By EMAD MEKAY / IPS WRITER Saturday, January 15, 2011
CAIRO — These are scenes Western powers would have loved to see in Iran—thousands of young people braving live bullets and forcing an autocratic ruler out of the country. But it is in the North African nation Tunisia where an uprising forced the Western-backed autocratic President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali to flee the country.
Western powers remain incredulous. France, the real power broker in the Franco North African nation, was giving Ben Ali tacit support until an hour before he fled Friday.
The French Foreign Ministry said it "backs" the measures announced by Ben Ali by way of overtures to the protestors, but asked for more freedoms. In effect France ignored the movement’s demand for Ben Ali to go, and addressed Ben Ali as the legitimate leader.
The United States was clearly far more busy with the collapse of the government in Lebanon, a country critical to the main US ally in the region, Israel, after the Lebanese opposition withdrew their minister from the coalition government.
Most of the reaction from other Western powers has been that they are "concerned" about the events and that they want their citizens there pulled out, and others warned against travel to Tunisia.
To date, at least 100 people have been killed, hundreds injured and millions of dollars in losses reported.
Ben Ali ruled the country since 1987. Like many other Western-backed Arab rulers, he ruled with an iron fist, leading to massive human rights abuses, widespread corruption and lack of democracy.
When a young street hawker named Mohammed Bouazizi set himself on fire in mid-December to protest unemployment and corruption in the central town Sidi Buzeid, Western capitals didn’t react. Ben Ali, it was assumed, was sure to crush the protests that followed in no time.
Looking his confident self, Ben Ali initially refused almost all of the demands of the protesters in the town and its neighboring cities. But the protests continued unabated across most of Tunisia.
On Thursday night, Ben Ali stood shaken as he talked to his people through TV cameras. Appealing for "understanding" from the people he ruled for more than 23 years and asking for a new page, he promised to end orders to shoot at demonstrators.
It did not stop people. Thousands marched Friday afternoon to the interior ministry, the symbol of decades-long brutality.
"We want bread, and water and no Ben Ali", hand-written signs said, as seen in videos leaked online by activists during the protests.
The aerial views in Tunisia on Friday were reminiscent of Iran of 1979, when thousands marched to topple another Western-supported dictator, the Shah of Iran, and at a much faster pace.
Now Western powers led by the United States have invested millions of dollars in both covert and overt operations to bring the assertive, and occasionally anti-Western regime in Iran to its knees, and bring "regime change".
Western powers would have like people power to succeed in Iran rather than Tunisia. The last strong people movement in Iran was the Green Movement against the disputed presidential elections in 2009. But the movement could not topple the regime.
People in Tunisia had no such support from the West. Internet bloggers had hoped someone would come to their aid.
Blogger Sami Ben Gharbia wrote: "Sidi Bouzid discredited The West. U want regime change in Iran and not in #Tunisa? Well, we will democratize to #tunisia 1st, by ourselves!"
Fortunately for the protesters, the West cannot take credit for the revolution that forced concessions from Ben Ali almost on an hourly basis towards the end, and then threw him out.
Last week, President Ben Ali fired three members of his cabinet. On Wednesday, he called in the army to protect the capital city and important government buildings.
On Thursday, he fired top aides including the interior minister who had ordered the shoot-to-kill policy during the protests; a policy that initially led to the death of at least 60 people.
In his last attempts to hang on to power, Ben Ali ordered a night curfew. But online videos continued to show clashes with the police on Friday and scenes of widespread protests. Mega-stores with French-sounding names were shut down.
Many streets were deserted and shopping areas visibly empty. Only police forces in riot gear and angry demonstrators, most of them young people, were to be seen.
