[Onthebarricades] Pro-democracy and rights protests - Southeast Asia, Africa, Middle East, Americas, Europe - October 2008
global resistance roundup
onthebarricades at lists.resist.ca
Sat Sep 12 01:48:13 PDT 2009
* VIETNAM - AUSTRALIA: Human rights protests greet Vietnam PM visit
* INDONESIA: Rallies against draconian indecency "porn" bill
* INDONESIA: Rallies in Jakarta
* INDONESIA: Protest against death penalty for Bali bombers
* EAST TIMOR: Political tensions contribute to continuing crisis
* EAST TIMOR: Opposition holds "peace march"
* MALAYSIA: Hindraf supporters stage new protests for release of leaders
* TAIWAN: "I work for China" says cop at opposition protest
* BURMA: Labour activist in prison treatment strike
* BURMA: Detained activists protest trial conditions
* PHILIPPINES: Cagayan de Oro - protest against "oppressive collection"
of taxes (extortion)
* PHILIPPINES: Balas protesters put up "longest streamer"
* PHILIPPINES: Protesters gather at airport against corrupt politician
* PHILIPPINES: Balas protesters question inquiry end
* SINGAPORE: Students use Speakers' Corner to call for democracy on campus
* SINGAPORE: 31 protests since relaxation of rules
* GLOBAL: Amnesty carries out wave of death penalty protests
* NIGERIA - NIGER DELTA: Ijaw group seeks to shut down govt offices
* NIGERIA: NIGER DELTA: Itsekeri protest marginalisation
* NIGERIA: Ekiti - Women may protest nude against poll delay
* ZIMBABWE: Police attack student protest
* ZIMBABWE: Arrests during talks protests
* ZIMBABWE: Rights group raided after protest
* NIGER: Protest for release of ex-PM
* UGANDA - UK: Protest over child abductions
* TRINIDAD: Protest over murder by police
* FIJI: Lone protester blocks traffic over political trial
* MAURITANIA: Repression of pro-democracy protests raises tensions
* UK: Writers pen terror bill protest
* UK: March over deaths in custody
* UK: Bondage protest over "extreme porn" ban
* GREECE: Protest over monastery real estate deals
* IRELAND: Impromptu protest over impounding of horses
* IRELAND: Sinn Fein to hold budget protests
* SPAIN: Judges strike over govt interference
* CANADA: Police repress charity concert
* NEW ZEALAND: Protest over political imprisonment
* PAPUA NEW GUINEA: PM's office trashed over death of party member
* CANADA: Marijuana protest over cafe charges
http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-10/2008-10-14-voa16.cfm?CFID=89829956&CFTOKEN=75347202
Protesters Greet Vietnamese Prime Minister in Australia
By Phil Mercer
Sydney
14 October 2008
Mercer report - Download (MP3)
Mercer report - Listen (MP3)
Human rights protesters have greeted Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen
Tan Dung on his arrival in Australia. He is in Australia for talks on
trade with his counterpart, Kevin Rudd. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports.
A small but noisy crowd of about 300 human rights demonstrators gathered
in Canberra Monday at the start of Nguyen Tan Dung's official visit to
Australia.
They demanded that Vietnamese authorities release political prisoners
and allow democracy.
The Vietnamese prime minister is in Australia for a two-day visit to
mark 35 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
To honor the occasion, Vietnam is granting clemency to two Australians
facing execution in Hanoi for drug smuggling.
Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung, left, and Victoria state Premier John
Brumby in Melbourne, 14 Oct 2008
Trade and human trafficking have been key points of discussion between
Mr. Dung and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
Concerns about human rights in Vietnam have not been a central feature
of this visit, despite the concerns of critics of the Vietnamese
government. They say it violates the rights of its citizens and blocks
basic freedoms, such as freedom of religion and land ownership.
Melanie Beresford, a regional expert at Sydney's Macquarie University,
says Vietnam is pursuing an increasingly liberal political and economic
path, which has reduced criticism of its record on human rights.
"My impression is that Australians are not too worried about it. I think
there have been huge changes that have taken place in Vietnam over the
last decade or so," she said. "You know, most Australians feel quite
comfortable with the way Vietnam is progressing on the, sort of,
long-term scale of things. It is not a country that is going backwards
into evermore repression of the population."
However, in Hanoi on Tuesday, two journalists who exposed official
corruption went on trial for allegedly writing inaccurate stories and
what the court calls "abusing freedom and democracy."
Trade between Australia and Vietnam has grown by 20 percent annually
over the past five years and is estimated to reach $8 billion this year.
Australian businesses have invested more than $1 billion in Vietnam and
the country is Vietnam's third biggest export market.
http://itn.co.uk/news/87694e9d7d3081f2e8f7d6ad5124c9db.html
Several thousand Indonesians have held a rally to protest against an
anti-pornography bill that is before parliament.
The protesters, who came from Papua, North Sulawesi, Yogyakarta on Java
island and Bali, carried a 230-metre long Indonesian flag and performed
several traditional dances as they rallied.
"As a nation that cares about unity and cultural diversity, we must
unite to maintain our democracy, not a democracy of the repressed
minority" - protester
Protester Bambang said: "As a nation that cares about unity and cultural
diversity, we must unite to maintain our democracy, not a democracy of
the repressed minority."
The anti-pornography bill, which aims to shield the young from
pornographic material and lewd acts, is being pushed by a small group of
Islamist parties in predominantly Muslim Indonesia.
The plan has been condemned by some minorities groups in the country,
including Balinese, who are Hindu, as well as Christians, and some
tribal groups who favour near nudity as traditional attire.
Lawmakers have so far stopped short of passing the bill, which has been
discussed for about three years and watered down from its original form,
after a series of demonstrations.
http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2008/10/22/seven-protest-rallies-to-hit-jakarta-wednesday/
10/22/08 09:39
Seven protest rallies to hit Jakarta Wednesday
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Seven protest rallies will hit several corners
of Jakarta on Wednesday and have potential to cause traffic jam on main
roads in the capital, according to an information from Jakarta Police
Traffic Management Center (TMC).
The TMC information said the first rally would be staged by a group of
so-called Non-Party People (RNP) in front of General Election Commission
(KPU) office on Imam Bonjol street in Central Jakarta.
Similar action (the second and the third) would also take place in front
of Jakarta Provincial Legislative Assembly (DPRD) office on Kebon Sirih
street, Central Jakarta, and in Pedongkelan area on Kayu Putih street,
East Jakarta.
The fourth rally would be staged by a group of so-called People Front to
Smash Corrupter at Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) office on
Rasuna Said street in South Jakarta.
While the fifth rally would also be staged at the same place afterward
by People Movement to Try Band Indonesia Liquidity Assistance
(Gerak-BLBI) corrupter.
The sixth and the seventh rally would be staged by Merah Putih Warriors
at Defense Ministry office on Merdeka Barat street in Central Jakarta
and in front of Jakarta City Hall on Merdeka Selatan street by Poor
People Alliance and Legal Aid Institute (LBH).
All the protest rallies are scheduled to be held between 9:30 in the
morning and 1 in the afternoon.
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE49U2UM20081031?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews
Indonesia Islamists protest bombers execution plan
Fri Oct 31, 2008 6:19am EDT
SOLO, Indonesia (Reuters) - Over 100 members of a hardline Islamist
group staged a protest in Indonesia on Friday against the planned
execution of three militants on death row for the 2002 Bali bombings
which killed 202 people.
Indonesia has said it will execute the three men -- Imam Samudra, Amrozi
and Mukhlas, also known as Ali Ghufron -- in early November, but has not
specified a date.
The protesters from Ansharut Tauhid -- a new hardline group led by
firebrand cleric Abu Bakar Bashir -- said they would continue the fight
of the three bombers, who were sentenced to death in 2003.
"Amrozy et al, we are the successors of your fight," read a poster held
by a man whose face was covered with a scarf at the rally outside the
police and prosecutor's offices in Solo, about 500 km (310 miles) from
the capital, Jakarta.
Indonesia's police spokesman said on Friday police across the sprawling
archipelago have heightened security at key places and foreign embassies.
Some analysts say there are fears of a hardline backlash because of the
execution. (Reporting by Andry Prasetyo, writing by Olivia Rondonuwu,
editing by Sugita Katyal)
Protest actions to add to Jakarta’s traffic woes
Detik.com - October 20, 2008
Following this at 10am, the South Sumatra Social
Alliance of Concern for the Organisation of Clean
Elections (AMSSPPPB) will be holding a protest
action at the offices of the General Elections
Commission on Jl. Imam Bonjol. (ken/nrl)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
---------------------------------------------------
Silent protest held against porn bill
Jakarta Post - October 24, 2008
Dicky Christanto, Bali -- As many as 30 people from
the Bali People's Component (KRB) organized a
silent protest against the pornography bill at
Sanur Beach on Thursday.
The group, mainly consisting of youngsters,
unfurled giant banners stating their opposition to
the bill. The silent protest was organized because
the group believed lawmakers in Jakarta had not
taken the Balinese people's views into
consideration, Wayan Semaracipta, the protest's
field coordinator, said.
"We want to draw the attention of many foreign
athletes currently competing at the Asian Beach
Games. We want them to know that Indonesians are
currently facing serious threats to humanity and
civil liberties through the bill's deliberation,"
he told reporters.
Besides holding giant banners, the group presented
contemporary art performances and meditated for an
hour. Following their ancestors' lead, the group
meditated because it was a peaceful way to protest,
Semaracipta said.
"We have done our part by yelling and rallying to
refuse the bill. Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika
himself has officially sent a letter of objection
against the bill to the central government," he
said.
"Now, we want to give out everything to the God
Almighty by doing the meditation, just like our
ancestors used to do if they thought that they had
carried put every effort to cope with a problem."
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I N D O L E F T - News service > >
=================^==================================
Seven protest actions to enliven Jakarta today
Detik.com - October 16, 2008
Moksa Hutasoit, Jakarta -- It is as if protest
actions are never absent from the lives of Jakarta
residents. Today, seven demonstrations will be held
by various different groups across Greater Jakarta.
Based on data from the Metro Jaya regional police
Traffic Management Centre for Thursday October 16,
the first protest action will take place at 8am at
the State Palace, the offices of the Department for
State-Owned Enterprises, the House of
Representatives building and the national police
headquarters.
Between 10am and 4pm, it will be the turn of the
Victims of the Curator Employees Alliance (AKKK) to
hold an action at the Supreme Court, the State
Palace and the Constitutional Court.
At 10am, the offices of the Central Leadership Board
of the National Awakening Party on Jl. Sukabumi, in
the Menteng area of Central Jakarta will be visited
by the Jakarta Papua Social Solidarity Forum
(FSMPJ).
Starting at 11am, the Legal Aid Foundation Red and
White Militia (LBH-LMP) will be patrolling the
central office of the state housing company Perum
Perumnas on Jl. DI Panjaitan in East Jakarta.
Also at 11am, Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia will hold an
action at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Central
Jakarta.
At 2pm meanwhile, the Jakarta Office for Primary
Education in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, will be
visited by the Teachers Reform Forum (FGR).
The State Palace will again be the location for a
protest action at 4pm by the Solidarity Network for
Victims and Families of Victims (JSKKK).
Even though without the presence of protest actions
Jakarta’s traffic will continue to be congested, it
is advised that you try to avoid these locations.
