13 Apr 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
A Japanese cameraman for Reuters, Hiro Muramoto, was fatally shot in the chest whilst covering protests in Bangkok on 10 April. It is not apparent which side was responsible for the shooting, as Thai police used rubber bullets, tear gas and fired live ammunition into the air, whilst red shirt protesters were also accused of firing live rounds and grenades. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs have issued a statement calling for an independent investigation of Muramoto’s death.
08 Apr 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
Following Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s declaration of a state of emergency yesterday the government has begun targeting news sources aimed at anti-government protesters, the so-called red shirts. The “red shirt” financed a television station, PTV was closed down today. government has also begun blocking internet content, which according to RSF has amounted to the closure of at least 36 websites and blogs to date. Chiranuch Premchaipoen, editor of the independent news website Prachatai.com, was arrested on 31 March on lèse majesté charges.
15 Mar 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
Thirty-four Tibetans were arrested in Kathmandu last Wednesday, for staging demonstrations. The protests, outside a Buddhist monastery and the Chinese Embassy, were commemorating the 1959 Tibetan uprising. This crackdown on pro-Tibet actions coincides with an increase in security measures in Lhasa. 2,800 police officers have been deployed in the city in anticipation for potential violence this week during the second anniversary of the 2008 riots.
11 Feb 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa dissolved parliament on Tuesday, and announced general elections as the opposition called for nationwide protests over the arrest of defeated presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka, the former army chief. Fonseka was arrested on Monday night, Rajapaksa won the presidential poll on January 26 amid opposition claims of widespread electoral fraud. Yesterday, government supporters clashed with thousands of opposition protesters over the arrest. The opposition accused the President of ordering Fonseca’s arrest on fabricated coup charges to prevent a further challenge from him in parliamentary polls. According to the Civil Rights Movement (CRM), demonstrators were physically attacked by government supporters who were prepared with sticks and large stones. Ban Ki Moon, the UN Secretary-General, has expressed concern over the arrest, as has the US. “Democracy today in Sri Lanka is nonexistent,” said Ravi Rajakarunanayake, a member of Parliament from an opposition party that had backed General Fonseka. “It is very tense here today.”
The Free Media Movement (FMM) and other IFEX members report that Sri Lankan journalists continues to be arrested and intimidated as part of a post-election crackdown. The authorities have detained and questioned many journalists, blocked websites and attempted to expel a foreign journalist, fostering a climate of fear. Five Sri Lankan media organisations have expressed concerns about attacks on the media and this week two journalists from the MTV television network were assaulted.
