31 May 2011 | Index Index, minipost
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.
18 Apr 2011 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
Syrian security forces killed three people on Sunday (17 April) when they opened fire on mourners attending the funeral of another slain protester. The funeral procession had turned into a protest against the government. The incident took place outside the town of Talbiseh, north of the central city of Homs.
16 Mar 2011 | Azerbaijan News, Index Index, minipost, News and features
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.
14 Mar 2011 | Index Index, minipost
Mexican prosecutors have decided to reopen the investigation into 21 deaths during protests against the Oaxaca state government in 2006. Amongst the dead was the American independent journalist Bradley Will, who was killed whilst filming a clash between the protesters. The only suspect was released in 2010 because there was insufficient evidence to convict him.