Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from June, 2012
Poland: Football Fans Clash Ahead of Poland-Russia Game
Over 180 people were detained due to clashes that broke out between rival Russian and Polish football fans in Warsaw on June 12. Anna Gotowska reports.
Bulgaria: “Victim of Beauty” – or Violence Disguised as Fashion
12 Magazine, a fashion publication, ran a series of ad images [bg] of women disguised as having been victims of harsh violence – with this warning: “[…] Images are not recommended to people below 16. Neither [are they] for people with weak hearts.” The Fashion Law is inviting readers to...
Russia: United Russia Deputy Wants to Sue Navalny for 60 Billion Rubles
Latest developments about wider crackdowns on the Russian protest movement and other campaigns specifically targeting the country's number one blogger.
Poland: Obama's “Polish Death Camp” Gaffe Causes Controversy
In the last days of May, a storm of controversy struck the Polish public opinion when the US President Barack Obama used the expression "a Polish death camp" rather than stating clearly that what he meant was a Nazi Germany-operated death camp on the Polish territory. Anna Gotowska reports.
Croatia: President Josipovic Uses Facebook to Invite IT Investor Group
President Ivo Josipović used Facebook to invite an IT investor group to Croatia and Southeast Europe, showing that the region is ready for innovation and development. Danica Radisic reports.
Ukraine: “Friendly” Euro 2012 Grassroots Initiatives
These “friendly” grassroots initiatives are meant for those football fans who are traveling to Ukraine for Euro 2012, which begins today: Friendly Ukraine, an umbrella “community of friendly and hospitable people [who] offer free help to our guests: accommodation, transfers from airport to city, guidance, translation and information services” (RFE/RL...
Macedonia: One Year Since the Murder of Martin Neshkovski
It has been one year since the murder of Martin Neshkovski by Prime Minister's bodyguard during the post-election celebration on June 6, 2011. The authorities’ attempts to cover up the murder sparked the 2011 protests against police brutality. To commemorate [mk], activists lit candles on the crime scene in the...
Ukraine: A Roma Camp Burned Down in Kyiv
On its Facebook page, the Human Rights Information Center posted a photo report [uk] on the demolition of a Roma camp in Kyiv, which was home to some 70 people, most of them children, until May 31, when 15 men showed up and burned the camp down, ordering the residents...
Slovakia: SOZA Strikes Again
One year after having been defeated by public opinion, the Slovak Performing and Mechanical Rights Society (SOZA), which was asking fees for embedded videos on web pages, strikes again. Now SOZA wants fees for St. Nicholaus and Mother's Day performances, during which children recite nursery rhymes and sing folk songs...
Russia: Returning to a State Monopoly on Violence?
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, both the mafia and private and military security companies stepped in to supplement domestic Russian law enforcement. One private security company owned by opposition politicians was recently shut down, leading some to speculate on political motivations.
Russia: Oppositionists Ponder Putin's Legacy
With Moscow's next anti-government mass rally scheduled for 'Russia Day' on June 12, 2012, the protest movement reflects on May's 'Million Man March,' which ended in violent clashes between demonstrators and police. Who was to blame, and what are the prospects for Putin in his third presidential term? Masha Egupova reports.
Global Voices Podcast: Storytime in Poetry and Literature
In this edition, we’re talking about literature and publishing. You’ll hear some good old fashioned interviews with well-read members of the Global Voices team as well as readings of original work by our authors and the wider community.
Poland, Ukraine: Euro 2012 and Racism
Football fans across Europe have been presented with quite a list of reasons not to travel to Poland and Ukraine for Euro 2012, which is scheduled to begin in a week. The newest item recently added to this extensive and diverse negative publicity menu is racism.