(mok/mok)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
--------------------------------------------------
East Timor: Political tensions, security forces
Lusa - October 28, 2008
Dili -- Mounting tension between East Timor's
government and the opposition and continued
regional-based rivalries in the police and army
have left the country in a state of "pre-crisis and
fatalism", a Timorese expert in strategic affairs
warned Tuesday.
"People begin to interiorize a new crisis and no
one appears to be able to keep it from erupting",
Loro Horta, the son of President Josi Ramos Horta,
told Lusa in Dili, referring to the bloody turmoil
two years ago that involved rival security force
factions and communal gangs.
"The risk we face is that the irritation between
the government and (opposition party) Fretilin
spins out of control with groups reacting to the
constantly escalating tensions", Horta said.
The Singapore-based academic described the
country's leadership as hobbled by "three egos,
each bigger than the other" that limited the
possibility of the president, Prime Minister Xanana
Gusmco and opposition chief Mari Alkatiri combining
to quell rising political uncertainty and unrest in
the police and the army.
Fretilin, which denounces Gusmco's coalition
government as unconstitutional, was "one step away"
from withdrawing from parliament and provoking an
"institutional crisis", Horta said.
The prolonged political feuding, he added, was
developing against a background of continued
dissention within an "unraveling" and "demoralized"
national police that lacked a "strong command
structure" and an army still suffering the
consequences of regional rivalries that fractured
it during the 2006 wave of violence.
Horta forecast that "if a new crisis erupts" it
would first break out in the police force. As an
additional sign of the reigning uncertainty and
instability, Horta said his father's Timorese
presidential guard had not been paid in two months
and remained without radio equipment.
Though severely wounded, President Ramos Horta
survived an assassination attempt by renegade
soldiers in Dili last February.
***************************************************
---------------------------------------------------
East Timor opposition defends 'peace march'
ABC News Online - October 23, 2008
East Timor's Opposition Leader has rejected
Government accusations that the Fretilin party is
stoking security tensions by planning a mass
demonstration.
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao says the Government
will not hesitate to arrest violent demonstrators.
Mari Alkatiri has told Radio Australia it is
Fretilin's democratic right to hold its so-called
Peace March, just as it is the Government's right
to arrest violent people. He says the Government
was trying to blame others for its own mistakes.
"They've been trying to solve problems by using
only money, but not to solve the political problems
through political means, that they've failed," he
said.
"The Government has failed at all levels, and
they're trying to blame others for their own
mistakes." Fretilin has not named a date for its
mass demonstration.
Violence between eastern and western factions in
East Timor flared in May 2006, killing 37 people
and displacing 150,000 East Timorese.
Mr Alkatiri says his party was not behind an
anonymous pamphlet circulating in Dili threatening
more violence if a person from the island is named
the new commander of the police force.
"Fretilin has nothing to do with this kind of
issue," he said. "Xanana has to be blamed for this
kind of 'east and west' in Timor Leste. He was the
one in 2006 to divide the country into east and
west, Xanana himself."
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
East Timor PM threatens to arrest anti-government
protesters
Agence France Presse - October 20, 2008
Dili -- East Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao
threatened Monday to arrest protesters who respond
to opposition calls for a mass antigovernment
rally, amid concerns for the country's stability.
"We will arrest those involved in any protests for
the sake of the nation's security," he said when
asked about the rally planned by opposition party
Fretilin.
"I don't care if people call me a dictator because
our priority is stability and security for all
citizens."
Opposition leader Mari Alkatiri, who claims the
coalition government is unconstitutional, is
threatening to stage a large protest to unseat
Gusmao but so far no date has been set.
East Timor formally won independence from Indonesia
on May 20, 2002 but its brief history has been
marred by political unrest and infighting.
Unsigned pamphlets have also been circulating in
the capital Dili threatening protests if an
easterner is appointed the new police commander
when the post becomes vacant in November.
Such claims of regional discrimination sparked a
mass desertion by members of the armed forces,
leading to fighting in 2006 between military,
police factions and gangs in street violence that
killed at least 37 people.
An Australian-led international peacekeeping force
has been helping to secure the country in the wake
of that violence.
---------------------------------------------------
http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-36535.html
10 arrested Hindraf protesters face five years in jail
Kuala Lumpur, Oct 25 : Ten Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf)
protesters, arrested Thursday for gathering outside Prime Minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's house to demand the release of five others, are
likely to spend Diwali in jail. They face a maximum of five years'
imprisonment if convicted, media reports said Saturday.
An appeal for their release in time for the Hindu festival Tuesday is
pending before Magistrate Nurdiana Mohammed Nazir, who Friday remanded
them to three days' police custody.
The 10 include two women. One of them, Mary Lourdes, a diabetes patient
who could not get insulin, fainted in the courtroom. She was rushed to
hospital, The Daily Star said.
Another male detainee was also admitted to the Putrajaya Hospital
Thursday night following medical complications.
Several opposition lawmakers, including ethnic Chinese Fong Po Kuan and
Lim Lip Eng, and ethnic Indian S. Manikavasagam were present in the
courtroom.
The 10 protesters and a minor girl were detained Thursday for gathering
outside the prime minister's office to submit a memorandum seeking
release of five Hindraf leaders before Diwali.
Called Hindraf-5 by the media, M. Manoharan, S. Kengadharan, P. Uthaya
Kumar, Vasanth Kumar and Ganabatirau, are serving two year jail terms
under the stringent Internal Security Act (ISA) for organising a protest
rally last November, joined by 10,000 people, that was forcibly
dispersed by police.
The 10 Hindraf activists had gone to the prime minister's office along
with K. Santhi, wife of self-exiled London-based leader P.
Waithyamurthy, and their child.
Their lawyer N. Surendran said the 10 detainees and a six-year-old girl
had gone to the prime minister's office to hand over a memorandum,
seeking the release of all Internal Security Act detainees and invite
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to their Diwali open house.
Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar Friday said the government was
considering prosecuting Santhi on charges of child abuse.
Hindraf has been urging the government to repeal the ISA. The demand is
gaining wider momentum.
In a related development, five more opposition MPs submitted a
memorandum to the prime minister's office voicing this demand, taking
the total to 85 in a 300 member parliament.
--- IANS
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/10/26/2003426943
OPPOSITION RALLY: I work for the PRC, police officer tells rally protesters
By Jimmy Chuang
STAFF REPORTER
Sunday, Oct 26, 2008, Page 3
The director-general of the National Police Agency (NPA) Wang Cho-chiun
(王卓鈞) yesterday apologized for the conduct of a female officer who
told protesters that she works for “the People’s Republic of China.”
“What she said has damaged the police’s public image,” Wang said. “I
would like to apologize on behalf of my fellow police and instruct her
superior officers to come up with proper punishment for her.”
Wang made the remarks when asked by the press for comments on the
incident, which took place earlier yesterday during the demonstration.
The female officer, surnamed Chou (周), belongs to Jen-ai Road Police
Station of the Chungcheng First Precinct in Taipei City. Around 2pm,
while on duty dispersing vendors who crowded around the Jing Fu Men (景
福門) on Ketagalan Boulevard, she said in response to a protesters’
question about whether her boss is President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) that
“my boss is the People’s Republic of China.”
Chou’s response irritated pan-green supporters, who surrounded her,
demanding an apology.
The female officer apologized and then left the scene.
“We will find out what was wrong with her, but she will be punished for
sure,” Wang said.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14408
Labor Rights Activist Su Su Nway Stages Prison Protest
________________________________________
By SAW YAN NAING Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Jailed Burmese labor rights activist Su Su Nway is refusing to accept
medical treatment in protest at not being allowed to be treated outside
prison, according to her sister.
Htay Htay Kyi said her sister, who was imprisoned in November 2007, also
refused to attend a scheduled court session in Rangoon’s Insein prison
on Wednesday. Her lawyer, Khin Htay Kywe, said her non-appearance was
also a gesture of protest.
Htay Htay Kyi said the authorities had prevented her from visiting her
sister for more than two months after she visited the Rangoon office of
the International Labor Organization (ILO) to report on Su Su Nway’s
deteriorating health.
Su Su Nway suffers from heart trouble and hypertension and was now
experiencing glandular problems, Htay Htay Kyi said.
Su Su Nway, a member of the opposition National League for Democracy,
was arrested after participating in a demonstration in November 2007 and
charged with “threatening the stability of the government,” under
articles 124, 130 and 505 of the penal code.
In 2006, she was awarded the John Humphrey Freedom Award for her work in
promoting labor rights.
Htay Htay Kyi said the Insein prison court rescheduled Su Su Nway’s
appearance for next Wednesday.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14391
Detained Activists Protest against Trial Conditions
________________________________________
By MIN LWIN Monday, October 6, 2008
Detained members of the 88 Generation Students Group will refuse to
cooperate with the court at their trial unless family members are
allowed to attend, their lawyers have announced.
Aung Tun, brother of activist Ko Ko Gyi, said the authorities had
informed families of the accused on Friday that they would not be
allowed to attend court hearings in Insein Prison.
Family members were admitted to a previous hearing in early September.
Aung Tun said it wasn’t known why they were being excluded from the next
sessions of the Rangoon East district court.
The authorities have also changed the days for family visits, and
refused Htay Htay Kyi, the sister of detained political and labor
activist Su Su Nway, permission to visit her.
Tate Naing, secretary of the Thailand-based Assistance Association for
Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP)—said family members of detained
political activists have the right to attend court hearings.
Prominent leaders of the 88 Generation Students group were arrested in
August 2007, at the start of demonstrations leading up to September’s
uprising. They included Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Htay Win Aung, Min
Zeya, Kyaw Min Yu (also known as Jimmy) and Mya Aye. They had led a
march on August 19 protesting against sharp increases in the prices of
fuel and other commodities.
Many former student leaders are serving long prison terms—some have been
in prison for more than 15 years.
On Monday, activist Soe Myint Hein was sentenced to four years and six
months imprisonment. A woman activist, Khin Aye, and other two others
received sentences of two years and six months.
Two Burmese human rights groups released a report on Monday saying the
number of political prisoners in Burma had nearly doubled in little more
than one year.
A UN report in June 2007 gave the number of political prisoners as 1,192
political prisoners in Burma. The number now was at least 2,123, said a
report issued jointly by the Thailand-based Assistance Association for
Political Prisoners (Burma) and the United States Campaign for Burma,
based in Washington, DC.
The report accused the Burmese military government of defying a UN
Security Council demand in October 2007 for the release of all political
prisoners, including the world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize
recipient Aung San Suu Kyi.
“By nearly doubling the number of political prisoners, the Burmese
regime is directly defying the UN, including the UN Security Council,”
said Bo Kyi, a former political prisoner and co-founder of the AAPP.
The AAPP and USCB sent an open letter to the UN Secretary-General
calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all political
prisoners, including Suu Kyi.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20081023-167955/Protest-in-Cagayan-de-Oro-City-a-first
Protest in Cagayan de Oro City a first
By Ramon Tulfo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:52:00 10/23/2008
Filed Under: Local authorities
Business establishments in Cagayan de Oro City made history when they
closed shop for one day to protest the alleged oppressive collection of
taxes by the local chief of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
“Oppressive collection” is another word for shakedown or extortion
allegedly committed by Regional Director Mustapha Gandarosa.
The one-day protest has set the stage for future mass actions by
business establishments against oppressive government officials and
employees.
If jeepney drivers can stage strikes and are able to paralyze a city,
why not businessmen who play a more important role in the economic life
of the nation?
Businessmen and women are always prey to abusive taxmen and law enforcers.
