The long shadow of the Chinese Mainland has darkened with the appearance of the disappeared Hong Kong booksellers on Phoenix TV confessing to various crimes. The booksellers specialized in selling publications that were critical of the PRC government. Many of their publications were banned in Mainland China. The booksellers vanished from HK late last year. One, Gui Minhai, appeared on TV in January confessing to a fatal hit and run accident that occurred a decade before. Monday three more of the disappeared appeared confessing to various crimes against the state. They confessed to selling banned books to Chinese citizens and making up some of the books. As part of the hand over of the former British colony, HK was to have guarantees of freedom which includes freedom of the press. While many believe that the five were kidnapped by Chinese and illegally transported to the mainland, authorities vehemently deny that their officials would act in any way that is illegal. However, in some cases the men disappeared from their bookstores in HK and had left behind travel documents, money and personal effects. Lee Bo carries a British passport. His current whereabouts are unknown in spite of efforts by British diplomats. Gui Minhai carries a Swedish passport yet efforts by Swedish diplomats have been stonewalled. The remaining three booksellers – Lui Bo, Lam Wingkei and Cheung Jiping do not have even that scanty protection. An author currently living in New York, Xi Nuo, claims that he is responsible for this crisis as he has a published a novel titled “President Xi Jinping and His Lovers”. Others see it as an intimidation of press freedom in HK in general. Several bookstores have already culled some of their publications from their shelves. Upcoming elections in the former colony may have Beijing with the jitters. There is a growing movement in HK of an independence party. Beijing has referred to those advocating greater independence as “radical separatists” and “inclined toward terrorism”. Sources: BBC Bloomberg Business
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It is estimated that over 200 000 people have fled to neighbouring countries to avoid the unrest and actions by the military. Human rights defenders and journalists have been targets of violence and intimidation. Since Nkurunziza’s announcement that he would remain in office, at least 400 confirmed deaths have occurred. Raids in the night have taken men away. They are often found shot dead in the streets with the morning light. A group that calls itself the Republican Forces of Burundi has vowed to oust the president and reinstall the accords that ended the 13 year long civil war. It is unlikely that Nkurunziza will go quietly. He is reputed to be a born-again Christian who believes that he is ruling by divine fiat.
A friend and witness to the inside of the home is quoted:
"It looked like a chainsaw massacre had happened in that trailer, the blood was thick everywhere." CBC News A dog attack in the Metro Vancouver area has left a young woman in critical condition. In this attack by a single dog, four people were injured. An older man vaulted a two metre fence to aid two women and a three year old that were being attacked by a Rottweiler cross. He suffered bites and needed seven stitches to close the wound. The young women were not so fortunate. Police were on the scene quickly but one woman was hospitalized with numerous lacerations. Her twin sister is in critical condition with over 100 bites a fractured arm and a detached bicep. That dog is reported to belong to one of the women’s boyfriend. Earlier in the week another dog mauling occurred in another Metro Vancouver municipality. New Westminster residents phoned police to report screaming and a dog barking. Upon investigation, police found two adults being attacked in their home. They suffered head and facial injuries. The dog was inside the home and known to them. Any dog can turn rogue. Poor training of the owners and lack of followup training of the dog will often result in an unruly animal. Sometimes people will acquire a dog to bolster their ego and not think about the consequences of their choices. Every dog needs a pack leader to respect or they will attempt to fill that spot, usually by intimidation and biting. Sources: CBC News Vancouver Sun |
Barbara McPherson
Blogger, gardener, farmer. Working toward food security and a 30 foot
diet. Addicted to reading. Love this planet, especially my little corner
on Vancouver Island, Canada Archives
October 2016
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