Stories about International Relations from February, 2012
Video Highlights: Video Advocacy and Recent Events
A selection of Global Voices' recent and interesting stories on video advocacy including indigenous rights and recent news from Latin America, East Asia and Sub Saharan Africa selected by Juliana Rincón Parra.
Argentina: Government Accepts UN Mediation in Falklands Conflict
Amidst a climate of rising tensions with the United Kingdom, the Argentinian government decided to take the conflict over the sovereignty of the Falklands to the UN. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said that the UN would be prepared to act as a mediator in the conflict, if both parties wished for it to do so.
“Dying to Live”: Khader Adnan's Hunger Strike for Palestinian Rights
Adnan Khader is on strike to protest a raid on his family home by Israeli occupation forces and to bring worldwide attention to the fact that Palestinians are held without being charged on a daily basis.
Martinique: All together around Creole
The Creole language in the Caribbean and the cooperation between islands were recently discussed during the Creole-speaking Regions Days, as explained in this post on Tous Créoles [Fr Cr/Fr]. One of the most debated issues was a visa waiving program between the French Caribbean islands and the rest of the...
West Papua: A Different Side of the Independence Struggle through Video
A documentary video letter from a woman in West Papua to an Indonesian soldier echoes the stories of many other women in the area. In this case, she asks the soldier, who was once based in her village, to please write and return to meet his daughter.
Antigua, Guadeloupe: From the Common Past
For the past decade, the tight historical and geographical bonds between the West Indian islands of Antigua and Guadeloupe have been analyzed by historians. A recent conference entitled “Antigua: From the Amerindians to an Independant Nation” [Fr] was organized in Guadeloupe by the group Yo Té Pou Nou Sé. Bloggers...
Sri Lanka: Lack Of Basic Convenience At The National Development Exhibition
Serendipity reports that there are insufficient toilets planned at the annual Deyata Kirula (National Development Exhibition).
Bhutan: The Potentials Of Amateur Radios
Tshering Tobgay writes about the Dx-pedition of a ham radio operator from England to Bhutan and the challenges and potentials of the amateur radio and its enthusiasts in his country.
Saudi Arabia: Fate of Journalist Hamza Kashgari Hangs in the Balance
Saudi journalist Hamza Kashgari set off a social media firestorm last week when he tweeted an imaginary conversation with the Prophet Mohammed, causing the young man to flee the country in the face of threats. Now, social media users debate Kashgari's fate as he faces extradition from Malaysia.
Macedonia: British MEP Tweets His Emergency Landing at Skopje Airport
A drama in the air over the Skopje airport received an immediate reflection via Twitter, after a successful emergency landing. Filip Stojanovski reports.
China: The Political Drama of Wang Lijun's “Stress Leave”
Some background on Wang Lijun, the former police chief of Chongqing who sought temporary refuge in a nearby US consulate last week before turning himself over to central government authorities. More speculation than facts so far, but netizens have woven together a few plausible scenarios.
Saudi Journalist Detained in Malaysia for ‘Offensive’ Tweet
Saudi journalist Hamza Kashgari was stopped at Malaysia's airport after Saudi Arabia ordered his arrest. The journalist is accused of sending a twitter message that ‘insulted’ Prophet Mohammad
Jamaica: Go Easy on the Guns
The United States is sending “a donation that comes with a message” to Jamaica, supplying the island's police force with “batons, handcuffs, pepper sprays and equipment belts for approximately 6,500 frontline officers” – which prompts Jamaica Salt to ask: “With a culture of impunity within the police…and in a country...
Russia: “Anti-Gay Propaganda Bill” Passes Second Reading
St. Petersburg is getting closer to signing into law the notorious "anti-gay propaganda bill." "Will talking about Tchaikovsky be banned?" tweets British writer and actor Stephen Fry. Some of the Russian netizens' reactions are translated below.
Macedonia: Pondering Future Consequences of ACTA
While the authorities in Macedonia remain silent on the country's stance on the ACTA, bloggers, such as Airborne, emphasize the need to gain more knowledge [mk], as the traditional media mostly ignore the issue: “Maybe, one of these days, we'll just simply wake up in the ACTA-ruled world.” The new...
Mexico, USA: Journalist and Author Sam Quinones Starts Blogging
Author and journalist Sam Quinones has started a blog about “Los Angeles, Mexico, migrants, culture, drugs, neighborhoods, border, and good storytelling.” You can also follow him on Twitter: @samquinones7.
Cuba: Bloggers Say Pope Should Postpone Trip
Cuban bloggers have been making their feelings known about the impending papal visit to Cuba, their main concern being that the Vatican is putting its stamp of approval on the Castro government despite regular reports of human rights violations coming out of the island.
Barbados: Take The Prisoner
An interesting development in the case of the Cuban prisoner being held past his sentence in Barbados, is here.
Tunisia: Decision to Expel Syrian Ambassador Sparks Heated Debate
On February 1, Tunisia, the birthplace of the so-called Arab Spring, has started procedures to expel the Syrian Ambassador in Tunis, and to withdraw recognition of the Syrian regime. Netizens react to the decision.
Hungary: Goodbye, Malév!
Malév, Hungary's state airline since 1946, ceased operation on February 3, 2012, due to bankruptcy. Marietta Le reports on the reactions in the blogosphere, explaining what Malév meant for the people.
Slovakia: Stop ACTA Protest
An anti-ACTA rally took place in Bratislava on Feb. 4. On the protest's Facebook page [sk], nearly 7,500 people wrote they would attend, and over 3,800 wrote they'd “maybe” attend. The weather was cold and windy; the recent news from Poland, which has postponed the ratification of ACTA, was good;...
