A note to our American readers:
ICNC has supported several documentary films by our colleagues at York Zimmerman Inc. Some of their award-winning films on nonviolent resistance include, A Force More Powerful and Bringing Down a Dictator. Steve York’s most recent film, Orange Revolution, looks at the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election and the 17 days of street protests which followed its fraudulent outcome. The film is currently in distribution to local PBS stations across the US. But, in order for it to be aired, they need to hear requests from viewers like you. Please contact your local PBS station and ask them to air Orange Revolution during a good time slot. Follow the link below to find the contact information for your station’s program director.
www.OrangeRevolutionMovie.com
Thank you!
The ICNC staff
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NORTH AMERICA
US: A vigil underway 100 days after hikers detained in Iran
By: WCCO, November 8, 2009 It has been 100 days since three American hikers were detained in Iran. Minnesota-native Shane Bauer, his friends Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal were on a hiking trip to Iraq when they were jailed on suspicion of illegal entry into Iran. The prolonged detention of three hikers in Iran has sparked a movement. People are signing petitions, sending letters of love and support and lighting candles to shed light on the situation everyone feels has gone on long enough. Read full article… US: Daily Show pokes fun at boycotts US: HRW letter to President Obama ahead of his visit to China
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CENTRAL AMERICA/CARIBBEAN
Questions from a reader about Honduras
By: Al Giordana, The Field, November 10, 2009 Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon’s comments last week to CNN Español suggesting that Washington would recognize the “elections” regardless continue to give the coup regime oxygen and undercut all other pressures upon it. Zelaya says the deal struck by the Tegucigalpa Accord is already dead. At the same time, he has not ruled out returning to the presidency if Congress votes to reinstate him. The key bloc of votes in Congress – 55 members of the National Party, led by its presidential candidate Pepe Lobo – have not publicly pronounced how they will vote if Congress does take up the measure. And other Congressional leaders keep crowing that they won’t convene such a vote until after November 29. Read full article… Honduras deal collapses, and Zelaya’s backers blame US Honduras: Talks are off with coup government after deal collapses Honduras president, de facto leader spar over deal New report looks at Honduran economy before and since the coup Cuban bloggers detained, beaten on way to march Report shows systematic attacks on women under Honduran coup In Nicaragua, tensions flare amid power quest |
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SOUTH AMERICA
The story behind the Uruguayan elections
By: Julie Butler, Truthout, November 9, 2009 “The international headlines all read something to this effect, ‘In Uruguay: Ex-Guerrilla Fighter Headed for Runoff Vote in November.’ Attention-grabbing as it is, that headline doesn’t do justice to the complex story behind this ex-guerrilla fighter being on the verge of becoming Uruguay’s next president. This story intertwines plot lines of economic hardship’s goad towards anger, social inequity’s call to action, violence’s inevitable escalation, democracy’s slide into dictatorship, impunity’s lingering and a society’s tremendous capacity to persevere through it all, heal itself and ultimately advance.” Read full article… Peru port workers start strike over privatization
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EUROPE
Germany: Obama in surprise Berlin Wall video address
By: TPM, November 9, 2009 US President Barack Obama on Monday made a surprise video address to celebrations in Germany marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. In the message beamed into celebrations at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, once on the border between East and West Berlin, Obama told cheering crowds: “Even in the face of tyranny. People insisted that the world could change.” Read full article… Serbia: Belgrade demonstrate against ‘growing fascism’ Switzerland: Peaceful demonstrations planned for WTO ministerial Scotland: Activists bury heads in sand in G20 beach protest Russia: Officer exposes police corruption using the web Romania: Radio Free Europe and ‘the curtain of silence’ Would you live on the wrong side of the Berlin wall? Germany: Dispatch from Berlin – Forgetting why the wall fell Germany: Berlin Wall 20th anniversary is celebrated Germany: Berlin’s moment of freedom that turned world history Germany: Musicians who poked at the iron curtain Belarusian businessman Bandarenka on hunger strike placed in prison hospital Russia: Two held in killings of lawyer, reporter Who can claim credit for the fall of the Wall? |