Before the Cagayan de Oro protest action, business establishments
adopted a “to each his own problem” attitude regarding alleged extortion
activities of tax collectors.
Men and women in business now have realized their new “power,” much like
people in Metro Manila found “people power” when they toppled Marcos and
Erap.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/10/10/news/protesters.put.up.longest.streamer..html
Friday, October 10, 2008
Protesters put up 'longest streamer'
By Jovi T. de Leon
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The protesting former members of the Biyaya A
Luluguran At Sisikapan (Balas) installed the other day what they call
the longest protest streamer so far in their two-month old picket at
Arnedo Park.
The streamer, about 30 feet long and 3 feet wide, contains a series of
close-up photographs of Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu and several
questions directed to the Capitol executives regarding their position on
the grievances of the sacked quarrymen.
Roperlee Syquia, Governor Eddie Panlilio's former social services aide
and a staunch supporter of the protesters, said it is the longest
streamer they have installed in front of the Capitol, on top of the
alleged defamatory and libelous signs they have reinstalled early last
week.
Syquia added that the streamer contains no defamatory remarks and just
"questions" designed to generate answers from the Capitol executives.
"The streamers are just asking questions," he said.
On Monday, Panlilio and Dabu filed charges of libel, grave slander and
oral defamation, alarms and scandal and unjust vexation against five
former Balas leaders and the governor's former chief of staff, including
39 other dismissed quarry checkers calling for their ouster.
They said the Balas boys' streamers and posters, as well as remarks
publicly voiced, are "below the belt" and scandalous.
On Thursday morning, Dabu said she has told their legal counsel to file
one more count of libel against the protesters after she received
information that a new streamer has been installed.
She said she has not seen the streamer, but has nevertheless notified
her lawyer to file one count or charge more for every sign that they
install in the capitol's front.
"I have asked our lawyer to file additional counts for every new sign
they put there," she said, "and additional daily counts for rounds their
'truck attack' makes here."
On Sunday, Dabu oversaw two foiled attempts by the combined forces of
the Capitol's civil security group and general services office to
dismantle and confiscate the protest streamers. The Sunday showdown
resulted two clashes and an overnight standoff.
Former Balas leaders Alex Pineda, Chris Ocampo, Edu de leon and Fil
Rodriguez said they are consulting with their respective lawyers on
these charges and that they are ready to face their complainants in court.
"Definitely," said Rodriguez, "we will clear our names regarding these
and the other alleged anomalies we are being accused of."
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081028-168907/Protests-to-welcome-Bolante
Protests to welcome Bolante
By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 14:25:00 10/28/2008
Filed Under: Joc-joc Bolante, Graft & Corruption, Protest
MANILA, Philippines -- The arrival area under the "letter B" at Terminal
1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will be the busiest
this Tuesday night as protesters are expected to gather there to greet a
controversial and former government official embroiled in a corruption
scheme.
Former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc Joc” Bolante, who has
been tagged as the alleged mastermind in theP728-million fertilizer fund
scandal, will reportedly arrive at 11:55 p.m. via Northwest Airlines
from Chicago after being deported by US authorities.
Members of the Black and White Movement will position themselves in
the arrival area at around 10 p.m. and will bring "welcome home" banners
to greet Bolante's return, said Leah Navarro, one of the convenors.
"We're glad he's back to face the music," said Navarro.
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan,
Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas, Anakpawis
partylist and other militant groups will go to the airport at 5 p.m. and
hold vigil until Bolante's arrival.
But also expected to be part of the crowd would be the Senate
sergeant-at-arms, who had been tasked to serve the warrant of arrest on
Bolante for snubbing the Senate inquiry last year.
Anakpawis Representative Rafael Mariano said the public would be treated
to the Halloween tradition of "trick or treat" when Bolante comes home.
"The 'trick' part is when Bolante consciously allows himself to be
part of Malacañang's continuing cover-up of the 2004 plunder cum
electoral scandal," Mariano said in a statement.
Mariano said he was "not too optimistic" about the “treat” from the
former official and called on the Ombudsman to immediately act on the
plunder case against Bolante that was lodged four years ago.
"Because we're still uncertain on what Bolante will say, the most
acceptable and moral thing to do right now is for the Ombudsman to
charge Bolante before the Sandiganbayan and send him behind bars,"
Mariano said.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/10/21/news/protesting.balas.leaders.question.probe.fold.up..html
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Protesting Balas leaders question probe 'fold-up'
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Sacked quarry task force leaders Edu de Leon and
Alex Pineda are decrying the sudden "fold-up" of an investigation being
conducted for the alleged anomalies they committed in Minalin during
their term as monitoring leaders.
On Sunday, the two raised their "curiosity" amid reports that the
investigation has indeed been called off by the Capitol's investigating
unit led by Human Resources Manager Jesusa Goseco who opted to
discontinue the investigation on the Minalin quarry anomalies on the
grounds that the services of the Biyaya a Luluguran at Sisikapan (Balas)
members concerned have already been terminated and because "they have
not been attending the investigation."
What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers
De Leon and Pineda have been accused and "found guilty" by Provincial
Administrator Vivian Dabu of anomalies in connection with 600
sand-loaded trucks which "passed under their noses" in Minalin.
"What do they mean we do not attend the investigation? Never once were
we notified of it. Now they say the investigation is closed? Is that
it?" asked a fuming de Leon, adding "How about our dignity which they
tarnished because of their failure to gather evidence and prove that
there were anomalies there?"
The sacked Balas members have since last month demanded the release of
the results of the investigation to once and for all clear the names of
those allegedly being investigated.
Former leader Fil Rodriguez has allegedly been "taken off the hook"
because he voluntarily resigned for "conflict of interest," but
nevertheless remained true to the challenge hurled by De Leon and Pineda
since he said he "could shed light on the issue."
"We were demoted. We were terminated. We were found guilty. Where is the
good governance and justice that they talk of?" de Leon said.
For her part, Dabu said, "I am not part of the investigation committee.
But the investigation has been conducted but it has not reached a final
conclusion because the protesters were not attending the investigation."
But De Leon said they should have been investigated first before being
demoted, terminated and accused of being guilty of wrongdoings.
He also said because of the irreparable damage to their dignity and
persons, they are now contemplating on filing charges against Dabu. (JTD)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/380416/1/.html
Tertiary students organise protest at Speakers' Corner
By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 05 October 2008 2134 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Speakers' Corner was host to another airing on Sunday.
Some 100 tertiary students turned up to listen to their fellow students'
call for greater freedom of expression on campus.
Four students from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) were speaking
against the university's recent decision not to publish some students'
articles in its campus newspaper.
The students hope to engage their professors and the university
administration on this matter.
More signatures will be collected before the petition is sent to NTU's
president, Dr Su Guaning, next week.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/5/worldupdates/2008-10-05T170710Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-358043-1&sec=Worldupdates
Sunday October 5, 2008
Singapore students protest university censorship
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - About 60 people gathered at a park in central
Singapore on Sunday to protest against a university's decision to censor
news stories in the school media related to a prominent opposition
politician.
The group, about half were students and former students from the Nanyang
Technological University, were upset the school had stopped a news
article and halted the airing of a news bulletin about Chee Soon Juan, a
vocal critic of the government.
Student Scott Teng (L) speaks to a small crowd during a protest at
"Speaker's Corner" in Singapore October 5, 2008. (REUTERS/Vivek Prakash)
"This is not the first time the school has interfered with the
publication of articles. Why must the school dictate certain articles
for certain issues? It is stifling," said Thaddaeus Wee, a second-year
student from the university.
Protests are rare in Singapore, where public speeches and demonstrations
are banned unless they are approved by the government, or take place at
Speakers' Corner.
Sunday's protest was held at the Corner, modelled on London's Hyde Park
haven of free speech. The group -- large by Singapore's standards --
clapped and cheered briefly after the four organisers spoke. A banner
that said "Responsible press for the students" lay before the crowd.
Media in Singapore is tightly regulated, and the government says it is
necessary to maintain social stability and help attract foreign
investments to sustain economic growth. But critics say the tight
regulation is a way for the government to stifle critics.
"It's a historical thing to stand up publicly against our school. For
the university to cancel the article, it is uncalled for," said Alexis
Cheong, who was standing in the crowd.
The university's broadcast network had ran a news bulletin on Chee after
he visited the school in late August to meet students and hand out
fliers, said Clarence Chua, 25, a graduate from the university and one
of the organisers of the protest.
But school officials pulled the bulletin off the airwaves after three
days, and stopped a planned news article about Chee's visit, citing
concerns school media were airing "unsolicited views" from an
"uninvited" person, Chua said.
University officials were not available to comment.
Chee, who was at the protest, said he was glad the students were making
themselves heard. "It always takes one to step forward and the rest will
follow," he said.
Copyright © 2008 Reuters
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/singapore/2008/10/06/177519/Students-protest.htm
October 6, 2008 9:51 am TWN, Reuters
Students protest in Singapore
SINGAPORE -- About 60 people gathered at a park in central Singapore on
Sunday to protest against a university’s decision to censor news stories
in the school media related to a prominent opposition politician.
The group, about half were students and former students from the Nanyang
Technological University, were upset the school had stopped a news
article and halted the airing of a news bulletin about Chee Soon Juan, a
vocal critic of the government.
“This is not the first time the school has interfered with the
publication of articles. Why must the school dictate certain articles
for certain issues? It is stifling,” said Thaddaeus Wee, a second-year
student from the university.
Protests are rare in Singapore, where public speeches and demonstrations
are banned unless they are approved by the government, or take place at
Speakers’ Corner.
Sunday’s protest was held at the Corner, modelled on London’s Hyde Park
haven of free speech. The group — large by Singapore’s standards —
clapped and cheered briefly after the four organisers spoke. A banner
that said “Responsible press for the students” lay before the crowd.
Media in Singapore is tightly regulated, and the government says it is
necessary to maintain social stability and help attract foreign
investments to sustain economic growth. But critics say the tight
regulation is a way for the government to stifle critics.
“It’s a historical thing to stand up publicly against our school. For
the university to cancel the article, it is uncalled for,” said Alexis
Cheong, who was standing in the crowd.
The university’s broadcast network had ran a news bulletin on Chee after
he visited the school in late August to meet students and hand out
fliers, said Clarence Chua, 25, a graduate from the university and one
of the organisers of the protest.
But school officials pulled the bulletin off the airwaves after three
days, and stopped a planned news article about Chee’s visit, citing
concerns school media were airing “unsolicited views” from an
“uninvited” person, Chua said.
University officials were not available to comment.
Chee, who was at the protest, said he was glad the students were making
themselves heard. “It always takes one to step forward and the rest will
follow,” he said.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/379598/1/.html
31 registrations at Speakers' Corner one month after relaxed rules
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 01 October 2008 1746 hrs
Some 100 people turn up at the Speakers' Corner to hear a debate on the
public transport system
SINGAPORE: It has been one month since rules were relaxed to allow
public outdoor demonstrations at the Speakers' Corner and it seems the
site, which is Singapore's version of London's Hyde Park, is seeing a
little more activity.
Singapore's National Parks Board which took over the management of the
Speakers' Corner from the Police said it received 31 registrations in
September - of which 11 were indicated as public protests.
This is a far cry from the seven or so registrations received each
month, over the past three years.
One group, called Hearers of Cries made history in Singapore on
September 1. They were the first to hold a legal public outdoor
demonstration here.
