The much talked of Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister (EAM), Prof G.L. Peiris’s visit to New Delhi from 15 to 17 May, 2011 to discuss matters of concern and expected to include the possible approach by the two nations on the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Panel Report, is a very conspicuous omission in the Joint Press Statement (JPS) issued, dated 17 May, Delhi.

While the list of Indian dignitaries met by the SL MEA includes PM Singh, ministers Mukherjee and Krishna, top bureaucrats in Shivshankar Menon and Nirupama Rao, the JPS says, all bi-lateral issues had been on the table at the delegation level discussions.

The discussions had included, rehabilitation of Kankesanthurai harbour and Palaly Airport, repair and construction of hospital and schools, setting up of Vocational Training Centres, construction of the Cultural Centre in Jaffna, restoration of railway lines and of the Duraiappah stadium in Jaffna, often flaring fishermen’s conflicts in sea, 13 Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution and the much delayed CEPA, but surprisingly, not the currently important UN Advisory Panel Report.

There is a vague attempt in saying issues in the panel report is taken care of, by including words and phrases like, “early withdrawal of emergency regulations, investigations into allegations of human rights violations and restoration of normalcy.”

The JPS says, [quote] The Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka reiterated the commitment of his Government to continue to address issues related to resettlement and reconciliation in a focused and progressive manner [unquote] and stresses on its work through the President appointed “Lessons Learnt & Reconciliation Commission” (LLRC), one that is continually noted in all international forums as inadequate and biased to meet the post war challenges in Sri Lanka.

The UN Secretary General’s Advisory Panel Report, led by Marzuki Darusman, made public in late April recommends an independent international investigation into presumptive crimes against humanity and war crimes committed especially during the final phase of the war, implying without doubt that the LLRC is not adequate in any way to support a reconciliation process in SL.

While the SL government has rejected the report as flawed and bias, the Indian sources officially said it would have to study, before venturing into any explanations on the report. It is therefore too revealing for the JPS to avoid the Indian EAM’s explanation or decisions on the report that has many powerful countries and international leaders taking positions on.

The full joint press statement follows -

Joint Press Statement

The Minister of External Affairs of the Government of Sri Lanka, Prof. G L Peiris visited India from 15-17 May, 2011.

2. During his visit, the External Affairs Minister of Sri Lanka called on Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India and met with Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister, Shri S M Krishna, External Affairs Minister and Shri Shivshankar Menon, National Security Advisor. Smt Nirupama Rao, Foreign Secretary, called on the visiting dignitary.

3. Delegation-level talks, led by the two External Affairs Ministers, were held on May 16, 2011. The two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations. They assessed the developments that had taken place since the visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India in June, 2010 and the bilateral Joint Commission meeting at the level of the Ministers of External Affairs held in Colombo in November, 2010. Issues relating to regional and international issues of common concern were also discussed.

4. Both sides agreed that the end of armed conflict in Sri Lanka created a historic opportunity to address all outstanding issues in a spirit of understanding and mutual accommodation imbued with political vision to work towards genuine national reconciliation. In this context, the External Affairs Minister of Sri Lanka affirmed his Government’s commitment to ensuring expeditious and concrete progress in the ongoing dialogue between the Government of Sri Lanka and representatives of Tamil parties. A devolution package, building upon the 13th Amendment, would contribute towards creating the necessary conditions for such reconciliation.

5. The Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka reiterated the commitment of his Government to continue to address issues related to resettlement and reconciliation in a focused and progressive manner. In this regard the Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka referred to the work of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and set out the steps taken by the Inter-Agency Advisory Committee (IAAC) chaired by the Attorney General in implementing the Interim Recommendations of the LLRC in relation to detention, law and order, administration and language issues and socio-economic and livelihood issues. In response, The External Affairs Minister of India urged the expeditious implementation of measures by the Government of Sri Lanka, to ensure resettlement and genuine reconciliation, including early return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their respective homes, early withdrawal of emergency regulations, investigations into allegations of human rights violations, restoration of normalcy in affected areas and redress of humanitarian concerns of affected families.

6. The External Affairs Minister of Sri Lanka expressed appreciation of the humanitarian and other assistance including demining and livelihood support measures extended by the Government of India for early relief and resettlement of IDPs. In this context, both sides noted that forward movement had taken place towards construction of houses for IDPs and other infrastructure development projects, including rehabilitation of Kankesanthurai harbour, rehabilitation of Palaly Airport, repair and construction of hospital and schools, setting up of Vocational Training Centres, construction of the Cultural Centre in Jaffna, restoration of railway lines and restoration of the Duraiappah stadium in Jaffna.

