Documentary shows emaciated Zimbabwe prisoners By: Donna Bryson, Mail & Guardian, April 2, 2009 New released images that provide a rare look inside a Zimbabwean prison show emaciated inmates too weak to stand and eating as if they can barely bring food to their mouths. http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-04-02-documentary-shows-emaciated-zimbabwe-prisoners
Zimbabwe prisoners in 'hell on earth' die from disease and hunger By: Jonathan clayton, Times Online, April 1, 2009 A horrifying investigative film, shot undercover in Zimbabwe, has exposed how prisons under President Mugabe have become death camps for thousands of inmates who are deprived of food and medical care. The documentary, shown last night on South Africa's state broadcaster SABC, documented the ìliving hellî for prisoners across 55 state institutions. The result, Hell Hole, was a grim account of a crisis in which dozens of inmates die each day. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article6011758.ece
Can you hear Congo now? Cell phones, conflict minerals, and the worst sexual violence in the world By: John Predergast, Enough!, April 1, 2009 The time has come to expose a sinister reality: Our insatiable demand for electronics products such as cell phones and laptops is helping fuel waves of sexual violence in a place that most of us will never go, affecting people most of us will never meet. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the scene of the deadliest conflict globally since World War II. There are few other conflicts in the world where the link between our consumer appetites and mass human suffering is so direct. http://www.enoughproject.org/publications/can-you-hear-congo-now-cell-phones-conflict-minerals-and-worst-sexual-violence-world
Congo: Electronics firms urged to boycott "blood minerals" By: Marina Litvinsky, IPS, April 1, 2009 The worldís mass consumption of cell phones, laptops and other electronics fuels widespread sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a new study released Wednesday by the non-profit Enough Project that echoes what many human rights activists and humanitarian workers have been saying for years. http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46360
Africa: SADC encouraged to keep democratic consistency By: Afrol News, March 31, 2009 The Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders have been lambasted for double standards, after their decision, late last night, to suspend Madagascar from the regional bloc and push for more isolation and sanctions against the Island's new administration and its citizens. http://www.afrol.com/articles/32853
Zimbabweís prisons are death-traps By: Sokwanele, March 31, 2009 Zimbabweís prisoners are suffering untold horrors in Zimbabweís jails. The State is locking them up in hell-holes, condemning them to slow starvation and possible death from nutrition-related illnesses or the vast array of other diseases they are exposed to through unhygienic conditions. Despite terrible desperation, their position as ëprisonersí means they are denied the most basic human instinct and that is to fight for survival. http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/3882
Zimbabwe: My blog is blocked! By: Ndesanjo Macha, Global Voices, March 30, 2009 On Friday March 20, 2009 the Zimbabwean blog, Peace, love & happiness unto the whole world, was blocked. The author of the blog, Eusebia, wrote a short post about it saying, ìI have not idea why my blog is being blockedÖI refuse to be censored or cowered into silence by anyone because I know my human right of freedom of expressionÖî http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/03/30/zimbabwe-my-blog-is-blocked/
AMERICAS
Chavez foe held over 'corruption' By: Al Jazeera, April 3, 2009 Venezuelan authorities have arrested a former defence minister and staunch critic of Hugo Chavez, the president, on corruption charges. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/04/200942232522448619.html
Colombian activist waits in prison limbo By: Chris Kraul, LA Times, April 2, 2009 Community organizer Carmelo Agamez has spent five months in jail and still has not seen the evidence against him, been told who his accuser is or been notified of a trial date. Welcome to justice, Colombia style. Facing what he says is a laughable charge of consorting with right-wing paramilitary leaders, the lifelong socialist says he has been thrown arbitrarily into the maw of Colombian justice. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-colombia-leftist2-2009apr02,0,3559772.story
Mexico: Indigenous woman on the offensive By: Diego Cevallos, IPS, April 1, 2009 Two years ago, Eufrosina Cruz was kept from running for mayor of her home village by the "traditions and customs" of her indigenous community in southern Mexico, just because she is a woman. But she refused to back down, and challenged the tradition ñ a decision that brought her death threats, but also dreams and achievements that she had never imagined. http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46355
