Free Karim Amer
Egyptian blogger Karim Amer was imprisoned last year on charges of publishing on the Internet material critical of Islam and President Mubarak. The then 22 year old blogger accuses his captors of beatings and repeated human rights abuses. With medical records inside the Borg Al-Arab Prison in Alexandria omitting details such as broken teeth, received from a official presided beating.
Karim was first expelled by al-Azhar University, after a disciplinary panel decided that his blogging was blasphemous to Islamic tenets. After having left the university, al-Azhar’s complaint led to his detention and subsequent imprisonment.
Amnesty International has requested the Freedom of Karim Amer on the grounds that he is a “prisoner of conscience, imprisoned on account of the peaceful expression of his views”.
Freedom of Speech suppression (amongst other flagrant abuses) in Mubarak’s Egypt has been at the epicentre of much criticism in the global community.
More information and activism can be found here: http://www.freekareem.org/
karim’s “Blasphemous” Blog: http://karam903.blogspot.com/
One Headline Cannot Suffice
Main News Stories
Today bears the scars of a very rich day in the news. No single topic would do it justice. Instead, a run-down down on today’s news and my impressions.
We have, of course, the wildly controversial attack on the U.S embassy in Serbia. The U.N has objected in the “strongest possible terms” (which isn’t much I’ll grant you) to the 1000 “thugs” who took part in the pillaging. The Administration has urged Kostunica to keep a hand on the kettle and protect diplomatic interests in Serbia. Russia seems to have a hand in the violence, is or rumored too, along with several Serbian ministers who incited Serbians to violence.
Then there’s the delicate affair of the Turkish invasion of northern Iraq, on a mission to wipe the PKK from the map. The 10,000 strong incursion has been met with both chagrin and applause. The operation seems to have targeted a relatively low-population area, so much so that Iraqi officials have no evidence of there having been a strong incursion at all.
Smaller News
Hillary Clinton seem to be losing her grip on what was once a pretty firm lead. Obama takes the “democrats around the world vote” by a 20% margin.
Iraqi Shia Cleric Moqtada Sadr has ordered a renewal on the peacefire agreement that he has kept since August.
Revival of Iran Nuclear ambition rhetoric (in case you forgot!)
In conclusion, I’m sorry for the strange and fleeting structure to today’s article. But I’m working hard and short on time. Thanks for reading!
U.S Missile Sparks Weapons Race Fears
A U.S SM-3 missile has successfully hit a rogue satellite in space. Although there have been no updates with regards to the toxic hydrazine fuel that was the reason given for the launch. Yet the newsworthiness is all down to the “hit” component.
“Nearly all of the debris will burn up on re-entry [of the Earth’s atmosphere] within 24-48 hours and the remaining debris should re-enter within 40 days,” Pentagon Statement
In a savage reversal of stances the U.S, who had previously criticized China for attempting the same thing, decided to go ahead with the plan despite China-Russia pressure against it.
“The U.S. believes China’s development and testing of such weapons is inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation that both countries aspire to in the civil space area,” National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe
Many have criticized the missile test, and accused the reasons as being a smoke-screen. Finding the original motivations a little weak. The reality they say, is that the U.S wish to prevent Hi-Tech machinery and systems from falling into the wrong hands. Another reason could quite simply be that given by the Russians and Chinese, that the U.S wishes to test and to demonstrate its anti-satellite capabilities in the face of mounting Russia-China pressure on the world stage.
Or — of course — they simply had our health in minds.
Taiwan Recognizes Kosovo Independence
Taiwan has been amongst the first to congratulate Kosovo on its independence, a telling move given its own struggles and current status.
” Despite a multitude of barriers, the people of Kosovo have insisted on an ideal that they believe in, which is to peacefully pursue independence, without being threatened or scared away. Their determination in achieving this lofty ideal is truly admirable,”
The statement has annoyed China, who not only keeps Taiwan from its own independence but was strongly opposed to the entire notion (along with Russia) to begin with. China’s tactics have often been labeled as a form a blackmail. Saying that states that choose to hold formal relations with Taiwan must chose between the Taiwanese and China itself. Needless to say — in the main — Taiwan has been left with little. Only 23 states have relations with Taiwan, the state does not even have a U.N presence, despite the fact that it de-facto runs itself as a sovereign nation.
Whatever your views are on the issue. It is evident that the precedent sets the stage for a myriad of states around the world. Instilling hope of self-determination in each. While this could ideologically seem a profound move towards virtues such as “freedom, liberty and democracy”, the prelude to war and unrest throughout the globe also warrants attention.
There have already been episodes of violence along the border. 1000 Serbs descended upon the customs check, burned two buildings and were eventually pushed back by KFOR troops.
Some other states which have formally recognized a Kosovo state are; Cyprus, U.S, Italy, France, U.K, Costa Rica, Afghanistan (of course) and Turkey.
Some countries which do not; The Republic of Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Russia, China, Indonesia, Romania, Georgia.
George HW Bush Sides With McCain
Not that I would usually comment on something like this. But I found Bush’s remarks almost comical. Before I post them, allow me to come to an agreement with you. Despite what our personal political positions are. It is no secret that part of the reason the entire world feels like it should be voting in the U.S elections is the continued military threat and war-like association the country now heralds. Many onlookers, without a hope of directing the course of events — such as myself — are on the continuous lookout for calming signals from the worlds most prominent Hegemony. Instead. I find this:
Bush said McCain’s character was “forged in the crucible of war” and called him the right person for the job at a time when the US “does not have the luxury of taking a pass” over its role in an increasingly complex world. source
Fantastic. This is where my personal opinion finds itself rolling its figurative eyes. When the majority of Americans, and the vast majority of the world find the prospect of a sustained war something akin to their personal anathema. When Americans themselves desire a vast and sweeping change. When phrases like “an increasingly complex world” or “”trying times” smack ominously of a new rise in New-speak. Something best left behind from the Bush-isms of the present. I can’t help but wonder what is really changing. There’s nothing like comforting the world with a message that their next leader will have been forged in the crucible of war.
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