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Citizens speak out. Despite facing conditions of uncertainty in many of their countries,
people in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Uganda, Venezuela and Yemen continue to gather,
demanding government reforms that would bring better job opportunities, living conditions
and human rights for themselves and fellow citizens.
On Thursday, April 14, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ordered the release of some of the
detained protesters, while also naming a new cabinet and meeting with protest movement
leaders in Daraa. State security services were also withdrawn from Baniyas and replaced
with the army, which is believed to be more trusted. In spite of these changes, activists
expressed concern that the new cabinet includes recently-dismissed ministers as they emphasize
that reforms need to continue for the country to progress.
As a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters continues, Bahrain’s Ministry of Justice
and Islamic Affairs has initiated actions to officially remove two of the country’s
minority parties due to their participation in the protest movement.
In response to recent protests, Morocco’s King Mohammed ordered 92 political prisoners
be freed, while commuting several with death sentences to life in prison, and reducing
the prison terms of others.
Ugandan minority leader Kizza Besigye was injured when police surrounded him as he was
walking to join a protest march over high food and fuel prices.
The Saudi Press Agency reports that a US church delegation led by Pastor Shawki Paul and accompanied
by Fayez Hamdan, a representative of Lebanese youth in the USA, met with Saudi Ambassador
to Lebanon, Ali Asiri, to speak out against the recent burning of a Holy Qur'an by a US
pastor.
Following protests calling for improved conditions in Algeria, the government announced a doubling
of the monthly allowance for people in the public works program, along with an offering
of part-time employment and increased eligibility so that more people could qualify to be part
of the program.
Multi-award-winning US musician and vegan Moby joined 30,000 people in the US for a
fast this week, organized by political action committee Moveon.org in protest of budget
reductions that decrease vital benefits to those most in need, including military veterans,
women, children and the elderly.
In Libya, the government has released Al Jazeera cameraman, Norwegian Ammar al-Hamdan, the
third of four journalists detained over a month ago. At the same time, government forces
continued bombarding the city of Misurata on Thursday, killing at least 23 people, prompting
city residents to march in protests, in spite of the risks to their lives. A ship sent by
the International Organization for Migration arrived in Misurata to help evacuate over
8,000 migrants, but was having difficulty unloading due to heavy shelling. Meanwhile,
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate ceasefire, joined by leaders
of Russia, South Africa, Brazil and India in also seeking diplomatic resolution to the
crisis there.
With deep sadness for the suffering and loss of life, we are encouraged by the dawning
tranquility in some countries as we pray that people everywhere choose to end all conflicts
and live in shared dignity, freedom
and peace