Stories from 12 October 2012
Mexico: #YoSoy132 and the Festival ‘Corona Capital 2012′
Corona Capital 2012, a musical festival in Mexico where bands such as New Order, Franz Ferdinand, The Raveonettes and many others will perform, has been immersed in a controversy, thanks to a boycott promoted by the movement #YoSoy132.
Czech Republic: Přednádraží Forced Eviction Struggle Continues
The movement against forced evictions of Roma families at Přednádraží has suffered several severe blows over the last month, but as the pressure keeps rising, alliances also continue to grow. Daniela Kantorova reports.
Saudi Arabia: “People Want the Fall of Al Saud”
On Twitter, Saudi blogger Ahmed Al Omran shares a video reportedly from Qatif, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, last night. @ahmed: VIDEO: “People want the fall of Al Saud,” women chant reportedly during a protest in Qatif last night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0H0esiTyCY … #SAUDI
Online Journalist Barred from Japan's Diet Press Hall
Video journalist Hajime Shiraishi, who heads online media Our Planet TV, has been denied access to film from the rooftop of Diet Press Hall because she is not a member of the official Press Club.
Dominican Republic: A Fiscal Apocalypse?
Proposed fiscal reforms by the Dominican government are causing negative reactions across all sectors of society. Various organizations are demanding transparency in the use of state resources, as well as the implementation of measures to avoid and punish corruption.
Indonesia: Anti-Corruption Agency Gets Online Support
The power of social media was once again affirmed in Indonesia when internet users collectively expressed their support to corruption investigators who are being harassed by the police and some politicians.
Guatemala: Petition Demands Justice for Totonicapán Victims
The Guatemala Human Rights Commission has released a petition [en, es] to “demand justice for the massacre in Totonicapán, Guatemala,” where 8 were killed and more than 35 injured when combined armed forces violently removed indigenous demonstrators from Cuatro Caminos, a well-known road intersection in Guatemala. With the pain of...
Bolivian Politicians Turned ‘Gangnam Style’
The “Gangnam Style” parody has reached Bolivian politicians. Earlier this week, KwonBanYa, a Bolivian YouTube user, uploaded a humorous version of the Korean rap-pop song featuring prominent political figures.
Zambian Watchdog Website in Jeopardy
The government of Zambia has threatened to de-register the online investigative site, Zambian Watchdog. In May 2012, the Watchdog reported that its website was a target of a sustained attack allegedly by the government after visitors to the site were met with “page not available.”
Saudi Arabia: Government Pressured to Issue Statement on “Uncharged” Detainees
Following a wave of unprecedented small protests that swept the county, the Saudi Interior Ministry finally issued a statement on the issue of uncharged prisoners.
DR of Congo: Tension Between Kinshasa and Paris as Summit Commences
Le Potentiel writes that [fr] French president Hollande's assessment of Human Rights violations in DR of Congo were not taken lightly by the Congolese government as the Francophone Summit is set to take place in Kinshasa, DRC. The two governments seem to be at odds on the death of Human right activist...
Russia: Getting It Wrong on the Pussy Riot Prisoner's Dilemma
Reactions to the release of Yekaterina Samutsevich have generally been myopic and misleading. The popular "insight" is that the authorities are maneuvering to "divide and conquer" the punk rocker trio. That is undoubtedly part of what's happened, but it isn't the whole story.
