Laughing in the Face of an Internet Shutdown In Bangladesh

Laughing in the Face of an Internet Shutdown In Bangladesh

Translation posted 22 February 2018 1:37 GMT 

 

Exam time has arrived in Bangladesh. Photo via pxhere (CC0).

Now is the season of school final exams in Bangladesh and the government is trying hard to cope with the issue of exam questions leaking online.

Leaking exam questions have become a regular phenomenon in public examinations like Junior School Certificate (JSC), Senior School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC), medical college and university admission tests, and state-owned bank recruitment exams over the last several years in Bangladesh.

Mostly using Facebook and WhatsApp, people sell exam questions ahead of the nationwide examinations. A few hours before the exam, the questions are often given away for free. The offenders in most of these cases have not been identified. These leaks have cast a shadow over the quality of exams and the process of assessing students.

In January, the Education Minister hinted that Facebook would be shut down during the exams to prevent these leaks.

On February 11, 2018, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission instructed all internet service providers in Bangladesh to shut off mobile internet and reduce broadband speeds to 25 kbps from 8:00am-10:30am on exam days throughout the remainder of February.

But on February 12, 2018 morning, within an hour from the start of the internet shutdown, the government backtracked and ordered ISPs to ensure uninterrupted internet service. It took some hours for the ISPs to implement the new order and things were normal again. The authorities have instead imposed a mobile phone ban near the exam halls.

Netizens criticized the move, using sarcasm and satire to express their dissatisfaction and protest the “rash and whimsical” decision.

Now is the season of school final exams in Bangladesh and the government is trying hard to cope with the issue of exam questions leaking online.

Leaking exam questions have become a regular phenomenon in public examinations like Junior School Certificate (JSC), Senior School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC), medical college and university admission tests, and state-owned bank recruitment exams over the last several years in Bangladesh.

Mostly using Facebook and WhatsApp, people sell exam questions ahead of the nationwide examinations. A few hours before the exam, the questions are often given away for free. The offenders in most of these cases have not been identified. These leaks have cast a shadow over the quality of exams and the process of assessing students.

In January, the Education Minister hinted that Facebook would be shut down during the exams to prevent these leaks.

On February 11, 2018, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission instructed all internet service providers in Bangladesh to shut off mobile internet and reduce broadband speeds to 25 kbps from 8:00am-10:30am on exam days throughout the remainder of February.

But on February 12, 2018 morning, within an hour from the start of the internet shutdown, the government backtracked and ordered ISPs to ensure uninterrupted internet service. It took some hours for the ISPs to implement the new order and things were normal again. The authorities have instead imposed a mobile phone ban near the exam halls.

Netizens criticized the move, using sarcasm and satire to express their dissatisfaction and protest the “rash and whimsical” decision.

Ecuador's Judicial System Leaves Crimes of Torture Against the LGBTQ Community Unpunished

Ecuador's Judicial System Leaves Crimes of Torture Against the LGBTQ Community Unpunished

Judicial entities create great difficulties for LGBTQ organizations in Ecuador, letting those responsible for committing torture in so-called “de-homosexualization clinics” go unpunished by the law. 

The following is the second part of a three-part series, a re-issue of a report written by Carlos E. Flores that was originally published by Connectas and re-edited with the author's help. The full report relates data and case analyses that contrast with the position Ecuador presents before international institutions that protect human rights. The first part of this series features the testimonies of victims of forced imprisonment and can be . This installment is devoted to exposing the legal circumstances that keep LGBTI people vulnerable, leaving them subject to kidnapping and torture by “de-homosexualization clinics”.

Over the course of a decade, La Fundación Causana (The Causana Foundation), an organization dedicated to the defense of the rights of LGTBI people in Ecuador, has documented fifty cases of homosexuals confined against their will. This organization believes that there is not enough information on the judicialization of the cases presented.

