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Citizens speak out. Across the globe, voices are unifying in Afghanistan, Bahrain, China,
France, Italy, Libya, Northern Ireland, Palestine, Senegal, Syria and Yemen as people call for
basic rights, jobs, dignity and democracy in their countries.
SENEGAL - Senegalese riot police dispersed a rally on June 16 protesting a proposed constitutional
amendment which would allow President Abdoulaye Wade to be reelected to a third term in office
by winning only 25 percent of an initial round of votes.
CHINA - In the city of Zencheng, where police say that 25 people have been arrested thus
far in relation to demonstrations on June 10, Chinese officials on Monday announced
rewards of residency permits, US$1,500 in cash, and "outstanding migrant worker" status
to anyone who could provide information about the identity of other people participating
that day in protests that were sparked after the alleged mistreatment by security guards
of a pregnant migrant worker. Meanwhile, prominent Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei was
released on bail Wednesday after a two-month imprisonment. Concerned that restrictions
are still being imposed, Amnesty International called for the lifting of all such limits
on his freedom of expression.
FRANCE - On Wednesday, activists in Paris, France protested financial speculation in
the food market and its effect on rising prices as the Group of 20 agriculture ministers met
to discuss solutions to the urgent global food security issue.
NORTHERN IRELAND - On Monday and Tuesday in Belfast, some of the worst riots in years
broke out in a small Catholic community near a mainly Protestant region of the city. Police
tried to keep the two groups apart as hundreds clashed, with three people who were injured,
one of whom was a reporter. Addressing the community and the nation, Assistant Chief
Constable Alistair Finlay appealed for calm, saying that violence would only bring unwanted
consequences and attention as he called for dialog to understand the reasons and to find
solutions to the unrest.
ITALY - Following protests by Naples' residents over the health risks and unbearable stench
created by months of garbage that has accumulated in the city's streets, newly elected Mayor
Luigi de Magistris called an emergency meeting to resolve the issues that include a shortage
of treatment facilities and opposition to a proposed landfill site.
MAURITANIA - Magharebia press reports that the Tawassoul party submitted a legislative
amendment to protect freedom of expression by eliminating prison sentences for press
offenses.
BAHRAIN - A military court sentenced 10 well known activists to life in prison on June
22 on charges that they had plotted a coup during protests over the past few months,
while 11 others on trial received sentences of between two and 15 years. Citizens responded
in anger to the rulings and poured into Manama's city streets in protest, where Associated
Press reported that they were stopped by police with tear gas as they tried to reach the central
square. Meanwhile, those being jailed pledged to continue their peaceful demands for rights
and freedom while imprisoned.
SYRIA - On Tuesday, French Prime Minister François Fillon urged the United Nations
to speak out against Syria’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests, as several Western
governments continued to draft a UN Security Council resolution. The following day, UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon renewed previous calls for the Syrian government to communicate
meaningfully with fellow citizens and allow fact-finding and humanitarian missions in
the country. Also on Wednesday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem pledged the emergence
of an exemplary democracy within three months through government reforms.
LIBYA - During the visit of Mr. Mahmoud Jibril, senior foreign affairs official of the Libyan
activists' National Transitional Council (NTC) on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang
Jiechi affirmed his country's recognition of the activists’ council as an important
dialog partner that has greatly developed its representation of fellow co-citizens.
Minister Yang also called on both sides in Libya to make efforts toward resolving issues
through dialog rather than conflict.
In sadness for the lives lost and all who have been afflicted, we pray for the conflicts
in every country to cease so the global citizens may chose to share peaceful, free and dignified
lives