On Friday afternoon, Ben Ali dissolved the cabinet and parliament, and ordered early elections within six months. A couple of hours later, he imposed emergency law in the country. But another two hours later, Arab TV stations reported he had fled the country.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
GAZAN YOUTH’S MANIFESTO FOR CHANGE
Fuck Hamas. Fuck Israel. Fuck Fatah. Fuck UN. Fuck UNWRA. Fuck USA! We, the youth in Gaza, are so fed up with Israel, Hamas, the occupation, the violations of human rights and the indifference of the international community! We want to scream and break this wall of silence, injustice and indifference like the Israeli F16’s breaking the wall of sound; scream with all the power in our souls in order to release this immense frustration that consumes us because of this fucking situation we live in; we are like lice between two nails living a nightmare inside a nightmare, no room for hope, no space for freedom. We are sick of being caught in this political struggle; sick of coal dark nights with airplanes circling above our homes; sick of innocent farmers getting shot in the buffer zone because they are taking care of their lands; sick of bearded guys walking around with their guns abusing their power, beating up or incarcerating young people demonstrating for what they believe in; sick of the wall of shame that separates us from the rest of our country and keeps us imprisoned in a stamp-sized piece of land; sick of being portrayed as terrorists, homemade fanatics with explosives in our pockets and evil in our eyes; sick of the indifference we meet from the international community, the so-called experts in expressing concerns and drafting resolutions but cowards in enforcing anything they agree on; we are sick and tired of living a shitty life, being kept in jail by Israel, beaten up by Hamas and completely ignored by the rest of the world.
There is a revolution growing inside of us, an immense dissatisfaction and frustration that will destroy us unless we find a way of canalizing this energy into something that can challenge the status quo and give us some kind of hope. The final drop that made our hearts tremble with frustration and hopelessness happened 30rd November, when Hamas’ officers came to Sharek Youth Forum, a leading youth organization (www.sharek.ps) with their guns, lies and aggressiveness, throwing everybody outside, incarcerating some and prohibiting Sharek from working. A few days later, demonstrators in front of Sharek were beaten and some incarcerated. We are really living a nightmare inside a nightmare. It is difficult to find words for the pressure we are under. We barely survived the Operation Cast Lead, where Israel very effectively bombed the shit out of us, destroying thousands of homes and even more lives and dreams. They did not get rid of Hamas, as they intended, but they sure scared us forever and distributed post traumatic stress syndrome to everybody, as there was nowhere to run.
We are youth with heavy hearts. We carry in ourselves a heaviness so immense that it makes it difficult to us to enjoy the sunset. How to enjoy it when dark clouds paint the horizon and bleak memories run past our eyes every time we close them? We smile in order to hide the pain. We laugh in order to forget the war. We hope in order not to commit suicide here and now. During the war we got the unmistakable feeling that Israel wanted to erase us from the face of the earth. During the last years Hamas has been doing all they can to control our thoughts, behaviour and aspirations. We are a generation of young people used to face missiles, carrying what seems to be a impossible mission of living a normal and healthy life, and only barely tolerated by a massive organization that has spread in our society as a malicious cancer disease, causing mayhem and effectively killing all living cells, thoughts and dreams on its way as well as paralyzing people with its terror regime. Not to mention the prison we live in, a prison sustained by a so-called democratic country.
History is repeating itself in its most cruel way and nobody seems to care. We are scared. Here in Gaza we are scared of being incarcerated, interrogated, hit, tortured, bombed, killed. We are afraid of living, because every single step we take has to be considered and well-thought, there are limitations everywhere, we cannot move as we want, say what we want, do what we want, sometimes we even cant think what we want because the occupation has occupied our brains and hearts so terrible that it hurts and it makes us want to shed endless tears of frustration and rage!
We do not want to hate, we do not want to feel all of this feelings, we do not want to be victims anymore. ENOUGH! Enough pain, enough tears, enough suffering, enough control, limitations, unjust justifications, terror, torture, excuses, bombings, sleepless nights, dead civilians, black memories, bleak future, heart aching present, disturbed politics, fanatic politicians, religious bullshit, enough incarceration! WE SAY STOP! This is not the future we want!
We want three things. We want to be free. We want to be able to live a normal life. We want peace. Is that too much to ask? We are a peace movement consistent of young people in Gaza and supporters elsewhere that will not rest until the truth about Gaza is known by everybody in this whole world and in such a degree that no more silent consent or loud indifference will be accepted.
This is the Gazan youth’s manifesto for change!
We will start by destroying the occupation that surrounds ourselves, we will break free from this mental incarceration and regain our dignity and self respect. We will carry our heads high even though we will face resistance. We will work day and night in order to change these miserable conditions we are living under. We will build dreams where we meet walls.
We only hope that you – yes, you reading this statement right now! – can support us. In order to find out how, please write on our wall or contact us directly: freegazayouth@hotmail.com
We want to be free, we want to live, we want peace.
FREE GAZA YOUTH!
