Iranian moderate vows to keep pressure on president By: Parisa Hafezi, Washington Post, August 4, 2009 Defeated presidential candidate Mehdi Karoubi vowed to keep up pressure on President Ahmadinejad whose re-election sparked off Iran's worst unrest since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Ahmadinejad will be sworn in on Wednesday when the authorities will want to avoid any repeat of the street unrest after the disputed June 12 poll. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/04/AR2009080400960.html
Iran: Ahmadinejad is endorsed in subdued ceremony By: Farnaz Fassihi, Wall Street Journal, August 4, 2009 Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei endorsed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for a second four-year term as the country's president on Monday, in a low-key event that was snubbed by many of Iran's prominent political figures. The ceremony, a prerequisite to the president's formal swearing in, had in previous years been well attended by public figures. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124929228109401049.html#mod=fox_australian
Ahmadinejad's opponents snub election ceremony By: Robert F. Worth and Nazila Fathi, NY Times, August 3, 2009 Iran's supreme leader formally approved Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president in a brief ceremony on Monday, and delivered a veiled condemnation of the opposition movement. Some of Mr. Ahmadinejad's most prominent opponents stayed away from the event, which is typically attended by top-ranking officials. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/04/world/middleeast/04iran.html?ref=world
Signs of dissent emerge in an Iranian power base By: NY Times, August 3, 2009 The region's relative insularity has led to a public silence that suggests that antagonism to the government is mainly limited to the large urban centers. But a recent four-day trip to the region turned up signs that growing segments of these rural populations, particularly the young and the educated, have lost faith in the current government. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/04/world/middleeast/04qum.html?ref=world
Police clash with demonstrators in Tehran By: VOA News, August 3, 2009 Iranian riot police and opposition supporters clashed in Tehran Monday, hours after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was endorsed as president for a second term. A correspondent for Iran's state-run Press TV says riot police used tear gas to disperse about 2,000 demonstrators who gathered between Valiasr and Vanak Squares in the capital. http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-08-03-voa46.cfm
Iranian ceremony highlights split By: Borzou Daragahi, LA Times, August 3, 2009 A confirmation ceremony Monday meant to showcase the unity of the Islamic Republic's leadership highlighted its divisions, sparking clashes in the streets between demonstrators and security forces that stretched into the night. Dozens of officials, dignitaries and clergy boycotted the ceremony, including Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran-endorse4-2009aug04,0,5238478.story
Iran leader approves Ahmadinejad's second term By: Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, August 3, 2009 Iran's supreme leader endorsed the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a ceremony boycotted by leading moderates. Two former presidents, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami, who backed defeated candidate Mirhossein Mousavi, did not attend Monday's ceremony. http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL373426820090803?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews
Authorities spring mass trial on Iranian dissidents By: Marie Colvin, Times Online, August 2, 2009 The Iranian authorities opened a mass trial of more than 100 reformists yesterday, accusing them of conspiring with foreign powers to stage a revolution using terrorism, subversion and a mass campaign to undermine last month's presidential election. The scale of the trial, which was not announced in advance, shocked many. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6736046.ece
100 Iranians tried for disputing election By: Thomas Erdbrink, Washington Post, August 2, 2009 More than 100 political activists and protesters went on trial Saturday on charges of rioting and conspiring to topple the government. The defendants included several prominent politicians who have been locked in a decades-long power struggle with Iran's hard-line clerics and Revolutionary Guard Corps. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/08/01/ST2009080102629.html