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CENTRAL ASIA
Uzbek opposition leader reportedly freed
By: RFE, November 8, 2009 Uzbek opposition leader Sanjar Umarov has been freed after four years in jail, a pro-opposition website reported on November 8, in a move that could help the Central Asian state further improve ties with the West. Ferghana.ru, which is registered outside Uzbekistan to avoid heavy censorship, quoted an unnamed relative of Umarov as saying he was released on November 7. Read full article… Judge rules defense cannot access cell phone records |
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SOUTH ASIA
India: Dalai Lama holds mass gathering
By: BBC, November 9, 2009 Tens of thousands of devotees have poured into the town of Tawang in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh to hear an address by the Dalai Lama. The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader is currently on a week-long tour of Arunachal Pradesh – itself a source of dispute between Beijing and Delhi. Beijing has accused the Dalai Lama of trying to undermine its rule in Tibet and says the visit is anti-China. Read full article… India: Dalai Lama visits monastery despite China protest
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Philippines: Rebels behead hostage, Manila vows revenge
By: Gulf Times, November 9, 2009
The head of Gabriel Canizares was found inside a bag at the petrol station on the restive southern island of Jolo at dawn, 22 days after he was abducted, but the rest of his body remained missing, local police said. President Gloria Arroyo’s office said the Abu Sayyaf, blamed for the country’s worst terrorist attacks and other beheadings of kidnap victims, was behind Canizares’ murder, and vowed tough action against the militants.
Read full article…
Burma diplomat: Junta may free Suu Kyi for poll
By: Jim Gomez, ABC News, November 9, 2009
Burmas’s military-ruled government may release pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi soon, so she can play a role in next year’s general elections, according to a senior Burma diplomat. The remarks by Min Lwin – rare for a Burmese government official on an overseas visit – were in line with vague comments in recent years by the junta that it intends to free Suu Kyi soon. But officials have given no time frame and have made no real moves to release her.
Read full article…
US: Obama to meet with Prime Minister of Burma
By: NY Times, November 8, 2009
President Obama plans to meet with the prime minister of Burma along with other Southeast Asian leaders next Sunday, in a high-level affirmation of the new policy by Washington of engaging the military-ruled country despite its dismal human rights record. The meeting between Mr. Obama and leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations will take place on the sidelines of the annual summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Singapore, the U.S. ambassador for Asean affairs, Scot Marciel, said Saturday.
Read full article…
Japan pledges more aid to Burma if political prisoners are released
By: VOA, November 8, 2009
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has urged Burma to release detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi before next year’s election, saying Tokyo is willing to provide more aid if democratic reforms in Burma are advanced. In talks with Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein in Tokyo Saturday, Mr. Hatoyama said it is extremely important that Burma release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners before the general election to be held in 2010.
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Indonesia fights corruption with people power
By: BBC, November 6, 2009
In Indonesia public protests, secret recordings and an alleged plot among senior law enforcement officials to undermine the anti-corruption agency have transfixed the country. The BBC’s Karishma Vaswani in Jakarta takes a look at the scandal that is being called Indonesia’s Watergate. Fed up and frustrated with the levels of graft within the institutions that are charged with the responsibility of protecting them, Indonesians have taken to the streets in what is being called one of the grandest showings of people power since the days of the 1998 Reformasi movement.
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Laos denies detentions of protesters
By: Sarah Jackson-Han, RFA, November 6, 2009
Laos denied Friday reports that it has detained people on their way to stage a pro-democracy protest in the Lao capital, saying the reports were “fabricated” to harm the country’s image ahead of two major events. The Seattle-based Lao Students Movement for Democracy meanwhile reported that authorities had detained more than 300 people Nov. 2 as they tried to converge in the Lao capital, Vientiane, to stage a pro-democracy protest.
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