7. Expressing satisfaction at the progress of work on various railway projects in Sri Lanka undertaken with India’s assistance, both sides agreed to facilitate the work for their timely completion. In keeping with the understanding contained in the Joint Declaration of June 9, 2010, both sides agreed to the early conclusion of Agreements related to the Joint Venture Thermal Power Project between NTPC and CEB at Sampur, Trincomalee; finalisation of remaining agreements including reconstruction of the Palali-KKS railway line, establishment of a new signalling and telecommunication system and procurement of rolling stock from India; and to continue ongoing dialogue for early finalisation of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Progress on the feasibility study for the interconnection of India Sri Lanka electricity grids was reviewed. It was also agreed to enhance cooperation in the energy sector and to promote dialogue on security and defence issues of relevance to the bilateral relationship.

8. Reviewing the outcome of the Joint Working Group meeting on Fisheries held in New Delhi on 28-29 March, 2011, both sides agreed that the use of force could not be justified under any circumstances and that all fishermen should be treated in a humane manner. The Indian side conveyed that the incidents of continued violence against Indian fishermen in the vicinity of Sri Lanka were of serious concern. In this context, both sides noted thatthe Joint Statement on Fishing Arrangements of 26^thOctober 2008 had led to a decrease in violent incidents. Furthermore, the two sides emphasised the importance of an early conclusion of the draft Memorandum of Understanding on Development and Cooperation in the field of Fisheries between India and Sri Lanka.

9. Both sides reiterated their commitment to promote cultural and people-to-people contacts and enhance connectivity including through early operationalisation of the ferry services between Tuticorin and Colombo and Rameswaram and Talaimannar. The two sides also agreed to encourage two-way flow of investments including in the development of ports and ports related services in Sri Lanka.

10. Both countries agreed on the need for reform of the UN Security Council.

11. Sri Lanka reiterated its strong support for India’s legitimate claim for permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council.

New Delhi

May 17, 2011

]]> http://southasiaspeaks.wordpress.com/2011/05/19/sl-eam-prof-g-l-visits-delhi-for-non-discussion-of-un-advisory-panel-report/feed/ 0 southasiaspeaks Darusman Trio 2 From War Zone http://southasiaspeaks.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/a-quick-take-%e2%80%93-indian-voters-vote-out-corruption-mafioso/ http://southasiaspeaks.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/a-quick-take-%e2%80%93-indian-voters-vote-out-corruption-mafioso/#comments Fri, 13 May 2011 19:22:34 +0000 southasiaspeaks http://southasiaspeaks.wordpress.com/?p=1047 ]]> Out of 115 million voters in 05 Indian State assemblies, in four States – Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Puducherry – the voters voted against corruption. In Assam they had the opportunity, but did not. They voted “Congress”.

In India, assemblies do have their own politics and their own provincial power clans. But the voters do reflect national sentiments as well. This 2011 May assembly elections in particular, after almost 07 years of a Congress controlled centre, showed a sense of middle class chastity. The hugely growing Indian middle class was guilty of voting a corrupt Congress led government for the second time and did not want that at least in assembly elections.

A whole Family defeated

IF the Indian voter was after a “clean” alternative, they had none to choose from. In Tamil Nadu, Jayalalitha and her AIADMK is not clean at all. She too carries a bag load of corruption accusations. But the 2G Scam the biggest in Indian history to date unless another is unearthed, larger than 2G, former Telecom minister Raja, son of Karunanidhi in remand for that scam, daughter Kanimozhi questioned and taken to Courts on related charges of corruption and their DMK handing out 16 million TV sets free to the people, but 39,600 million rupees paid by State coffers after the 2006 elections, Jayalalitha looked too small.

The TN people went against the DMK with its Karunanidhi family with the Congress(I) tagged to them, in a single clear voice. That allowed Jayalalitha to walk in comfortably with a promise she would side with the Sri Lankan Tamil issue, giving her a political flavour among the Tamil vote.

Left mafia defeated

Mamata Bannerjee’s fate with her “Trinamool” was no different. She had the good fortune of pitching herself against a long entrenched Left mafia in the State that had developed not only a corrupt system but also a very lumpen bureaucracy, controlled by the Left for over 03 decades. That was definitely too long to bear and the alternative did not matter in getting rid of this old and feeble “Left”. So Mamata walks in with her Trinamool, where the Centre had a lesser appearance.

