Stories from 15 November 2012
Costa Rica: Protest in Defense of Social Security Ends in Riots
Several groups throughout Costa Rica participated in a demonstration in San José last November 8, 2012, in defense of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS). The demonstration ended in riots and violence between police and protesters. The police crackdown has sparked outrage among netizens.
Czech Kids’ Anti-Roma Attitudes Not Discouraged
Jeremy Druker of TOL's East of Center writes about anti-Roma attitudes among school students in the Czech city of Jihlava: […] These kids obviously get their opinions from their parents, teachers, and fellow students; they can freely read as much racist propaganda online as they want […]; they hear about...
Hungary: Why Do We Have To Pay Attention To China?
‘Az igazi Mao’ blog [hu] is trying to draw attention to the contemporary China that Hungarian citizens may not be too familiar with; its title refers to a Hungarian experimental documentary, The Real Mao, which tells a fake story of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. In a recent entry, ‘Az igazi...
Palestine: Israel Bombs Gaza after Rocket Attacks
Greek blogger Asteris Masouras uses Storify to collect the first reactions to the latest Gaza-Israel face off.
Spanish Constitutional Court Upholds Same Sex Marriage
The Spanish Constitutional Court approved by a large majority the law passed in 2005 that guarantees equal rights to same sex marriages. Social media buzzed with reactions.
A Sunday of Mourning in the Dominican Republic
Thousands of Dominicans dressed in mourning this past Sunday 11th November, in different parts of the country and abroad, in a strong demonstration against the government and corruption.
Israel: “Ashdod Feels like a War Zone”
After a cease fire was negotiated and rocket fire from Gaza had almost stopped, IDF drones assassinated Hamas military chief, Ahmad al-Jabari. Gaza militants responded by launching a barrage of rockets. One of those rockets exploded in a home in the southern town of Kiryat Malachi, killing three members of a family. IDF attacks on Gaza have resulted in the death of at least 13 people, some of them civilians, and injured over 100 people. Israelis living under constant rocket fire in southern Israel shared their experiences and feelings online.
“Bombs are Falling Like Rain in Gaza”
Gazans stayed up all night as Israel continued to pound the Palestinian enclave. The situation flared up when Israel and Gaza exchanged fire - which still continues now - after Israel killed Hamas military leader Ahmed Al-Jabari during an air raid on Gaza yesterday. According to Press reports, the current bout of fighting has left up to 13 Gazans and three Israelis dead.
Spotlight on Cambodia’s Human Rights Record
Various civil society groups are urging global leaders who will attend the 21st summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Phnom Penh to raise the agenda of human rights protection with the Cambodian government.
Strike Across Southern Europe
November 14 witnessed the first strike of its kind, including all the southern European countries most affected by austerity and financial crisis. Events were covered by citizens on the street in realtime, including acts of solidarity, creativity, and reports of police brutality.
An Initiative to Keep Portuguese Language Teaching in French Universities
Portuguese is the sixth most-spoken language in the world, and there are about two million Portuguese speakers in France. Geneviève Fioraso, the French Minister of Higher Education and Research, said that having rare disciplines such as Portuguese in all French universities may not be efficient.
Peru: The Real Meaning of Christmas
Peruvian blogger Cyrano from Columna 17 [es] rants about the urge [es] some people feel during the last days of the year: It doesn't matter at all the real meaning of the occasion, there is one only goal: to sell the most products, leaving aside what we are celebrating. He...
Slovak “Decent Life” Protesters Burn EU Flag
About 100 people took part in a follow-up “Together for a Decent and Safe Life” protest [sk, images, videos], co-organized by Oskar Dobrovodský, in Bratislava on Nov. 10 (more about Dobrovodský's case and the previous, Oct. 13, rally is here). After the protesters burned the EU flag, police detained two...
Why is the Arab League in a Hurry to Meet over Gaza?
The United Nations Security Council called for and held an emergency meeting Wednesday night to discuss the latest Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, and consequent Hamas rocket attacks into Israel. The Arab League, on the other hand, said it would meet on Saturday [Nov 17, 2012] to discuss the latest tension, drawing ridicule and anger from netizens around the Arab world - for it's [lack of] action.
Worldwide Protests Planned in Support of Gaza
On Twitter, Egyptian Nora Shalaby shares the link to a document which contains a constantly updated list of demonstrations being planned in support of Gaza worldwide. The list is being maintained by Omar Robert Hamilton (@RiverDryFilm) and @southsouth.
Greece: New Platform Encourages Affordable Heat Options
This winter, website Kala-Nea.gr [Good News] reports on Ksyla.gr [el], a new platform that aims to reduce the cost of heating, by serving as an aggregator on different types and prices of solid fuel: firewood, pellets, briquettes, coal. Traders can join the project, providing data for their products and the areas...
Philippine Child Labor Data Portal
The Philippine government, in partnership with several child and labor groups, has launched a web portal on child labor “to share relevant data, foster communication, improve program monitoring and automate child labor case referrals” in the country.
Four Hundred Prisoners to be Released by Myanmar
Myanmar is set to release 452 prisoners today, November 15, 2012. The amnesty was announced by the government which could be an act of political goodwill in light of the anticipated state visit by United States President Barack Obama to Myanmar. The government also released prisoners when President Thein Sein...
Human Rights and Impunity in Cambodia
The list of political killings over the past 20 years is bone-chilling. While there is a public uproar after each case, officials do nothing and there are no consequences for the perpetrators or the government that protects them. Human Rights Watch documents the rise of political killings and other human...