Artist's work lets Cubans speak out in Havana for freedom By: Fabiola Santiago, Miami Herald, March 31, 2009 A packed performance art show at the 10th Havana Biennial, a prestigious international festival, turned into a clamor of ''Libertad!'' as Cubans and others took to a podium to protest the lack of freedom of expression on the island. The provocative performance Sunday night, recorded and posted Monday on YouTube, was staged by acclaimed Cuban artist Tania Bruguera, a frequent visitor to Art Basel Miami Beach who lives in Havana. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/976152.html
U.S. to join U.N. Human Rights Council, reversing Bush policy By: Colum Lynch, Washington Post, March 31, 2009 The Obama administration decided Tuesday to seek a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council, reversing a decision by the Bush administration to shun the United Nations' premier rights body to protest the influence of repressive states. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/31/AR2009033102782.html?referrer=emailarticle
Venezuela's expat revolutionaries By: Alexander Cuadros, Slate, March 31, 2009 If you watched Venezuelan state-run television in early 2009, you probably saw a sweetly smiling young Italian woman wearing a neon-green chef's hat and brandishing a pizza while extolling the virtues of indefinite re-election. Venezuela was gearing up for a referendum to eliminate term limits for government posts, and a savvy producer had decided to enlist the country's resident foreigners to support President Hugo Ch·vez's bid to stay in power past 2012, when his current term expires. http://www.slate.com/id/2214986/
US: A peaceful demonstration by Oromo Youth in Washington D.C By: Gadaa, March 30, 2009 The ever increasing repression of Oromos and other people in Ethiopia has become a big concern for Oromo youth across the globe. The disturbing news that rarely gets reported by international media is a daily occurrence for the Oromo mass in Ethiopia and neighboring countries which compelled us to get up and march in hopes of bringing public awareness to the alarming human rights violations in Ethiopia. As recent as March 5, 2009, the Ethiopian government brutally beat many Oromo students and arrested over 80 of them from Bahir Dar University merely for asking certain individuals be brought to justice for their derogatory remarks towards Oromia and Oromos as well. http://gadaa.com/oduu/?p=596
Brazil: Planned dam above famous falls draws fire By: Marcela Valente, IPS, March 30, 2009 While a dispute between Argentina and Uruguay over a pulp mill simmers on, a new environmental conflict over a border river is taking shape, this time involving a hydroelectric dam between Argentina and Brazil. "I hope we can create a movement to block this new dam," Argentine lawmaker Timoteo Llera, a former mayor of the northeastern city of Puerto Iguaz˙, told IPS. http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46326
Brazilian rancher greeted by ëillegalí advert By: Survival, March 26, 2009 A Brazilian rancher destroying uncontacted Indiansí land in Paraguay has today arrived in that country to be greeted with a national newspaper advert denouncing his actions as ëillegalí. Sr. Marcelo Bastos Ferraz represents the Brazilian firm Yaguarete Por·, which created a storm of controversy last year after satellite photos revealed it was illegally clearing vast areas of forest in western Paraguay. The area is home to the last uncontacted Indians outside of the Amazon basin, who are members of the Ayoreo-Totobiegosode tribe. http://www.survival-international.org/news/4375
Colombia: Growing international support for peace By: Mario Osava, IPS, March 24, 2009 The Nasa indigenous people who live in southwestern Colombia risked their very lives when they took it upon themselves to blow up munitions and weapons they discovered on their lands. They found a munitions store belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the main insurgency in this country, which emerged 45 years ago. http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46257
Cubans pray for freedom By: Sun Sentinel, March 18, 2009 Cuba's Ladies in White decided to pray instead of protest for their imprisoned relatives Tuesday as they marked the sixth anniversary of a crackdown in which the government jailed 75 activists and independent journalists. About 30 women squeezed into the apartment of founding member Laura Pollan and chanted Roman Catholic prayers in unison, even seeking protection for Fidel and Raul Castro while urging Cuba's leadership to respect human rights. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/cuba/sfl-flacubadissidents0318sbmar18,0,3906069.story
ASIA/ SOUTH ASIA
