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Citizens speak out. As they seek improved lives through greater job opportunities, more
access to education and other democratic reforms, people continue to gather in countries across
the globe, including Chile, Brazil, Israel, Libya, Palestine, Russia, Syria, and Yemen.
BRAZIL - Judge Patricia Acioly, known for her strict sentencing in cases of illegal
drug crimes as well as police corruption, succumbed to gunshot wounds in an attack on
Friday, August 12 that occurred as she was arriving home. Brazil's Supreme Court President
Cezar Peluso spoke out against the attack, demanding a swift investigation.
CHILE - On Thursday, President Sebastián Piñera signed an education bill that met
many demands expressed by student protesters, including a constitutional guarantee to a
quality education. However, students protested the measures, saying they lacked clear initiatives
that would grant equitable access to higher education.
RUSSIA - In the wake of a report from President Dmitry Medvedev's human rights council, which
found reasonable evidence that attorney Sergei Magnitsky's 2009 death was the result of severe
physical abuse during his year-long detainment after accusing officials of fraud, two prison
physicians have been charged with negligence for their possible role in his death.
ISRAEL & PALESTINE - The Palestinian News Network reports that joint demonstrations
held on Friday by Palestinian villagers, Israelis and international activists in several West
Bank villages resulted in three children being injured by police, with many others who were
treated for tear gas inhalation as they protested the Israeli construction of a separation wall
as well as the confiscation of Palestinian farmlands to build Israeli settlements.
Meanwhile, the international community has spoken out against the Israeli government's
approval this week to build 1,600 new settler homes in East Jerusalem, noting that they
are illegal according to international law and hinder peace efforts. Those voicing concern
include UN coordinator for the Middle East peace process Robert Serry; European Union
Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aleksandr Lukashevich,
and Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr.
LIBYA - As the revolutionary Transitional National Council announced on Friday that
its members have assumed control of the strategically-important Libyan town of Brega, UN Secretary General
Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the large number of citizen casualties, calling for
all sides to minimize the loss of innocent life.
SYRIA - Nationwide protests against the current regime continued on Friday, with security
forces killing at least 20 people according to activist reports. Some 10,000 demonstrated
in the streets of the western coastal city of Latakia. However, on Saturday, Al Jazeera
stated that the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and a resident speaking anonymously
to avoid reprisal said that tanks had entered the city and began engaging in heavy gunfire.
As we mourn the loss of cherished lives and sympathize with the wounded and others who
suffer, we pray that the turmoil ceases in every nation so that people everywhere may
choose shared freedom and dignity as a peaceful world