Global Voices Online

Le Pangolin celebrates (FR) the liberation of human rights activists Mounzeo Christian and Brice Massoko. But the blogger cautions vigilance because “they are not yet completely free to go about .” He adds: “dictators are afraid of publicity regarding their ugly ways. Since they like to act as saints, we must never hesitate to denounce their actions. We must never be quiet. Our silence turns us into accomplices.”

IranJensy (Persian) says virginity of a girl is so important in Iranian society. Blogger asks how men, who have had sex with many women can expect the girls have no sex before getting married?

Panhajoyan (Persian) writes that a small group of Iranian refugee seekers, since 24 April, have occupied a church in Belgium to stay in country. Many Iranian refugee seekers are under threat by Belgian government to be sent back to Iran.

Webgardian writes according to ILNA (Iran Labour National Agency) Arash Sigarchi's, jailed blogger & journalist, appeal was rejected by Supreme Court. He must stay in jail for three years.

Bien Vu worries (FR) that Martinique is turning tourists off. Some have complained to him, he says, about: “a poor welcome, bad company, not feeling safe during their vacations and to top it all off, women being the subject of obscene insults.”

In ‘China Good News Vol. 3‘, the Laowiseass blogger posts a letter from a reader:

“I just saw a PBS documentary about what happened in Beijing in the summer of 1989 with my roommates. The three of us were shocked by not only the bloody, barbarian event, but also the fact we've been successfully kept unaware of it for so long. The history textbook never mentions it. It's like all trust, confidence and faith fall apart.”

Bien Vu laments (FR) rumors of an imminent gas station strike and hopes a new twenty Euro per person ration is not in vain. “You don't want to be driving a 4X4 right now” he says.

With help from her father and friends, Nina Wu—older sister of illegally-detained Beijing or Bust blogger Hao Wu—has become a one-woman lobbying force as seen in today's post ‘contact‘.

Bien Vu finds a “Do not piss here” bilingual french/creole sign near the Tourism Bureau in downtown Fort-de-France and concludes “In Martinique, we spell things out.”

On May 1st, UDPS Wallonie will hold a conference in Liege, Belgium to explain why UDPS will not partake in the upcoming DRC elections, says (FR) UDPS Liege. Details are in the post.

Things have quietened down in Dili, the East Timor capital. Blogger at Dili-gence drives around the streets of central Dili to look at the damage. A largely peaceful protest by sacked soldiers turned violent on Friday when gangs of unemployed youths joined in started looting.

While Katy explains how the board of Venezuela's Electoral Council (the elections governing body) is selected, Francisco gives some background on the new five board members. Away from politics, Adriana of CaracasCafe recommends getting rowdy tonight at El Tunel's open bar.

Dark Diamond Network has a comprehensive and articulate summary of the Mexican presidential debate and how each participant fared.

Boli-Nica reveals that the Mexican presidential race is generating quite a bit of traffic around the web, including a share of anti-Obrador blogs.

Evo Morales has announced a free trade agreement with Venezuela and Cuba. A free trade agreement except that it shall be called a TCP, or “Trade Agreement of the Peoples.” Alvaro Ruiz-Navajas explains the difference, or lack thereof, in a two part series. Chilean blogger Carlos Gustavo Machicado Salas has a rare English-language questioning the exclusiveness of the deal. “Where are the economists in Bolivia,” he asks.