Stories about Western Europe from June, 2013
Ninety Countries Meet for Global Conference Against Death Penalty
Representatives of 90 countries participated in the 5th World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Madrid, Spain. Some of the key topics discussed were the abolition of the death penalty, along with the related issues of adherence to human rights treaties, the procurement of a moratorium in death penalty convictions, and legal reforms.
Composer's Ode to Turkish Protesters
German musician Davide Martello performed live during the protests in Istanbul's Taksim Square. This track is dedicated to the Soldiers of Light, the victims of this insane violence by the turkish government. Composed during the protests in Istanbul two weeks ago… live in the crowds on Taksim Square. That's how...
Amnesty Report Accuses Spanish Government of Obstructing Justice
Time passes, impunity remains, the new Amnesty International report published on June 17, 2013, analyses the investigation of crimes committed during Spain's Civil War and the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. The organization accuses the Spanish government of protecting the impunity of the crimes committed during this period.
The Internet: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against the Death Penalty
The Internet has become a critical tool for many social movements worldwide. Activists battling capital punishment have also found a platform in digital social media for exchanging ideas and circulating information.
Senegalese to France: Dignity Before Visa
I decided to decline using my entry visa to France [..] I am waiving it off on behalf of the thousands of Senegalese citizens who deserve respect, a respect that they are often denied at the French consulate. Those are the words written by Bousso Dramé in an open letter...
Spanish Taxman Confuses Princess’ ID for Another's in Corruption Investigation
A supposed administrative error by the Spanish tax agency falsely attributing the sale of 13 estates to the Princess Cristina as part of the ongoing corruption case against her husband has Internet users taunting the agency for its clumsy mistake.
Outrage in the European Union over United States Espionage Program
After Edward Snowden revealed the existence of PRISM, a North American secret service program, a few days ago, European Union authorities have demanded explanations from the North American government.
Interview: “How Are Things in Bamako, Mali?”
At the time of writing, June 2013, France is still fighting Islamists in Mali. Paris-based Anne Morin and Awa Traoré, her friend in Bamako decided to share a video journal of their conversations on Skype on YouTube. Anne wanted to stay up to date with the region's news, and also with her friends. She told Global Voices' Anna Gueye more about this journal as well as her links with Mali.
Open Letter to Germany's Cultural Foundation
Safia Dickersbach (@ArtsSafia) challenges a new programme dedicated to foster “German-African cultural relations”: 3. The Kulturstiftung claims to support the new African initiatives in the area of contemporary and innovative art. But on the other hand: a. Africans are not allowed to apply for the funds directly. b. The African...
European Award for Helping Victims of the Spanish Mortgage Crisis
The European Parliament has awarded its European Citizen's prize to the Mortgage Victims Platform, a Spanish grassroots organization that helps those affected by the housing crisis and champions legal reforms of mortgage lending practices. The ruling party had harsh words for the award, while netizens were strongly in favour.
René Pérez of Calle 13 Writes Song with Julian Assange
Puerto Rican hip hop star René Pérez (@Calle13Oficial) of the band Calle 13 announced today [es] through Twitter that he is with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where Assange was given refuge after being accused of a sexual crime in Sweden. Pérez will be live on...
Solutions Journalism Without Borders
“Worldcrunch Impact, solutions without borders” is a collaborative funding campaign for “the first truly global effort at Solutions Journalism”. With the project, Paris-based Worldcrunch hopes to report on one urgent issue monthly, offering “not just the problems, but real solutions”. The project will be funded if at least $15,000 is pledged...
Rwanda: NGO's Pursuit for Justice against Perpetrators of Genocide
Rwanda remembered the start of the genocide on April 7, as they have done every year since 1994. In the 19 years following the genocide, the hunt for the perpetrators of crimes against humanity has never ceased. In France, the Collective of Civil Plaintiffs for Rwanda (CPCR) is one of the organisations that fight against impunity. Its Chairman, Alain Gauthier, answered some questions by Global Voices author Abdoulaye Bah:
Catalan Wikipedia Receives Official Recognition
Amical Wikimedia, the association that promotes Viquipedia, the Catalan Wikipedia, has got a chapter of its own within the international structure of the Wikimedia Foundation. This recognition comes after a five-year-long discussion to be recognized as representative of a unique language and culture, as previous criteria required chapters to represent...
Mozambique: Mia Couto's 30 Years of Literature Honored with Prestigious Prize
Mia Couto's three decades at the helm of Mozambican literature was acknowledged on the 27 May when he was awarded the 25th Camões Prize in literature, worth 100,000 euros, and widely considered the most prestigious prize for Portuguese-speaking writers. Mia's literature portrays Mozambicans and reflects on issues related to decolonization and identity.
Norwegian Music Video Offends Kyrgyzstanis
For small, landlocked and little-known countries such as Kyrgyzstan, "self-branding" is a slow and difficult process. So, when stars from foreign countries arrive to shoot a video in your countryside, the hope is that the message they take home with them is the right one. But unfortunately, it doesn't always work out like that.
Extreme Anti-immigrant Groups Spread Throughout Europe
Plagued by one of the worst economic crises in recent history, extreme anti-immigrant parties are once again on the rise in 21st-century Europe.
Spaniards Vote for Universal Healthcare in Popular Referendum
Almost 1 million people in Madrid, Spain, voted in favor of universal healthcare in a popular referendum carried out by various independent groups in May in Madrid.
France's Employment Law Tries to Please Businesses, Workers
On April 9, France's National Assembly approved a new bill on employment--a legal transposition that successfully sanctions months of negotiations, during which the social partners agreed to improve business flexibility without compromising worker safety.