Despite a brief appearance to raise awareness on the plight of abused
maids, the group did manage to gain some exposure for its cause.
Some critics may want to see civil and political space in Singapore open
up beyond the Speakers' Corner.
But this group said it's really up to Singaporeans to make Speaker's
Corner a success.
Mike Goh, founder, Hearers of Cries, said: "We can complain that nobody
goes there but if you really want to make it work, you can send an
e-mail to inform your friends, relatives to lend support to go there or
even advertise."
Observers said the new rules have given netizens a face.
Gillian Koh, senior research fellow, Institute of Policy Studies, said:
“Now you can actually mobilise to make sure that there's an audience and
that's what's different. Previously if you mobilised, it would be viewed
as an illegal demonstration. Clearly the online activists are trying to
see how they can make a real world impact.”
Speaking on the topic of Singapore's public transport system, bloggers
of The Online Citizen - a socio-political website, attracted what could
perhaps be one of the biggest crowds seen at the Speakers' Corner in
recent years.
The website's editor Choo Zheng Xi said : "I think it's important for
The Online Citizen not to barricade ourselves behind an online platform,
but bring our discussions offline once in a while.
“Many of those we interacted with at the Speakers' Corner were
passers-by or people who had heard of our event through the mainstream
media or word of mouth, who actually don't use the internet. It's a
different demographic out there."
“So perhaps the key is in Singaporeans taking full advantage of the
liberalised rules.”
Before demonstrating, Singaporeans must register at the National Park's
website at www.nparks.gov.sg.
And those who've done so said it was a breeze and they might even make a
re-appearance at the site.
Now the true measure of success for this space is how it will impact the
lives of Singaporeans.
Observers said this should be a space where people can voice issues and
educate fellow Singaporeans to make some real-world impact. - CNA/vm
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/indepth/eu/s/capress/081010/world/eu_death_penalty_1
Amnesty International protests death penalty use worldwide
Fri Oct 10, 10:12 AM
By Constant Brand, The Associated Press
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Anti-death penalty activists staged a mock hanging
outside the Japanese embassy today to mark the European day against the
death penalty, calling on nations around the world to stop executions.
Three actors with ropes around their necks stood in front of a large
Japanese flag to draw attention to the practice that remains legal in
Japan, the United States, Iran, Russia, China and Saudi Arabia, among
other nations.
Francoise Dieryck from Amnesty International's Belgium office says that
in Asia, there are a lot of countries that still apply the death penalty.
Japan hanged three death-row inmates last month, bringing the number of
executions there this year to 13 - up from just one inmate executed in
2005.
The protest came as European Union leaders issued a declaration against
capital punishment, demanding a global moratorium and eventual ban on
the practice.
EU nations agreed last year to make Oct. 10 an annual day to protest the
death penalty. The 27-nation bloc has pushed hard at the United Nations
to get UN member states back a universal ban on the practice
"The death penalty constitutes a violation of the most fundamental of
human rights: the right to life," said an EU statement.
Rights groups agree that China executed more people than any other
country in the world last year, but estimates of those executions vary
widely.
Amnesty International says at least 470 people were put to death in
China last year, down from an estimated 1,010 in 2006, although it
cautions the real figure could be much higher because of China's lack of
transparency.
Another monitoring group, the San Francisco-based Dui Hua Foundation,
says its research indicated about 6,000 people were executed in 2007, a
25 to 30 per cent drop from the year before.
The Rome-based Hands Off Cain, which campaigns to stop the death
penalty, estimated that China executed least 5,000 people in 2007.
Iran had the second highest number of executions, with 377 in 2007,
according to Amnesty.
The United States was fifth in the rankings with 42 executions, 11 less
than in 2006.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200810130749.html
Nigeria: Police Ready for Planned Protest By Ijaw Youths
Osa Okhomina
13 October 2008
Yenagoa — The Nigerian Police Command in Bayelsa State at the weekend
put its men on red alert over threats by rival factions of the Ijaw
Youth Council (IYC) to shut down government activities in the state on
today.
Special patrol Teams have been reportedly deployed in Yenagoa, the state
capital, ahead of the planned protest of the IYC against the
administration of Governor Timipre Sylva.
The Police Commissioner, Mr. Julian Okpaleke, said his command was aware
of the text messages that had been sent to members of the public calling
for a shut-down of government activities.
Okpaleke said he had beefed up security in the state and that his
command was on top of the situation. leadership gathered that rivalry
between the factions of the Ijaw Youth Council had become a threat to
the peace and security of the state.
While the Winston Amain faction insisted on dialogue and maintainance of
the prevailing peace in the state, another faction led by Odengs
Eradiri, is urgently determined to go ahead with the protest and a shut
down all government ministries today.
A text message that began circulating on Saturday night called all
youths in the state to take their destiny in their hands to free
themselves from the marginalization of the Sylva administration.
"Our destiny we must decide on Monday. No ministry will operate until
jobs are provided to engage youths.
We must all come out. Better to be killed by the Joint Task Force
demanding jobs than be killed as kidnappers and armed robbers or militants".
http://allafrica.com/stories/200901120807.html
Nigeria: Itsekiri People Protest Over Marginalisation By Desopadec
Emma Arubi
12 January 2009
HUNDREDS of aggrieved men, women and youths from eight Itsekiri riverine
oil bearing communities in Warri South council, yesterday, marched
through major streets of Warri, protesting what they described as "Total
and gruesome marginalization and neglect of their communities by the
Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) in
the distribution and execution of projects in the state."
The placard-carrying protesters under the aegis of Obi-Eri for Peace
Movement in a letter addressed to the Executive Chairman of DESOPADEC,
Chief Wellington Okirika, alleged that since the creation of the
development agency for the oil bearing communities in the state, "They
have been totally disregarded and ostracized," just as they further said
that the Itsekiri representative on the Board of the Commission has been
unhelpful to their case.
The Obi-Eri for Peace Movement comprises communities like Atankporo,
Aja-Osolo, Otumara, Ugboritseduwa, Okogho, Ugbosien, Obontie, Ubagboro
and others.
The letter signed by Messrs Thomas Atsedosan, Tony Akoma, Benson
Uremure, Daniel Eyikimiaghan, David Asifor, Edwin Fenemigho, Sunday
Edema for the various communities and Johnson Onire, Chairman and Paul
Oniyegwarion, Secretary respectively, of Obi-Eri for Peace Movement said
their well- thought out dreams and aspiration at the birth of DESOPADEC
as a development instrument for the oil communities have been thwarted
as no project exist in these communities that produces a large quantity
of oil and gas in the state.
While calling for a good percentage of patronage in the distribution of
the micro-credit facility to people from these affected communities,
they warned that as patriotic Itsekiris and ardent supporters of the
Governor Uduaghan administration they are entitle to benefit from both
the human and infrastructural development programmes of DESOPADEC, just
as they would no longer keep mute while their oil wealth is being used
to develop other areas.
The statement reads in part: "We will have no other cause than to resort
to the law and seek an injunction restraining DESOPADEC from carrying
out any development in any area of oil producing communities if we are
excluded from further benefiting from development, just as we may wish
that development does not exist at all in the entire organization of
DESOPADEC."
http://allafrica.com/stories/200810070286.html
Nigeria: Women Threaten Nudity to Protest Delay in Ekiti LG Polls
Ralph Adekunle
7 October 2008
Ado-Ekiti — Thousands of women in Ekiti State yesterday protested
against the delay in the conduct of the local government elections in
the state, saying they would go nude next Monday in further protests if
the situation is not addressed.
All the women from the 16 local government councils in the state,
dressed in white attires walked barefooted, storming the Ekiti State
House of Assembly complex. Led by Sango worshippers with palm fronds and
several other instruments of Sango worship, they condemned the delay of
the grassroots election. The women who went on a peaceful protest,
sprinkled several bags of salt on the floor of the Assembly as they
expressed anger and total disapproval for the inability of the state to
conduct the councils elections.
Answering questions from newsmen, Mrs Dupe Ayorinde (Iya Onisango), head
of the Sango worshippers from Emure-Ekiti and Mrs Abiola Ayeni,
expressed displeasure with the attitude of the lawmakers for not
allowing the council polls to take place since the inception of the
present administration. The women noted their disappointment with the
lawmakers, the state government and other relevant government bodies
which failed to organise the election
The women told reporters that they had spoken with the Speaker, Mr.
Olatunji Odeyeymi, and gave him an ultimatum which would expire Friday,
to give a definite date for the election.
They warned that if by Friday no definite day is given, they would
mobilize next Monday to stage a more dangerous protest. Mrs. Ayorinde
noted that all the protesters would appear naked, or put on black
attires and curse those behind the frustration on the election.
The worshippers said their action was not political or from any
political party but to reduce the hardships facing the masses of the
state. Reacting to the development, the Speaker, Olatunji Odeyemi
pointed out that there was nothing new in a protest, but a way to
register their minds against the happenings in the state. The speaker
said everyone has the right to protest, saying what the women were
protesting against was a public issue which he said must not be wished away.
"They came to bare their minds over the conduct of the council poll,
especially the constitution of the State Independent Electoral
Commission (SIEC), and we told them that in the next one week everything
would be over,"
Odeyemi said the House had its master plan already, and had met with the
clerk and deliberated extensively on the SIEC issue. He opined that the
major problem facing the Assembly on the SIEC bill was a court action
against the Assembly by the leadership of the National Conscience Party
(NCP), saying the legal action was a mere writ of summon.
The Speaker assured the public that all outstanding issues on the
conduct of the election would be resolved soon, saying the public should
remain calm and allow the House to carry out its legislative duties.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200810080720.html
Nigeria: SIEC - Ekiti Deputy Governor Backs Women Over Protest
Victor Ogunje
8 October 2008
Ado Ekiti — Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr Sikiru Lawal has thrown his
weight behind the group Ekiti Concerned Women for protesting against the
lacklustre attitude of the members of the state House of Assembly in the
passage of the State Independent Electoral Commission(SIEC) nominees
presented before them by the executive arm.
The women, drawn from all the 16 local government areas of the state had
On Monday besieged the State Assembly complex, threatening to invoke the
spirit against the members of the House , if they fail to screen the
seven nominees by Friday pledging support for the women yesterday in Ado
Ekiti at the NULGE Secretariat , where over 808 health workers got
letters of appointment from the State Local Government Service
Commission, Lawal disclosed that the action of the women was well
intended and could abate the political problems of the state .
Admonishing the lawmakers to heed the advice of the women, the state
number two man noted that the conduct of the local government elections
was long overdue, stressing that any agitation alluded to for the
conduct of the election must be supported.
He, however, alluded to those fanning the embers of discord between the
executive and the legislature, which he said had stalled the screening
of the nominees as fifth columnists, calling on the populace to rise
against them.
Presenting letter of appointments to the beneficiaries, Lawal said the
PDP administration used the opportunity to ask the new recruits to vote
for the PDP candidates in the forthcoming council polls.
Lawal who distributed letters of employment to the council employees who
were recruited to man the over 282 primary health centers in the state
to compensate the PDP administration by voting into power at the council
level to enable more dividends of democracy to come to the people of the
state.
He urged them to be dedicated to duty, as the state government had no
room for indolent workers saying their welfare would be given utmost
priority by the state government.
Chairman of the State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Femi
Akinyemi said the recruitment was informed by the need to achieve the
Millenium Development Goals, (MDGs) especially reducing infant and
maternal mortalities.
