· June, 2009

Stories about Protest from June, 2009

Azerbaijan: All hail Iranian women

Following a post from Armenian blogger Ianyan in praise of women in Iran comes a similar response from Azerbaijan, another country that borders the Islamic republic. Re-posting an earlier video interview on the changing role of women in Iran, Baku-based Global Voices Online author Ali S. Novruzov also pays homage.

Maghreb: Views on Iran

As the world watches events unfolding in Iran, Maghreb blogs have been following and commenting on the rapidly developing crisis there. Some questioned the motives behind the way western media covered the events; others criticized Mir Houssain Moussavi's reaction, but it seems that the majority are supporting protesters.

China: Mass incident sparked by a dead body

  21 June 2009

A Chinese Google doc has been set up to collect the most up-to-date information about the Shishou riot in China's Hubei province, which has seen tens of thousands of locals rallying on the street to protect the body of a young man who died under suspicious circumstances.

Iran: Protesters break a taboo and defy Khamenei

One day after Islamic Republic Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced protests and warned reformist leaders against taking to the streets, thousands of people demonstrated in Tehran. They were joined by others in several cities across Iran in ignoring Khamenei's order and voicing their anger against the June 12 presidential election results. They clashed with Iranian police who used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.

Iran: Reformist and activist bloggers arrested

As demonstrations continue in Iran against the results of the June 12 presidential elections, authorities continue their clampdown on activists, journalists and bloggers. Hamid Tehrani reviews the Iranian blogosphere, where several reports of blogger arrests are being circulated.

India: Doing Something For The Country

  19 June 2009

Parth Dave at The Indian World introduces an website titled One Letter A Week (ONLW) which aims at addressing socio-economic or cultural issues of India by encouraging readers to write a letter each week to the respective authorities and publish them in the site.

Iran: Khamenei on the election

Change for Iran tweeted that Iranian Leader, Ali Khamanei today said “people should not go to streets killing Innocent basij & police troops, it will have a bad outcome if it continues.” and “defeated candidates should accept the outcome of election and by calling people in streets, they help ennemies.”

Vietnam arrests prominent lawyer and writer

  19 June 2009

Vietnam ’s Ministry of Public Security police arrested Le Cong Dinh in Ho Chi Minh City for participating in subversive activities. Dinh is a prominent pro-democracy lawyer, human rights advocate and writer. Several media groups and local scholars have condemned Dinh’s arrest.

Iran: Comparisons and Scenarios

  18 June 2009

Balkans via Bohemia looks at how the events in Iran “would play out vis a vis other successful and unsuccessful revolutions in the past two decades,” including those in Serbia, Czechoslovakia, Ukraine and China.

Iran: Green Silent Protest Movement in photos

Protesters all over Iran continue their demonstrations against the June 12 presidential election result that declared Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner. Supporters of Ahmadinejad's challenger, Mir Hussein Mousavi, and many Iranians who profess to believe in “change” continue to use the colour green as the symbol of their movement. Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi,...

Bahrain: Ahmadinejad, For And Against

Bahrain has many historical and cultural links to Iran. A number of Bahrainis (both Shi'a and Sunnis) have Persian roots and speak Persian, and many of Bahrain's Shi'a community regularly travel to religious sites in Iran. On Bahraini blogs and forums there has been a lot of support expressed for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, thanks in particular to his reputation as a clean politician and modest person, but he is not popular with everyone.

Iran: The Power of Allaho Akbar

Jadi tweeted that this night the power of Allaho Akbar [God is Great] and Down With Dictator is at least tripled! At night people shout Allaho-Akbar from their rooftops to protest against Iranian presidential election's result.

Arab World: “Iran is a Democratic Dictatorship”

Reactions continue to pour across the Arab world over developments in Iran, in the aftermath of the country's presidential elections which saw Mahmoud Ahmedinejad winning a second term, with 66 per cent of the overall votes. In this round up of reactions, Arab bloggers compare between the political scenes in their countries with that in Iran as well as offer their insights to developments on the ground.

Lebanon: Bloggers React to Iran Crisis

Only a week after its own tight elections, Lebanese bloggers have been intently watching the fallout from Iran's disputed polls. The turmoil in Iran - a key power broker in Lebanon and main supporter of the powerful Lebanese Shia group Hezballah - has received mixed reactions. Whilst many of the bloggers are resisting to choose a side in Iran's dispute, they have plenty to say on other fronts.