Displaying items by tag: protests

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.

Anti-government protesters have clashed with supporters of President Luis Arce in Bolivia’s capital La Paz, amid an economic crisis and political power struggle. Former president Evo Morales, once a close ally of Arce, has led a week-long, 220-km ‘March to save Bolivia’, demanding cabinet changes and threatening further protests. He has accused the government of corruption, economic mismanagement, and protecting drug trafficking. Arce and Morales are now vying to lead Bolivia’s long-dominant party Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), ahead of the 2025 presidential election. Their division has sparked street violence, leaving 34 people injured. Morales, seeking a political comeback after his 2019 ousting, has widespread support among poor and indigenous Bolivians, who represent almost half the country’s population. The country’s economy has been hit by dwindling natural gas revenues and lack of investment. It is unclear what will happen next.

The USA has filed criminal charges against Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, and five other individuals for orchestrating the deadly attack on 7 October which killed 1,200 people, including forty Americans. The charges include conspiracy to support a terrorist organisation, conspiracy to murder US nationals, and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction. The complaint alleges support from Iran and Hezbollah. Three of the defendants are believed to be dead, while Sinwar remains in hiding. These charges are part of a broader effort to dismantle Hamas’s operations, but the White House also says it is actively working with Egypt and Qatar on a new ceasefire and hostage deal. In other developments, in Israel there have been three days of huge protests against Benjamin Netanyahu, and the UK government has decided to suspend sale of certain types of arms sales to Israel because they might be used in violation of international humanitarian law.

Nationwide protests have disrupted hospital services in several Indian cities after the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee medic in West Bengal on 9 August. Thousands of doctors, led by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), marched in Kolkata demanding better security and justice. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) also noted the poor working conditions, heavy workloads, and frequent violence faced by doctors in government hospitals. The protests, including an ‘indefinite’ strike by FAIMA, have severely affected hospital services: for example, over 8,000 government doctors in Maharashtra have halted work, except in emergency departments. Police have arrested a volunteer from their forces in connection with the crime, and the investigation has been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation by a Kolkata high court, indicating the seriousness with which the case is being treated.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus has been asked by Bangladesh’s president to lead an interim government. This decision came after prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted on 5 August, after violent student-led protests which resulted in over 100 deaths on that day and more than 400 in total. Hundreds of police stations have also been torched. The unrest, which began in early July with students demanding the abolition of civil service job quotas, had escalated into a broader anti-government movement. Hasina fled to India, ending nearly fifteen years of rule. In response, Bangladesh's army chief pledged to form an interim administration. Ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia, a key opposition leader, was released from house arrest, and her Bangladesh Nationalist Party now wants free and fair elections. Yunus, who has accepted the invitation to lead the government, is returning from Paris after a minor medical procedure.