Iran Chronicles Update: Twitter, Neda, Geneva Conventions

About three days ago, hackers found the Iranian government released bots gathering IP addresses in Twitter. Once we found this out, I spent these past 3 days notifying the Iran protesters whose Tweets had kept us updated on their situation.

We had already lost many of them in Twitter and to what end, I don't know. I can announce today, none of the Iranian protesters is sending Tweets now. Their voice has been silenced and I pray it's because we told them to quit posting on the Internet.

Reflections: Reporting on Iran Election

While all of these events take place right before our eyes, I I want to reflect on things I noticed. One reason I remained motivated to report on the protesters was because I couldn't believe the national media wasn't picking up the stories.

This left me feeling I had to continue writing about it. It is history that needs documenting but I always had the hope I was helping the protesters by getting their stories out. I reported on Iran election protesters for three days before national media picked up the stories.

I almost wish now they hadn't. Once media began reporting, it seemed Twitter lost its sensitivity as we became flooded with Tweets for attention. The focus of helping protesters became diluted. Mixed with photos of an 18 year old dying in the streets or Tweets asking for first aid tips were now porno photos and ads for affiliate programs.

So as I earnestly prayed for national media to do the reporting, I never expected the changes would take place when they did so. Twitter lost some of its innocence but the media had contacts abroad that enlightened information we received. It's a mixed bag which can't be avoided.

Geneva Conventions Broken: What Now?

Now we have reports Mohammad Mostafaie, a high-profile lawyer and human rights activist has just been arrested in Iran. But the most chilling account coming out now is Ahmad Khatami calls for executions of protesters in Iran.

It's things like this that make me realize as a person living in a free world, I can no longer stand by and watch. I applaud Amnesty International for keeping records of inhumane treatment of our citizens of the globe. But, I feel it's time for the United Nations to have a Foreign Legion. We have the Geneva Conventions but no enforcement of them.

The United States is now receiving threats from North Korea. With nuclear weapons as the big gun in the arsenals of bullies, I no longer see how we can become a peaceful, global community without a global police force for a while. Maybe the time is now.

Neda Update

Unconfirmed sources, interview with Neda's neighbors say family has disappeared. Neighbors feel they were told to leave. Neda's death blamed on protesters by Iran authorities.

Click here for first of 16 Iran election protesters articles

Sources:
Twitter
Aljazeera.net

Iran Chronicles Update: Twitter, Neda, Geneva Conventions copyright 2009