19 September 2011

Stories from 19 September 2011

Videos: Homeless But Not Voiceless

  19 September 2011

We explore different initiatives that aim to bring to the foreground the plight of those who are forgotten: children, indigenous people, immigrants and the transgender community.

Cuba: Talented Singers

  19 September 2011

Havana Times interviews Cuban singer Evelyn Garcia Marquez “who comes from a family of recognized musicians” and posts an update on the health of popular singer-songwriter Sara Gonzalez, who is recovering from surgery.

Bahamas: Chipping In to Fight Crime

  19 September 2011

“With murders at record levels this year it makes one sit up and take notice”: Weblog Bahamas‘ Rick Lowe says that helping to fight crime is everyone's duty.

Trinidad & Tobago: Chicken Weed

  19 September 2011

Bloggers have a field day with news that 31 million dollars worth of marijuana was found in a container “that was supposed to contain only chicken parts.”

Afghanistan: Local police units failing

  19 September 2011

Nick Fielding reviews a new Human Rights Watch report on the creation of the Afghan Local Police last summer, noting that impunity-driven militias participated in murderous tribal vendettas, targeted killings, smuggling, extortion and rapes.

Nigeria: Does Terrorism Pay Better Than Farming?

  19 September 2011

Activista Blogger, David Habba in Nigeria struck up conversation with a student from the University of Agriculture in Makurdi, who no longer feels financially motivated to enter the agricultural sector. “Someone must grow the food and who says it must be me?”

Southeast Asia: Press Freedom Heroes

  19 September 2011

Three Southeast Asian journalists (Cambodia's Hang Chakra, Malaysia's Zulkiflee Anwar Ul Haque, and Thailand's Chiranuch Premchaiporn) were recognized by the Human Rights Watch for their promotion of press freedom in the region

Malaysia to Overhaul Security and Censorship Laws

  19 September 2011

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak surprised everybody during the Malaysia Day celebration when he announced an overhaul to several controversial acts related to national security, censorship, speech and freedom of assembly

Cameroon: What if We Did Not Vote on October 9?

  19 September 2011

In Cameroon, the October 9 presidential election does not seem to be generating much interest amongst the general public. For many Cameroonians, this election has no real stake and voters don't see casting their ballot as worth the trouble, since the outcome is already in favor of incumbent President Paul Biya.

China: Calls to Free Blind Activist Met With Violence

  19 September 2011

After serving a 51-month sentence for disturbing public order, blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng was released in September 2010, but has been kept under house arrest for more than a year by local police in Linyi, Shandong province. Activists campaigning for his release have been victims of violence.

Brazil: Defending Freedom of Religion

  19 September 2011

Rosângela Basso, of the blog Maria da Penha Neles, posts a series of pictures of a protest in defence of religious freedom in Rio de Janeiro. The blog Bule Voador posted a video and pictures of a protest for the secular state in Curitiba, in the state of Paraná.

Ukraine: Georgiy Gongadze Memorial Rally in Kyiv

  19 September 2011

Olena Bilozerska (LJ user bilozerska) posts photos and video [uk] from the Sep. 16 Georgiy Gongadze memorial rally in Kyiv. Following a discussion in the comments section of ex-President Leonid Kuchma's role in Gongadze's case, LJ user fidel_80 writes [ru]: “I'm sorry for [Gongadze]. Could someone give me links to...