Stories about Feature from December, 2011
Kazakhstan: Reactions to Strike Crackdown as Police Brutality Video Emerges
Clashes in the town of Zhanaozen, Kazakhstan, on December 16-17, 2011, when a labour strike suddenly broke out in violence, looting and arson leaving at least 14 dead and hundreds of civilians and policemen injured, have caused considerable debate online. Adil Nurmakov reports.
Kuwait: Stateless Protesters Attacked for Demanding Rights
Arrests, beatings and harassment face protesters championing for the rights of 100,000 stateless in Kuwait, struggling to have the rights to documents, education, health care, employment, and most importantly naturalization. Mona Kareem takes a look at protests over the past few days in Kuwait and the police crackdown that followed.
Malawi: Actor's Arrest Reminiscent of Past Dictatorship's Censorship Laws
Malawi police on Sunday afternoon December 18, stormed a stage on which a play was being performed, arrested the main actor mid-sentence and led him away into a waiting police van. Steve Sharra reports.
Egypt: Women Rally for Dignity
Thousands of Egyptian women took to the streets of Cairo today to protest for their dignity, after women were beaten up by soldiers during running battles between the army and protesters in and around Tahrir Square since December 16.
Global Voices: Donate Today
2011 has been an extraordinary year for online content. Global Voices has been there as revolutions happened, dictatorships fell, and network effects rippled through the cities and neighborhoods of our contributors reporting from around the world.
Arab World: Global Voices Bridges on Twitter
As a part of our end-of-year coverage we in the Middle East and North Africa region look back at some of the major events we covered during 2011. The following post highlights the role of the Global Voices Online community in spreading information on Twitter during the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions.
Responses to the Death of North Korean Dictator, Kim Jong-il
Since North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-il's death on December 17 from a heart attack, the South Korean Twittersphere has lit up with numerous responses to the news. Lee Yoo Eun reports.
South Korea: North Korean Dictator, Kim Jong Il Is Dead
Kim Jong Il, the North Korean dictator has died. Although the death of the world's one of the notorious dictator is something what people should welcome, most South Koreans have expressed worries on the instability his sudden death might bring to the Korean peninsula.
Bahrain: #OccupyBudaiyaSt Continues
Bahraini protesters have been continuing with their daily protests despite a government crackdown. This none forceful confrontation with protesters has resulted in two deaths and countless injuries since Thursday. Netizens react to the new developments in the country.
Egypt: Women Against SCAF – Who Wins?
The world woke up today to see that Egypt had made the headlines again with a photograph of military officers ferociously beating a veiled girl and stripping her off her clothes. Nermeen Edrees charts netizen reactions to the way the Supreme Council for Armed Forces is treating women in Egypt.
Syria: Blogger Razan Ghazzawi is FREE!
Syrian blogger Razan Ghazzawi was released tonight, after spending 15 days in a Syrian prison. Ghazzawi, who blogs under her real name from Syria, was arrested at the Syrian-Jordanian border, while on her way to attend a press freedom workshop in Amman. Her arrest was criticised by netizens around the world.
Arab World: Thank You Mohamed Bouazizi! Thank You Sidi Bouzid!
Netizens around the world today commemorate the first anniversary of the Arab revolution, sparked by the self-immolation of fruit and vegetable vendor Mohammed Bouazizi in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia. What started as a one-man protest for dignity ignited the Arab world and beyond.
Taiwan: Land Expropriation Revision Fails to Address Farmers’ Woes
As the presidential election is approaching, the politicians in Taiwan's Executive Yuan have decided to revise the Land Expropriation Act. However, instead of addressing the farmers' woes, lawmakers have passed a revision of the Act that reinstates the interests of development over human rights.
Egypt: Tahrir Square Burning
Egypt's Military Police have set Tahrir Square ablaze and forcefully pushed away protesters demonstrating outside the Cabinet on the first anniversary of the Arab revolution, sparked by the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi in Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia.
Bahrain: A Bloody National Day, a Funeral and More Suppression
On the same day the Bahraini regime celebrated National Day, a funeral procession was due to take place for protester Ali Ahmed Radhi Al-Gassab, who was run over during protests a day earlier. Netizens explain how the funeral was suppressed by government forces.
China: Actor Christian Bale Roughed Up Trying to Visit Chen Guangcheng
Hollywood actor Christian Bale made a detour from promotion in Beijing of his upcoming film to try and visit illegally detained Chinese human rights lawyer Chen Guangcheng, hoping to shake the hand of a man he calls an inspiration.
Rwanda: Tweeps Debate as President Kagame Eyes Third Term
As debate on whether Rwanda's constitution should be amended to allow for a third term rages on, Rwandan President Paul Kagame says that citizens are free to say that they want him. British journalist Ian Birell responded on Twitter saying, "They're not free, of course, to say he should go…"
Iran: Where Is My Classmate?
Several empty chairs in Iran's universities were formerly occupied by students who have now vanished or been expelled. This year Tahkim Vahdat, a leading student protest group, called for an “Empty Seat Campaign” on December 7 to remember the victims of religious and government repression in universities.
Zimbabwe: Outrage as Octogenarian Mugabe Eyes 2012 Election
ZANU-PF has endorsed Robert Mugabe as their candidate for Zimbabwe's presidential election expected next year. If it happens, Mugabe will be 88 years old and Africa’s second oldest person to stand in a presidential election.
Arab World: Congratulations Tunisia!
Human rights activist Moncef Marzouki, 66, has been elected as Tunisia's new interim president today. His appointment, which was followed by a moving acceptance speech, was noted by netizens from across the Arab world, who cheered on Tunisia's progress towards democracy, wishing the same for their countries.
Peru: Protests Against Mining in Videos, Part I
Recent protests against the environmental damage caused by mining in Peru have sparked plenty of audiovisual material, from campaigns to raise awareness, to citizen videos of protests, repression and more. In this first post of a two-part series, Juan Arellano highlights videos that explain the context of this conflict.
