Stories about Protest from March, 2009
Maldives: Free Speech Under Threat
In early March Mohamed Nasheed, the new President of the Maldives, met with Frank La Rue, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression. In the meeting Nasheed expressed his government’s commitment to free speech and announced that Maldives will be made a haven for dissident writers from...
Fiji: ‘It was stones, now it's molotov cocktails’
At least six people in Fiji who could be termed “public opponents” of the country’s military-backed government have been targeted by unidentified individuals who late at night have thrown large stones at their houses and severally damaged their cars. During the stonings, much of Fiji’s political blogosphere have claimed the rock attacks were perpetrated by members of the country’s military.
Tunisia: Hunger Strike Students Defend Right to Study
Five Tunisian students have been on hunger strike since February 11th to defend their right to study. Their health is seriously deteriorating but the government is ignoring their request. More on the story on Facebook — here and here.
Iran: Dr. Hesam Firouzi, Another Jailed Blogger
It was jailed physician and blogger, Dr. Hesam Firouzi, who recently got the word out through his lawyer about the death of blogger Omid Reza Mir Sayafi in Tehran's Evin Prison. He said he urged prison authorities to send the dying prisoner to a hospital, but they refused.
Czechoslovakia: Tiresome narratives of Prague '68
Dr. Sean's Diary reviews the second episode of BBC 2's series The Lost World of Communism, dealing with communist Czechoslovakia, and finds it rather basic and tiresome.
Hong Kong: Vindication of June 4 in Question
2009 is the 20th anniversary of June 4 Tiananmen Massacre. If there were reincarnation, people who had been killed then would be twenty years old this year. Some of them would probably become university students, who are usually regarded as conscience of the society. Sadly this year, at least two...
Kyrgyzstan: Annual ‘Tulip’ Protests
Michael Hancock argues about the reasons of popular dissatisfaction with the authorities in Kyrgyzstan, where street protests have already become a tradition.
China: Most Awesoon Bull Protest
On February 20, 2009, the Anhai Town Government of Jinjiang city, Fujian province was besieged by dozens of ox. (via Ya, I Yee)
Egypt: Waves of Workers’ Strikes
Like in 2008, this year is witnessing waves of strikes and demonstrations by Egyptian workers in various sectors and organizations. Students, pharmacists, lawyers [Ar], railway drivers, media people and, last but not least, Egyptian street cleaners have all been demanding more just rights, protesting against their decreasing incentives or trying to rebel against their poor economic status. Eman AbdElRahman gives us a snap shot of what's happening on the ground and how bloggers are giving those workers a voice in their struggle.
Cuba: Six Years After “Black Spring”
March 18-20 marks the sixth anniversary of the Cuban Black Spring. Cuban bloggers remember...
Pakistan: The Way Ahead
The whole Pakistan is overjoyed with the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and a happy end to the Lawyers’ Long March movement. Although apparently president Zardari is in back foot by giving the nod to to reinstate Chaudhry, it had prevented the possible chaos and anarchy if the protesters’...
Madagascar: Fear of More Strife After President's Resignation
The power struggle that has plagued Madagascar since January may have come to an end. Yesterday, after attempts by Andry Rajoelina supporters to remove President Marc Ravalomanana from office, the army, which has now sided with Rajoelina, took control of the presidential palace in Ambotsirohatra. Bloggers were divided between joy over Ravalomanana's exit and anxiety over what Rajoelina's leadership will bring.
Maldives: Dissident And Anti-Islamic Sites Blocked
Several dissident and alleged anti-Islamic websites were filtered recently in Maldives. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs ordered the Telecommunication Authority of Maldives (TAM) to block access to those websites. Maldives Dissent informs: A week after President Anni announced his intention of turning the Maldives into a sanctuary for oppressed writers,...
Israel: “No Such Thing as Peace Now”
“There is no such thing as ‘peace now’,” reflects JC of Israel Stories. “Immediate peace would involve hurried diplomacy, painful Israeli concessions, total withdrawal from land, and the transfer of thousands of Israeli citizens. Hang on a second. Now I may have a short memory, but didn't Israel do that?”
Pakistan: A Proud Event
The reinstatement of chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was a proud event for many Pakistanis like the blogger at Monsoon Frog after a long time.
Bermuda: Eye on Madagascar
Bermudian blogger Catch a fire draws attention to the escalating crisis in Madagascar.
Cuba: Six Years After
Blog for Cuba maintains that six years after the island's Black Spring, “there has been no easing of the harsh repression of dissent in Cuba.”
Latvia: The Banned March
Free Speech Emergency in Latvia writes about and posts a video from “the banned march to commemorate members of the World War II Latvian Legion.”
Hungary: The Politics and Unrest of March 15
Hungarian Spectrum writes about the politics and unrest surrounding March 15, the day on which “the birth of parliamentary democracy is celebrated in Hungary.”
Pakistan: The Power Of A Judge
While discussing the recent political turmoil in Pakistan An Ordinary Citizen from Bangladesh comments that “a judge is changing the face of Pakistan.”.
Cuba: Reported Arrests
Blog for Cuba and Uncommon Sense both blog about dissident arrests on the island.