Torture claim against Iran trial By: BBC News, August 2, 2009 Defeated Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi says opposition detainees put on trial have been subjected to "medieval torture". He denounced the trials, which started on Saturday, as fraudulent and said the prisoners had been forced to confess. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8180180.stm
Iran: Ex-President Khatami denounces trial of reformists By: Golnaz Esfandiari, EurasiaNet, August 2, 2009 Khatami had strong words for the trial, at which several of his close allies, including former Vice President Mohammad Ali Abtahi and a number of other prominent reformists, are charged with serious security crimes. The former Iranian president said that the most important problem with the procedure is that it was not held in an open session. http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp080209.shtml
Iran: Democracy 'a real possibility?' By: Michael Allen, Democracy Digest, July 31, 2009 Continued resistance in Iran "would make the establishment of democracy a real possibility," argues Abolhassan Bani-Sadr, the country's first president after the 1979 revolution. He believes the current situation offers parallels with the toppling of the shah as the government's four sources of legitimacy. http://www.demdigest.net/blog/regions/mena/iran-democracy-a-real-possibility.html
CRISIS IN HONDURAS
Honduras: Coup general - "We're going after the protest leaders" By: Al Giordano, The Field, August 4, 2009 Five members of the Honduras coup regime's military brass went on the pro-coup Televicentro Channel 5 this morning to defend their actions over the past 38 days. There, General Romeo V·squez Vel·squez, issued an exasperated threat to the leaders of the social movements organized against the coup. http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/
Repression escalates in Honduras By: Dan Kovalik, Huffington Post, August 3, 2009 While the mainstream press barely mentions the situation in Honduras now, numerous reports are coming out of Honduras that the human rights situation is deteriorating fast. This appears to be taking the form of a full-scale assault upon the social movements who are struggling mightily, through non-violent tactics, to restore President Zelaya to office. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-kovalik/repression-escalates-in-h_b_250220.html
AFP in Honduras hung by its own photograph By: Al Giordano, The Field, August 3, 2009 It turns out that AFP's make-believe "journalist," Francisco Jara knew full well that his statements about military-style "training exercises" by what he called "Zelaya's 'popular army'" were false and he chose to lie about it anyway. The proof of his deceit comes from AFP's own photographs, like the one above. http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/afp-honduras-hung-its-own-photograph
Obama must help Honduras By: Calvin Tucker, Guardian, August 3, 2009 The slogan of the coup regime in Honduras is "Peace and Democracy". A "fully constitutional process" is the phrase used to describe the kidnapping of the elected president and his expulsion from the country. As I discovered when I arrived in Honduras two weeks ago, both claims are demonstrably false. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/aug/03/us-honduras-obama
Nicaragua: Ortega raises stakes over Zelaya By: Freddy Cuevas and Alexandra Olson, Scotsman, August 2, 2009 Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega claimed Honduras' coup-installed government might try to provoke a border incident "to distract attention" from international efforts to restore ousted president Manuel Zelaya. The claims come as Honduras' interim leader said firmly that there's no way the ousted president can return to power. http://news.scotsman.com/world/Ortega-raises-stakes-over-Zelaya.5515712.jp
Ousted Honduran president vows peaceful resistance By: Gabriela Donoso, Reuters, August 2, 2009 Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya vowed on Saturday to return to power through peaceful means and denied he was rallying groups of armed supporters near the border with Nicaragua. Zelaya, in exile in Nicaragua, also lamented the death of one of his supporters who was shot during a protest last week. http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5701J420090801
Honduras: Roger Abraham Vallejo Soriano (1971-2009) By: Al Giordano, The Field, August 1, 2009 At 3:30 a.m. this morning the officials at the capital city morgue pronounced Roger Abraham Vallejo Soriano, 38, dead from the bullet wound he sustained to the head while peacefully protesting against the coup regime on Thursday. His brother told Radio Globo this morning, "I ask that the death of my brother not be in vain. He was in a just cause." http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/roger-abraham-vallejo-soriano-1971-2009
AFRICA
