Upcoming democracy protests: Tuesdays in Iran, Sundays in China

You can't tell the players without a program, so it's great to see some regularity in the freedom protests scheduled for coming weeks and months. Iran has set up Protest Tuesdays (watch for March 15th), while Chinese democracy protesters have designated every Sunday as a Day of Protest.


Summary of democracy protests - North Africa and Middle East

Algeria

After 19 years, the government officially lifted a state of emergency in February following strikes and protests. But protest marches, which were not allowed under the state of emergency, continue to be banned in the capital, Algiers. Some viewed the move as a "ruse" to placate protesters, who have continued to turn out despite large numbers of police.

Bahrain

After a violent crackdown on protesters in the capital, Manama, that killed several people, the crown prince in February called for a national dialogue between the Sunni-led government and the mostly Shiite protesters. But demonstrators have been reluctant to take up the government's offer without more concessions. So far, the government has released some political prisoners, and the king has fired four Cabinet ministers.

Egypt

Protesters took to Egypt's streets in January, demanding the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak after three decades of rule. Mubarak supporters clashed with demonstrators in Tahrir Square, which became the focal point of protests in the capital, Cairo. More than 300 protesters were killed in the uprising. Although Mubarak pledged not to run again, fired his government and appointed a vice president for the first time in his three decades of rule, the protests intensified until Vice President Omar Suleiman announced that the president had handed over power to the military. Protesters have continued to demand that the military rulers carry out reforms.

Iran

Tens of thousands of demonstrators turned out Feb. 14 for the biggest protests the country has seen since the aftermath of the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009. After clashes between security forces and the protesters, hard-line lawmakers called for opposition leaders to be put on trial and put to death. On March 1, protesters rallied in Tehran to demand the release of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi, who supporters say have been moved from house arrest to prison. Riot police used tear gas and batons to break up the demonstrations, according to witnesses and opposition websites.

Iraq

Small, scattered protests, focusing on unemployment, corruption and a lack of services, have been taking place in Iraq since early February. Protests intensified in the city of Sulaimaniyah — where demonstrators are opposing the leaders of Kurdistan, the semiautonomous region in northern Iraq — and in Basra, where the governor resigned. A nationwide "Day of Rage" called for Feb. 25 turned violent in Mosul and other cities, leading to the deaths of more than a dozen protesters.

Jordan

Protesters have been gathering on Fridays to demand more of a voice in government — some want the power to elect their prime minister and Cabinet officials. King Abdullah II fired his Cabinet in February and appointed a new prime minister, tasked with carrying out reforms. More than 400 Muslim militants took to the streets of Amman on March 1 to demand the release of their jailed colleagues — the first public protest by Salafis, an ultraconservative Muslim group banned in Jordan.

Libya

Protests challenging leader Moammar Gadhafi have led to a bloody crackdown. Hundreds and perhaps thousands have been killed. Pro-democracy rebels now largely control eastern Libya, including the city of Benghazi, where the anti-Gadhafi uprising began Feb. 15. The rebels have fought off forces loyal to Gadhafi in Zawiya and Misrata, two cities near the capital, Tripoli.

Morocco

On Feb. 20, demonstrations were called by a coalition of youth groups, labor unions and human rights organizations demanding greater democracy in the North African kingdom. Several thousand people marched through the capital, Rabat — one of several cities across the country where protests were held. Some trouble arose in the cities of Tangiers and Fez on Feb. 19, but overall, demonstrations were mostly peaceful.

Oman

Protests began in the seaside town of Sohar in late February, resulting in deadly clashes with police. Demonstrators are calling for higher salaries, jobs and the dismissal of some government officials. Oman's ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, has ordered 50,000 new jobs and a monthly stipend for the unemployed, and has reshuffled his Cabinet.

Tunisia

The unrest in this North African nation began in December, apparently after a 26-year-old man committed suicide when police confiscated the fruits and vegetables he was selling. Anger at a lack of employment and at a leadership viewed as corrupt exploded into demonstrations and clashes with police. A United Nations mission says at least 219 were killed in the weeks of protests. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia on Jan. 14. In late February, Mohamed Ghannouchi, who served as prime minister for 11 years, bowed to protesters' demands and resigned after clashes between demonstrators and riot police.

Yemen

Yemen first saw protests in late January, with more sustained demonstrations beginning in February. Demonstrators are calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who insists he will not step down before the end of his term in 2013. Several people have been killed in demonstrations. Amid the protests, civil service and military salaries have been increased, along with social services and tuition assistance.


Source: NPR.org


Chronology and timelines of 2011 Revolutions