A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.

Guatemala
Action Alert: Community Leader Murdered by Private Security Guards – October 7, 2009, Upside Down World.org
Revisiting last week’s story on the indigenous community members shot and killed by private security guards from the Guatemalan Nickel Company (a subsidiary of the Canadian company HudBay). Continued violence marks a breakdown in negotiations as the private mining company continues to violently and illegally evict community members from the property. “The attack resulted in the death of community leader Adolfo Ich Xaman and a number of gun-related injuries suffered by other community members.” The historical context of this dispute goes back to the 1970s and 1980s where the then military regimes granted access to the private nickel-mining companies. Conflicts between the companies and the communities have recently become more aggressive and upside down world is asking its readers to take action and sign a letter directed to the Guatemalan government officials.

India
240 Die in India as Monsoons Follow Drought – October 5, 2009, New York Times
In addition to 240 deaths, hundreds of thousands have been left homeless due to heavy rainfall lasting 4 days. Drought, which occurred prior the heavy rains, has combined with the floods leaving Indian villages in turmoil. In addition to the 240 deaths, crops have been ruined, cattle have died and hundreds of thousands of homes have been destroyed. There have been a total of 1,184 total deaths across India’s 127 districts year-to-date.

Nepal
Nepal’s Tibetans Squeezed as China Flexes Muscles – October 7, 2009, Associated Press
As Beijing’s 60th anniversary took place, dozens of Tibetan exiles, “who were suspected of planning anti-China protests,” in Nepal were gathered and arrested. The preemptive arrests are part of the government’s response to pressure from Beijing. Regular patrols and interrogations are making life difficult for Tibetan exiles living in Nepal. As Maoist influence has grown in Nepal, the ties with China have strengthened. “Nepal only survives on the goodwill of China and India, and China’s condition is that the government should impose restrictions on Tibetans living here,” said an anonymous Tibetan community leader.



South Africa
We Have Land Rights but no Water Rights-Farmers – October 5, 2009, Inter Press News Agency
The lack of available water comes as no surprise to black farmers in Limpopo as distribution of water remains a contentious issue in South Africa. Smallholder black farmers (many of whom were involved in land reform) acknowledge that “water rights are not linked to land rights.” Despite the launch of the government-project, “Water for Growth and Development Framework”(which will attempt to attain water security by 2030), little has changed and there are no available legal mechanisms that can protect the small farmer. The diminishing quantity and quality of water poses additional challenges to farmers as the sustainability of their farms is questioned.

Abahlali baseMjondolo Supported all Over the World – October 7, 2009, Pambazuka.org,
In response to the armed takeover of Kennedy Road by the African National Congress, Abahlali baseMjondolo is now receiving support from around the world. This link allows you to follow the movement, check out the most recent articles, blogs, press statements, photos and videos and join the movement in solidarity.

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Media “still not free” – October 8, 2009, BBC News
As the supposed ban on foreign reporters has been lifted, reporters are still weary about government-placed restrictions. Private newspapers in Zimbabwe remain unable to publish the news without approval from the government’s media watchdog organization-the Zimbabwe Media Commission. However, this organization does not yet exist. Zimbabwe’s two current newspapers are controlled by the state and it appears as if there is no intention to allow alternative views into publication as everyone waits for the Media Commission to materialize.

Women’s Empowerment
Strategies for Policy Makers: Bringing Women into Governments, 2009, eldis.org
Authors Whitman and Gomez from the Institute for Inclusive Security have created a report focusing on strategies for bringing women into government positions. The authors argue that the “involvement of women in post-conflict governments have tended to build governance systems which are stable and transparent.” Whitman and Gomez offer a number of possible suggestions that would help to foster the increased integration of women’s roles in government as well as “success stories” from Rwanda, Cambodia and Afghanistan.

Climate Change
Local Voices, global choices: for successful disaster risk reduction (DRR). A Collection of case studies about community-centre partnerships for DRR – 2009, eldis.org
This report is an interesting look at community-based participation and the effects of climate change. The report focuses on the ways that local communities can make a lasting difference when their “local voices are respected and different actors come together to form strategic partnerships to work collaboratively to reduce disaster risks.” The case studies range from formulation of community action plans in Malawi to building community resilience in Nepal. This report looks at how partnerships with local communities help mitigate the negative effects of climate change on rural communities.

UN Climate Talks Split on Treaty – October 9, 2009, BBC News
The UN climate talks in Bangkok’s latest round have come to a three way split. Developing countries are seeking an extension of the Kyoto Protocol while developed countries are seeking a totally new agreement. The third possibility would include a series of decisions to be made at the Copenhagen Talks. Developing countries and environmental groups are charging that developed countries are “dragging their feet” on the issue. Moreover, developing countries want the Kyoto Protocol extended because of existing obligations held by developed nations.