by Racialicious Special Correspondent Latoya Peterson

IRAN

Leftist Students Arrested, as explained by Hamid Tehrani

The Iranian government arrested several leftists students in Tehran and Mazandaran last week - perhaps as a preemptive action before the “Student Day” (16 Azar). The leftists student group “Students for Freedom and Equality” informed the world about this through their blogs, and were able to organize several rallies for freedom, peace, and equality in different universities in Iran in spite of arrests.

There are at least three interesting things about the student leftist movement: 1- After the mass execution of thousands of leftist militants in the 1980’s the Marxist/Socialist idea is still able to mobilize people in Iran. 2- The repression of the socialist students is happening in a country that has close ties with socialist leaders in Latin America including Hugo Chavez and Daniel Ortega. 3- This movement essentially relies on blogs to communicate and organise.

TAIWAN

Migrant laborers are campaigning against harsh working conditions:

In the last 15 years, Southeast Asian migrant workers have become an important manpower in many Taiwan labour-intensive industries. These works may jeopardize their health, safety and even life, nevertheless, their rights are often neglected. Moreover, they are suffered from the double oppression of being “aliens” (foreigners) and marginalized labors in Taiwan society.

Migrants Empowerment Network in Taiwan (MENT) initiated a migrant worker rally to fight for their own right on December 9, the eve of International Human Rights Day. The rally drummed up migrant workers from Philippine, Thailand, Indonesia , Vietnam and some local NGOs. The route crossed the high streets of Taipei and participants shouted out their appeal for basic right– I want my day off!, to attract passers-by attention. They ask Taiwanese to be aware of the fact that there is still a group of people forced to work long hours without any break in this “modernized” society.

SOUTH KOREA

Korea is currently debating the issue of human rights in light of business and religious concerns (h/t Oiwan Lam):

Last month Justice Department announced new legislation criminalizing discriminations on 20 grounds like sex, disability in the areas of employment, services and education.

The suggested lists of the act included at first total of 20 entries; sex, disability, medical history, age, nationality, ethnic group, race, skin color, language, region of birth, physical conditions like appearance, marriage, pregnancy or childbirth, family type, religion, ideology or political opinion, criminal or detention record, sexual orientation, educational status and social class.

As the Ministry of Justice announced the bill, some Christianity churches and economic organizations opposed provoking some accusations over entries like ‘sexual orientation’, ‘academic attainments’ and ‘nationality.’

CANADA/BANGLADESH

A South African Canadian blogger details a letter from her uncle in Canada, who believes he was the victim of racial profiling (via Neha Viswanathan):

Tomorrow my uncle will be in court to fight against the discrimination he encountered a year ago. It’s funny how the suspicion these days always seems to fall on the brown guy. Never mind the fact that he was with a white friend, a black friend, and an asian friend. Nope… it’s the guy with the skin colour that resembles your stereotypical terrorist that gets to be the lucky chosen one. My uncle is the most innocent man I know. He loves his family and would do anything for us. Please pray for success on his side. He deserves to win this case of gross unfairness and intolerance.

KOSOVO

Borut Peterlin asks if another war is brewing between Kosovo and Serbia:

Now more then ever I’m convinced that another war in Kosovo is inevitable. It doesn’t matter how many KFOR forces are around and for how long. The fact is that Serbians are humiliated and many believe that next war will is just a continuation of Battle of Kosovo in 1389. True, Serbia is weak and could not conquer Kosovo at the moment, but who knows what will be in 50 years. Russia is strong and through Kosovo is playing it’s important negotiating role in EU.

Bottom line is that the cause for the war will not be religious views or cultural, but it all brings down to the non communication between people. A lot of unjustice was done to everybody involved and they are calling for justice. They are all very proud and devoted for their cause, but I thing that pride can be very negative emotion. Pride is an emotion that prevents a person to understand the other person. For instance I do understand that Albanians do not want to get in a similar situation as they did under Milosevic regime. And I do understand the Serbian concern for their minorities and their cultural heritage.

(h/t to Veronica Khokhlova)

PAKISTAN

The BBC reports that suicide bombers targeting Afghanistan may have crossed the border from Pakistan:

Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz told the BBC Urdu Service that the possibility of Pakistani suicide bombers crossing over the border “cannot be discounted”.

The statement is a rare admission by the government that its citizens may be involved in attacks in Afghanistan.

A Taleban spokesman told the BBC that about 140 such bombers had struck in Afghanistan over the past two years.

CHINA

Also on the BBC feed, migrant workers in China are being grilled about their political affilitations:

Chinese migrant workers will have to declare their political affiliations when registering for residency permits.

A human rights organisation said this is part of China’s efforts to identify and drive out “unwanted people” from the capital before the games.

Correspondents say China wants to avoid embarrassing anti- government protests during the games.

VIETNAM

Caroline Finlay writes on Vietnam’s efforts to improve the flow of traffic through Hanoi, which leaves street vendors at a disadvantage:

A recent draft legislation aimed at improving traffic flow on Hanoi’s streets has sparked an internet debate and brought Vietnam’s huge economic divide into focus.

…

The draft legislature could take away what little livelihood they have, increasing Vietnam’s already stark economic disparity. The Euromonitor states that in 2007 Vietnam’s richest two decile’s share of total income is almost 50%, while the bottom two deciles’ share is a paltry 5.5%.

TRINIDAD/TOBAGO

A writer from Trinidad and Tobago wonders about the effects of globalization:

So I’m still trying to figure out the whole globalisation thing - what it means and whether it’s an overall good or bad thing. Now I’ve found out that Marx thought the process of globalisation was “”inevitable and desirable”.

[…]

So now I’m more confused than ever…is this “inexorable march” more evil than good or vice versa…or is it not inexorable, can and should we intervene? Or should we concentrate on preserving little pockets of our reality that would not otherwise withstand the market forces - like our rituals, our green spaces and our music? Somebody help me out nah…

[via.]