Stories about Politics from November, 2012
A South Korean Received 10 Month-Jail Term for Retweeting North Korean Tweets
Park Jung-geun, a South Korean photographer/activist, was arrested for retweeting North Korean official Twitter account's messages back in January. He received a suspended 10 month jail term last week.
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.
Pitak Siam Rally Turns Violent in Thailand
The anti-government rally organized by Pitak Siam or “protect Thailand” network turned violent as protesters clashed with the police in Bangkok. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd which was trying to enter a restricted zone. The protesters were demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister whom they accused of being corrupt and undemocratic.
Worrisome Brutality of Anti-Riot Police in Spain
On 14th November, during the general strike across Europe, demonstrations were held in every city of Spain. Protests were suppressed with severity by police forces, as has become the norm in the country.
Doubting the Efficiency of EU Funding for Slovakia
The European Commission has unveiled plans for priorities in funding Slovakia during the years of 2014-2020. One of the problems is that the EU money is often used for unnecessary and unproductive initiatives and projects. Tibor Blazko translates netizens' views on the issue.
Pakistan: Five Bomb Explosions Rock Three Cities In A Day
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 was a horrendous day when a series of suicide bombings were targeted at Imambargahs (Muharram mourning processions) and law enforcement agencies in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Quetta. However, netizens noted that acts of terrorism perpetrated against Shia Muslims didn't get the same level of attention compared to Israel's attacks on Gaza Strip.
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.
Candles Lit for Gaza in Bulgaria's Capital
About 100 people gathered in Sofia's central square to show their support for the victims of Israel's recent Operation Pillar of Defense in the Gaza Strip. Facebook page “Together for Palestine” [bg] has this photo of commemorative candles lit in Bulgaria's capital; another page, “Bulgaria supports Palestinian independence in the...
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.
Has Morsi Pulled a Mubarak and Cut the Internet Off Tahrir Square?
Egyptian netizens are reporting Internet cuts around Tahrir Square, the epi-centre of the Egyptian revolution while others are saying it in working fine. If the Internet is being disrupted by the authorities, it brings to mind what happened on the second day of the start of the Egyptian revolution, when access to the Internet was cut off in Egypt on January 26, 2011.
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]
Mobs Burn Dalit Homes in Response to Intercaste Marriage in India
On 7 November 2012 up to 2,000 people attacked three Dalit settlements in the Dharmapuri District of Tamil Nadu, India. A nursing student, from a Shudra community married a man from a Dalit community and when the father of the bride committed suicide in disgrace, mobs attacked the Dalit community.
Lebanon: France, Oil and Independence Day
Nadine Mazloum puts together a collection of Lebanese Twitter user reactions to Independence Day (Nov 22). She ends her article with a sarcastic comparison of the various occupiers of Lebanon in which France wins the first place. Thus, France is called upon to come back, especially now that oil was discovered in Lebanon.
Honduras’ Presidential Candidates for 2013
On Sunday, November 18, 2012, three Honduran political parties (Liberal, National, and Libre) chose their presidential candidates for next year's election. Blogger David Moran from El Catracho [es] writes about Sunday's elections and the country's electoral system: For common Hondurans it's about choosing between a known evil and the evil...
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.
Russia, Tajikistan: Who is Insulted by the Migrant Worker's Guide?
The youth wing of the ruling People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan has condemned the 'Migrant Worker's Guide' published in Russia. However, a blogger thinks that Russia is doing more for Tajikistan's migrant workers than their home country.
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.
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.