The situation has attracted the attention of bodies within the United Nations (UN) in terms of fulfillment of the Ecuadorian State code of law, which punishes torture and hate crimes with imprisonment in accordance with the country’s Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code.

An Alternative Report created in December 2016 by several social organizations for the UN Committee against Torture states that the first documented complaint against so-called “de-homosexualization clinics” dates back to the year 2000.

However, only six cases involving these clinics were processed through the Council of the Judiciary, with only those culpable in one case being sentenced on abduction charges. The punishment consisted of ten days of correctional prison and the payment of a fine (the equivalent of 6 USD).

For this and other reasons, LGBTQ organizations insist that there is no effective response from the law, nor is any conclusive information provided by authorities when information about convictions is requested.

One of the centers closed by the authorities was the same in which Jonathan Vásconez was detained and suffered violent abuse and harassment in 2010 (Vásconez’ testimony was included in the first part of this series).

The center was closed in April of 2012 after government authorities visited and took the measure for “breach of rules and requirements” as published on the website of the Ministry of Public Health. Not a word was said about the crimes experienced by people like Vásconez, who says he endured physical and psychological torture. The only defendant tried in the case, the director of the institution, was dismissed.

The Prosecutor's Office initially tried a torture charge but inevitably settled on a kidnapping charge, according to the sentence issued in court. The court dismissed the case because, among other reasons, the internment of the victim was requested by the family.

Ecuador in the eyes of international human rights organizations

In May 2017, when Ecuador distributed the Universal Periodic Review III (UPR) for the Human Rights Council of the United Nations, Ecuador did not provide any information regarding punishments against those responsible for employing sexual reorientation “therapies”. The same response was given by the Ecuadorian State in the UPR II of 2012 and the UPR I of 2008.

However, the Ecuadorian State did provide information before the Human Rights Committee in August 2016.  It was noted that Ecuador judicialized four cases, although it “[regretted] not having received detailed information about the penal actions taken against those responsible for these ‘treatments’ and their results.”

In January 2017, the UN Committee against Torture said it was:

concerned about allegations of forced internment and ill-treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in private centers where so-called ‘therapies of sexual reorientation or dehomosexualization’ are practiced. Despite the closure of 24 centers of this type, the Committee notes with concern that to date the proceedings initiated by the Prosecutor’s Office have not resulted in any conviction.

At the time of the publication of this report it is not known which 24 centers were closed, the reasons why they were closed, who were the culpable individuals, or if they have continued to offer services under another name.

In June of 2017, the Council of the Judiciary, through information obtained from the Prosecutor's Office of Procedural Management, provided a list of six cases that occurred in the provinces of Pichincha, Napo, Guayas, El Oro and Manabí.

The cases only bear the initials of the aggrieved, and it is evident that half of the proceedings were neglected. The clinics in question were not specifically identified and the reasons for the inquiries were only clarified in three of the cases: two corresponded to bodily torture and one to kidnapping.

Official data on judicial processes are scarce and generate concern among human rights organizations and the LGBTQ community.

According to Ane Barragán of La Fundación Causana, the lack of information on the part of the Prosecutor's Office complicates things:

for us, civil society, it is very difficult to get closer to all these details. The Women's Communication Workshop, according to a document issued in Ecuador’s last UPR, stated that the sanctions against these centers have been ‘mostly administrative in nature, and there is no data on any case that had been prosecuted.’

In an added layer of complication, victims’ direct relatives often support the imprisonment. Generally, the aggrieved do not want to subject their own relatives to legal proceedings. In the end, they decide not to report their crimes, instead choosing to distances themselves from their families.

Advances or setbacks?

A decade ago, addiction treatment centers could force sexual identity change therapies with zero regulations. Efraín Soria of Fundación Equidad (Equality Foundation) explains:

The National Council of Psychotropic Substances and Narcotics used to supervise addiction centers until the Ministry of Public Health took over guardianship and issued Regulation 339 in 2010. This regulation stipulated homosexuality as being a condition to be treated in these clinics, and activists insist this regulation is ambiguous.

