The Ethiopian government has come under criticism due to its use of anti-terrorism laws to incarcerate journalists critical of their administration. Two Sweedish journalists were recently sentenced to 11 years in prison, while local journalists have been sentenced to 14 years and even death.  Cultural Survival ally Frank La Rue, UN Special Rapporteur onFreedom of Expression, stated that, "Journalists play a crucial role in promoting accountability of public officials by investigating and informing the public about human rights violations."

First Peoples Worldwide announced a grant of $7,000 that will enable Samburu leaders to train community members in human rights law and prepare them to more effectively defend their rights. See their press release below summarizing the urg

A report by the Transparency International released Thursday ranks Kenya 154 out of 182 countries that were surveyed on the Corruption Perception Index.  Their overall score improved only a fraction of a percent from last year, despite a zero-tolerance campaign by the current government administration in Kenya.

Two Samburu elders who were beaten and arrested during a week of police violence against the Samburu people in Laikipia, Kenya, have been released. Police also released the Samburu people’s cows, goats, and sheep that survived last week’s police round-up and impoundment.  Samburu people report, however, that many of their animals were lost in the bush during the chaotic police round-up or possibly attacked by wild animals. Police were also seen roasting and eating some of the livestock.

It has been over two years since the Community Radio Bill 4087 was introduced to the Guatemalan Congress in August, 2009, with a promise from President Alvaro Colom to give special priority to the bill, which would reform the current tele-communications law to include the category of community radio as a legitimate use of radio frequencies.

Wednesday, October 12 marked the Dia de La Raza, or Colombus Day in Guatemala. Each year, Mayas, Garifunas, and Xincas, march through the capital city in remembrance of their ancestors and to demand of the government that the rights of Indigenous Peoples be respected.

Each year the recognition of Columbus Day places Indigenous Peoples in a painfully uncomfortable position. In the year 2011, as Native people in this country, we still must explain our feelings about a historically inaccurate, national holiday.