According to him the commission identified the human resources gaps and
requested for the recruitment of additional health workers across the state.
He said the request was approved by the Governor who gave the Commission
the power to employ 1,000 health workers into the councils in the state.
Akinyemi said 1,400 applicants applied for the existing vacancies in the
health departments adding that after rigorous examination and interviews
conducted for the applicants, 808 of them were found to be qualified for
employment.
He charged the new employees to make good use of the opportunity
provided by their employment by adhering strictly to the rules and
regulations of the state public service.
The Chairman urged them to be diligent, avoid lateness to work in their
respective places of primary assignment saying the Commission would not
tolerate indiscipline from its work force.
(Daily Champion, Nigeria)
http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/Zimbabwe/0,,2-11-1662_2409766,00.html
Zim cops quell student protest
14/10/2008 22:11 - (SA)
Harare - Riot police broke up a student demonstration in Harare,
injuring at least four people and arresting three on Tuesday, in the
first such incident of police violence since the signing of a
power-sharing agreement by Zimbabwe's political protagonists a month ago.
The attack on the peaceful demonstration took place just as former SA
president Thabo Mbeki began mediating to try and rescue the agreement
from collapse after President Robert Mugabe at the weekend unilaterally
allocated to his Zanu-PF party the most important posts in the proposed
power-sharing government.
Privilege Mutanga, a member of the national executive of the Zimbabwe
National Students Union, said about 200 students had marched to
Zimbabwe's Parliament to present a petition protesting over the failure
since August of nearly all the country's universities to open for the
new academic year.
About 30 riot police, with batons, dogs and firearms, stopped them and
told them to send two representatives with the petition to the
Parliament doors.
"As soon as we did, they arrested them," she said. "Then they charged
us, and we scattered. I tried to hide inside a shop doorway, but they
saw that I was wearing a Zinasu T-shirt, so they pulled me out and beat
me with baton sticks and kicked me."
She was treated for bruising and swelling about her body and face. She
said another student had suffered a fractured skull. Clever Bere, the
president of Zinasu, was in police custody.
Police appeared to have suspended their outright ban on all public
demonstrations following the signing of the agreement on September 15,
and allowed several peaceful demonstrations to proceed without
interruption.
Until then, any demonstrations, except by President Robert Mugabe's
Zanu-PF party, have been met with force, with sometimes hundreds being
savagely beaten - including, last year, Morgan Tsvangirai, who is prime
minister-designate under the power-sharing deal - and people being
detained in filthy police cells for weeks on end.
Observers say the attack on the demonstration is an indication that
Mugabe's regime is resuming its hard-line strategy against the
octogenarian dictator's regime as hopes for change falter.
- SAPA
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1436955.php/Riot_police_use_violence_to_break_up_student_demonstration__Extra__
Riot police use violence to break up student demonstration (Extra)
Africa News
Oct 14, 2008, 16:32 GMT
Harare - Riot police broke up a student demonstration in Harare,
injuring at least four people and arresting three Tuesday, in the first
such incident of police violence since the signing of a power-sharing
agreement by Zimbabwe's political protagonists a month ago.
The attack on the peaceful demonstration took place just as former South
African president Thabo Mbeki began mediating to try and rescue the
agreement from collapse after President Robert Mugabe at the
weekend unilaterally allocated to his ZANU(PF) party the most important
posts in the proposed power-sharing government.
Privilege Mutanga, a member of the national executive of the Zimbabwe
National Students Union, said about 200 students had marched to
Zimbabwe's parliament to present a petition protesting over the failure
since August of nearly all the country's universities to open for the
new academic year.
About 30 riot police, with batons, dogs and firearms, stopped them and
told them to send two representatives with the petition to the
parliament doors.
'As soon as we did, they arrested them,' she said. 'Then they charged
us, and we scattered. I tried to hide inside a shop doorway, but they
saw that I was wearing a ZINASU T-shirt, so they pulled me out and beat
me with baton sticks and kicked me.'
She was treated for bruising and swelling about her body and face. She
said another student had suffered a fractured skull. Clever Bere, the
president of ZINASU, was in police custody.
Police appeared to have suspended their outright ban on all public
demonstrations following the signing of the agreement on September 15,
and allowed several peaceful demonstrations to proceed without
interruption.
Until then, any demonstrations, except by President Robert Mugabe's
ZANU(PF) party, have been met with force, with sometimes hundreds being
savagely beaten - including, last year, Morgan Tsvangirai, who is prime
minister-designate under the power-sharing deal - and people being
detained in filthy police cells for weeks on end.
Observers say the attack on the demonstration is an indication that
Mugabe's regime is resuming its hard-line strategy against the
octogenarian dictator's regime as hopes for change falter.
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=8592
50 arrested in protest during Zimbabwe talks
(10-27 22:23)
About 50 people were arrested on Monday in Zimbabwe as they tried to
march toward the hotel where African leaders are holding talks in a bid
to rescue a troubled power-sharing deal, activists said.
About 100 students and activists from the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition,
an umbrella body of rights organisations, marched from downtown Harare
toward the Rainbow Towers hotel, said the group's spokesman Thabani Moyo.
But police blocked the protesters' march about 300 meters from the
hotel, Moyo said.
''The police fired teargas cannisters and chased away students,'' Moyo
said, adding that about 50 people were arrested and taken to Harare's
central police station.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Africa&set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20081027121007232C879966
Riot police break up students protest
October 27 2008 at 02:43PM
Harare - Zimbabwean riot police broke up a demonstration by a group of
around 100 students on Monday outside the hotel in the capital Harare
where talks were under way to salvage a crucial power-sharing deal.
Police baton-charged the students, who were calling for the talks on the
formation of a unity government to be expedited so that schooling, which
has come to a halt amidst a severe economic crisis, can resume.
South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, his predecessor Thabo Mbeki,
who is mediating in Zimbabwe, and Swaziland's King Mswati III went into
talks Monday with President Robert Mugabe and prime minister-designate
Morgan Tsvangirai on how to avert the collapse of their September
agreement to form a unity government.
Six weeks after agreeing to share power, Mugabe and Tsvangirai are at
loggerheads about which ministries should go to which party.
Arthur Mutambara, leader of a minority faction of Tsvangirai's Movement
for Democratic Change (MDC), is also involved in the talks.
The MDC accuses Mugabe of keeping all the most important ministries for
his Zanu-PF. The dispute is riveted on control of the home affairs
ministry, which the MDC is demanding, but Zanu-PF is reluctant to
relinquish.
The power-sharing deal is seen by many as the only way of rescuing
Zimbabwe from economic meltdown. The once-prosperous nation is
experiencing acute shortages of all essentials, including fuel,
electricity, cash, food and drugs.
Inflation officially stands at more than 200-million percent, though
independent analysts put it at more than one billion per cent. - Sapa-dpa
http://allafrica.com/stories/200810161035.html
SW Radio Africa (London)
Zimbabwe: While Politicians Talk, Woza Women Beaten And Arrested
Violet Gonda
16 October 2008
Power sharing talks between rival political parties are underway in
Zimbabwe but there is no respite for human rights activists and
journalists. Students were arrested and assaulted by police during
demonstrations when parliament opened on Tuesday. Also this week state
agents used repressive laws to unceremoniously throw out two
journalists, Peta Thornycroft and Brian Hungwe, from the hotel where the
political parties are meeting, saying they are not accredited under the
draconian Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).
On Thursday Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, the leaders of the
pressure group Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), were arrested during a
demonstration protesting the deteriorating situation and hardships being
suffered, while the political impasse continues. Some people were
allegedly beaten when the riot police used force to disperse the
peaceful protesters.
Group spokesperson Annie Sibanda said several women went to the police
station in Bulawayo to hand themselves in, in solidarity with their
leaders, but were turned away.
She said seven people were arrested before the demonstration started.
The seven had been waiting for the others, near a group of foreign
exchange traders but were arrested and taken to the police station where
they were beaten, together with the forex traders.
As the day progressed the seven were released one by one, but Williams
and Mahlangu remain in custody at Bulawayo Central police station.
Sibanda said: "We don't have any details as to what charges they are
facing as their lawyer has not been allowed access to them as yet."
Riot police had descended on the protesters as they were holding a
peaceful sit-in at the Mhlahlandlela government complex in Bulawayo. The
group were demanding to be addressed by the Heads of service delivery,
about what is being done to address the humanitarian crisis that is
affecting millions of Zimbabweans.
The latest incident exposes the fact that there is no fundamental change
in the attitude of the Mugabe regime, even during the interparty talks
being mediated by ex-South African President Thabo Mbeki. Ironically one
of the main cabinet posts that the politicians are haggling over is the
Home Affairs ministry that controls the police force.
The WOZA spokesperson said the deal is meaningless as there is no sign
of its implementation on the ground. "The very reason that we were
demonstrating today was because in the agreement they make reference to
the humanitarian crisis, to the food crisis, to the welfare of
Zimbabweans and yet absolutely nothing is being done to help people
through this horrendous situation they find themselves in," Sibanda said.
She added: "People are dying, children are dying, electricity and water
cuts are getting worse. People are getting beaten in food queues and
some are not actually surprised that the police continue to arrest and
beat people because we can see everyday that the deal is meaningless in
the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans."
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Africa&set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20081016174003455C676329
Police beat Zim rights protesters - group
October 16 2008 at 06:01PM
Harare, Zimbabwe - Police used sticks to beat women in southern Zimbabwe
who were urging politicians to resolve their differences and turn their
attention to their suffering people, organisers of Thursday's
demonstration said.
The police could not be reached for comment
While the demonstrators rallied in the city of Bulawayo, President
Robert Mugabe and his chief political rivals were in their third day of
talks aimed at saving a power-sharing deal signed a month ago. The
opposition says the deal is threatened by Mugabe's insistence on keeping
the most powerful Cabinet posts.
The stalemate over Cabinet posts has left Zimbabwe rudderless as its
economy deteriorates. Inflation is 231 million percent. Food, medicine
and most other basic goods are scarce. The UN estimates 45 percent of
Zimbabwe's population, or 5,1 million people, will need food help by
early 2009.
The Bulawayo demonstrators were carrying a statement from the civil
rights group Women of Zimbabwe Arise, accusing politicians of offering
empty promises in their September 15 agreement.
"How many more Zimbabweans must die before you act?" the statement said.
"This is a national disaster and we demand food for all Zimbabweans now."
The group said in a later statement that as about 200 of its members sat
outside local government offices waiting for officials to come and hear
their demands, riot police arrived and arrested two of its leaders,
Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, and dispersed the other
protesters by beating them with sticks. The women's group said at least
one protester required medical attention.
Repeated attempts to reach the national police spokesperson for comment
were unsuccessful.
Police regularly crack down on protests by this and other groups
critical of the government. Williams and Mahlangu were jailed for five
weeks earlier this year after being arrested during a peaceful protest
in the Zimbabwean capital.
Former president Thabo Mbeki has been mediating discussions with Mugabe,
main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, and Arthur Mutumbara, leader
of a smaller opposition faction.
An article on Thursday in The Herald, a state-run newspaper, quoted an
unidentified official from Mugabe's party as saying compromises could be
made that would change the Cabinet lineup Mugabe unilaterally announced
last week.
Mugabe had claimed the most powerful Cabinet posts for his own party,
including the ministries in charge of finance and police. The opposition
denounced the move and threatened to abandon talks on forming a unity
government after disputed elections.
