Cartoon by Zunar

Two photos, thirty years apart, move the Web

Thirty years ago, the first space shuttle launched into the stratosphere. Chris Bray and his father Kenneth watched -- and took a picture. Then last Friday, the shuttle Atlantis took its final trip. Again, the Bray men were there. And again, the two snapped a photo to capture the moment.

Quit if you disagree, ministers told

A former Sabah chief minister hit out at ministers who
do not practise collective responsibility.

KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah chief minister Harris Salleh has slammed federal ministers who do not subscribe to the principle of collective responsibility.

He said ministers who criticise the government should resign from the posts.

The target of his anger was Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Bernard Dompok who has pinned the blame for election malpractices in the country on the National Registration Department (NRD).

Bangladesh indigenous groups reject 15th Amendment of Constitution and terming of indigenous peoples as 'Bengali'

Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact

INFORMATION SHARING

For further information, please see the contact details/reference given below

Category: IP/IP Rights                                                                             Date: July 12, 2011

Bangladesh indigenous groups reject 15^th Amendment of Constitution and terming of indigenous peoples as ‘Bengali’

Main concerns that affect Indigenous peoples are:
(1) Retaining of “BISMILLAH-AR-RAHMAN-AR-RAHIM” (In the name of Allah) In the preamble of the constitution.
(2) Retaining of ISLAM as state religion: Islam alone cannot be the state religion as there are people who practice and folow other religions such as Hindu, Christian, Bouddha and Indigenous Practices.
(3) Non recognition of Indigenous Peoples as Indigenous (Adibasi). Upajati(tribes)/Khudra Jatisatta(minor races)/Nrigosthi-sampradai(ethnic sects and communities) are the terms inserted. These terminologies are not acceptable to the indigenous peoples.
(4) The Nationality and Citizenship: The People of Bangladesh shall be know as Bengali as a nation and the citizens of Bangladesh shall be know as Bangladeshis. Indigenous peoples of Bangladesh do not want to be known as Bengali. In this way Indigenous peoples own national identity will get lost.
(5) Freedom of Association: There is every possibility for the political parties/organizations/associations of the Indigenous Peoples  to be stopped terming them communal.   

10 July 2011

Najib Snubbed By UK PM?!

The flash crowd that turned up to boo Najib’s event at Mansion House (the official residence of the City of London’s Mayor) was larger than yesterday’s outside Downing Street.  They had been joined by Amnesty International, who have spoken out about the treatment of the Bersih demonstrators at the weekend.  Amnesty commands considerable respect in the UK.