Indonesia: Nine protest rallies to happen in Jakarta Thursday By: Antara News, April 2, 2009 As many as nine protest rallies with potential to create traffic jams in several main streets in Jakarta will be staged on Thursday. According to information from the Jakarta Police`s Traffic Management Center (TMC) the first rally would be staged by a group of people from the Students Solidarity Forum and Konawe Bersatu community at two separate locations, namely in front of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Attorney General`s Office. http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2009/4/2/nine-protest-rallies-to-happen-in-jakarta-thursday/
What Pak ëpeople powerí can mean By: Faheem Al-Hamid and Ramesh Balan, Saudi Gazette, April 2, 2009 Pakistan opposition leader Nawaz Sharif is adamant that Gen. Pervez Musharraf be made an example so that the consequences are clear for anybody contemplating a coup in the country. ìUnless you try somebody for breaking the Constitution, you can never stop it from happening again,î Sharifís spokesman Ahsal Iqbal told Saudi Gazette in an interview in Jeddah. http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009040133823
Chinese quake activist arrested By: BBC News, April 1, 2009 Chinese police have arrested a man who was investigating whether poor construction caused schools to collapse during last year's massive earthquake. The detention of Tan Zuoren is part of a crackdown in Sichuan province just weeks ahead of the first anniversary of the quake, a human rights group said. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7976093.stm
China blocks YouTube, again By: Peter Ford, CSM, April 1, 2009 The Internet is justly said to be the freest space available for self expression in China. Yet a report (PDF) released Wednesday finds the Chinese Internet to be the least free of 15 countries studied, tying for bottom place with Cuba. Though China is home to nearly 300 million Internauts, more than anywhere else, "the country's Internet environment remains one of the most controlled in the world," says the report by Freedom House, a New York-based human rights group. http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0401/p06s01-woap.html
Thai protests force talks offer By: BBC News, April 1, 2009 Thailand's government has offered talks with exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as it tries to end a week of protests by his supporters. Thousands of protesters have continued blocking government offices in the capital, Bangkok, defying a court ruling ordering them to disperse. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7976637.stm
Protesters force Thai Cabinet to cancel meeting By: Ambika Ahuja, AP, March 31, 2009 Thailand's Cabinet canceled its weekly meeting Tuesday, easing fears of a confrontation with thousands of protesters who have ringed the seat of government demanding the prime minister resign. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has avoided his office at the Government House for six consecutive days in the largest protests since his administration arrived in December. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g3j-vAVG1fg3kEfnogTiH8_4EXvwD978PIFG0
Burmese democracy a daunting task By: Mungpi, Mizzima News, April 31, 2009 Thailandís Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says Burma remains a hideous blight on an Asian map of otherwise expanding freedoms and growing economies. Abhisit, during a speech at the 15th anniversary of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), held in Bangkok from March 27 ñ 30, said while democracy and freedom are expanding in Asia, the struggle in several countries, including Burma, remains daunting. http://www.mizzima.com/news/regional/1916-burmese-democracy-a-daunting-task-abhisit.html
Cambodia: Khmer Rouge defendant apologizes for atrocities By: Seth Mydans, NY Times, March 31, 2009 A Khmer Rouge torture house commandant apologized in court on Tuesday for atrocities he had committed but said that he had feared for his own life and that he was a scapegoat for others. ìI would like to express my regret and heartfelt sorrow,î said the commandant, Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch. He is the first defendant in the long-delayed trial regarding the deaths of 1.7 million people from starvation, overwork and disease, as well as torture and execution under the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/world/asia/01cambo.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss
India: People's power triumphs By: Deccan Herald, March 31, 2009 The success story of Sampoorna Swachatha Andolan is very much in keeping with Gandhiís dream of uplifting villages that constitute 70 per cent of the country. The Andolan has been a great success in almost every Gram Panchayat in Dakshina Kannada district with full participation from the people. Ironically, while most of the villages that have bagged Nirmal Gram Puraskar have not taken up any development works, Hosangadi is soon emerging as a model village for the rest of the GPs in the region. http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar312009/spectrum20090330127073.asp
