tldrdaily.news logo
Tag

Pro Democracy Movement

All articles tagged with #pro democracy movement

world-news1 year ago

"Myanmar's Junta Faces Mounting Losses as Rebellion Gains Momentum"

Myanmar's military junta is facing significant defeats, losing control of key border areas and experiencing low morale and defections within its ranks. The pro-democracy movement and various armed groups are challenging the junta's rule, leaving the military severely overstretched. The possibility of regime implosion or leadership change looms, with regional countries, particularly China, playing a complex role in influencing events in Myanmar.

via The Guardian|
#china#military-junta#myanmar
politics2 years ago

Hong Kong's 'Patriots Only' Election Sees Historic Low Turnout and Activist Arrests

Hong Kong's district council elections, which barred opposition candidates, saw the lowest turnout in decades, with only 27.5% of eligible voters participating. The elections were held under a new electoral system that ensures only "patriots" loyal to Beijing can hold office. The electoral overhaul, part of China's efforts to reshape Hong Kong, has been criticized for stifling political opposition and freedoms. Many voters were discouraged by the lack of political diversity and viewed the elections as unfair or illegitimate. Despite the government's efforts to boost voter numbers, the low turnout raises questions about the legitimacy of the new system.

via CNN|
#elections#electoral-system#hong-kong
conflict2 years ago

Myanmar Junta's Struggle Against Rebel Offensives Threatens Stability

The Myanmar military junta is facing significant battlefield defeats as ethnic armed organizations, including the Three Brotherhood Alliance, have seized over 150 military outposts and key towns in northern Shan State. The military's reliance on airpower and heavy artillery is not enough to prevent resistance forces from gaining ground in rural areas. The Three Brotherhood Alliance's offensive marks a turning point in the conflict, highlighting the resistance's determination and coalition-building efforts. China's support for the junta has proven to be a poor bet, further weakening the military's position. The junta is now more vulnerable than ever, and it is crucial for the pro-democracy resistance to continue building momentum and for international supporters to increase pressure on the junta through sanctions and diplomatic efforts.

via War On The Rocks|
#conflict#ethnic-armed-organizations#military-junta
politics2 years ago

Myanmar's Military Junta Extends State of Emergency, Postpones Election

Myanmar's military-led government has extended the state of emergency it imposed when it seized power from an elected government, further delaying the promised elections. The National Defense and Security Council, controlled by the military, extended the state of emergency for another six months due to the need for more time to prepare for the polls. The extension reflects the military's failure to subdue widespread opposition to its rule, including armed resistance and nonviolent protests. The military government labels the opposition National Unity Government and its armed wing as "terrorists." Critics argue that the upcoming elections will not be free or fair under the military-controlled government, which has shut down independent media and arrested leaders of the pro-democracy movement.

via The Associated Press|
#elections#military-led-government#myanmar
politics2 years ago

Tiananmen Commemoration Controversy Continues in Hong Kong and Beyond

Hong Kong's Victoria Park, once the site of a somber candlelight vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, is now hosting a pro-China carnival celebrating the city's handover to Beijing. The festivities come amid increasing efforts to silence historical research into China's past, including the recent dissolution of Hong Kong's second-largest pro-democracy political party and the removal of most books about the Tiananmen Square crackdown from public libraries. The national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 has made public dissent near impossible, leaving activists and journalists fearful to speak out. Despite the erasure of space for memorials, Hong Kongers still consider keeping the memory of Tiananmen alive a "moral duty."

via The Washington Post|
#china#hong-kong#national-security-law
politics2 years ago

Jimmy Lai's bid to end national security trial rejected by Hong Kong court.

A Hong Kong court has rejected jailed publisher Jimmy Lai's request to terminate his national security trial, which could result in a life sentence if convicted. Lai's lawyers had filed an application to halt the trial, citing concerns that his case was being heard by three judges approved by the city's leader, instead of a jury. The national security law, enacted in June 2020, outlaws secession, subversion, terrorism, and foreign collusion to intervene in the city's affairs, and has been used to stamp out dissent.

via Yahoo News|
#hong-kong#jimmy-lai#judiciary
politics2 years ago

Hong Kong's democracy setback: Elected seats to be slashed.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee, has proposed a plan to reduce the proportion of directly elected seats in local district councils to about 20%, down from 90%, and fill the rest of the 470 seats with government appointees, rural committee chairpersons, and others elected by local committees. The move is seen as part of Beijing's increasing control over the former British colony, which was promised autonomy when it returned to China in 1997. Critics regard the requirement as part of a broader crackdown on the pro-democracy movement after the massive protests and enactment of the sweeping national security law in 2020.

via The Associated Press|
#beijing#democracy#elections
politics2 years ago

Chaos and uncertainty loom over Sudan's political landscape.

The release of top officials from Sudan's former ruler Omar al-Bashir's regime could shift the balance of power in the ongoing conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). While some members of the army may welcome the return of National Congress Party (NCP) officials, others may be uncomfortable. The return of NCP officials could also put them at odds with the ambitions of RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo. The pro-democracy movement fears that the return of NCP officials could lead to a crackdown on civil society, similar to what happened in Egypt.

via Al Jazeera English|
#military#omar-al-bashir#politics
conflict2 years ago

The Escalating Crisis in Sudan: Mobilization, Lawlessness, and the Search for Peace.

Sudan's "resistance committees" have mobilized to provide medical care, evacuate civilians, and maintain social cohesion amid the ongoing armed conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. These neighborhood groups have filled the void left by aid groups that have suspended operations due to the violence. The resistance committees have coordinated informal networks to organize anti-war messaging and humanitarian response, boosting their support among the population. Despite their heroic efforts, they have received little support from political elites and generals, and the international community should engage with them to effectively address the crisis.

via Al Jazeera English|
#conflict#humanitarian-response#pro-democracy-movement
politics2 years ago

The Military and Airline Impacts of Sudan's Unrest.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group in Sudan, has been engaged in fierce fighting with the military, raising fears of a civil war. The RSF evolved from Janjaweed militias and was used by the government to put down a rebellion in the Darfur region. The group has been accused of committing human rights abuses and has grown to an estimated 100,000 fighters. The RSF is commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who holds the position of deputy head of Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council. Tensions between the army and RSF have delayed a final signing of a new transition agreement, and negotiations on integrating the RSF into the regular armed forces have been a source of tension.

via Al Jazeera English|
#civil-war#military#politics
conflict2 years ago

Myanmar military airstrikes leave over 100 dead and spark international outrage.

Myanmar's military conducted airstrikes on a ceremony held by opponents of army rule, killing as many as 100 people, including many children. The military has increasingly used airstrikes to counter the widespread armed struggle against its rule, which began in February 2021. More than 3,000 civilians are estimated to have been killed since then by security forces. The United Nations strongly condemned the attack and said those responsible must be brought to justice. The death toll from Tuesday's air attack, if confirmed, could be the highest in more than two years of civil conflict that began when the army seized power in 2021.

via NPR|
#civil-conflict#conflict#human-rights-abuses
politics2 years ago

Hong Kong protest artwork removed from display.

A Hong Kong department store removed a digital artwork that contained hidden references to jailed dissidents, in an incident the artist says is evidence of erosion of free speech in the semi-autonomous Chinese city. The artwork featured a panning surveillance camera and flashes of Matrix-like text showcasing the names and prison sentences of convicted activists and other prominent figures in the pro-democracy movement. It was unclear whether the government played a role in the decision to remove the artwork, but the incident highlights the growing concerns over free speech and artistic freedom in Hong Kong since the enactment of the National Security Law.

via The Associated Press|
#art#free-speech#hong-kong