Zimbabwe: MP's arrest an attempt to undermine us, says MDC By: Mail & Guardian Online, July 31, 2009 A lawmaker from Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party was arrested on Friday, accused of playing music denigrating veteran President Robert Mugabe. "Another of our MPs, honorable Garadhi of Chinhoyi was arrested early this morning [Friday]," MDC party spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said. http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-07-31-mps-arrest-an-attempt-to-undermine-us-says-zims-mdc
Zimbabwe: MDC legislator arrested for playing anti-Mugabe song By: Violet Gonda, SW Radio News, July 31, 2009 Another MDC legislator has been arrested for allegedly playing a song that denigrates Robert Mugabe, on his car radio. Several people have been arrested under the country's harsh security laws for 'making utterances likely to cause hatred, contempt or ridicule of the President and his Office.' http://www.swradioafrica.com/News310709/MParrest310709.htm
Zimbabwe: Flawed draft constitution faces rejection By: Wongai Zhangazha, All Africa, July 30, 2009 The government should immediately halt the parliament-led constitution-making process or risk the rejection of a draft constitution resulting from the flawed procedure at a referendum, a constitutional convention recommended. The convention said there was need for an independent and democratic constitutional reform process. http://allafrica.com/stories/200907310993.html
Nigeria: Uneasy peace in Niger Delta By: Karin Brulliard, Washington Post, July 27, 2009 Signs of harmony seem to be budding in Nigeria's conflict-plagued Niger Delta region amid a government offer of amnesty to rebels and a leading militant group's halt to its attacks and kidnappings. But here in the swampy heart of the oil-rich but impoverished delta, many analysts and observers warn that the calm could be a prelude to all-out war. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/26/AR2009072602499.html
Madagascar: "Resign or else" - Portraits of media repression By: Lova Rakotomalala, Global Voices, July 23, 2009 Having a frank conversation has become very difficult nowadays in Madagascar. Too many arbitrary arrests have happened in recent months, too many people are still trying to escape the intense "witch hunting" of political opponents. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/07/23/%E2%80%9Cresign-or-else%E2%80%9D-portraits-of-media-repression-in-madagascar/
Zimbabwe: Fear of more mass evictions in Harare By: Amnesty International, July 22, 2009 Thousands of people in Harare face mass eviction from their market stalls and homes. Most of the targeted people were victims of the 2005 mass forced evictions that left about 700,000 people without homes or livelihood or both. Four years on, the authorities now want to forcibly re-evict some of these people. http://amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR46/021/2009
AMERICAS
Venezuela: Protests greet moves by Chavez to crush media By: David Usborne, The Independent, August 3, 2009 Venezuela closed down 34 radio stations over the weekend, prompting claims by opposition critics that Hugo Chavez was trampling freedom of expression rights and triggering angry street protests in Caracas and other cities across the country. Officials insisted that the radio stations targeted were not being penalised for political reasons. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/protests-greet-moves-by-chavez-to-crush-media-1766571.html
Paraguay: Indigenous squatter communities organise self-help By: Natalia Ruiz DÌaz, IPS, August 2, 2009 Indigenous families living in a squatter settlement on the outskirts of the Paraguayan capital are organising themselves, and now have a community soup kitchen and are producing and selling handicrafts. They don't want to return to panhandling on the streets of AsunciÛn, so far from their home villages. http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=47934
Nicaragua: Media critics of Ortega made to pay By: Tracy Wilkinson, LA Times, August 2, 2009 From his days as a guerrilla commander, Ortega has been hostile toward independent news organizations, favoring the use of newspapers and radio to further his political agenda or that of his party, the FSLN. Since his reelection in 2006, Ortega has become even more mistrustful and secretive, critics and former allies say. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-nicaragua-media2-2009aug02,0,4824544.story
US: Detainees call for new course on immigration detention By: Katherine Vargas, New Junkie Post, August 1, 2009 On the day that the Department of Homeland Security decided to reject a federal court petition calling for legally enforceable detention standards, detainees in a detention center in Basile, Louisiana declared a hunger strike to protest substandard conditions. "It's not fit for a human being," read a comment attributed to Fausto Gonzalez. http://newsjunkiepost.com/2009/08/01/detainees-on-hunger-strike-call-for-new-course-on-immigration-detention/
