Spain: The formidable voices of the plazas

March 19th, 2013

The international economic crisis led to widespread demonstrations that changed the face of citizen protest in Spain and shaped activism in many cities across Europe. But now there is a move to criminalise one of the most powerful movements in recent years, says Juan Luis Sánchez

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Yemen: One year on

January 27th, 2012

After a year of political unrest following the Arab Spring, Iona Craig reports on the current situation in Yemen.
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UK: Police move in on Parliament Square protesters

January 17th, 2012

Police began to clear tents from London’s Parliament Square yesterday, after a new bill allowing for their removal went into effect this year. Metropolitan Police arrived at the camp at around 7.30pm on 16 December, and began to move on those campaigning on issues such as the war in Afghanistan. The police reform and social responsibility bill, outlaws the setting up in Parliament Square of “any tent, or any other structure that is designed, or adapted … for the purpose of facilitating sleeping or staying in.” Protesters set up camp in “Democracy Square” in May 2010.

UK: Seven charged after Congo protest in London

December 12th, 2011

Seven people arrested at a London demonstration over the election result in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been charged. One hundred and thirty-nine people were arrested during Saturday’s demonstration which began at Whitehall and spread to Trafalgar Square. 116 people remain in custody, whilst seven have been charged with various offences, including obstructing the highway, breaching the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act and one assault on police. So far, 10 others who were arrested have been bailed to return pending further inquiries, and three were released with no further action.  

Yemen: Cameraman killed by security forces

October 18th, 2011

A cameraman for Al-Yemen TV, Abd Al-Ghani Al-Bureihi, was killed when Yemeni security forces opened fire at a demonstration in Sanaa calling for the president to step down on 16 October. Two other cameramen were also allegedly injured at the same demonstration, including Salah Al-Hatar of Al-Jazeera.  

Cambodia: Environmental activists detained

August 23rd, 2011

Police detained over 100 villagers in Phnom Penh last week for distributing environmental fliers used to raise awareness of deforestation and economic land concessions that have been granted inside the Prey Lang forest.  Police and local officials confiscated the activists’ leaflets and detained participants in local commune offices for questioning and “re-education.” Police said the distribution of fliers could “disrupt social order.”

Turkey: Journalists jailed after reporting on demonstration

February 28th, 2011

Two Kurdish journalists have been sentenced to ten months of imprisonment each, after attending a demonstration in 2008. Vedat Yilidiz, Dicle News Agency, and Lokman Dayan, Güneydoğu Ekspres, have been convicted of “spreading propaganda for an illegal organisation”. They were among 25 defendants charged with “membership of an illegal organisation”. Both journalists attended the protests in their professional capacities, they said. The demonstration, at which the journalists were beaten by police, concerned the alleged violence against Abdullah Öcalan, the detained leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party.

Zimbabwe: Journalist faces charges over protest coverage

October 14th, 2010

A newspaper journalist who photographed a Roman Catholic protest is facing charges of “practising journalism without accreditation“. Flata Kavinga was arrested at the demonstration on 10 October and detained for over 24 hours. His camera was confiscated. Although he has been released, Kavinga’s lawyer said that police are considering charging him under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). The controversial legislation, enacted in 2002, has been heavily criticised by media rights groups.