In Kerala again, it wasn’t the Congress(I) that won the elections. They would, as the UDF form the State government, with only 38 seats in a 140 seat assembly. The Congress(I) ally brought the required balance of 34 seats. Again there were issues of rice and corruption, but the Left veterans were not that bad to be thrown out. So they lost with a possibility of raking in a few seats to be in power, if they wanted to.

Except in Assam, where the possibility of the BJP formed alliance lost on the Muslim vote, to give Congress(I) the State assembly, the overall trend across the assembly elections is seen as “anti corruption” plus local issues.

This in a democracy, accepted as the largest in the world and where the voters still accept criminals as their elected representatives. The present Lok Sabha has around 30% elected representatives carrying criminal charges for crimes ranging from murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and extortions. Obviously, they are followed by others to State assemblies, where 02 contested from jail at this assembly elections and over a 100 more had charges for serious crimes.

This middle class anti corruption crusade would therefore have little depth in a democracy, that more and more becomes procedural and not functional. It would thus be interesting to see how the opinionated social activists would respond to social issues, from tomorrow.

For more descriptive news and information -

http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/Election_results_2011_Mamta_shines_in_Bengal_AIADMK_sweeps_Tamil_Nadu-nid-83503.html?utm_source=clicktrack&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=mostread

http://www.sify.com/news/tamil-tv-channels-go-berserk-on-election-day-news-columns-lfntNEjfaii.html

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Assembly-election-results-2011-Mamata-Jaya-clean-sweep-Buddha-loses-Congress-gains/789877/

For some high lights on elections

http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2011/05/13/live-blog-the-2011-assembly-election-results/?mod=google_news_blog

ON TV OWNERSHIP IN TN

Over the last ten years, the Maran-owned Sun Network has been joined by the Karunanidhi-owned Kalaignar TV and the PMK-owned Makkal TV (which, according to Wikipedia, “telecosts lots of entertainment program on the basis of Pure Tamil and promote the people to speak Tamil and only Tamil, without the mixing other languages words”), making a formidable alliance for DMK coalition propaganda. Jaya TV has been joined by the Vijaykanth-owned Captain TV.

Compiled by Kusal Perera

The US Sate Department Country Reports on HR for 2010, very clearly shows all countries excluding Bhutan has serious issues of human rights violations, carried over to year 2011, from last year – 2010.

In Pakistan and Sri Lanka the reports say, security forces have been acting independently, without reporting to civilian authorities. In India the issue of custodial killings is continuing.

In Afghanistan, where US, its allies and NATO forces operate as International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), most civilian killings have been charged on them. The report has cleared the Karzhai government of any politically motivated killings.

In Bangladesh where extra judicial killings are high, the Rapid Action Battalion remained a matter of serious concern. So was it in Nepal, where impunity is a matter of fact.

Full country reports could be accessed by using the URL given under each country.

Afghanistan

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/160445.pdf

The government or its agents did not commit any politically motivated killings; however, there were reports that security forces committed arbitrary or unlawful killings……According to Amnesty International (AI), operations by security forces resulted in an increase in civilian deaths during the first half of the year (2010), as did operations by pro-government international forces.[They are all ISAF which includes US and allied troops]

Bangladesh

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/160056.pdf

Security forces committed extrajudicial killings and were responsible for custodial deaths, torture, and arbitrary arrest and detention. The failure to investigate fully extrajudicial killings by security forces, including several deaths in custody of alleged criminals detained by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), remained a matter of serious concern.

Bhutan

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/160057.pdf

Principal human rights problems included the regulation of religion and discrimination against the Nepali-speaking minority.

India

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/160058.pdf

Major human rights problems included reported extrajudicial killings of persons in custody, killings of protesters, and torture and rape by police and other security forces. Investigations into individual abuses and legal punishment for perpetrators occurred, but for many abuses, a lack of accountability due to weak law enforcement, a lack of trained police, and an overburdened court system created an atmosphere of impunity; lengthy court backlogs prolong the latter.

Maldives

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/160060.pdf

Human rights problems included allegations of arbitrary arrest, unauthorized recording of telephone conversations, harassment of journalists, restrictions on religious rights, unequal treatment of women, and violations of worker rights.