US: Army looking into monitoring of protest groups By: William Yardley, NY Times, August 1, 2009 The Army says it has opened an inquiry into a claim that one of its employees spent more than two years infiltrating antiwar groups. The groups say the employee infiltrated their activities under an assumed name and gained access to their plans as well as names and e-mail addresses of some members. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/us/02army.html
Brazil: Fighting for more recycling By: Diego Casaes, Global Voices, July 30, 2009 In recent weeks, the National Policy on Solid Residuals proposed in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies has sparked discussion amongst Brazilian bloggers. This is because of an amendment that removes electronic equipment from the list of mandatory, special waste recyclables. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/07/30/brazil-fighting-for-more-recycling-with-the-electronic-waste-manifesto/
Nicaragua: Draft Manual on International Cooperation threatens civil society By: Brandon Soloski, CIVICUS, July 24, 2009 On June, 7 2009, opposition groups marched in Nicaragua to protest alleged fraud in last November's municipal elections and voice criticism over the government's move to introduce the draft of a Manual for International Cooperation. The draft manual, according to the 16 groups taking part in the march, follows a similar trend by governments in the region. http://www.civicus.org/content/e-CIVICUS448-International-Cooperation-threatens-civil-society-in-Nicaragua.html
US: Applying human rights standards 101 By: William F. Schulz, Center for American Progress, July 23, 2009 The United States has arguably been the most influential country in developing the international human rights regime, but it is also the most reluctant of any democratic country to apply these same standards at home. Since signing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the United States has failed to ratify key human rights treaties. http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/07/humanrights_101.html
"Argentina: Turning Around" - Interview By: Benjamin Dangl, Truthout, July 22, 2009 "Argentina: Turning Around" is an exciting film which captures the spirit of Argentina's grassroots response to economic meltdown. In this interview, film directors Mark Dworkin and Melissa Young talk about what led them to make the film. http://www.truthout.org/072209A
ASIA/ SOUTH ASIA
Nepal: Land rights and women's empowerment By: Yammuna Ghale, Nepal News, August 4, 2009 Women as citizens require various forms of power for their holistic empowerment and contribution to societal, national and international development. In this process, understanding different forms of power is very crucial. http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/-guestcolumn/684-relations-between-land-rights-and-womens-empowerment.html
Burma's ruler: brutal, reclusive - and a skilled manipulator By: Benedict Rogers, The Independent, August 3, 2009 The man behind Burma's secret nuclear plans, Senior General Than Shwe, is one of the world's most brutal and reclusive dictators. His regime has relentlessly suppressed pro-democracy activists, while in its long war against the ethnic minorities it has used forced labour, rape, extra-judicial killings and torture. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/burmas-ruler-brutal-reclusive-ndash-and-a-skilled-manipulator-1766568.html
China: Blame the Uighurs don't deserve By: James P. McGovern, Washington Post, August 3, 2009 As co-chair of the House's Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, I am troubled by the premise of the July 25 news story "China, Uighur Groups Give Conflicting Riot Accounts." Post reporters chose to blame, in equal proportion, both Uighur human rights leader Rebiya Kadeer and Chinese authorities for waging "an emotional global propaganda war." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/02/AR2009080201671.html
Philippines mourns ex-president Corazon Aquino By: Justin McCurry, Guardian, August 2, 2009 The Philippines began 10 days of national mourning today following the death of Corazon Aquino, the former Filipino president whose "people power" movement swept away the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. Aquino, who was 76, had spent more than a month in hospital after being diagnosed with advanced colon cancer last year. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/02/corazon-aquino-dies-people-power
