Democracy & Civics

The Biodiesel Road Proves Bumpy in Southeast Asia

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It’s heralded as the clean-burning alternative to petroleum, but biodiesel’s baggage has made a smooth roll-out seem unlikely. The challenges come into focus in Southeast Asia, where economic, environmental and industrial concerns find themselves at odds. THAILAND
In Thailand, where new laws mandate the use of biodiesel, fears are emerging over the effects of increased demand for palm oil, which is a cooking staple in private and commercial kitchens across the country. Now, with prices for palm oil spiking, government ministers are pondering an export ban, and also the import of 30,000 tons of palm kernel oil to meet growing demand. A palm oil industry spokesman told the Bangkok Post that the bans would negatively affect local farmers, and called for better management of existing supplies.

Democracy & Civics

Malaysia Ban on "Muslim" Words Sparks Furor

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Long simmering religious tensions are heating up as Malaysia prepares for national elections. In recent weeks, the Muslim-led government of the Southeast Asian nation has fought over the use of Arabic words such as “Allah” by non-Muslims.
According to Hong Kong’s Asia Times, the Malaysian government has forbidden the use of “Allah” and three other Arabic words and phrases which have been in common use among the nation’s Christian, Sikh and Hindu communities for centuries. Asia Times quoted deputy minister for internal security Johari Baharumas as saying, “Only Muslims can use (the word) Allah. It’s a Muslim word. It’s from the Arabic language.

Democracy & Civics

The Dutch Ponder a Free-Speech Powder Keg

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Geert Wilders, one the Netherland’s most notorious right-wing politicians, seeks to make headlines around the world with the debut of a new film that criticizes the Koran. A Radio Netherlands report on Dutch expatriates living in Muslim nations finds widespread concerns about a backlash over the film. A majority, recalling the murder of Theo Van Gogh by a religious extremist over his film “Submission,” which criticized the status of women in Islam, also say that Wilders’ film project will put his own life in danger. And almost half of “Dutch citizens in Islamic nations” said they are already facing “problems or even danger” due to Wilders’ activities. Despite this, a majority supported Wilders’ right to free expression, and blamed the Dutch government for failing to adequately deal with pressing immigration issues at home.

Democracy & Civics

Genetically Engineered Trees Cut Down

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An electric fence wasn’t up to the task of protecting a field of genetically engineered trees in New Zealand. Twenty of the modified pine trees were cut down last week, and a spade left behind bearing a telltale “GE Free New Zealand” sticker. The New Zealand Herald reports that a hole dug under the Scion Research fence was all it took for the attackers to gain access to the field, which was planted to investigate tree reproduction. An activist group, the Soil and Health Association, had previously called for the trees to be cut down, but said it was not responsible for the attack. A spokesman for the group told the Herald that Scion’s security measures were inadequate, leading not only to the incursion by humans, but also to the potential removal of experimental genetic material from the site by rabbits.

Democracy & Civics

Indigenous Rights Wend a Legal Labyrinth

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Armed with a U.N. declaration on indigenous rights, an activist coalition is working to stake out new legal protections for indigenous peoples in the Western Hemisphere. Indian Country Today reports that the coalition met in mid-December in Quito, Ecuador, to discuss democracy, “autonomy,” land rights, natural resources, economic development and cultural heritage. Activists said their goal was to enact the U.N. declaration as law in their home countries. Yet they also criticized it for failing to guarantee the right of indigenous groups to organize politically across state and national boundaries, and for overlooking claims on mineral rights and other natural resources in their traditional territories. The newspaper also noted that the conference comes at a time of rising political fortunes for leftists in Ecuador and Bolivia, who harnessed the indigenous vote to win electoral majorities.

Democracy & Civics

Smells Like Team Spirit

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In what may be a first for political branding, a Spanish political party has begun marketing its own perfume. The Catalan Socialist Party unveiled the scent at a press conference Monday, with a spokesman saying that the perfume conveys the party’s “confidence, equality, progress and efficiency,” according to the British newspaper The Guardian. The Guardian quoted the fragrance’s creator, Albert Majos, as saying the product was “neither perfume nor air-freshener,” but a representation of socialism’s values. One journalist attending the press conference said the smell was so powerful he left the room feeling faint, the Guardian reported. The press conference was held the same day that Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero dissolved Parliament and officially announced that general elections would be held on March 9.

Democracy & Civics

Iran Grapples with Discrimination, Division

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Despite an ongoing crackdown on dissent, women’s rights and ethnic separatism remain a thorn in the side of Iran’s fundamentalist government. Reuters reports that the “Million Signatures Campaign,” aimed at improving the legal standing of Iranian women in divorce, child custody, inheritance and other cases, continues unabated despite the periodic jailing of its leaders. One Iranian cleric told Reuters that religious law ensures women there are not turned into “products” and sex symbols in the Western fashion. But according to campaigners — who collect signatures on buses, in shopping centers and at social events — the strict Islamic dress code is less important to them than social equity. Advocates say the social standing of women in Iran has improved, and that the majority of university students today are women, although the law of the land continues to reinforce discrimination.

Democracy & Civics

Nigeria's Smoke Out

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Claims that international tobacco companies are targeting young people in Nigeria have spurred a $43 billion government lawsuit against Phillip Morris, British American Tobacco and International Tobacco. Activists told The Guardian that the companies are targeting teenagers with marketing strategies that have banned in other nations, using sponsored events, pop stars and product placements to glamorize smoking. According to the World Health Organization, one in five Nigerian teenagers smoke, and the number of women smokers there rose tenfold in the 1990s. Government lawyers cite “internal” corporate documents that identify “young and underage smokers” as a prime target — some no more than eight or nine years old. Critics of the lawsuit say that Nigeria’s lawsuit is a cynical ploy to make money off the industry, which only recently enjoyed numerous tax breaks there.

Democracy & Civics

Free After 20 Years on Death Row

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A Scottish man who spent 20 years on Ohio’s death row has been freed following a new plea. Kenny Richey was convicted and sentenced to death in 1987 for setting a fire that led to the death of 2-year-old Cynthia Collins. He has always claimed to be innocent, and his conviction was overturned in August. The case was often delayed by Richey’s health problems. The 43-year-old has suffered multiple heart attacks. On Monday, he was released after he pleaded no contest to charges of attempted involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment and breaking and entering, and was sentenced to time served.

Democracy & Civics

Thailand's New Democracy as Fractious as the Old

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Thailand returned to democracy last month, with its first national elections after 15 months of military rule. But the transition is proving to be a rocky one. According to Asia Times, The People Power Party, a new version of the party once headed by ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, won the largest number of seats — though not an outright majority — in parliamentary elections on Dec. 23, and party leaders began lining up partners to form a coalition government. The victory seemed a blow to military leaders, who were opposed to Thaksin’s government.