GYBO
December, 2010
More to follow:
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/01/2011112811622377.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/02/free-gaza-youth-manifesto-palestinian
There is a revolution growing inside of us, an immense dissatisfaction and frustration that will destroy us unless we find a way of canalizing this energy into something that can challenge the status quo and give us some kind of hope. The final drop that made our hearts tremble with frustration and hopelessness happened 30rd November, when Hamas’ officers came to Sharek Youth Forum, a leading youth organization (www.sharek.ps) with their guns, lies and aggressiveness, throwing everybody outside, incarcerating some and prohibiting Sharek from working. A few days later, demonstrators in front of Sharek were beaten and some incarcerated. We are really living a nightmare inside a nightmare. It is difficult to find words for the pressure we are under. We barely survived the Operation Cast Lead, where Israel very effectively bombed the shit out of us, destroying thousands of homes and even more lives and dreams. They did not get rid of Hamas, as they intended, but they sure scared us forever and distributed post traumatic stress syndrome to everybody, as there was nowhere to run.
We are youth with heavy hearts. We carry in ourselves a heaviness so immense that it makes it difficult to us to enjoy the sunset. How to enjoy it when dark clouds paint the horizon and bleak memories run past our eyes every time we close them? We smile in order to hide the pain. We laugh in order to forget the war. We hope in order not to commit suicide here and now. During the war we got the unmistakable feeling that Israel wanted to erase us from the face of the earth. During the last years Hamas has been doing all they can to control our thoughts, behaviour and aspirations. We are a generation of young people used to face missiles, carrying what seems to be a impossible mission of living a normal and healthy life, and only barely tolerated by a massive organization that has spread in our society as a malicious cancer disease, causing mayhem and effectively killing all living cells, thoughts and dreams on its way as well as paralyzing people with its terror regime. Not to mention the prison we live in, a prison sustained by a so-called democratic country.
History is repeating itself in its most cruel way and nobody seems to care. We are scared. Here in Gaza we are scared of being incarcerated, interrogated, hit, tortured, bombed, killed. We are afraid of living, because every single step we take has to be considered and well-thought, there are limitations everywhere, we cannot move as we want, say what we want, do what we want, sometimes we even cant think what we want because the occupation has occupied our brains and hearts so terrible that it hurts and it makes us want to shed endless tears of frustration and rage!
We do not want to hate, we do not want to feel all of this feelings, we do not want to be victims anymore. ENOUGH! Enough pain, enough tears, enough suffering, enough control, limitations, unjust justifications, terror, torture, excuses, bombings, sleepless nights, dead civilians, black memories, bleak future, heart aching present, disturbed politics, fanatic politicians, religious bullshit, enough incarceration! WE SAY STOP! This is not the future we want!
We want three things. We want to be free. We want to be able to live a normal life. We want peace. Is that too much to ask? We are a peace movement consistent of young people in Gaza and supporters elsewhere that will not rest until the truth about Gaza is known by everybody in this whole world and in such a degree that no more silent consent or loud indifference will be accepted.
This is the Gazan youth’s manifesto for change!
We will start by destroying the occupation that surrounds ourselves, we will break free from this mental incarceration and regain our dignity and self respect. We will carry our heads high even though we will face resistance. We will work day and night in order to change these miserable conditions we are living under. We will build dreams where we meet walls.
We only hope that you – yes, you reading this statement right now! – can support us. In order to find out how, please write on our wall or contact us directly: freegazayouth@hotmail.com
We want to be free, we want to live, we want peace.
FREE GAZA YOUTH!
GYBO
December, 2010
More to follow:
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/01/2011112811622377.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/02/free-gaza-youth-manifesto-palestinian
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Asia and Pacific- Special Youth Programme 2011
We are pleased to advertise the following opening for the Special Youth Programme:
JOB ID NO.: 1728
CLOSING DATE: 20 January 2011 (5pm New York time)
POST TITLE: Asia and Pacific- Special Youth Programme 2011
DURATION: 8 months
ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING:
The Special Youth Programme fellowship consists of an initial 4 months fellowship at the Asia and Pacific Regional Office, followed by a continued fellowship of another 4 months in a UNFPA Country Office in the region. This programme is designed to give young people from developing countries opportunities to engage in policy development and programming; to help build the capacity of young people; and to sensitize young people and UNFPA staff on jointly addressing young people’s issues.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
During the course of the programme, youth fellows will learn about UNFPA’s mandate, programmes and the issues we work on, attend and participate in UNFPA and UN events and meetings, undertake research and writing assignments on areas of interest, contribute to ongoing programmes, activities and initiatives and organize a final presentation to UNFPA staff on their projects and fellowships.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
· Work or volunteer experience in areas of UNFPA’s mandate, which include population and development, young people’s sexual and reproductive health, humanitarian response, sexuality education, gender, culture, human rights, HIV prevention, poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods.