Philippines: Aquino inspired world through 'people power' By: Star Bulletin, August 2, 2009 Corazon Aquino, who showed the world from her Philippines that nonviolent "people power" can topple despotic rulers, remains the conscience of her country and a role model for the world. She died yesterday in Manila, but democracy will continue in the Philippines and freedom will be achievable everywhere because of her inspiration. http://www.starbulletin.com/editorials/20090802_Aquino_inspired_world_through_people_power.html
Malaysian dissident pays tribute to Aquino By: Inquirer.net, August 2, 2009 If her husband personified "Filipino courage in the face of oppression," former president Corazon "Cory" Aquino was "every surviving victim's desire for redemption of a cause momentarily ground into dust by brute force," according to former Malaysian deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim in expressing his praise for the Philippine leader who died Saturday. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090802-218433/Malaysian-dissident-pays-tribute-to-Aquino
Filipinos mourn Aquino, 'people power' President By: Carlos H. Conde, NY Times, August 2, 2009 Thousands of Filipinos lined up outside a Catholic school here on Sunday for a last glimpse of Corazon C. Aquino, the woman they credited with ushering in democracy nearly a quarter-century ago, ending two decades of dictatorial rule. Mrs. Aquino was president for six years after leading the movement to oust Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1986. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/03/world/asia/03aquino.html?_r=1&ref=world
China: Hundreds detained after protests By: CNN News, August 2, 2009 Hundreds of people have been detained in connection with ethnic riots in the northwest last month, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported Sunday. Police in Urumqi, the capital of China's remote northwestern Xinjiang Autonomous Region, said they had detained 319 people in connection with the July 5 riots, according to Xinhua. http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/02/china.urumqi/index.html
Malaysians protest law on indefinite detention By: LA Times, August 2, 2009 Police broke up Malaysia's biggest protest in nearly two years Saturday, firing tear gas and chemical-laced water at thousands of opposition supporters demanding an end to a law that allows detention without trial. Witnesses estimated that as many as 20,000 people took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur to rally against the Internal Security Act. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-malaysia-protest2-2009aug02,0,2095002.story
Malaysian arrests put in question vow of rights By: Thomas Fuller, NY Times, August 2, 2009 Soon after coming to power four months ago, Najib Razak, the Malaysian prime minister, vowed to temper the country's repressive laws and respect civil liberties. But over the weekend police broke up a large rally in Kuala Lumpur, arresting nearly 600 people and reaffirming the governing party's policy of zero tolerance toward street protests. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/03/world/asia/03malaysia.html?_r=1&src=twt&twt=nytimes
Burma: Suu Kyi's trial gives rare glimpse into judicial system By: Marwaan Macan-Markar, IPS, August 1, 2009 A political trial in Burma that could prolong its pro-democracy icon's isolation by five more years has opened a rare window for the international community to judge the quality of justice in the military-ruled country. Many foreign envoys based in Rangoon, the former capital, have eagerly grabbed this chance. http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=47930
Corazon Aquino, ex-leader of Philippines, is dead By: Seth Mydans, NY Times, July 31, 2009 Corazon C. Aquino of the Philippines, who was swept into office on a wave of "people power" in 1986 and then faced down half a dozen coup attempts in six years as president, died Saturday in Manila, her son said. She was 76. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/01/world/asia/01aquino.html?_r=1&ref=obituaries
Burma: Scores of supporters arrested, as court postpones verdict on Suu Kyi By: Mungpi, Mizzima, July 31, 2009 Scores of supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi and her party members across the country were rounded up on Thursday, on the eve of the special court in Rangoon's Insein prison postponing the verdict of Aung San Suu Kyi to August 11. Sources said some of the arrested activists were released on Friday afternoon after the court announced the postponement. http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/2545-scores-of-supporters-arrested-as-court-postpones-verdict-on-suu-kyi.html