Chinese police beat Tibetan monk to death, try to put it down as suicide By: Asia News, March 31, 2009 The murdered monk was handing out flyers denouncing Chinese persecution, reminding readers about those killed in last yearís protests. After he was killed police threw his body into a ravine. In the meantime beatings and arbitrary arrests continue elsewhere. Conversely the authorities continue to heap praise on China for the regionís prosperity, a land where Tibetans now live in happiness and safety. http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=14871&geo=6&size=A
Women changing China and the world: Modern-day lessons from a foot-binding foe By: Debora Spar, Huffington Post, March 30, 2009 Several months ago, the admissions staff at Barnard College received an application essay that stood out from the rest. It was from a young Chinese-American woman who wrote, "The words of my mother became instilled in my head: 'You can be the next Kang Tongbi.'" She then went on to describe how Kang, who entered Barnard in 1907 as its first Asian student, worked to promote women's rights in a tumultuous and ever-changing China. Her driving cause and greatest triumph was the elimination of foot-binding, a traditional but gruesome practice finally outlawed in 1911. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/debora-l-spar/women-changing-china-and_b_180711.html
Cambodia: Surviving the Khmer Rouge By: Var Hong Ashe, Open Democracy, March 30, 2009 I was born and raised in the small south-east Asian country of Cambodia, and brought up in the town of Takeo, south of the capital Phnom Penh. Cambodia was then ruled by King Norodom Sihanouk, and in its first years of independence from French colonial rule. In March 1970, Sihanouk was overthrown in a coup led by General Lon Nol, who declared the country a republic seven months later. This, along with the encroachment of the war from neighbouring Vietnam, threw the country into civil war. http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/cambodia-surviving-the-khmer-rouge
President Nasheed's "white elephants": Is democracy taking a u-turn in Maldives? By: Ahmed Zahir, Haveer Online, March 28, 2009 Former Information Minister Mohamed Nasheed, former Attorney General Dr Hassan Saeed and Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, who is serving as Foreign Minister in the current government and had served in that portfolio before too in the earlier government had claimed that the reason why they joined President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's government then was to bring democracy "from within." http://www.haveeru.com.mv/english/details/26327/President_Nasheed%5C%27s_%5C
India: Tribe refuses food and medicine from British company By: Survival, March 23, 2009 Dongria Kondh villagers in Orissa have refused to accept medicine and food from Vedanta Resources, in protest at the companyís plan to mine the tribeís mountain. Reports indicate that representatives of Vedanta Resources approached a health clinic in the Dongria village of Kurli, carrying medicine and rice, apparently as gifts for the community. Dongria leaders stopped the Vedanta vehicle before it could reach the clinic, and told the employees they were not welcome in Kurli village. http://www.survival-international.org/news/4360
CENTRAL ASIA
Azerbaijan: From bad to worse By: Sergei Markedonov, Open Democracy, Mary 30, 2009 A recent referendum has given Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliev almost unlimited power. The people's vote for stability makes an undemocratic situation even worse . http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/email/azerbaijan-from-bad-to-worse
Kyrgyz opposition hands demands to government By: RFE, March 30, 2009 Members of the Kyrgyz opposition have handed a resolution to the authorities stating the demands agreed upon by participants in March 27 demonstrations, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports. The chief of staff of the United People's Movement, Azimbek Beknazarov, told RFE/RL that the document contains major demands addressed to President Kurmanbek Bakiev and the government. These include replacing by April 20 half of the staff of the so-called "power ministries:" the ministries of interior, security, defense and foreign affairs, as well as a half of the Central Electoral Commission's staff. http://www.rferl.org/content/Kyrgyz_Opposition_Hands_Demands_To_Government/1564656.html
EUROPE