· Aged between 20-24 years old (applicants born before 1 January 1987 will not be considered).
· Residence and nationality of a developing country (for a list, see http://www.unfpa.org/worldwide/).
· Interest and dedication to development issues established through previous experiences or affiliations.
· Commitment to return to home country to promote the ICPD mandate.
· Young people living with disabilities and indigenous young people are especially encouraged to apply.
All selected candidates will be provided return travel from country of origin, assistance with travel documents and visa requirements, health insurance, housing arrangements, a minimum subsistence allowance (for meals and other basic needs), a workstation and internet access, opportunities to be mentored by UNFPA staff on issues of interest and administrative assistance as may be required. A salary is not paid under this programme.
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.
How to Apply:
Applications are open! To apply, go to http://www.unfpa.org/employment/vacancy.htm and click on “Apply Online”. This is the only way to apply. Candidates from all regions are welcome to apply. Please click on the vacancy for your region. If you have any trouble applying, you can look at the instructions in the guide on how to apply (click here: http://www.unfpa.org/employment/application_guide.doc). Please note that there is no fee to apply.
The deadline for applications is 20 January 2011. Candidates that are shortlisted will be contacted by 15 February. Interviews will take place late-February and the fellowship is from April to December.
For more information, go to the Facebook Page “UNFPA Special Youth Programme”, follow @unfpayouth or #syp2011 on Twitter or email youth@unfpa.org. Due to the large number of queries, an immediate response may not be possible so please read this notice carefully. All the best!!!
JOB ID NO.: 1728
CLOSING DATE: 20 January 2011 (5pm New York time)
POST TITLE: Asia and Pacific- Special Youth Programme 2011
DURATION: 8 months
ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING:
The Special Youth Programme fellowship consists of an initial 4 months fellowship at the Asia and Pacific Regional Office, followed by a continued fellowship of another 4 months in a UNFPA Country Office in the region. This programme is designed to give young people from developing countries opportunities to engage in policy development and programming; to help build the capacity of young people; and to sensitize young people and UNFPA staff on jointly addressing young people’s issues.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
During the course of the programme, youth fellows will learn about UNFPA’s mandate, programmes and the issues we work on, attend and participate in UNFPA and UN events and meetings, undertake research and writing assignments on areas of interest, contribute to ongoing programmes, activities and initiatives and organize a final presentation to UNFPA staff on their projects and fellowships.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
· Work or volunteer experience in areas of UNFPA’s mandate, which include population and development, young people’s sexual and reproductive health, humanitarian response, sexuality education, gender, culture, human rights, HIV prevention, poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods.
· Aged between 20-24 years old (applicants born before 1 January 1987 will not be considered).
· Residence and nationality of a developing country (for a list, see http://www.unfpa.org/worldwide/).
· Interest and dedication to development issues established through previous experiences or affiliations.
· Commitment to return to home country to promote the ICPD mandate.
· Young people living with disabilities and indigenous young people are especially encouraged to apply.
All selected candidates will be provided return travel from country of origin, assistance with travel documents and visa requirements, health insurance, housing arrangements, a minimum subsistence allowance (for meals and other basic needs), a workstation and internet access, opportunities to be mentored by UNFPA staff on issues of interest and administrative assistance as may be required. A salary is not paid under this programme.
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.
How to Apply:
Applications are open! To apply, go to http://www.unfpa.org/employment/vacancy.htm and click on “Apply Online”. This is the only way to apply. Candidates from all regions are welcome to apply. Please click on the vacancy for your region. If you have any trouble applying, you can look at the instructions in the guide on how to apply (click here: http://www.unfpa.org/employment/application_guide.doc). Please note that there is no fee to apply.
The deadline for applications is 20 January 2011. Candidates that are shortlisted will be contacted by 15 February. Interviews will take place late-February and the fellowship is from April to December.
For more information, go to the Facebook Page “UNFPA Special Youth Programme”, follow @unfpayouth or #syp2011 on Twitter or email youth@unfpa.org. Due to the large number of queries, an immediate response may not be possible so please read this notice carefully. All the best!!!
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