Nepal

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/160061.pdf

Members of the security forces committed human rights abuses. Members of the Nepal Police (NP) and Armed Police Force (APF) committed extrajudicial killings and tortured numerous persons. Security forces used arbitrary arrest and detention. Impunity for human rights violators continued.

Pakistan

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/160472.pdf

Security forces did not report to civilian authorities and operated independently from the civilian government. The major human rights problems included extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and torture. Although the government initiated an investigation into an Internet video showing men in military uniforms apparently committing extrajudicial killings, a failure to credibly investigate allegations, impose disciplinary or accountability measures, and consistently prosecute those responsible for abuses contributed to a culture of impunity.

Sri Lanka

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/160476.pdf

There were instances in which elements of the security forces acted independently of civilian control. The government and its agents continued to be responsible for serious human rights problems. Security forces committed arbitrary and unlawful killings, although the number of extrajudicial killings declined. Disappearances continued to be a problem, although the total also declined.

Myanmar/Burma

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/160450.pdf

The regime continued to abridge the right of citizens to change their government and committed other severe human rights abuses. Government security forces were responsible for extrajudicial killings, custodial deaths, disappearances, rape, and torture. The government detained civic activists indefinitely and without charges.

“The Government is withdrawing cases of murder, rape, robbery, corruption, extortion and for keeping illegal arms, by considering those ‘politically motivated cases’, bypassing the judiciary or any judicial process. Those cases have been withdrawn under political consideration and kept for ‘future consideration’; most of them were filed against ruling party leaders and activists. Furthermore, some cases have also been withdrawn where the plaintiff and accused were not even involved in politics. Considered as ‘politically motivated’ on January 11, 2011 a total of 1,479 cases were proposed for withdrawal at the 25^th meeting of the ‘National Committee on reviewing the cases for withdrawal’. Of them, 900 cases have no recommendations from the District Committees.”

This is said by “Odhikar” in its latest report covering full 03 months on human rights situation in Bangladesh from January 01^st to March 31^st 2011. Odhikar is a human rights monitoring and campaigning organisation that regularly updates the human rights situation in Bangladesh.

The trend in relaxing judicial charges and allowing accused in rape and murder cases to be freed on politically motivated decisions by State officials responsible for judicial action, is becoming common in the SAARC region, as was witnessed very recently in Sri Lanka too.

In summary, the Odhikar report for the first quarter of 2011 includes issues on,

• 01 extra judicial killing, every 3 days
• Bangladeshi girl killed and hung on barbed wire fence by BSF
• Complainant threatened by killers of Upazila Chairman
• President’s clemency for person accused of murder
• Criminal cases withdrawn on ‘political’ considerations’
• Political violence continues
• Whereabouts unknown after man is picked up by RAB
• Fears corruption may increase if present Anti Corruption Commission Bill is passed
• Meetings of Lamppost, Chattra Gonomoncho and Arial Beel Rakkha Committee dispersed
• Clashes between police and protesters against airport at Arial Beel: cases filed against demonstrators
• Government’s unwillingness to approve Odhikar’s project. Odhikar HRDs victims of harassment
• Arrests under the Anti Terrorism Act 2009 and allegation of torture
• People struggling for self-determination handed over to the Indian authority
• Begging by children and protest against expulsion of beggars
• Violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
• Widespread violence against women

For full report of Odhikar for the period January 01st to March 31^st 2011, please click link below –

http://www.scribd.com/doc/52217240/Bangladesh-Human-Rights-Report-Jan-Mar-2011-by-Odhikar#

“The special security laws in force in Kashmir, continue to fuel a culture of impunity. Even in the rare cases when local authorities show the political will to pursue the perpetrators of gross human rights abuses, these efforts swiftly get lost in the labyrinth of the legal process, which are rendered more complicated by the effect of special security laws.” So says a media statement issued by the Fact Finding Team (FFT), that had spent over 03 weeks in the Kashmir valley in October 2010, meeting different groups, individuals, victims of security attacks, close relations of the killed, administrators and security officers.

Titled as “Four Months the Kashmir Valley Will Never Forget” the FFT has released a report that can be accessed at – http://www.scribd.com/doc/51658702/Kashmir-2010-FFT-Report

The FFT statement says the team met families of almost 40 persons who had been killed since the beginning of the civil unrest. Several individuals who had suffered serious injuries were also met, it said. “The team visited villages and towns in five of the Kashmir valley’s ten districts. Separate sessions were held with journalists and media practitioners, university teachers and students, doctors, lawyers and activists, besides officials in the police headquarters and civil administration.” the media release adds.

