Archive: March, 2010
From the field Sri Lankan interpretation of R&B
The R&B star Akon was planning to hold a concert in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on the 24th of April and around 12,000 of Akon’s fans were hoping to enjoy the sound of R&B music. But the video, ‘Sexy (Bitch) Chick”, which included a visual of a Buddha Statue as background to a scene, was disturbing to the Buddhist community in Sri Lanka, leading to loud protests against the proposed visit. The story on the Buddhist protests towards Akon’s visit can be found in more detail at …. Read more >>>
Interview The Parents Circle and Israeli-Palestinian Reconciliation
In this video, Siham Abu Awad discusses how her life changed when her brother Yousef was shot dead by Israeli soldiers. Her political activist mother, who’d spent four years in jail, brought her and her remaining brothers to Parent’s Circle, a remarkable organisation that brings together bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families. Read more >>>
From the field Rabbis for Human Rights and The Struggle for Justice in East Jerusalem
Video report on the work of the Israeli peacebuilding organisation, Rabbis for Human Rights in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem. Here they have been campaigning for the rights of Palestinians evicted from their homes. Read more >>>
From the field Country mourning for its tireless leader!
President of Nepali Congress (NC), and former Prime Minister, Girija Prasad Koirala passed away on 20 March 2010. The country provided full state honours for his last ritual. The country is in great sorrow and decided to mourn for three days. His death is a great loss to the democratic movement in the country since the new constitution is still to be written and the peace process has yet to complete its long journey. Read more >>>
From the field UN and Sri Lanka
Last week, the General Secretary of United Nations, Ban-Ki-Moon proposed to appoint a panel of experts to investigate the recent human rights situation of Sri Lanka. This suggestion to appoint a panel of experts to advise the General Secretary has been opposed by Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksha, and other leading political parties of the country. The main argument is that United Nation is trying to intervene into the internal matters of an independent country and that it would challenge the sovereignty of Sri Lanka. This news has become a hot topic in the election campaigns for forthcoming parliament elections on 8th of April. Read more >>>
From the field Nepal Political Deadlock Continues
The High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) has recently been addressing some major issues in the Nepali peace process. The mechanism has decided to deal with the critical issues in a package. Read more >>>
From the field Sudan’s April Elections
National elections in Sudan are due to be held in April. Although despite being a key part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), elections have been delayed three times already, and the April date is by no means guaranteed. Many believe that the US is pressing the parties of the CPA to postpone the election, arguing that there is danger that they won’t be seen as credible. Read more >>>
From the field CfPS: Building Peace Across Sudan
The work of the Collaborative for Peace in Sudan (CfPS) involves local groups working for peace across the country, our local correspondent for Sudan, shares stories of their success. Read more >>>
From the field New report on upcoming election in Burundi
I have written recently about views on the ground (in Mabanda and Muriza) on the upcoming elections in Burundi. I have just come across this report by IRIN which I think confirms some of the fears on the elections that I wrote about, describing the situation as ‘explosive’. It’s well worth reading. Read more >>>
Interview Why I work for peace in Kashmir
What motivates an individual to work for peace? And how do they get started? Ashima Kaul, our Kashmir Local Correspondent, is herself a peacebuilder with the Athwaas organisation. In this interview, she takes about her involvement in peacebuilding in Kashmir. Read more >>>