The ninth article indicated that the creation of specialized centers would be encouraged for patients including those “people with disorders in their identity or sexual orientations that are primary to their addiction…”

The aforementioned regulation was repealed two years later when Carina Vance, a lesbian activist, took over as health minister. Under her management, Ministerial Agreement 0767 was approved, which eliminated any trace of ambiguity and, furthermore, established a series of procedures for monitoring the clinics with the interaction of different state bodies and the participation of collectives and social organizations.

During Vance’s administration, there were 290 inspections according to a Ministry of Health report, a level of deployment that does not occur these days. According to Patricio Aguirre, Ministry of Health’s National Directorate of Human Rights, Gender and Inclusion, these regulations (the ones pushed by Vance) have helped to supervise these clinics properly, reducing the need for surprise inspections.

However, substantial changes are necessary within a society that continues to view homosexuality and variant gender expressions as behaviors that must be punished or shut away.

Insufficient laws make it difficult to protect the rights of the persecuted, especially when their own family members participate in their persecution under the guise of social conventions.

Homages to Stephen Hawking in Latin America's Media Show How Mourning for the Scientist Transcends Borders

 

                                                                                                                                                           News of Stephen Hawking's death, announced on 14 March 2018, caused sorrow throughout the world, and Latin America was no exception.

Hawking, 76, was known in the scientific community for his advanced theories on the radiation emitted from black holes, as well as for his studies into the origins of the universe and the Big Bang theory.

However, the British theoretical physicist and cosmologist had achieved fame among the public too, through his efforts to bring science to a more generalized audience and raise awareness about various, often little understood, phenomena. These include advances in artificial intelligence and the survival of the human race.

Hawking also dealt with what some would regard as highly controversial subjects, such as the existence of a divine being in the context of the creation of the universe.

The Spanish-language website Sopitas published the news like this, using an interesting wink at the possible existence of parallel universes:

• 
  

We don't know about other universes, but in this one at least, the great Stephen Hawking died yesterday. With this sad news, millions of internet users came out to express their admiration for such an amazing person. When we say amazing, we are not just referring to his presence and his personality, but also his work as an astrophysicist that never failed to fascinate, even those who know little or nothing about science.

On another note, Raúl Morales put his reaction to Hawking's death in this way on a Spanish-language site dedicated to climbing, mountaineering and other sports:

• 
  

The British physicist and scientific figure died […] after over half a century outliving his prognosis for the illness he suffered from, and taking humanity forward toward the most important discovery to which we aspire: that which explains reality itself.

If we climb to reach a summit, go caving to discover the caves, then we use science to explore the universe, which is no more than the rational systemization of this same human spirit which makes us cross a river, or go see what is on the other side of the mountain. This work is like that of a mountaineer, an explorer, but of different summits, summits which we don't often find on our planet or, in the case of Stephen Hawking, not even within our spacetime.

In a piece entitled “Stephen Hawking's laboratory was the universe”, which appeared on a Puerto Rican newspaper called El Nuevo Día, the complexity of Hawking's theories was described like this:

• 
  

Everybody knew about Stephen Hawking's cosmic brilliance, but few understood it. Not even first-class astronomers.

Furthermore, on the same site they created a compilation of some of Hawking's famous phrases, including this one:

• 
  

If aliens ever visit us, I think the outcome would be much as when Christopher Columbus first landed in America, which didn't turn out very well for the Native Americans

On Twitter, users reacted like 

Lartenostra@lartenostra

Hemos perdido a uno de los científicos mas brillantes que ha dado la humanidad, comparable quizás solo con Sir Issac Newton; descanse en paz Stephen #Hawking

Información y privacidad de Twitter Ads

We have lost one of the most brilliant scientists humanity has ever seen, comparable perhaps only to Sir Isaac Newton. Rest in peace Stephen #Hawking

Mexican news presenter Carmen Aristegui remembered when Hawking played himself in American TV show “The Big Bang Theory,” quoting one of the lead actresses Kaley Cuoco:

Jasmine Lennard poses for naked selfies, hits back at the 'haters'

Simon Cowell's ex strips down to underwear and barely covers nipples in racy snaps.