Thereafter the statement says,

This team has concluded, based on a consideration of all the testimony heard, that the range of situations in which lives were lost in 2010 covered an entire spectrum: from actions done with premeditation and deliberate intent, to impulsive and often panicky reactions to volatile and unpredictable turns of events. In no situation though is the agency involved in the application of lethal force exempt from responsibility for the consequences of its actions.

There have been incidents of firing on slogan shouting demonstrators and on funeral processions. The FFT was also told of an attack on a hospital in Pattan in north Kashmir, which would be regarded under most systems of law as a serious war crime.

Events in 2010, the FFT believes, prove decisively that the strategy of the Indian state, to apply coercive force to deter street protests and any other expression of dissent, is swiftly reaching the end of its tether. When use of force fails to produce initial results, the strategy has inevitably been to multiply and magnify the force applied. In the highly volatile situation of the four months of 2010, this only resulted in the protests spreading and intensifying.

The desultory public debate seen in the national capital and elsewhere over the demilitarisation imperative for Kashmir, needs to be carried forward with greater understanding. It needs to be conducted on an explicitly political level and not contaminated by military or intelligence assessments that remain, for the most part, opaque.

The special security laws in force in Kashmir continue to fuel a culture of impunity. Even in the rare cases when local authorities show the political will to pursue the perpetrators of gross human rights abuses, these efforts swiftly get lost in the labyrinth of the legal process, which are rendered more complicated by the effect of special security laws.

It is an urgent priority that the immunity conferred by these laws be waived to permit the prosecution of those against whom a prima facie case exists of excessive and unwarranted use of force.

All cases where evidence of premeditation and deliberate intent exists, should be prosecuted with all necessary speed and purpose.

There is a widespread public perception in Kashmir that successive state governments in the state have actively patronised elements with a violent and criminal bent as accessories of the anti-insurgency effort. These elements have in some instances found their way to vital command posts in the police force and key tiers of the civil administration. A course reversal must be initiated and a policy of complete transparency in regard to these appointments adopted immediately.

This FFT believes that after three successive summers of turmoil in Kashmir, there is a long overdue need for moving the debate to a new political trajectory which promises a future of hope for the people of the valley. Tired and token gestures such as the announcement of “packages” – whether economic or political – have to be abandoned and a fresh course charted which provides space for participation by all the people of Kashmir

The FFT comprised of -

Bela Bhatia, Ravi Hemadri, Sukumar Muralidharan, Vrinda Grover

Delhi

26 March 2011

The first ever attempt to set a common floor wage for all Asian workers in the apparel industry has been undertaken as a global campaign and the first People’s Tribunal on decent working standards with a common minimum wage is being organised in Sri Lanka’s premier Free Trade Zone area, Katunayake, on 28 and 29 March, 2011.

Below is the full statement of the organisers.

We, ALaRM and Committee for Asian Women, being members of the Asia Floor Wage Alliance’s Steering Committee, on behalf of Sri Lankan garment workers employed in the global garment industry, would like to have the honour of your presence in aPeople’s Tribunal on “Minimum Living Wage and decent working conditions as fundamental Human Rights” on 27th March 2011 at 09.00am – 04.00pm, 28^th March 2011 at 09.00am – 02.00pm in the YMCA, Colombo Road, Kurana, Katunayeka (near theGethsemane Church) where workers will present evidence and experts will provide findings before an international panel of judges, aimed at redressing the deficit in decent labour standards in the garment industry in Sri Lanka.

The Tribunal is being undertaken to pursue a global campaign for an Asia Floor Wage targeting garment manufacturers, suppliers, consumer-importers, garment workers and government officials. The Sri Lanka tribunal is first among other national hearings scheduled in upcoming months, and will culminate in a session being requested at the People’s Permanent Tribunal.

In preparation for the tribunal hearing CAW and ALARM have conducted consultations with the national trade unions in Sri Lanka and formed a Steering Committee to lead the preparation and organisation of the Tribunal. It has invited legal professionals, women’s rights advocates, and human rights defenders to join the endeavor to provide a holistic approach to the hearings.

For more information and to confirm your participation please contact

Mr. Palitha Atukorale at seafarers2009@hotmail.com (Tel:2583030/3040) or

Mr. S. Amarasinghe at suranjayaamarasinghe@gmail.com (Tel: 0778166177).