Burma: Six National League for Democracy members freed By: Phanida, Mizzima, July 31, 2009 Six members of the opposition National League for Democracy were freed by authorities on Friday. On Thursday the authorities rounded up at least 30 people in a move to pre-empt anti-government protests on Friday, the day the court had earlier fixed to pronounce the verdict on the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi. http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/2555-six-nld-members-freed.html
Burma: 'We all want democracy' By: Radio Free Asia, July 30, 2009 In a rare interview, an active-duty sergeant in Burma's military has expressed his frustration at the junta's handling of the country's affairs and said that this view is shared by many like him in the army. Experts agree that morale amongst soldiers in Burma's army is low and may pose a threat to the military regime's hold on power. http://www.rfa.org/english/news/burma/democracy-07302009190128.html
China: Lawyers hail rights ruling By: Radio Free Asia, July 30, 2009 Chinese civil rights lawyers have hailed a landmark decision by a court in central China to award the same amount of compensation to a man from a rural community as would be payable to city-dwellers. The landmark ruling is being hailed as a victory by China's embattled civil rights lawyers, themselves frequently targeted by the authorities. http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/rightsruling-07302009110420.html
Philippines: Interview - Tonyo Cruz on digital activism By: Mary Joyce, DigiActive, July 30, 2009 I am in the Philippines this week with fellow DigiActivist Lynn Casper to participate in a training organized by the Computer Professionals' Union. While here I decided to interview one of the country's most prolific digital activists - Tonyo Cruz - and ask him about digital activism in the Philippines. http://www.digiactive.org/2009/07/30/tonyo-cruz-digital-activism/
Chinese hack film festival site By: BBC News, July 26, 2009 Chinese hackers have attacked the website of Australia's biggest film festival over a documentary about Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer. Content on the Melbourne International Film Festival site was briefly replaced with the Chinese flag and anti-Kadeer slogans on Saturday, reports said. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8169123.stm
CENTRAL ASIA
Kyrgyz President inaugurated after disputed election By: RFE/RL, August 2, 2009 Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev has been inaugurated for his second term after winning an election that the opposition dismissed as fixed. In his inaugural speech, Bakiev said that he managed to ensure peace and stability in Kyrgyzstan over the course of his first term. http://www.rferl.org/content/Kyrgyz_President_Inaugurated_After_Disputed_Election/1790821.html
Kyrgyzstan: World Movement participant arrested By: World Movement for Democracy, July 31, 2009 According to the Women's Learning Partnership, World Movement participant and human rights activist Tolekan Ismailova along with three other activists was arrested yesterday while calling on the government to release 87 individuals, who have protested the contested presidential elections. http://www.wmd.org/democracyalerts/july3109.html
Kazakhstan: Activists assail internet law as step back for democracy By: Joanna Lillis, EurasiaNet, July 24, 2009 Journalists and civil rights activists in Kazakhstan have reacted with dismay to the passing of a new Internet law they say will severely restrict freedom of expression in a country set to take the helm of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010. President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the Internet bill on July 10. http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav072409a.shtml
Kyrgyzstan: Strategic issues, not abuses, are US focus By: Clifford J. Levy, NY Times, July 22, 2009 "You know what this is for," Emilbek Kaptagaev recalled being told by the police officers who snatched him off the street. Mr. Kaptagaev, an opponent of Kyrgyzstan's president, who is a vital American ally in the war in nearby Afghanistan, was found later in a field with a concussion, broken ribs and a face swollen into a mosaic of bruises. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/world/asia/23kyrgyz.html?_r=2
EUROPE
Russia: At least 57 arrested in anti-Putin demonstration By: Monsters and Critics, July 31, 2009 At least 47 people were arrested in Moscow on Friday shortly before the start of an unauthorized demonstration against the policies of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Among the protesters arrested was opposition politician Eduard Limonov, the Interfax news agency reported. http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1493067.php/At_least_47_arrested_in_anti-Putin_demonstration_in_Moscow__Roundup__