During a break in Thursday's talks, Welshman Ncube, a negotiator for
Mutumbara, said negotiators had reached a compromise on the finance and
police ministries. He would not describe the compromise, but said the
deal could be complete later Thursday. - Sapa-AP
http://allafrica.com/stories/200810101149.html
________________________________________
SW Radio Africa (London)
Zimbabwe: Rights Group Offices Raided After Demonstration
Lance Guma
10 October 2008
The offices of a human rights pressure group were raided by police on
Friday, immediately after the group held a demonstration around 11am.
About 200 members of Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) took
to the streets of Harare marking what they called a campaign for
democracy and justice in Zimbabwe. The demonstration itself was without
incident as the police were taken by surprise and only deployed after it
had ended. According to ROHR Information Director Edgar Chikuvire, riot
police patrolled the Harare city centre before some of the officers
raided their Alexandra Park offices, looking for the leaders who
organized the march.
Chikuvire spoke to Newsreel while in hiding and says several other
members of the group have also gone underground. ROHR feels the power
sharing accord signed by the MDC and ZANU PF sets a very bad precedence
for human rights in the country because people are being denied the
chance to get a government of their own choosing. 'Our hopes are
underpinned in the need for people to embrace and feel passionately for
the need to be ruled by a government that will be accountable to them
simply because they chose it into power,' ROHR said in a statement.
The group also pointed out that despite the deal being signed the
country's crisis, 'continued unabated.' The group further argues that,
'Zanu-PF is making frantic efforts to retain the power that it lost to
Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC during the March 29 election, a situation
that is a direct assault on the people's power and constitutional right
to choose the leader they want.' ROHR says it's campaign will encourage
Zimbabweans to demand free and fair elections, whose outcome will
reflect the people's will.
ROHR is led by the former MDC Chairman for the UK province, Ephraim
Tapa. Several activists run the Zimbabwe office. Last month it sponsored
a High Court application by Rodgers Chigwededza, Tinashe Gotora, Jackson
Mabota, and Precious Mateyeni, demanding that the central bank scrap
cash withdrawal limits. Justice Joseph Musakwa ruled the case was not
urgent and had to wait in line like all the other court cases. ROHR
slammed the decision saying, 'in other words we are supposed to join
another queue to stop the cash queues.'
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gruQ92KRWjNr-7D2k8pgRRxjswoQ
Demonstrators urge release of detained Niger ex-PM
Oct 19, 2008
NIAMEY (AFP) — Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Niger's
capital Niamey on Sunday to call for the release of a former prime
minister who has been detained for almost four months.
Long seen as the probable succesor to incumbent President Mamadou
Tandja, Hama Amadou has been held in a high security jail west of Niamey
since his arrest on June 26 for alleged embezzlement.
The protestors, many wearing clothing showing Amadou's picture or
carrying giant portraits of him, called for him to be released and
demanded that he be freed before presidential elections due to be held
next year.
Among the demonstrators were several members of parliament belonging to
the ruling National Movement for a Developing Society (MNDS), of which
Amadou, in spite of his imprisonment, remains president
He was appointed prime minister in January 2000 but ousted in May last
year by a surprise vote of censure.
Amadou claimed he had been victim of a "machination" by Tandja to stop
him standing in the forthcoming presidential election, which Tandja is
constitutionally barred from contesting.
In a message to the demonstrators, Amadou said he hd not in any way
"lost his determination to be freed and to lead the party to final
victory in (the election in) 2009."
The message was read by a MNDS deputy Soumana Sanda who condemned the
"difficult moment" the party was going through "because of the
determination of the regime to establish absolute power."
"The justice system, the police, state media are abusively employed to
settle the party's internal problems," he said.
Police were on standby to prevent any incidents but the demonstrators
dispersed peacefully.
Two applications for provisional freedom for Amadou have been rejected
by the courts.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1030511.html
09:32 24/10/2008
U.K. Jewish students protest Uganda child abductions at Jerusalem rally
By Max Julius Tags: Jewish World
A group of British Jewish students marched in Jerusalem on Thursday to
protest the plight of the some 30,000 children abducted in Uganda over
the last two decades.
The rally was be one of more than 100 worldwide, coordinated by the
international "Gulu Walk" campaign for the Ugandan children.
The conflict's being going on for 22 years, and as it's not on our
doorstep - and it's not about a little blonde girl called Madeleine
McCann - people don't care," said Deborah Blausten, an organizer of the
Jerusalem march.
Blausten, 18, was referring to the British 4-year-old girl whose name
made headlines when she disappeared in 2007 while on a trip with her
family in Portugal.
According to a recent United Nations report, at least 30,000 children
have been kidnapped in Uganda over the last 22 years. After their
abduction, many are forced into becoming child soldiers and sex slaves.
The British students, all aged 18-19, belong to the RSY-Netzer Reform
Judaism youth movement. They planned on bringing to the march many of
their peers from other movements who are also in Israel for the year to
learn about Judaism, Zionism and youth leadership.
Blausten, speaking from the group's base in Jerusalem, stressed that the
issue was important to her because of her identity as a Jew.
"Judaism says you mustn't stand idly by while your neighbor's blood is
being shed. Even more so now, when we live in a global village-it makes
their plight even harder to ignore. We have no excuse for not knowing,"
she said.
While most of the other marches worldwide will be held on Saturday,
Blausten added that the Jerusalem group chose to hold theirs on Thursday
so as not to violate Shabbat.
"This is going to be the first kosher gulu walk," she noted.
The march began at the Supreme Court at 6:30 P.M., after which it will
proceed downtown across Bezalel Street, King George Street, Gershon
Agron Street, King David Street, Hillel Street and Ben Yehuda Street.
The rally concluded at Zion Square at 8:30 P.M.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161386951
'We want justice'
Protest over latest police shooting
Denyse Renne drenne at trinidadexpress.com
Monday, October 13th 2008
SHOT DEAD: Russel Rodney Samuel
Lighted debris strewn across the roadway, placards outlining cries for
justice, while relatives and friends angrily voice displeasure over yet
another police killing.
"We want justice, we not taking that so," screamed a man as he spoke
with the Express following last Thursday's shooting death of Russel
Rodney Samuel.
Samuel is the latest addition to the number of people killed by police
officers during alleged shoot-outs with law enforcement.
Prior to Samuel's death, Careme Immanuel Saint Aime, Akiel Parris and
Kerry Springer were killed in separate incidents by police officers
within a five-day period.
And just like previous police killings, residents, relatives and the
police have conflicting accounts of what transpired.
It is because of these conflicting accounts which led to inquests being
ordered, and murder cases against police officers being dismissed.
But despite assurances from senior police that all shootings will be
thoroughly investigated, the time frame involving these investigations
has increased from months to years.
Thirty-two people have been killed by police officers for the year thus
far, this figure is four less than last year's total.
Of the 32, eight occurred within the North Eastern (NED) and Port of
Spain Divisions respectively, Northern Division accounts for six, while
Central had three and Southern, Western and Eastern all tied with two
killings and Tobago, one.
Fifteen police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing at a
coroner's inquest for the year thus far, while Constable Anthony
Sylvester was vindicated by Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls,
following the November 9, 2007, killing of Laventille resident Sheldon
des Vignes. Sylvester was charged with murder earlier this year.
McNicolls ruled eyewitness accounts of what transpired were conflicting.
Exactly one year after the shooting deaths of Jordan Charles, Lincoln
Forde, Dale Liverpool, Hayden Gardner and Wendy Courtney , the office of
the Director of Public Prosecutions ordered an inquest. The shootings
occurred on August 18, 2007.
Again relatives and residents protested, since they claim the police
shootings were not provoked and the men had just returned from work. It
was further revealed that Courtney was shot by a stray bullet.
But despite the public outcry for investigations into the shootings,
several residents have been left breathing sighs of relief following
some of the deaths.
On April 10, officers of the Inter-Agency Task Force received
information that several armed men came in a car to Pump Trace,
Laventille, looking for 21-year-old Mustapha "Taliban" Edwards.
Edwards, who police say was well known to them and involved in a series
of criminal activities, was not in the area at the time, however, when
he returned residents told him what occurred.
Sources say Edwards armed himself and waited in nearby bushes for the
men to return. IATF officers then received calls from residents telling
them what was happening, the officers responded, identified themselves
to Edwards, but were greeted with gunshots. The officers returned fire
killing Edwards.
Following Edwards' death relatives and several residents blocked the
roads in a bid to protest saying Edwards was unarmed and was murdered by
the police. But in subsequent interviews, residents who did not wish to
be identified were pleased with the police response.
"He used to cause real fear in this area and was a menace," an elderly
resident said.
With investigations still on-going into several of these killings dating
back to 2006, several families of the dead men believe nothing will come
out of the investigations since their relatives have tainted pasts with
the law.
Last week, Attorney General Bridgid Annisette-George said the police
have the capability to investigate themselves with respect to police
killings.
Annisette-George made the comment during her contribution to the Budget
debate in the Senate following concerns raised by Independent Senator
Dana Seetahal about deficiencies in the Police Complaints Authority.
Also adding their concern to the number of police killings was Amnesty
International.
In their 2008 report, Amnesty International said: "Several people were
killed by the police. In most cases the police claimed that the victims
had been killed in a 'shoot-out.'
"These claims were disputed by witnesses. Those responsible for such
killings were rarely brought to justice; only six per cent of cases of
killings by the police had gone to trial since 1999."
http://www.fijilive.com/news_new/index.php/news/show_news/9603
Lone anti-State protester denies charge
13/10/2008
________________________________________
Vilisi Nadaku, the man who stopped traffic in Nabua at the weekend to
protest against the High Court decision on the Laisenia Qarase case
against the President, pleaded not guilty in court today.
Nadaku has been charged with malicious intent to act in a prejudicial
manner under the Public Order Act.
He is alleged to have stopped traffic with his Honda CRV vehicle in
Nabua and carried out a lone protest brandishing a sign “Where is Justice?”.
The four lane traffic in Nabua was reduced to two lanes as he allegedly
called on the public to stand up against the court decision and the
interim Government.
Nadaku, who was represented by Barbara Malimali, appeared before
Magistrate Amani Rokotinaviti and told the court that the police took
him to the military camp.
He has been released on $200 bail and will reappear on the 13th of the
next month for mention.
http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-10/2008-10-08-voa29.cfm?CFID=258842359&CFTOKEN=75690290&jsessionid=0030abe0cc0e8828dfc85750492b1349b303
Repression of Pro-Democracy Demonstrations Raises Tension in Mauritania
By Scott Bobb
Dakar
08 October 2008
Bobb report - Download (MP3)
Bobb report - Listen (MP3)
For the second time in three days, police in Mauritania have used clubs
and tear gas to disperse demonstrators calling for the re-instatement of
the country's president, who was deposed in a military coup d'etat. The
crackdown has heightened tension in West African nation, as we hear from
VOA's Scott Bobb in Dakar.
Policemen disperse protesters in a street of Nouakchott, 5 Oct. 2008
Pro-democracy activists rallied Tuesday in Nouakchott, chanting for the
return to power of deposed President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi.
But the demonstration was quickly dispersed by police using batons and
tear gas. Two people were treated for minor injuries.
The march was organized by trade unions that oppose the government of
Mohamad Ould Abdel Aziz, which two months ago overthrew President Cheikh
Abdallahi, the first elected president in Mauritania in more than two
decades.
A pro-democracy coalition of 11 parties called the National Front for
the Defense of Democracy says it will continue the protests, although
its supporters were prevented from demonstrating two days before.
