Journalist deaths spike in 2012 due to Syria, Somalia
Syrian violence contributed to a sharp rise in the number of journalists killed for their work in 2012, as did a series of murders in Somalia. The dead include a record proportion of journalists who worked online. A CPJ special report
NEW YORK
The number of journalists killed in the line of duty rose sharply in 2012, as the war in Syria, a record number of shootings in Somalia, continued violence in Pakistan, and a worrying increase in Brazilian murders contributed to a 42 percent increase in deaths from the previous year. Internet journalists were hit harder than ever, while the proportion of freelancers was again higher than the historical average, the Committee to Protect Journalists found in its yearly analysis.
The number of journalists killed in the line of duty rose sharply in 2012, as the war in Syria, a record number of shootings in Somalia, continued violence in Pakistan, and a worrying increase in Brazilian murders contributed to a 42 percent increase in deaths from the previous year. Internet journalists were hit harder than ever, while the proportion of freelancers was again higher than the historical average, the Committee to Protect Journalists found in its yearly analysis.
With 67 journalists killed in direct relation to their work by mid-December, 2012 is on track to become one of the deadliest years since CPJ began keeping detailed records in 1992. The worst year on record for journalist killings was 2009, when 74 individuals were confirmed dead because of their work—nearly half of them slain in amassacre in Maguindanao province, Philippines. CPJ is investigating the deaths of 30 more journalists in 2012 to establish whether they were work-related.
Killings will not halt vaccinations, vows Bhutto's daughter
She speaks out after murder of nine health workers in Pakistan by extremists opposed to UN polio programme
Asifa Bhutto Zardari, daughter of President Zardari of Pakistan, yesterday defiantly vowed that the country's anti-polio campaign would continue, despite the killing of nine health workers by extremists opposed to the vaccination programme. The UN eradication campaign was partly suspended following the shootings last week in Pakistan, one of the last three countries in the world where the disease remains endemic. Speaking yesterday in London Ms Bhutto Zardari, goodwill ambassador for polio eradication, said new ways to protect health workers were being worked out and that she expected vaccinations would quickly resume. "Polio has become a high-profile issue to Pakistan's government, and extremists believe they can twist the government's arm by attacking our workers. We cannot allow these people to dictate what we can and cannot do. The polio vaccine can save millions. It is not against Islam to promote healthy children."
SYRIA
Syrian patriarch vows to stay despite violence
Islamist rebels have warned Christian towns in central Syria they will be attacked if they do not evict forces loyal to President Bashar Assad. Syria's new Greek Orthodox leader has called on Christians to stay put.
In a video message, seven armed men, including an Al-Ansar Brigade militia leader, said residents of the Hama provincial towns of Mharda and Squilbiya should expel "Assad's gangs and shabiha," a pro-regime militia.
News of the threat coincided with an appeal from Patriarch Youhanna Yazigi in Damascus that Syria's warring parties renounce violence and begin dialogue.
"We Christians are here in the country and we will stay here," said the new Greek Orthodox patriarch whose predecessor died on December 5.
Egypt: Controversial charter passed in referendum, say Islamists
A majority of Egyptians have backed a controversial charter in a two-round referendum. This according to ruling Islamists and official media.
The referendum has deeply polarised the country and riled a secular-leaning opposition.
The Muslim Brotherhood, from which President Mohamed Morsi hails, and the official Al-Ahram newspaper reported that about 64% of votes cast were in favour of the new charter, after preliminary results were tallied from the second round vote on Saturday.
Turnout over both rounds was around 32%, according to the Muslim Brotherhood. The early results are based on reports from returning officials from the vast majority of stations over the two rounds, which were held a week apart.
In Brazil's cracolandias, roving hordes of lost souls
The nation is grappling with what officials call a crack epidemic, affecting Brazilians of all ages and confounding government efforts to deal with it.
By Vincent Bevins, Los Angeles Times
SAO PAULO, Brazil — Between the high-rises in the dark center of this megacity, a swarm of people covers an entire block. They are in constant, aimless motion, glazed eyes and dirty faces illuminated repeatedly by small flashes of fire.
This is cracolandia, or crack land, and the horde is one of many moving settlements of homeless drug addicts that dominate this part of town. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, live here, sleeping and sometimes dying on the streets as other Paulistanos, residents of the fast-moving and gritty city, step past and over them on the way to work or Christmas shopping.
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