Coup charge dropped in Armenian opposition trial By: RFE, April 1, 2009 Prosecutors in the trial of seven Armenian opposition figures have dropped the main charge of trying to overthrow the government during deadly unrest last year. Ten people, including two police officers, died when police and protesters clashed in March 2008 during demonstrations against the results of an election in the former Soviet republic, won by current President Serzh Sarkisian. http://www.rferl.org/content/Coup_Charge_Dropped_In_Armenian_Opposition_Trial/1565943.html
Macedonia: Student protest ends in violence By: Elena Ignatova, Global Voices, March 31, 2009 Recently, the Macedonian government decided to build an Orthodox church with public financing on the main square of Skopje, a decision that the citizens of the city disapproved of. In spite of numerous online campaigns and discussions, a group of students ñ ìFirst Arhi (Architect) Brigadeî ñ decided to organize a protest called ìThe First Architectonical Rebellionî against the building of the church in Skopje. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/03/31/macedonia-student-protest-ends-in-violence/
An ëorangeí revolution in Russia is impossible by definition, writer says By: Paul Goble, Georgian Daily, March 30, 2009 Many Russian commentators are predicting dramatic, even transforming changes in their country in the months ahead, but one writer has taken the unusual step of arguing why one kind of change that some in the Russian government say they fear and others in the population say they would like ñ an ìorangeî-style revolution ñ will not occur. http://georgiandaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10829&Itemid=65
Russia: Another foe of Chechen leader shot dead abroad By: Michael Schwirtz, NY Times, March 30, 2009 A former general in Chechnya and foe of the republicís Kremlin-backed president was shot over the weekend in the Persian Gulf emirate of Dubai, and the police there said Monday that he had died. The former general, Sulim B. Yamadayev, was shot at least three times outside an elite apartment complex in Dubai in what appeared to be an assassination, the police said. It was unclear exactly when the attack took place. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/world/europe/31chechnya.html?adxnnl=1&ref=world&adxnnlx=1238515409-N3UKtv9duQG6xq79PBrmlA
UK: London economic protest draws 35,000 By: Henry Chu and Janet Stobart, LA Times, March 29, 2009 Thousands of people marched through London on Saturday to demand punishment for bankers, power to the poor and protection of the environment at a protest meant as a wake-up call to world leaders gathering here this week for an economic summit. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/world/la-fg-britain-protests29-2009mar29,0,3946109.story
Thousands gather in anti-government rallies across Ukraine By: Earth Times, March 27, 2009 Thousands demonstrated against in Ukraine on Friday to protest the former Soviet government's weak economy, and to demand the ouster of President Viktor Yushchenko and his government. Some 3,000 anti-Yushchenko demonstrators gathered in the central Maidan Square of the capital Kiev, site of Ukraine's 2004 pro-democracy Orange Revolution. http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/261800,thousands-gather-in-anti-government-rallies-across-ukraine.html
MIDDLE EAST/ NORTH AFRICA
West Bank: The missing Mahatma By: Gershom Gorenberg, The Weekly Standard, April 6, 2009 They marched southward from Ramallah one windy morning in March 2012. Sheikh Nasser a-Din al-Masri led them--a slim man with a short black beard that half-hid a puckered scar on his neck. They filled the road to Jerusalem, a long procession of men, women, and children wearing white robes to show they were on a pilgrimage and that they had no pockets in which to hide weapons. They carried their flat bread in clear plastic bags for the same reason. A Reuters reporter said they numbered 20,000. They chanted as they walked. http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/016/329fvswo.asp Further thoughts: http://southjerusalem.com/2009/04/the-missing-matatma-further-thoughts/
Egypt: Doctors protest at finance ministry, but disagreements prevail By: Sarah Carr, Arabist.net, April 1, 2009 Doctors protested pay conditions outside the ministry of finance Tuesday, amidst clear divisions between the Doctors' Syndicate, which organized the protest, and rights group Doctors Without Rights (DWR). Some 40 doctors took part in the protest, holding up signs reading ìthe ministry of finance gives with its right hand and takes with its leftî and, ìwhat happened to [prime minister] Nazif's promises about improvements in pay?î http://64.34.254.246/article.aspx?ArticleID=20796
Morocco: Setbacks for press freedom By: Jillian York, Global Voices, March 31, 2009 Despite outward progress, Morocco has faced a number of setbacks for press freedom over the past few years. Most recently, it was reported that Ali Anouzla and Jamal Boudouma, managing editor and publishing director of Moroccan newspaper Al-Jarida Al-Oula have each received two-month suspended sentences and fines of MAD 200,000 (approximately USD$23,800) for ìdefamationî and ìinsulting the judiciary.î Anouzla stated that his lawyer will appeal the ruling as soon as a copy of the decision has been received. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/03/31/morocco-different-names-same-story/
