Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Citizens speak out. Demands by the people for legitimate and meaningful reform continue
to be heard as citizens gather across the globe, including those in Azerbaijan, Bahrain,
Chile, Egypt, Honduras, Libya, Maldives, Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia.
Teachers in Honduras who held rallies against privatization of education and for improved
living conditions are taking legal recourse over the government’s suspension of their
jobs.
Euronews estimates that around 8,000 Syrians have been arrested or disappeared in the seven
weeks since protests began. The BBC has also given accounts of activist torture, with some
released after having their fingernails removed by pincers. Amidst reports of tanks and soldiers
preparing to take over yet another town, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke with Syrian
President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday, May 4, urging for an end to the violence, while
also requesting Syria's cooperation with the UN Human Rights Council and to allow humanitarian
aid into Daraa. Meanwhile, the government has admitted to detaining Al Jazeera journalist
Dorothy Parvaz.
In the first-ever investigation during a conflict by the International Criminal Court (ICC),
special prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo reported to the UN Security Council that the ICC has
found evidence of crimes in Libya against humanity by the government regime, including
*** and persecution. Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration's ship Red Star
One risked its safety going into the besieged Misurata harbor, and despite coming under
attack from Libyan forces was able to rescue some 800 people.
Following over a month of a violent suppression of peaceful protesters calling for reform
in Bahrain, the government voted Tuesday to extend emergency law for another three months.
Security forces also brought down a prayer hall in Bani Jamra as part of ongoing protesters
suppression through destroying mosques and other religious gathering places.
Following weeks of a deadly border dispute involving rights to an ancient temple, Cambodian
and Thai military leaders reached another ceasefire agreement on Wednesday, while also
agreeing to steps toward reestablishing mutual trust, as villagers on each side of the border
were allowed to return to their homes.
Following four days of violent protests in the Maldives over rising prices and poor economic
performance, US Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake visited the island nation, where
he called upon both the government and minority parties to reach a diplomatic compromise.
As we mourn the lives lost, we are glad to see some glimmers of harmony dawning in turmoiled
regions, and we pray for an end to all conflicts as people in every nation choose to live in
shared freedom, dignity and peace