Russia: Riot police break up opposition rally By: Veronica Khokhlova, Global Voices, July 31, 2009 Some 100 protesters gathered for an unsanctioned opposition rally in central Moscow on Friday. At 6 PM, hundreds of riot police broke up the rally, detaining 47 people, some of whom were said to be journalists and passerby. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/07/31/russia-riot-police-break-up-opposition-rally/
Belarus: Freed US lawyer says Lukashenka, Berezovsky colluded on his arrest By: RFE/RL, July 7, 2009 Emanuel Zeltser is an American lawyer who late last month was released from a Belarusian jail after spending nearly a year behind bars on charges of industrial espionage. Zeltser alleges that Berezovsky maintains close personal ties with Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka and was able to arrange for the lawyer's arrest. http://www.rferl.org/content/Freed_US_Lawyer_Says_Lukashenka_Berezovsky_Colluded_On_His_Arrest/1771582.html
MIDDLE EAST/ NORTH AFRICA
Activists protest Israeli cosmetics company By: One World, August 3, 2009 Bikini-clad peace activists entered cosmetic stores in Washington, D.C. last week to protest a line of Israeli beauty products made in the West Bank. The demonstration followed four others in Israel and New York over the past two months as part of the "Stolen Beauty" campaign. http://us.oneworld.net/article/365817-women-bikinis-protest-israeli-cosmetics-company
Syria's democracy activist on moving toward peaceful revolutions By: Anna Skibinsky, The Epoch Times, August 2, 2009 Ammar Abdulhamid's views on modernizing Syria sound more like revolutionary solutions for most of the Arab world. Not surprisingly then, the activist, democracy spokesperson, and scholar hasn't been allowed in his home country of Syria since 2005. http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/20484/
Morocco: "I'm a 9 per cent!" By: Hisham, Global Voices, August 2, 2009 The Moroccan government's decision to block from circulation the August issues of two prominent magazines, Telquel and Nichane, seems to have set the Moroccan blogosphere ablaze. Both publications were about to disclose the result of a poll in which ordinary Moroccans were asked to give their assessment of 10 years of their monarch's rule. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/08/02/morocco-im-a-9-per-cent/
Egypt: Two bloggers released and another still detained By: Noha Atef, Global Voices, August 1, 2009 Two out of the three bloggers who were arrested on July 22, 2009 are now free. Abdel Rahman Ayyash and Magdy Saad were released after six days of arrest at Cairo airport. Meanwhile, blogger Ahmad Abu Khalil, who was arrested on the same day, is still in detention. http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/2009/08/01/egypt-2-bloggers-released-and-another-still-disappeared-podcast/
Egypt: Protest group prevented from leafleting By: Abdel-Rahman Hussein, Daily News Egypt, July 31, 2009 Members of the International Movement to Open the Rafah Border (IMORB) were prevented from disseminating pamphlets at the Rafah border crossing Thursday by security forces at the gate. IMORB has maintained a continued presence at the border since June 13 with the objective of keeping vigil until the Rafah border is permanently opened. http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=23499
Egypt's challenge to democracy By: John L. Esposito, Middle East Online, July 31, 2009 The arrest and continued detention of Dr. Abdel Moneim Aboul Fattouh symbolizes a long standing problem for which governments in the region and the West bear primary responsibility. It also underscores the need to engage moderate (non-violent) political Islam - especially the cry for justice in response to Arab authoritarianism. http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/opinion/?id=33487
Morocco: New law, but the same old men By: Daan Bauwens, IPS, July 30, 2009 The new Moroccan family law was designed to give women equal rights in the family. But five years after its introduction, Moroccan women leaders say opposition to the law from politicians and within the judicial system persists, and the new law has not been able to change Moroccan mentality. http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=47895
OCEANIA
Maldives: Journalists at risk By: Saffah Faroog, Global Voices, July 26, 2009 At least three journalists in the Maldives have been subjected to either physical or verbal abuse and psychological intimidation within a span of the last 10 days. The first case involved Ahmed Zahir (Hiriga), who was attacked by a mob outside the parliament building while he was covering a protest there. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/07/26/maldives-journalists-at-risk/