The Progress Union (PU) and United Federation of Labour(UFL)

International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs and International Movement of Catholic Students known as Pax Romana in consultative status with the UN Human Rights Council has handed over a written submission to the Session 16 of the HR Council in Geneva, in accordance with the Economic and Social Council Resolution 1996/31, asking that “promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights including the right to development” of North and East of Sri Lanka, be guaranteed.

Backing their claim of suppression of human and civil rights defenders, especially in North and East of Sri Lanka, the submission says, “concerning widespread and numerous cases of attacks, threats and restrictions to the Human Rights defenders (HRDs) and fundamental freedoms in post war North and East in Sri Lanka, the Human Rights Council has failed to take effective action to have a tangible impact on the prevention of further abuses on the ground.”

The submission says the expectations of people in the North and the East that they could get back to normal life after 30 years of war is being shattered. “In the year after the war between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ended, people in the North who had borne the brunt of the war, anticipated a gradual recovery from years of violence and displacement and enjoy their rights and freedoms as citizens. However, these expectations have been constrained by severe restrictions, threats and attacks on freedom of assembly, association, expression and movement, particular targeting human rights defenders (HRDs)” the submission says.

Pax Romana in its submission to the HRC says “The Human Rights Council should urge the government of Sri Lanka to provide an environment devoid of fear in the North and East for HRDs and NGOs to operate and take actions to acknowledge problems, investigate allegations of violations, prosecute suspects.”

For all the submission documents – click below;

http://www.scribd.com/full/50095597?access_key=key-2aufo2g4mhb4plo3ynnd

http://www.scribd.com/full/50095593?access_key=key-549jqqcxo9h2ko9lm9d

http://www.scribd.com/full/50095590?access_key=key-26d75faj6d04xhp2ea4f

Internet, Face Book, Twitter, On Line Petitions, have all come to play the role, at least part of the role, a revolutionary vanguard party was expected to play in the past, from Lenin to Mao, to Ho Chi Minh and Castro to Daniel Ortega. Today, the world is different. Today the Rulers themselves play a different ball game. Often opposition parties are not prepared to go the whole hog. Now its a new generation and a new technology that has come to be discussed as “people mobilising” factors.

This is partly about that. At least this can be read that way.

Here is part of a conversation between two Arab bloggers on the Web site “Global Voices”. Slim Amamou, a former Tunisian dissident who is now the minister of youth and sports in the transitional government in Tunisia following the uprising there, and Hisham, a Moroccan doctor who lives in France.

Hisham: You’ve been following the extraordinary events in Egypt. What reading do you make of the Egyptian revolution? Can you compare both the Tunisian and the Egyptian uprisings: what’s their common denominator (if any)?

Slim Amamou: They are both one uprising. One World, One Revolution Often people think of it in terms of “contagion” or something. But in reality we’ve been ready, we, people of the internetz, for a revolution to start in any part of the Arab world. We’ve been supporting each other and trying hard since long time, and you know how important Internet was for the revolution. Egyptians actively supported the Tunisian Revolution as any Tunisian national did: they launched DDoS attacks, they’ve been demonstrating for Sidi Bouzid, they shared information, they provided technical support… etc. And now Tunisians are doing the same for Egyptians. It’s really a new citizenship. Egyptians are de facto Tunisian citizens.

Hisham: Do you think the revolution in Tunisia, and now in Egypt, will spread across the Arab world?

Slim Amamou: It is already spreading, or more precisely it’s already there. My only worry is Internet control. I’ve been fighting here in Tunisia against censorship because I knew that infrastructure is the key for change. In some parts of the Arab world Internet access is maybe still not enough developed to be a lever for change. So maybe it’s just not the right time, and maybe it’s more effective to focus on having internet infrastructure ready and free right now.

Hisham: Some say the Internet was a catalyst, others contend it has played only a marginal role in the uprising. Do you think, had the events of Sidi Bouzid or Cairo happened, say, in the 80s, when the Internet was not available yet, it would have achieved the tremendous rallying we’ve witnessed?

Slim Amamou: You don’t have to go back to the 80s. In 2008, there were uprisings in Redeyef, similar to what happened in Sidi Bouzid. But back then it seems that the internet community did not reach a critical mass. And then at that time, Facebook got censored for a week or two. I don’t remember if it was related. But it was like a training for this revolution. People think that this revolution happened out of nowhere but we, on the Internet have been trying for years, together and all over the Arab world. The last campaign that mobilized people was for Khaled Said in Egypt, and we Tunisians participated. And you have to remember that Egyptians (and people all over the world) participated in the Tunisian revolution: they informed, they participated in Anonymous attacks and they even were the first to demonstrate for Sidi Bouzid in Cairo.

