By: International Trade Union Confederation, December 11, 2009
The Burmese military junta is to organise “elections” in 2010, but the Constitution, whose adoption it organised in 2008, leaves no doubt as to the army’s desire to stay in power after the ballot. The ITUC’s new report shows that the generals currently in power have no intention of showing any more interest in the population than their predecessors have over the last 47 years of military dictatorship…
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Lawmakers worldwide urge Burma probe
By: CNN, December 11, 2009
More than 400 lawmakers from around the world have urged the United Nations to investigate Myanmar’s military junta, accusing it of committing crimes against humanity. In a letter sent to the U.N. Security Council on Thursday, the lawmakers — from 29 countries, including France, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States — also pressed for a global arms embargo against the regime…
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Vietnam must release religious freedom advocate
By: Maran Turner, Mercury News, December 10, 2009
The president of Vietnam is at the Vatican today meeting with Pope Benedict XVI. This meeting takes place amid allegations that Catholics are still being persecuted by the Vietnamese government. One issue that is sure to be a sticking point is Vietnam’s continued detention of a Catholic priest, who has recently suffered two strokes while in custody. The Rev. Nguyen Van Ly, 63, has been kept in solitary confinement since his trial on March 30, 2007, where he was convicted of disseminating propaganda against the Vietnamese government.
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Indonesians rally against graft
By: Al Jazeera, December 9, 2009
Thousands of Indonesians have gathered to demand that the government act to end widespread corruption among politicians, police and other public officials. More than a dozen rallies were planned for the capital of Jakarta, as well as several other cities, to mark international anti-corruption day on Wednesday.
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Burma: Suu Kyi meets with junta liaison official
By: France24, December 9, 2009
Myanmar’s detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with the junta’s liaison officer at a state guesthouse for 45 minutes Wednesday, an official told AFP. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, gave no further details of the discussions held between Suu Kyi and the government’s official liaison, labour minister Aung Kyi. It is the third meeting between the pair since the beginning of October. It comes after the country’s Supreme Court agreed last week to hear a final appeal against her ongoing detention.
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American on hunger strike in Burmese prison
By: Phanida, Mizzima, December 8, 2009
Detained Burmese born American, Nyi Nyi Aung (a.k.a) Kyaw Zaw Lwin, is on a hunger strike in protest against ill-treatment of prisoners by authorities in Insein prison, family sources said. Daw Khin Khin, aunt of Nyi Nyi Aung, who met him on Monday, told Mizzima that her nephew was on hunger strike to protest against ill-treatment of prisoners.
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EUROPE
Denmark seeks to pacify China over Tibet
By: AP, December 10, 2009 Denmark will oppose Tibetan independence and carefully consider China’s reaction before inviting the Dalai Lama again, Copenhagen said Thursday in a diplomatic note to Beijing. “Denmark takes very seriously the Chinese opposition to meetings between members of the Danish Government and the Dalai Lama, and has duly noted Chinese views that such meetings are against the core interest of China, and will handle such issues prudently. Ties between Beijing and Copenhagen have been strained since late May when the Tibetan spiritual leader visited Denmark and was received by Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen and Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller. Read full article… Danish police seize protest equipment Copenhagen summit opens as protesters scale parliament buildings Belarusian opposition activists abducted |
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MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA
Israel arrests nonviolent Palestinian protest leader
By: Ben Hubbard, Air America, December 11, 2009 A leader of the most persistent Palestinian protest movement against Israel’s West Bank separation barrier was asleep in his home when troops broke down his door and arrested him. Supporters of Abdullah Abu Rahmeh, a 38-year-old teacher, say his pre-dawn arrest on Thursday by dozens of troops is part of a recent, heavy-handed campaign by Israel to shut down a five-year-old movement that is the last source of unrest in the West Bank. Since 2005, demonstrators led by Abu Rahmeh have marched every Friday from the West Bank village of Bilin to the nearby separation barrier that slices off 60 percent of the village land. Read full article… Voices of a new Iran Western Sahara: Hunger striker vows to return home Norway and Sweden censure Iran over treatment of Nobel Prize winner Iran’s democratic moment Amnesty condemns Iranian rights abuses Iran: Pro-government militiamen attack protesting students Iran steps up its crackdown on student protesters Iran: 15 bereaved mothers arrested Opposition proves it’s still alive and kicking with day of mass protest in Iran Battered not beaten: Iranian opposition plays the long game Iran: Nonviolent struggle among Iranian Women Iranian police shoot at unarmed protesters during Tehran demonstrations Living by the gate from hell: Nonviolent resistance in one Palestinian village Iran: Another form of currency Iran: From discrimination to discrimination – An examination of policies related to women during the first four years of Ahmadinejad’s presidency |
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The movement of movements: From resistance to climate justice
By: Anna White, Common Dreams, December 10, 2009 Last week marked the ten-year anniversary of the “Battle of Seattle”, when tens of thousands of protesters successfully shut down the World Trade Organisation’s ministerial meetings on its opening day. Taking negotiators and the media by surprise, the mass mobilisation of diverse groups, from environmentalists to trade unionists, effectively stalled trade talks that many critics suggest would have consolidated global corporate power at the expense of the world’s poor and marginalised. Read full article… Youth climate activists disrupt denier CPJ: Number of jailed freelance journalists soars People power can drive change So what exactly is civil resistance? |
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New book “Visionaries in our midst: Ordinary people who are changing our world”
By: PCDN, September 3, 2009 “Visionaries In Our Midst: Ordinary People who are Changing our World” is Allison Silberberg’s inspiring collection of essays that profiles ordinary people who are changing our world. Silberberg shares the stories of individuals who identified critical needs in their communities and responded with courage and conviction. This is a book about those who inspire hope, those who struggle, and those who make something happen. This is a book about catalysts – those who innovate and work to build a better life for others. Read full article…
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By: Toward Freedom, December 3, 2009
“For the past half century, Toward Freedom has been and continues to be an indispensable and reliable source of information and analysis on independence, liberation, and decolonization movements world wide. And it is unique in reflecting and voicing the views of those struggling for self-determination and dignity.” Our network of award-winning reporters now spans the globe, and each week thousands of readers visit TF from Botswana to South Dakota. Amidst the proliferation of blogs and tweets, TF has maintained an integrity and a focus on people’s movements around the world that is hard to find elsewhere. We hope you will continue to support us.
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