to changing mindsets.