The concept of civil resistance By: Natalie Abou Shakra, International Solidarity Movement, March 31, 2009 How can I affect what is happening and how can the world respond? The concept of civil resistance is not new at all. This non-violent, unarmed, citizen oriented strategy of resistance in modern history played a role in the struggles against colonialism, and neo-colonialism especially in British colonies of Africa, in Apartheid South Africa, India, and the Middle East, particularly Palestine. http://palsolidarity.org/2009/03/5725
Sacked for writing against the Egypt regime By: Adam Morrow and Khaled Moussa al-Omrani, IPS, March 26, 2009 For years, Abdelhalim Kandil has been one of Egypt's most high-profile opposition journalists, known for writing hard-hitting articles critical of the ruling regime of President Hosni Mubarak. Kandil boasts an impressive track record, having worked as editor-in-chief of a number of the country's most widely-read independent and opposition newspapers, including Al-Arabi Al-Nassiri (2000-2006), Al-Karama (2006- 2007) and Sout Al-Umma (2008-2009). Kandil is also general coordinator of Egypt's pro-democracy Kefaya movement. http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46277
Iran: Twelve womenís rights activists arrested for planned New Years visit By: Campaign for Equality, March 26, 2009 Twelve womenís rights activists were arrested today on March 26, 2009, on Sohrevardi Avenue in Tehran, while meeting up to go for New Years visits of families of imprisoned social and political activists. Ten of those arrested are members of the One Million Signatures Campaign. http://www.campaignforequality.info/english/spip.php?article489
Mysterious death of the political prisoners in Iran By: IHRV, March 25, 2009 Article 3 of the International Human Rights Declaration states: ìEvery individual is entitled to life, liberty and personal securityî. The loss of the lives of two political prisoners in Iran in a span of less than two weeks is indicative of the fact that the judiciary apparatus and prison authorities are not committed to preserving and securing the lives of prisoners while they are incarcerated. http://www.ihrv.org/inf/?p=2063
OCEANIA
Fighting in Papua continues according to reports By: Radio New Zealand, March 31, 2009 Reports from the Indonesian region of Papua indicate that deadly shootouts continue between the military and the Free West Papua Movement or OPM in Puncak Jaya regency. Hundreds of extra Indonesian soldiers have been sent to the regency since last month in an operation to attack the OPM in its stronghold district and capture its leaders. http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=45690
Hundred thousands of West Papuan rallied in the streets of Jayapura refused militarization By: Free West Papua, March 2009 Hundred of thousand West Papuan Peoples asking to International Community to put Pressure on to Indonesia Government to withdraw Indonesia Military from West Papua. West Papua People asking for Indonesia Government STOP call West Papuan Peoples are Subversion (Makar) because before you came to Invaded Our country 1963 no one call us West Papuan Subversion. http://freewestpapua.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=904&Itemid=2
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
New study identifies emerging threats to internet freedom By: Traiwan News, April 1, 2009 A new study from Freedom House warns that the rights of internet and mobile phone users are increasingly at risk as governments, both repressive and democratic, expand their ability to monitor and control online activity. http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=908589&lang=eng_news
Billion tree campaign passes 3 billion mark By: One World, March 31, 2009 A grassroots campaign to plant 1 billion trees from Cuba to Kenya to Turkey has seen unprecedented success three years since its inception. Launched by the United Nations Environment Program and the World Agroforestry Center, the initiative to address global warming and other environmental challenges will now feature a new target of planting 7 billion trees by December 2009. Tree planting is one of the most cost-effective ways to counteract climate change, says the UN. http://us.oneworld.net/article/361429-billion-tree-campaign-surpasses-3-billion-mark
