Belarus: Demonstrators attack new online legislation
Sir Tom Stoppard grills Belarusian ambassador over the Lukashenko government’s poor record on free speech (more…)
Egypt: Protestors arrested following clashes
On 13 June, Cairo security forces arrested 32 demonstrators, angry at alleged police involvement in the death of activist Khaled Mohammed Said. Clashes broke out outside the Egyptian Interior Ministry, where around 200 protestors gathered to argue that Said, who was outspoken about police corruption, had been tortured to death by undercover officers. Human Rights Organisations, including Amnesty International, have expressed concern at Said’s death. However the police deny any involvement, claiming that he died of a drug overdose, consumed prior to their arrival.
Belarus: Police arrest political activists
On 7 May, police arrested activists at demonstrations marking the disappearance of government minister, Yury Zakharanka. Roman Kislyak and Andrey Sharenda were arrested as they distributed leaflets marking the 11th anniversary of Zakharanka, who was abducted in 1999. In a parallel incident, seven protesters were arrested at a demonstration in Minsk. There are suspicions that senior government officials in Belarus were involved Zakharanka’s disappearance.
Kyrgyzstan: New government claims to be in full control
Following dramatic scenes in the capital Bishek in the last few days, Roza Otunbayeva, the leader of Kyrgyzstan’s Social Democratic Party said today that a coalition of opposition parties have seized control of the country’s security headquarters, state television and various government buildings. Otunbayeva called on President Kurmanbek Bakiyev — who fled the capital on Wednesday night — to resign and said she would lead an interim government until elections are called. In a press conference on Thursday morning, she claimed that the opposition’s actions were in response to the government’s attacks on freedom: “what we did yesterday was our answer to the repression and tyranny against the people by the Bakiyev regime. You can call this revolution. You can call this a people’s revolt. Either way, it is our way of saying that we want justice and democracy.” Since he took office in 2005, Bakiyev has cracked down on opposition parties and the independent media.