West Papua: 'Canceling documentary screening' By: The Jakarta Post, July 10, 2009 In what seems to be a last minute decision, Al-Jazeera English television news network decided not to premiere on Thursday a highly sensitive documentary highlighting the plight of Papuans. It also removed the film's synopsis from the list of feature films it will broadcast, which is published on its Website. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/07/10/issues-canceling-papua-documentary-screening039.html
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Top three places not to go on holiday By: Survival International, August 3, 2009 As the holiday season enters full swing, Survival International today names three destinations holidaymakers should avoid: Barefoot Resort, South Andaman Island, India, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana, and 'First contact' expeditions, West Papua. http://www.survival-international.org/news/4803
Democracy-support: From recession to innovation By: Nicholas Benequista and John Gaventa, openDemocracy, August 3, 2009 The sense that democracy is in retreat worldwide has become widespread. But the emergence of citizen-centred, governance-focused and development-oriented approaches suggests that a more complex and hopeful shift is also taking place. http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/idea/democracy-support-from-recession-to-innovation
Is civil disobedience the next phase? By: Change.org, July 31, 2009 A couple of weeks ago on Bec Hamilton's blog, activist Tim Nonn posted a call for a campaign of non-violent civil disobedience from the Darfur movement. As I said to Tim, I find the idea provocative. However I'm still left wondering what the end goals and objectives of such a campaign are. http://genocide.change.org/blog/view/is_civil_disobedience_the_next_phase
Anti-corruption 2.0: What's your say on corruption? By: Transparency International, July 30, 2009 Elections in Iran earlier this year attracted worldwide attention after Iranians started sharing their thoughts through blogging, posting to facebook and coordinating their protests on twitter. This is just one recent example for how internet-based social media has profoundly changed the way we engage with others. http://www.transparency.org/news_room/in_focus/2009/your_say_on_corruption
The I-factor By: David Hoffman, Huffington Post, July 30, 2009 From Iran to Pakistan, information access has been a key factor in most recent movements for democracy. The "I-Factor" puts authoritarian rulers in a dilemma. They want to control the information space, but they also want the benefits of participating in the global economy. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-hoffman/the-i-factor_b_247870.html
IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Mauritanie: Aziz - Deux putschs et une Èlection By: Jeune Afrique, August 3, 2009 Vainqueur de la prÈsidentielle contestÈe du 18 juillet, le gÈnÈral Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz s'est construit une image de ´ petit pËre du peuple ª pendant les onze mois qu'il a passÈs ‡ la tÍte de la junte. Il lui faut dÈsormais honorer ses promesses, et vite. http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/ARTJAJA2533p038-040.xml0/-president-Mohamed-Ould-Abdelaziz-election-presidentielle-portrait-Aziz---deux-putschs-et-une-election.html
Venezuela: Trente-quatre mÈdias audiovisuels sacrifiÈs By: Reporters Sans FrontiËres, August 2, 2009 Reporters sans frontiËres proteste avec vigueur contre la fermeture massive de mÈdias audiovisuels privÈs, officiellement pour "raisons administratives". Treize stations de radio, sur un total de trente-quatre mÈdias dont la fermeture a ÈtÈ dÈcidÈe par le gouvernement, ont d'ores et dÈj‡ d˚ suspendre leurs Èmissions le 1er ao˚t 2009. http://www.rsf.org/spip.php?page=article&id_article=34055
Iran: ProcËs des manifestants ‡ TÈhÈran By: Reporters Sans FrontiËres, August 1, 2009 Reporters sans frontiËres exprime sa trËs profonde inquiÈtude devant la parodie de procËs ouverte le 1er ao˚t 2009, ‡ TÈhÈran, visant les "responsables" et les "participants" aux manifestations qui ont suivi la rÈÈlection contestÈe de Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, le 12 juin dernier. http://www.rsf.org/spip.php?page=article&id_article=34053
NOTICES
Yemen: Youth empowerment program - Camera as Voice By: International Research & Exchanges Board, August 4, 2009 Camera as Voice is a program using film to empower youth expression and dialogue to counter extremism and radicalism in Yemen. Camera as Voice is a 12-month-long project that will lead youth in developing film projects that will explore themes of globalization, anti-Westernism, modernization, alienation and community disadvantage. http://www.irex.org/programs/cav/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_content=529067719&utm_campaign=July%2fAugust+newsletter+_+kjjjyk&utm_term=Camera+as+Voice%0d%0a++ Program contact.
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