Displaying items by tag: protests

The mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, a key opposition leader, has been arrested days before he was to be selected as a presidential candidate. Along with 100 others, he has been charged with corruption and aiding a terrorist group. The arrest comes as part of a major crackdown nationwide in recent months, targeting opposition politicians, municipalities, journalists and figures in the entertainment industry. It has triggered nationwide protests, with police using force to disperse crowds. The government has imposed four days of restrictions in Istanbul, banning public gatherings and limiting internet access. The opposition sees this as a politically motivated move to weaken Imamoglu’s challenge to president Recep Erdogan, whose party was recently defeated in elections in Istanbul and Ankara. The government denies interference, insisting on judicial independence. Imamoglu has faced other challenges, including the annulment of his university degree, which would disqualify him from running. The international community has condemned the arrest, warning of Turkey’s increasing authoritarianism.

North Macedonia is in mourning after a devastating nightclub fire in Kočani killed 59 people, most of them young. As grief turns to anger, thousands have taken to the streets demanding justice and an end to corruption. The nightclub, Pulse, was found to have been operating illegally with an invalid licence obtained through bribery. Safety violations, including a lack of fire exits, an inflammable ceiling, and no fire alarm, contributed to the disaster; there might have been 1,500 in the venue, which had an official capacity of 250. Many victims perished in the crush as they tried to escape. Authorities have detained twenty individuals, including a former economy minister and state officials. The government has declared seven days of mourning, while protests continue across the country, pressuring officials to address corruption. Prime minister Hristijan Mickoski vowed swift justice, calling the situation ‘shocking’. Continuing protests are putting further pressure on the government to stop the corruption which has now cost the 1.8-million strong nation so many young lives.

A thirty-day state of emergency has been declared in Lima following a surge in violent crime. President Dina Boluarte’s government made the decree after the murder of popular cumbia singer Paul Flores, who was killed in an attack on a bus. The move allows police and military forces to detain suspects with fewer restrictions, limiting freedoms of assembly and movement. The decision follows weeks of rising violence, including an explosion at a restaurant that injured eleven people. There have been 459 killings so far this year, and nearly 2,000 extortion cases in January alone. Boluarte has raised the possibility of the death penalty for murderers, though at present Peruvian law only permits it for treason. Opposition lawmakers are demanding a no-confidence vote against the interior minister, accusing him of failing to curb crime. Public outrage remains high as Peru struggles to restore security.

Tens of thousands of Germans have protested in Berlin against perceived political collaboration with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The demonstrations followed votes in which the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, received AfD backing on immigration-related proposals. While Merz insists he did not seek AfD support, critics including former chancellor Angela Merkel view this as a violation of Germany’s post-war commitment to reject far-right alliances. The protests attracted around 160,000 participants. With national elections weeks away, CDU leads the polls, with AfD in second place. Merz has ruled out forming a coalition with AfD, but tensions remain high. Demonstrators, alarmed by potential shifts in Germany’s political landscape, have called on democratic parties to protect the nation’s values.

South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol faces political turmoil after his controversial declaration of martial law on 3 December triggered calls for impeachment and police investigations into alleged insurrection. Opposition lawmakers accuse him of abusing power to suppress dissent under the guise of countering North Korea. The impeachment motion, set for a Saturday vote, requires a two-thirds majority in parliament, with opposition parties needing eight votes from Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) to pass. The martial law declaration, made during a late-night televised address, sparked immediate backlash. Armed troops attempted to block parliament but were repelled. Critics called the declaration unconstitutional. Yoon’s actions have divided his party and drawn widespread criticism. If he were to be impeached, the constitutional court would determine the outcome; prime minister Han Duck-soo could act as interim leader.

Supporters of Imran Khan have staged protests in Islamabad demanding his release, defying a government lockdown, road barricades, and internet blackouts. On 26 November they clashed with security forces, leading to several deaths, injuries, and mass arrests. The protesters, led by Khan’s wife and party leaders, faced heavy police resistance, including tear gas and road blockades. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party accused authorities of using excessive force, while the government reported security personnel sustained bullet injuries. At least six deaths, including four security officials, were reported. Hundreds were arrested as the authorities tried to prevent the protests, which have now been called off by the PTI leadership. Imran Khan has been in jail for over a year and faces dozens of criminal charges ranging from corruption to leaking state secrets, all of which he and his party deny. His supporters are demanding judicial reforms as well as his release.

Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed defence minister Yoav Gallant amid Israel’s ongoing conflicts with Gaza and Lebanon, citing a lack of trust. Gallant’s opposition to ultra-orthodox military conscription and his differing views on hostages have long put him at odds with Netanyahu: he had also publicly dismissed Netanyahu’s oft-repeated goal of ‘total victory’ over Hamas, saying that Israel’s military success had created the conditions for a diplomatic deal. His replacement, foreign minister Israel Katz, vowed to prioritise Israel’s security, emphasising the return of hostages and a decisive stance against Israel’s enemies. Gallant, seen as a moderate influence in Netanyahu’s coalition, was considered to be a stabilising figure. His dismissal sparked major protests across Israel, with citizens decrying the decision as a threat to national security. US officials expressed concern over the timing, especially in the middle of two wars. Meanwhile, on 7 November Israel allowed the evacuation of 231 seriously ill and injured patients from Gaza, the biggest since the conflict broke out. However, WHO said there were still up to 14,000 people waiting for evacuation for medical reasons.

Hundreds of protesters in Loznica, Serbia, have rallied against a planned lithium mining project by Rio Tinto in the region. This followed the ruling Serbian Progressive Party’s rejection of a draft law banning lithium and borate mining. Demonstrators carrying Serbian flags and banners announced one-hour road blockades, vowing to escalate their actions if necessary. Environmentalists argue that the mine could pollute local land and water, threatening agriculture in the region. Lithium, vital for electric vehicle batteries, is a critical material for the EU and the USA. The $2.4 billion project, if realised, could meet 90% of Europe’s lithium needs. In 2022, after mass protests, the government revoked Rio Tinto’s licences for the project. However, president Mr Aleksandar Vucic has now said that mining could start by 2028, arguing that it would significantly boost the economy.

Christians gathered in London to rally for free speech as the Court of Appeal heard the case of Kristie Higgs, a Christian school worker who expressed concerns in 2019 about LGBT+ education at her son's CofE primary school. Higgs was dismissed from the school for ‘gross misconduct’ after sharing Facebook posts criticising the 'No Outsiders in Our School' programme, which introduced topics such as gender identity and same-sex relationships. Following an anonymous complaint, Higgs was subjected to a disciplinary hearing and subsequently dismissed for allegedly bringing the school into disrepute. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, she argued her dismissal violated her rights to religious freedom and free speech. Though a tribunal initially ruled against her, a successful appeal led to a rehearing. Now, Higgs seeks a final ruling from the Court of Appeal to prevent another tribunal and protect Christian employees’ free speech rights. The hearing’s outcome could significantly impact religious expression in the workplace.

On 1 October, in a televised speech to mark Nigeria’s 64 years of independence, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the financial struggles and search for meaningful employment faced by many people. He listed security gains and investments in farm machinery among achievements which would help ease economic pressures, and also announced a national youth conference, known as ‘the 30-day Confab’, whose recommendations would be considered and implemented. The president stressed that the government is mindful of future generations and their potential to contribute to the nation’s progress. However, protests against the current economic hardships have taken place in several states, reflecting discontent among citizens. Some expressed disappointment with the lack of concrete measures to reduce inflation and improve living standards. Tinubu defended his economic reforms, which have pushed the inflation rate to a 28-year high.