Mauritania's junta leader Gen. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz in Nouakchott, 07
Aug 2008
The president of the coalition, Oumar Ould Yali, said Mauritania has
signed international agreements that forbid taking power by force.
He says those who have the interests of Mauritania at heart should
oppose the coup d'etat because investors will only come if there is
stability in the country.
The United States has suspended aid to Mauritania and the African Union
issued a deadline, which expired Tuesday, for the government to restore
the elected leadership or face diplomatic isolation and economic sanctions.
But many Mauritanian parties support the coup, highlighting a growing
rift in Mauritanian society.
The vice president of one of these, Sanghot Ousman Racine of the Union
for Democracy and Progress, said Mauritanians should reject any attempt
by foreign governments to pressure his country.
He says Mauritania is an independent state and is not controlled by the
United Nations or the African Union. He says any solution will have to
come from within the country.
Amid the rising tensions another group, called the Mauritanian
Intellectuals Club for Democracy and Development, is urging a third way.
One of its leaders, former ambassador Mohamed Lemine Ould Ketab, says
the AU threat is not helpful.
"Ultimatums are not efficient," he said. "Sanctions are not efficient.
They would not bring people to do what they are not ready to do."
His group says Mauritanians must find a solution through dialogue and
negotiation.
A senior Mauritanian delegation met Tuesday with AU officials in
Ethiopia. The African Union subsequently issued a statement saying it
was standing by its position.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/oct/12/uksecurity-terrorism
Writers pen protests at terror bill
Authors have united to write poems, essays and stories to sink the
42-day detention plan
• Jamie Doward, home affairs editor
• The Observer, Sunday 12 October 2008
In an unprecedented outpouring of anger, 42 of the UK's most celebrated
writers will each publish a short story, essay or poem tomorrow
attacking the government's determination to proceed with legislation to
hold terrorist suspects without charge for 42 days. The list of writers
taking part reads like a literary 'Who's Who' of modern Britain. They
include Philip Pullman, Julian Barnes, Monica Ali, Ian Rankin, Alain de
Botton, Ali Smith and AL Kennedy.
The writers' decision to speak out comes on the eve of a House of Lords
vote on the legislation tomorrow night. The government managed to push
the legislation through the Commons in June by only nine votes - secured
with support from the Democratic Unionist Party. But it is widely
believed that the government would lose a subsequent vote on the bill if
it were rejected by the Lords and returned to the Commons for further
amendments, as a number of Labour backbenchers have recently withdrawn
their support.
Both Gordon Brown and the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, strongly support
the measure, and there was little sign of the government backing down
this weekend. 'We are resolute in our determination to put our arguments
to the Lords and we are hoping they will listen,' said a source close to
Smith.
But what has until now largely been a political row is fast becoming a
cause célèbre for Britain's literary establishment, who are flexing
their intellectual muscles in a manner not seen since leading figures in
the arts world regularly clashed with the Thatcher government in the
Eighties.
Pullman, the author of the trilogy His Dark Materials, uses his essay to
launch a sarcastic diatribe against the government. 'We don't know how
lucky we are to live in a nation where police officers have all of six
weeks to discover why they've locked us up,' Pullman writes. 'Ask them
after 41 days why a prisoner is still behind bars and they can honestly
and innocently say, "No idea, mate." But give them that extra day, and
they'll crack it.'
Kennedy, the winner of the Costa Book of the Year Award, argues that the
legislation will transform every suspect's life for the worse. 'In 42
days we will have made you different,' she writes. 'You may be charged,
you may be released. You will always be different.'
And Barnes, who has been shortlisted three times for the Man Booker
Prize, writes of the urgent necessity to reject the legislation.
'Claiming to defend British liberty by diminishing British liberty has
become a political norm over the last 30 years or so,' he claims.
'Digging in the heels and shouting is now more important than ever.'
The highly public attack on the government, co-ordinated by the campaign
group Liberty, will crystallise the long-running debate surrounding
detention without trial. 'It is so heartening to see Britain's finest
writers joining Liberty's campaign against extending detention without
charge,' said Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty. 'Not a single
writer that was approached turned down the opportunity to register their
opposition to this divisive policy. Tomorrow the House of Lords will
speak and we urge the government to listen.'
Crossbenchers including Baron Dear, a former Inspector of Constabulary,
and Lady Manningham-Buller, former head of MI5, have already expressed
their opposition to any extension beyond the current 28 days.
A number of high-ranking police officers, including Andy Hayman, the
Met's former head of counter-terrorism, and Sir Ken Macdonald, Director
of Public Prosecutions, have also attacked the plan, while international
figures such as Noam Chomsky and Desmond Tutu have voiced their concerns.
Opposition parties have attacked the bill, which the government claims
is necessary to give police sufficient time to investigate complex and
often international terror plots.
'These proposals are unnecessary, unjustified and unworkable, as well as
counter-productive, and now a distraction when the world is facing an
economic crisis,' said the shadow home secretary, Dominic Grieve.
Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrats' home affairs spokesman, said: 'The
government managed to bully and bribe this legislation through the
Commons, but fortunately it has much less leverage over the Lords. I
hope they will do their worst.'
The 42 who put pen to paper
Monica Ali
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown
Tahmima Anam
Lisa Appignanesi
Nadeem Aslam
Julian Barnes
John Berger
Terence Blacker
Alain de Botton
Shami Chakrabarti
Jenny Diski
Anne Donovan
Stella Duffy
Joe Dunthorne
Bernadine Evaristo
Michael Faber
Esther Freud
Linda Grant
Jay Griffiths
Mohsin Hamid
Tom Hodgkinson
Maria Hyland
Sadie Jones
Jackie Kay
AL Kennedy
Hari Kunzru
Nick Laird
Nikita Lalwani
Darian Leader
Ann Leslie
Toby Litt
Alexander Masters
Hisham Matar
Daljit Nagra
Rachel North
Andrew O'Hagan
Philip Pullman
Ian Rankin
Kamila Shamsie
Hardeep Singh Kohli
Ali Smith
Craig Taylor
Sally Vickers
http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/uk/march+protests+over+custody+deaths/2651057
March protests over custody deaths
Print this page
Last Modified: 25 Oct 2008
Source: PA News
The mother of Jean Charles de Menezes wept as she joined a 300-strong
protest calling for an end to the deaths of people in state custody.
Maria Otone de Menezes, 63, and her elder son Giovani da Silva, 36,
marched to Downing Street alongside people whose loved ones died in
police custody, prisons and psychiatric hospitals.
Since 1969 there have been 2,533 such deaths in the UK in which the
individuals' names were known and hundreds more unnamed fatalities,
according to campaigners.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/pandora/pandora-bondage-protest-set-to-spice-up-the-commons-967685.html
Pandora: Bondage protest set to spice up the Commons
By Henry Deedes
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
The photographer Ben Westwood's campaign against the Home Secretary,
Jacqui Smith, is stepping up a notch.
Two months ago, I reported that Westwood, the son of the fashion doyenne
Dame Vivienne, was planning a protest against the Government's Criminal
Justice and Immigration Act 2008, which will come into force in the new
year.
Part of the Act will outlaw anything which might be considered "extreme
pornography". This means that a Westwood book of erotic photographs will
become illegal as of 1 January 2009, and anyone caught in possession of
the work could theoretically receive a three-year jail sentence.
Today, Westwood, above, will begin his protest against the Bill with the
help of a "chain gang" of models and activists from the Consenting Adult
Action Network (CAAN) in what promises to be a lively demonstration. The
models will be "bound and gagged" and dragged through the streets of
central London.
The festivities will kick off at noon at Westminster Tube station, in
full view of the House of Commons.
Police have apparently already been in touch with the organisers to
ensure that Westwood is planning a peaceful protest. Meanwhile, the
photographer says he is making an important stand for human rights. "The
Government gets away with murder when it comes to legislating about our
sexual behaviour because we are a strait-laced nation," he says. "Far
too many of us are embarrassed talking about sex."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7682319.stm
Tuesday, 21 October 2008 16:39 UK
Porn protesters hit Westminster
Ben Westwood and other protesters in Parliament Square
Models wearing chains, stockings and gags have been led around
Westminster in protest at laws to make owning "extreme pornography"
illegal.
From next year, possession of images such as those showing a threat to
life or serious injury to a person's genitals will be banned.
Demonstrators opposite Parliament described this as the government
interfering with people's sex lives.
Ministers argue the law is needed to cope with more use of internet images.
Traffic hold-up
The demonstration, organised by the Consenting Adult Action Network, was
led by photographer Ben Westwood, son of fashion designer Dame Vivienne
Westwood.
He paraded two "slaves" - models called Jade and Dolly Blowup - across
the road from Westminster underground station and around Parliament
Square, with police having to hold up the traffic.
I think that people might be worrying that what they have got in their
video collection might be breaking the law
Ben Westwood
A group of about 20 marchers carried placards with messages including
"No to thought crime", "Penalise crime, not sex" and "Depiction harms
no-one".
Mr Westwood said to the BBC: "Why are the government doing this? I think
they are just mucking about.
"They want to seem as though they are doing something to help society,
that they must seem strong on law and order.
"Coming from a government that lied about going into war in Iraq, that
seems strange.
"There are more important issues to be debated than this."
'Worrying'
Tourists, drivers and workers in suits looked bemused as the models were
led around Parliament Square, passing by statues of Nelson Mandela and
several past British prime ministers.
Mr Westwood said: "I think that people might be worrying that what they
have got in their video collection might be breaking the law. People are
going to get a bit nervous.
"I hope our demonstration does change some minds."
The Criminal Justice Act, which was passed earlier this year, shifts
criminal responsibility from the producers "of violent and extreme
pornography" to consumers.
This, the government says, is necessary to deal with material obtained
via the internet from websites based abroad.
'Unfair'
The maximum sentence for possession will be three years in prison.
Campaigners say the new law risks criminalising thousands of people who
use violent pornographic images as part of consensual sexual relationships.
Bruce Argue, of the group Esinem, said: "We want to draw attention to
what is an unfair and ill-thought-out law."
The Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "We believe that the new
legislation will only catch material which is already illegal to publish
in the UK under the Obscene Publications Act 1959 and therefore material
which is already legally available should not be affected."
The act comes into force on 1 January.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/05/europe/EU-Greece-Church-Land.php
Greece: Protesters slam monastery's land deals
The Associated Press
Published: October 5, 2008
OURANOUPOLIS, Greece: About 500 people demonstrated Sunday afternoon in
this northern Greek down bordering the monastic community of Mount Athos
to protest profitable real estate deals made by one of the community's
20 monasteries.
The protest was led by four deputies from the Coalition of the Radical
Left, a left-wing opposition party.
"No to holy business" said one banner carried at the protest, which was
peaceful.
The 1,000-year-old Vatopedi Monastery, one of the largest of the 20
monasteries on Mount Athos, was found to have profited by at least €100
million (US$138 million) from swapping land it owned for state-owned
plots throughout northern Greece, a preliminary investigation led by
Supreme Court prosecutor Giorgos Sanidas found last month.
The swaps started after 1999, when the government recognized the
monastery's claim to public land in northern Greece. In exchange,
Vatopedi agreed to relinquish its lakeside property, which has been
farmed for decades and includes a nature reserve.
Ownership of the property has been hotly disputed. Vatopedi and other
monasteries, which own huge tracts of lands across Greece, base their
claims on ancient documents from rulers of the Byzantine and Ottoman
empires. Critics allege the monasteries have forged many of these documents.