JASMINE Lennard just loves giving people the shock factor.

If she's not causing controversy with her straight talking antics, Simon Cowell's ex is leaving people speechless with her racy selfie snaps. 

Rihanna struggles to cover up after beach break, flashes the flesh in garish yellow dress

Diamonds singer goes without bra and somehow avoids nipple slip, flaunts a whole lot of thigh.

RIHANNA has spent - what seems to be - the past month in a bikini, so it's no surprise she's finding it difficult to cover up now.

The Diamonds singer continued to flaunt her enviable figure in a rather risqué gown at last night's pre-Grammy gala in LA.

Wearing a garish floor-length dress, RiRi revealed a large amount of cleavage which was emphasised by her lack of bra. 

However, despite being in definite nipple-slip territory, the singer somehow managed to avoid any embarrassing boob flashes by holding the dress at the neckline.

The 25-year-old also displayed more than a little of her stomach and as the frock's split ended at the top of her leg, when she sat down her whole thigh was on show.

But again, the Barbadian beauty was lucky not to have a wardrobe malfunction and show the world her pants. 

Still, if she had, we don't think the What Now star would have been too bothered.

Iggy Azalea ft. Rita Ora - Black Widow

watch videoo Iggy Azalea ft. Rita Ora - Black Widow (Lyrics Video)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chjQMMASqeQ

Ola Jordan flashes nipples in see-through top - see the pictures

Strictly Come Dancing star leaves little to the imagination as she steps out for the Radio Times Cover Stars party with hubby James.

OLA Jordan clearly isn't a fan of wearing a bra, as she proved whilst stepping out for a night out on the town with her hubby James, on Tuesday evening.

The Strictly Come Dancing star flaunted her toned dancer's figure in a sheer top, as she arrived at the Radio Times Cover Stars party at the plush Claridges hotel.

Her svelte body wasn't the only thing she paraded, as the 30-year-old's nipples were on display for the entire world to feast their eyes on.

Despite Ola suffering a seriously embarrassing wardrobe malfunction, the Polish dancer oozed body confidence as she beamed with smiles for the camera.

The blonde beauty finished off her racy ensemble with a black mini skirt and a pair of stockings which showed off her enviable pins.

Ola was honoured at the star studded event, with a framed copy of the SCD September 2013 cover edition of the Radio Times.

Beautiful Places In Singapore

Beautiful Places In Singapore

Premier League - Sanchez connection excites Walcott

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott believes he and Alexis Sanchez can form a potent partnership that will strike fear into opposition defences next season.

Sanchez joined the Gunners for a fee in the region of £35 million from Barcelona, where he scored 47 goals in 141 appearances.

The 25-year-old forward also scored two goals for Chile at this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

"Sanchez is a world-class player and I enjoyed watching him play for Barcelona and for Chile at the World Cup," Walcott told Arsenal Player.

"He's still very young as well and he is going to show so much pace and power, which we lacked a bit last year.

"With me and him on the flanks, a lot of teams won't be looking forward to playing Arsenal this year."

The signing of Sanchez represents something of a coup for Arsenal, who splashed out £42.4m on Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil last year.

Walcott believes both transfers demonstrate the ambition of the club and admits he is excited to see who else will be brought in.

"There's a great buzz around the club at the moment," Walcott said.

"He is a marquee signing and something that the club has pushed on to - first you had Mesut Ozil and now it is Alexis Sanchez. Who knows where it is going to stop?

"It is great to learn from these players, and I cannot wait to play alongside him. I am really looking forward to it."

Walcott is returning to fitness after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Arsenal's FA Cup third-round victory against Tottenham in January.

The England winger refused to set a date for his comeback but insists he is pleased with the progress he has made.