So, yes, Internet was very important.

For full article – http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/02/11/tunisia-slim-amamou-speaks-about-tunisia-egypt-and-the-arab-world/

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is on fire!.

Crunchy numbers

About 3 million people visit the Taj Mahal every year. This blog was viewed about 27,000 times in 2010. If it were the Taj Mahal, it would take about 3 days for that many people to see it.

In 2010, there were 53 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 211 posts. There were 103 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 8mb. That’s about 2 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was October 17th with 229 views. The most popular post that day was Big and the small of nepotism playing on devastated Sri Lankan Tamil lives.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were lankanewsweb.com, mail.yahoo.com, mail.live.com, facebook.com, and search.conduit.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for torture, censorship, indian military, hillary clinton, and jaffna.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

Big and the small of nepotism playing on devastated Sri Lankan Tamil lives October 2010
1 Like on WordPress.com,

HR Collective in India calls for total repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act November 2009

Indian medias’ ignorance on torture is suicidal says AHRC June 2009

With Uni Dons and Journos willing, media never allowed freedom in Sri Lanka June 2009

Sri Lanka: Jaffna residents speak out over increasing military repression June 2009

WikiLeaks: Karzai rejects US request to replace minister

Afghan President Hamid Karzai refused to remove a former warlord from atop the energy and water ministry despite US pressure to oust the minister because they considered him corrupt and ineffective. Secret diplomatic records showed the minister privately termed “the worst” by US officials kept his perch at an agency that controls USD 2 billion in US and allied projects.

Afghan envoys head to Pakistan for peace talks

Afghan efforts to broker peace with the Taliban enter a new phase this week with the first scheduled visit of envoys to Islamabad, part of a growing recognition that the process hinges on Pakistan. Afghanistan’s ex-president Burhanuddin Rabbani is set to lead a delegation from President Hamid Karzai’s High Council for Peace in talks with officials from neighbouring Pakistan.

- The Himalayan Times

Taliban Leader Was Killed, Afghans Say

Coalition forces killed the top-ranking Taliban official in restive Kunduz Province during an overnight raid, according to the Afghan police and a local governor. The officials said that Mullah Bahador, the Taliban’s shadow governor in the province, was killed late Thursday night.

- NYT / Michael Kamber

Climate change key element of Maldives foreign policy

Climate change has emerged as the most important aspect of Maldivian foreign policy, writes Anand Kumar for the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis.

“Therefore, it is hardly surprising that President Nasheed has been trying to highlight the issue at all global fora. Most recently, while speaking to students in Oxford University, he urged them not to work for oil and coal companies which were responsible for major carbon emissions into the environment.

- Minivan News

2010: Not the common man, Raja, Ambanis, Tata & Radia hog SC space

Legal battles involving corporate czars like the Ambanis and Tatas figured prominently in the Supreme Court in 2010, but it was the Niira Radia controversy that threw the light on the corporate prowess in certain quarters of the government, already under fire over a telecom scam. However, there was hardly any issue promoting the interest of the common man that came before the SC.

- Indian Express / Agencies

India, Pak exchange list of nuclear installations

India and Pakistan today exchanged the lists of their nuclear installations for the 20th consecutive year under an agreement which prohibits any kind of attack on such facilities. The lists were exchanged through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad…

- Indian Express / Agencies

To train in Maoist bastion, Army asks Govt for rules of engagement

On course to set up a training facility on the edge of the Maoist-dominated Abujhmad forests with the purpose of showing military presence in this area of Chhattisgarh, the Army is now learnt to have asked the government for the rules of engagement in case its troops come under attack.

- Indian Express / Pranab Dhal Samanta

Sri Lanka to scrap visa on arrival

Sri Lanka has revived plans to scrap the visa on arrival for foreigners, except Maldivians and Singaporeans, and will launch an on-line visa application system, officials said Friday.

