Maryam Namazie: Defend Bangladesh's Bloggers

By Dilip -

Today 25 April has been declared a day of mourning in Bangladesh for the victims of the nation's worst factory disaster. The death toll of the collapsed garment factory has risen to 160; more than a 1000 have been injured. Rescuers continue to hunt for survivors. Those who died in the building collapse did not need to die. Workers saw cracks in the building the day before but were ignored. 

Today is also the International Day to Defend Bangladesh's Bloggers, four of whom are imprisoned, and more than 80 others who face death threats by Islamists. Here too their safety and lives have been ignored by the Government.

In both these cases, the Government has failed to defend fundamental rights. Unfortunately, it is too late for the many garment factory workers. But there is still time to save Bangladesh's bloggers. The Government must act before it is too late.

On 25 April, whist we remember the dead, we must also remember those who are fighting to live. Take part in actions taking place today. Join the day's Facebook Page. Contact the Bangladeshi embassy in your country of residence and sign the petition now.  Tweet #Bangladesh #Bloggers and more. A defence of the bloggers is a defence of us all. 


 WOLE SOYINKA: Religion Against Humanity
To such a degree has Religion fuelled conflict, complicated politics, retarded social development and impaired human relations across the world, that one is often tempted to propose that Religion is innately an enemy of Humanity, if not indeed of itself a crime against Humanity. Certainly it cannot be denied that Religion has proved again and again a spur, a motivator and a justification for the commission of some of the most horrifying crimes against Humanity, despite its fervent affirmations of peace. Let us, however, steer away from hyperbolic propositions and simply settle for this moderating moral imperative: that it is time that the world adopted a position that refuses to countenance Religion as an acceptable justification for, excuse or extenuation of – crimes against Humanity... http://dilipsimeon.blogspot.in/2012/10/wole-soyinka-religion-against-humanity.html

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