"The knee is going really well, I am doing some good stuff with the physios and fitness coaches and we have worked really hard throughout the summer," Walcott said,

"Things are looking really good and I have worked very hard for the last five months now.

"The most important thing is getting the strength back and it has pretty much nearly healed - it is just about building up that stability and strength again.

"It is coming along nicely and I am really pleased."

Premier League - Markovic set to complete £20m Liverpool deal

Liverpool are set to complete their fourth signing of the summer with the capture of Lazar Markovic.

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View photo

Lazar Markovic Benfica (Reuters)

The Benfica winger has been on Merseyside to undergo a medical and Press Association Sport a deal is likely to be finalised on Tuesday.

His arrival will take Rodgers' spending close to £60 million after Liverpool triggered the 20-year-old's £20m release clause just a year after the Serbian moved to Portugal.

Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Emre Can have already been added to the squad while negotiations are continuing in an attempt to sign Belgium's Lille striker Divock Origi.

Rodgers is looking to strengthen further following the £75m departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, which is expected to be completed later this week.

Sevilla have also confirmed they have agreed to take Liverpool forward Iago Aspas on loan for the season.

Premier League - Man Utd 'go to war' over £34m Vidal

Premier League - Paper Round: Man Utd 'go to war' over £34m Vidal

Manchester United are refusing to meet Arturo Vidal's price tag, but two other big names could be coming to Old Trafford - all the stories from the morning's papers.

United 'go to war' over top target: Flush after announcing a new world record £750m kit deal with adidas (which actually comes into effect in 2015), Manchester United are still refusing to pay an excessive amount for top midfield target Arturo Vidal, who is valued at £34 million by employers Juventus. As reported by the Mirror: "United have warned their interest could go cold as it is understood they believe Italian champions Juve, who need to sell either Vidal or fellow midfielder Paul Pogba to balance their books, may be using them to try to start a bidding war for Vidal."

Three alternatives to Sami Khedira for Arsenal

Arsenal have already achieved some fantastic business this summer having secured the signing of Alexis Sanchez - further evidence of their new heavy spending policy - but it would appear that they could be set to miss out on one of their other top targets ahead of the new season.

A defensive midfielder has been at the top of their list as they see it as the missing piece of their puzzle to launch a serious title bid, and Real Madrid's Sami Khedira was thought to be the target identified to do that role for Arsene Wenger's men.

However, wage demands of a reported £150k per week have scuppered those hopes, and Wenger must now look elsewhere to find the man best equipped to anchor his midfield going into the new campaign, with a move for the World Cup winner appearing dead in the water now.

With Khedira having failed to win any of his 13 contested tackles for Germany at the summer showpiece event, one wonders if he would have been the right choice for Arsenal anyway to shore up their midfield, so we at Squawka have looked at three other targets Wenger should consider as alternatives for the Champions League and World Cup winner.

Premier League - Chelsea complete Diego Costa signing

Chelsea have confirmed that they have completed the signing of Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid on a five-year deal.

Jose Mourinho's Blues announced on July 1 that they had met the Brazilian-born striker's release clause and that he would join them in the coming weeks.

Costa, who represented Spain in a woeful World Cup, has now completed his move to Stamford Bridge and will join his new teammates at their training camp next week.

Chelsea announced the news on their website. A statement read: "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce Diego Costa has today completed his transfer from Atletico Madrid by signing a five-year contract.

"He will join up with the first team for our pre-season European training camp next week."

The 25-year-old expressed his joy at joining the London-based outfit following the announcement of deal.

"I am very happy to sign for Chelsea. Everybody knows it is a big club in a very competitive league, and I am very excited to get started in England with a fantastic coach and team-mates. Having played against Chelsea last season I know the high quality of the squad I am joining," Costa told Chelsea's website.

"I would like to thank everybody at Atletico who made me into the player I am, it was an incredible time for me, but now I am starting a new adventure and I hope to win many trophies with Chelsea."