- ChannelNewsAsia

On Sri Lanka, Amid Confusion About Ban’s Panel, UN Has Nothing Further to Say

At the UN at the end of 2010 confusion reigned, not only on Cote d’Ivoire but also concerning Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s panel on accountability for war crimes in Sri Lanka. Rather than answer if the Panel or its staff would travel to the country and under what conditions, Ban’s Spokesman on December 31 told Inner City Press “We are aware of your keen interest. If and when there is something to add we will let you know. We have checked again and there is nothing further to say for now… It may be that you do not get answers to every question.”

- InnerCityPress / Matthew Russell Lee

Mobile phone saves 5 abductees in Vanni from being taken to South

A 20-year-old student, Gajeevan Puvanendran, who was being abducted by men in green uniform in a vehicle Saturday morning around 5:30 in Ki’linochchi, alerted his parents and relatives through SMS and phone conversation that he was being taken away on A9 highway towards South. Later, Mr. Gajeevan was saved with at least four others in Vavuniyaa. The Sri Lankan Police has not revealed the details of the abductors or other abductees.

- TamilNet Newswire

No War Crimes Investigations by UN, Sri Lanka Reiterates

The Sri Lankan government will be strictly monitoring any potential visit by the panel of experts appointed by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and reiterated that there will be no permission granted for it to conduct an investigation into alleged war crimes.

- AllVoices / Anuradha K. Herath

Paudel seeks a disarmed UCPN-M

Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Paudel today said he will not quit the prime ministerial race unless and until the UCPN-Maoist detaches itself from its combatants and weapons. Addressing an NC-organised interaction in Biratnagar today, Paudel, the lone candidate in the prime ministerial race, claimed that his candidacy is a must for completion of peace and statute-making processes.

- The Himlayan Times

Bhutanee Refugees tell Nepali govt: We won’t go

Bhutanese refugees today wrote the government saying that they cannot go to Bhutan in the light of harsh and objectionable conditions, unilaterally announced by Bhutanese JVT officials on December 22 at Khudunabari camp. This was mentioned in the letter written by Bhutanese Refugee Representative Repatriation Committee (BRRRC) to Nepal’s Ambassador-at-large Dr Bhekh Bahadur Thapa.

- Nepal News

Bangladesh – 2010 witnesses 133 deaths

At least 133 persons were killed in ‘shootouts’ with the law enforcers and in their custody, while another 128 died of mob beatings in the country last year, said a human rights organisation Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK). It was disclosed in ASK’s Human Rights Report 2010, released at a function at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity office yesterday.

- The Daily Star

Bangladesh: UN to continue providing food security efforts

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has decided to extend its country programme in Bangladesh until the end of 2011 to provide support to 2.1 million hungry, vulnerable and malnourished people in the South Asian …
- BangladeshNews Net

Dhaka may hand over 50 ULFA leaders to India

Bangladesh may hand over around 30 to 50 top leaders of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), including general secretary Anup Chetia, to Delhi in a major development on the diplomatic front as India has initiated a move for a negotiated end to the dreaded insurgency. Home Minister Sahara Khatun told the agency that no decision in this regard had so far been taken. “We received a list of 35 Ulfa members from India and held meeting on it but did not take any decision to hand over them,” said the minister.

- Daily Sun

US will ultimately stop drone attacks, says Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday took a swipe at critics of the government who advocate a tit-for-tat reply to US drone attacks, explaining “we are trying to convince Washington that these strikes will eventually prove counter-productive”.

“Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state which cannot take any irresponsible step to stop US Predator attacks.

Political dynasties have to come to an end: Altaf Hussain

MQM leader Altaf Hussain said on Sunday that if the political dynasties do not come to an end, Pakistan’s existence could come in danger. Hussain said that the survival and future of Pakistan depended on the 98 per cent of Pakistanis comprising the poverty-stricken and working-class people. He said that civil and military rulers of Pakistan had made this country dependent on foreign aid and loans. He said the country can not progress until the monopoly of a few families does not finish.

India-Myanmar discuss intelligence sharing

Action against insurgent groups along the international border, tightening of intelligence sharing mechanism, arms smuggling and drugs trafficking were high on the agenda at the 16th Home Secretary level talks between India and Myanmar in New Delhi on Thursday.

- AllVoices

Suu Kyi criticises India’s trade link

AUNG SAN Suu Kyi, Burma’s (also known as Myanmar) pro-democracy leader, has criticised India for conducting business with her country’s military junta which jailed her for almost 15 years. She called for talks with New Delhi at the earliest opportunity. “I am saddened with India. I would like to have thought that India would be standing behind us…..” she said over a telephone interview.

- Irish Times / Rahul Bedi