The end of the women's movement By: Courtney Martin, The American Prospect, March 30, 2009 I don't think there will ever be a global, or even national, uprising of women focused on one singular goal. There will be no singular feminist agenda. There will be no women's movement. And that's not a bad thing. Because there will be thousands upon thousands of women -- young and old alike -- waking up tomorrow with big ideas, lots of resources and communication tools, and plenty of conviction that they have the right and responsibility to make the world better. http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles;jsessionid=arnmeigjUV26_eNACb?article=the_end_of_the_womens_movement
The new threat to freedom of expression By: Paula Schriefer, CSM, March 30, 2009 "In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression ñ everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way ñ everywhere in the world." http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0330/p09s02-coop.html
IN OTHER LANGUAGES
La Ligue arabe au secours de BÈchir By: Jeune Afrique, March 31, 2009 Le sommet de la Ligue arabe síest achevÈ lundi soir par une dÈclaration de soutien au prÈsident soudanais, sous le coup díun mandat díarrÍt international pour crimes de guerre et crimes contre líhumanitÈ. En retour, Omar el-BÈchir a promis de ´ tout faire ª pour stabiliser et pacifier son pays. http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/DEPAFP20090331092242/-Ligue-arabe-Cour-penale-internationale-Omar-el-Bechir-crimes-de-guerre-La-Ligue-arabe-au-secours-de-Bechir.html
Chili: Le petit-fils de Pinochet dÈputÈ ? By: Courrier International, March 31, 2009 Rodrigo GarcÌa Pinochet, le petit-fils prÈfÈrÈ d'Augusto Pinochet, pourrait se prÈsenter aux Èlections lÈgislatives de dÈcembre 2009, annonce El Mercurio. Rodrigo GarcÌa Pinochet a dÈj‡ lancÈ sa campagne ‡ la radio et sur le Net, en se prÈsentant comme candidat indÈpendant. "Lors de l'attentat terroriste du 7 septembre 1986, ce garÁonnet de 10 ans se trouvait dans la voiture au cÙtÈ d'Augusto Pinochet [qui avait failli co˚ter la vie au dictateur]", rappelle El Mercurio. http://www.courrierinternational.com/article.asp?obj_id=96213
NOTICES
New training manual, conflict resolution and negotiation skills for integrated water resources management, International Network for Capacity Building in Integrated Water Resources Management (UNDP) By: Peace and Collaborative Development Network, April 2, 2009 Conflict is an unavoidable aspect of human social systems. Given the central importance of water resources to all human communities, it is natural that conflicts arise with regard to access, allocation, development and management of the resource. This training manual provides five modules which look at the areas including: understanding integrated water resource management (IWRM): principles, key criteria and tipping points for conflict, methods and approaches to conflict management and conflict resolution as well as other. For more information: http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/forum/topic/show?id=780588%3ATopic%3A124296&xgs=1
The new Caritas peacebuilding: Web toolkit for trainers offers peacebuilders a comprehensive tool for designing peacebuilding training workshops Posted: Peace and Collaborative Development Network, April 2, 2009 The new Caritas Peacebuilding: Web Toolkit for Trainers offers peacebuilders a comprehensive tool for designing peacebuilding training workshops. The 200 plus page web toolkit has been developed for trainers, facilitators, learning designers and other practitioners engaged in peace building. In addition, all aid workers engaged in contexts of conflict might find useful resources here. For more information: http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/forum/topic/show?id=780588%3ATopic%3A124123&xgs=1
Call for nominations, announcing the Gleitsman International Activist Award Posted: Peace and Collaborative Development Network, April 1, 2009 The Gleitsman Program in Leadership for Social Change encourages individual commitment and leadership by recognizing the exceptional achievement of those who have initiated positive social change. We seek those individuals whose vision and courage inspire others to join with them in confronting and challenging injustice. As we begin our search for nominees for the 2009 International Activist Award, we invite you to advise us of those individuals whose efforts you feel should be recognized. Nomination dealdin: April 17, 2009 For more information: http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/forum/topic/show?id=780588%3ATopic%3A123966&xgs=1
Workshop: Making nonviolence work Host: Project Ploughshares Calgary, Friday April 17, 2009 and Saturday April 18, 2009 Making Nonviolence Work: Examples from Recent History & Conflict Intervention Training. Learning about the world's rich nonviolent history, as featured on Friday night with a presentation by Dr. Sandra Hoenle on German Nonviolent Resistance, is a great starting point for nonviolence training. For more information: http://www.eventsetter.com/events/Canada/Alberta/Calgary/Seminars-Lectures-Talks/event75040.html