Chinese officials seek to stifle protests in Inner Mongolia

Protesters took to the streets on Monday (30 May) in Inner Mongolia after Han Chinese coal truck drivers killed a Mongolian herder who attempted to stop them from trespassing on grasslands. Chinese officials have sought to stifle the protests in the region by tightening security, censoring coverage of the event, and promising to punish the perpetrators. There has been growing tensions between herders and coal miners over the use of the grasslands, which cover reserves of coal, natural gas, and rare minerals. Local sources link the protests to a deeper resentment among Mongolians over their marginalisation by the Chinese.

Radio Free Europe photographer beaten in Azerbaijan protests

Abbas Atilay, a journalist working for Radio Free Europe’s Azerbaijani service, was reportedly attacked whilst covering Friday’s protests in Baku. Demonstrators were demanding the resignation of President Ilham Aliyev and the release of journalists and activists. Eynulla Fatullayev is one such jailed journalist, who on Monday wrote to the president to express his hope that he would be freed.

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