"(Mt. Athos) could have been paradise on earth. It has become, instead,
a temple of commerce harboring a mafia that engages in real estate
business," said Coalition parliamentary group leader Alekos Alavanos. He
called for the separation of church and state.
Alavanos said other monasteries across Greece are also engaging in
dubious land deals. He mentioned a case on the island of Crete in which
a monastery with a single resident monk is planning to build a series of
golf courses over disputed tracts of land it claims it owns.
The outcry over the Vatopedi land deal led the government to announce
Friday that it had revoked the land swaps. The monastery has said it
will appeal to the European Court of Justice.
Revelations that government officials, including government spokesman
Theodoros Roussopoulos, enjoyed a close relationship with the
monastery's abbot have tarnished the reputation of the conservative
government. It now trails in opinion polls for the first time since it
gained power in March 2004.
Vatopedi Monastery is a treasure house of mediaeval artifacts and books.
It attracts large numbers of male guests, including Britain's Prince
Charles, who is a frequent visitor to Athos. Females — including even
female animals — have been banned from Mt. Athos since 1046.
The church holds powerful influence in a country where Christian
Orthodoxy is the faith of about 97 percent of the native-born population.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1022/moyross.html
Gardaí called to Limerick protest
Wednesday, 22 October 2008 14:40
Gardaí were called to diffuse a situation which developed outside the
offices of the Northside Regeneration Agency in Moyross in Limerick
yesterday.
A crowd of around 30 people gathered to protest that their horses had
been impounded.
Four horses which had been wandering in the Moyross area were impounded
during an operation by Limerick City Council backed up by gardaí.
A number of horse owners gathered at the Regeneration offices to
protest, even though Regeneration staff were not involved in the
impounding operation.
A number of threats were made to staff.
Regeneration Chief Brendan Kenny said it was a very frightening
experience for staff and they were very disappointed that staff were
targeted in this way.
No arrests were made, and neither Mr Kenny nor his staff have made a
complaint to gardaí
Mr Kenny says that the incident again shows the need for the rgeneration
plan to get underway to bring stability to these areas.
He along with the original Regeneration plan author John Fitzgerald will
be presenting their 10-year regeneration plan to Limerick city council
next Tuesday.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/sinn-fein-to-hold-public-protests-at--ministers-offices-1510120.html?r=RSS
Sinn Fein to hold public protests at ministers' offices
By Senan Hogan
Saturday October 25 2008
Protests will be held today at constituency offices of Government
ministers over the botched Budget.
Sinn Fein, which is organising the demos, called on local communities to
join its campaign to reverse cost-cutting proposals hitting pensioners,
students and low-income families.
Next week the party will back Labour's call for a reversal of the
decision to raise pupil-teacher ratios.
- Senan Hogan
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1438233.php/Judges_protest_paralyzes_Spanish_judiciary__Roundup_
Judges' protest paralyzes Spanish judiciary (Roundup)
Europe News
Oct 21, 2008, 11:23 GMT
Madrid - A work stoppage by judges and judicial secretaries Tuesday
paralyzed a large part of Spain's court system.
The judiciary was protesting what it saw as government interference in
its work and a lack of resources.
Judicial secretaries stopped working for three hours and judges, who
were not allowed to stage a formal work stoppage, held meetings during
that time.
The protesters were accusing Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez
Zapatero's Socialist government of interference in urging the highest
judges' organ to adopt stronger sanctions against a Seville judge for
failing to jail a paedophile who then killed a five-year-old girl in
January.
The General Council of Judicial Power (CGPJ) had handed a fine of 1,500
euros (2,000 dollars) to judge Rafael Tirado in the so-called case Mari
Luz, the girl whose murder shocked Spain.
The Justice Ministry also barred a court employee from office for two
years, alleging that she had failed to inform Tirado of the paedophile's
situation.
The protesters accused the government of using the Seville court as a
'scapegoat' to hide the problems of the judiciary, where a lack of
resources is contributing to constant bottlenecks and delays at courts.
Socialist spokesman Jose Antonio Alonso said the protest was
unjustified, because the government had only expressed an 'opinion'
without interfering with the judiciary. He also said the government was
increasing judicial resources.
Spain has only one judge per 10,000 residents, according to a figure
quoted by the daily El Mundo.
http://www.euronews.net/en/article/21/10/2008/judges-in-spain-stop-work-in-organised-protest/
Spain Judges in Spain stop work in organised protest 21/10/08 19:37 CET
The following article has been retrieved from the archive and no longer
contains the original video.
Striking judges in Spain have paralysed the legal system for three hours
in defence of colleagues .
They claim the government is interfering in the country’s legal system
and that there is a lack of resources.
They are calling for the country’s justice minister to be sacked. He has
called for stricter penalties against a judge and his secretary in
Seville for failing to jail a paedophile who allegedly went on to kill a
child
.
Defending her colleages in Seville , one judicial secretary said they
were “respected profesionals and that the problem was with the system.”
The fatal error concerns the case of five year old Mari Luz. She was
murdered and the man charged with her death was convicted of paedophilia
back in 2002.
Itis said that there was a failure to follow up the 2002 trial ensuring
that the paedophile remained in jail.
Spain’s minister of Justice is confident of who is to blame and claims
the system does work and that such negligence must be punished sufficiently.
Last month the General Council of the Judiciary sanctioned the secretary
who was barred from office for two years and fined the judge 1500 euroes.
Their supporters say they have been used as scapegoats for a out-moded
and under-funded judiciary.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/10/23/bc-insite-concert-cancelled.html?ref=rss
Bedouin Soundclash concert for Insite shut down by Vancouver police
Last Updated: Thursday, October 23, 2008 | 8:59 PM PT Comments72Recommend22
CBC News
People in support of Vancouver's safe injection site gathered Thursday
for a barbecue and free street concert, which was stopped before it
could begin. (CBC)
Vancouver police helped city officials stop a free street concert
Thursday night before it could begin in the Downtown Eastside.
More than 100 officers descended on the 100 block of E. Hastings Street,
where hundreds of people had gathered to attend a barbeque and watch a
concert by the Canadian band Bedouin Soundclash, in support of Insite,
the city's safe injection site.
Police said the structures and tents set up for the concert were taken
down because the organizer, the PHS Community Services Society, which
operates Insite, didn't have a permit for the event.
More than 100 police officers helped city officials shut down a concert
Thursday night in the 100 block of E. Hastings Street. (CBC)
"The city had declined a permit that was requested by the group," Const.
Jana McGuinness said Thursday night.
"The city is concerned that pedestrians or motorists may be unduly put
at risk by the event."
Mark Townsend, a PHS spokesman, said people should have the right to
organize street festivities to support the safe injection site.
"It's a demonstration. It's what we are allowed to do. We're allowed to
put up tents, and it's all organized," Townsend said.
McGuinness said police had offered to close off a section of Columbia
Street to be used as the venue for the concert, but the offer was declined.
The heavy police presence was a precautionary measure, and there was no
violence or any arrests when officers moved in to assist city officials
in taking down the structures, she said.
"These structures were put up as part of an event that was anticipated
by a crowd that was gathered there," McGuinness said.
"As the city moved in to take down the structures, our officers just
assisted in keeping the lid on things."
The three-member, Juno-award winning Bedouin Soundclash did show up at
the site, but the concert was shut down before they could perform.
The band was also scheduled to give another performance at the Commodore
Ballroom on Granville Street Thursday night.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4733438a11.html?source=RSSnationalnews_20081020
Protesters call for release of contempt prisoner
Monday, 20 October 2008
Supporters of an Auckland-based American businessman jailed after
failing to remove material from his website are staging a protest
outside Mt Eden prison this afternoon.
Vince Siemer is serving a six month jail term for contempt of court
after failing to remove the material relating to Auckland accountant
Michael Stiassny.
Siemer's supporters say he was jailed unlawfully on an unproven
allegation of defamation.
The protest calling for his release is planned for 3.30pm.
Siemer had filed court action in order to be released from jail until he
appeals the sentence later this month, but the Supreme Court dismissed
his application on Friday.
- NZPA
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24429558-5012752,00.html
Papua New Guinea PM's office attacked
Article from: AAP
From correspondents in Port Moresby
October 01, 2008 08:50am
THE office of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare has been
attacked by angry relatives of a dead party member.
Earlier this week windows were smashed at Mr Somare's home town Wewak
office, in the East Sepik Province, north western PNG.
It is alleged disgruntled family members of the late former National
Alliance (NA) party, East Sepik provincial chairman, Teddy Sane, are to
blame, PNG's The National newspaper reported.
The attack comes in the same week Mr Somare once again publicly flirted
with the idea of retiring after his 40 years in politics. However, when
he would "bow out" is still unclear.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2008/11/25/7526816-sun.html
Charges at cafe trigger protest
By JENNY YUEN, SUN MEDIA
TORONTO -- They passed around a joint for the coffee shop they love.
About a dozen people -- many smoking pot -- gathered at Old City Hall
yesterday to protest marijuana trafficking charges laid at the Kindred
Cafe last week.
Members of the Toronto Hash Mob chanted, "We're here, we're high, get
used to it!" to early morning commuters on Queen St. W.
"If we legalize and regulate marijuana, then we can easily raise $1
billion in this province to get people homes, food and jobs," said Hash
Mob member Michael Bone, 55. "Let us have our medicine."
Two employees were charged with trafficking and five patrons for
possession of marijuana after a raid late Thursday sparked by complaints
in the Yonge-Wellesley Sts. community, police said.
The cafe's owner Dominic Cramer's bail hearing is set for 9 a.m. today
at Old City Hall.
Undercover officers claim they purchased marijuana-laced milkshakes, hot
chocolates and baked goods inside the club.
"We don't understand why (the charges) happened after three years of
being in business," Chad Cooke, a spokesman for the Kindred Cafe, said
at the rally. "We have a rooftop patio for marijuana users, mostly for
medicine. We thought it was an okay thing." The coffee shop on
Breadalbane St. has very "strict rules" for rooftop patio users and
"nothing is sold there. People are bringing it themselves."
The cafe will re-open in a few days, he said.
Officers found that many people didn't have government-issued
certificates for medicinal marijuana use, Det.-Sgt. Paul MacIntyre said.
A YouTube video of the cafe in which an employee states, "this is not a
legal business, we choose to break some laws," piqued police interest,
MacIntyre said.
"I can't say if there's any ongoing investigations right now on other
cafes, but we do follow up on any complaints we get," he said. "Kindred
Cafe was not on our radar until we got a complaint."
The raid has caused similar coffee houses to keep a low profile. A
Kensington Market tobacco shop and cafe owner said she "didn't want to
make any comment and please don't mention (the name of) mine in the story."
Not surprising, said Cramer's lawyer, Alan Young, who estimates there
are a half dozen such cafes in the city.
"The idea is to fly slightly under the radar screen and be transparent
so that you're not hiding anything, but you don't throw it into people's
face," Young said.
"Police have been fairly tolerant because they have more pressing
priorities. Without that suspicion of trafficking, I think police were
quite happy to leave things alone."
Vancouver cannabis libertarian Marc Emery called the police raid over a
"$15 milkshake, allegedly with cannabis in it" a waste. "There's no
public safety reason to arrest pot people. The (raid) probably costs the
taxpayers of Toronto $20,000. It's good to see that Toronto can afford
all that in these dark times."
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