ACTIVISM: Beijing Olympics: How to stage a protest

(Telegraph.co.uk) - But for those who do not wish to take the risk of arrest and deportation, there is another, perfectly legal way to get heard at the Olympics: Chinese authorities have earmarked three “designated protest zones” around the capital city.

Such zones have been a feature of every Olympics since Sydney in 2000, and for China they are a response to criticisms that freedom of speech would be limited during the event. They are, however, a far cry from Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park.

For one, they are tucked away in hard-to reach suburbs, seven miles from the main Olympic stadium. And for another, the rules on exactly who can demonstrate and about what are as strict and complex and as any in China’s byzantine bureaucracy. Human rights activists have branded them as worthless “protest pens” and predict they are likely to stay empty for the duration of the Games.

READ MORE HERE [ Source: Telegraph.co.uk, David Eimer, August 9, 2008 ]

ACTIVISM: Canadian among pro-Tibet protesters removed from Tiananmen Square

(CBC.ca) - Five activists, including a 24-year-old Canadian, were taken away by police Saturday after holding a protest in Tiananmen Square over China’s policies in Tibet.

Montrealer Chris Schwartz, a student at Concordia University and longtime member of the pro-Tibetan movement, was among a group of activists from Students for a Free Tibet.

The other protesters came from the United States and Germany. There are reports the five are facing deportation for staging the mock “die-in,” starting around 12:30 p.m. local time.

Members of the group covered their mouths with fake blood and pretended to be dead before rising up and chanting slogans in support of human rights and the Tibetan cause, according to journalists who were invited to witness the event.

READ MORE HERE [ Source: CBC.ca, August 9. 2008 ]

Bush criticizes China before visit to Beijing Olympics

(CBC.ca) - U.S. President George W. Bush delivered a strong condemnation of China’s approach toward the freedom and rights of its citizens Thursday in a speech on the eve of a visit to the host of the 2008 Olympic Games.

In Thailand as part of a three-country tour through Asia, Bush said his country supports a free press, free assembly and labour rights, and that China must follow that example if it hopes to prosper.

“America stands in firm opposition to China’s detention of political dissidents and human rights advocates and religious activists,” Bush said in Bangkok.

“We press for openness and justice not to impose our beliefs, but to allow the Chinese people to express theirs.”

READ MORE HERE [ Source: CBC.ca, August 7, 2008 ]

China tells Bush to stay out of other countries’ affairs

(CBC.ca) - Chinese officials have told U.S. President George W. Bush to stay out of other countries’ affairs after he condemned Beijing’s human rights record before heading to the Olympic Games.

“We resolutely oppose any words or actions which interfere in the internal affairs of another country in the name of issues such as human rights and religion,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Thursday in a statement on its website that was translated by the Associated Press.

The statement was published hours after Bush criticized China’s approach to freedom and rights of citizens in a speech in Thailand during a three-country tour of Asia before heading to China for Friday’s Olympic opening ceremonies.

READ MORE HERE [ Source: CBC.ca, August 7, 2008 ]

Pro-Tibet protesters defy security near Beijing’s Olympic Stadium

(CBC.ca) - Police in Beijing on Wednesday detained several foreign protesters who breached tight security and unfurled a banner calling for a free Tibet, as the Olympic torch made its way through the city.

Two of the protesters scaled a lamp post near the city’s now iconic stadium, known as “Bird’s Nest” Stadium, where in just two days the world’s athletes and thousands of spectators will gather for the Games’ Opening Ceremonies.

It came as Chinese authorities are on high alert after an attack in the northwestern province of Xinjiang that killed 16 police officers and wounded 16 others. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Muslim Uyghur separatists.

READ MORE HERE [ Source: CBC.ca, August 6, 2008 ]

Olympic journalists face web restraints

(CBC.ca) - Journalists covering the Beijing Games will not have uncensored internet access, Chinese and Olympic officials have confirmed.

Foreign media had complained about being unable to access politically sensitive websites such as that of Amnesty International, which on Tuesday accused China of failing to live up to its promise to improve human rights.

China is known for rigid internet controls, but said during the Olympics bidding process that foreign media would have “complete freedom to report” at the Summer Games, which begin Aug. 8.

READ MORE HERE [ Source: CBC.ca ]

Olympics Journalists Urged To Use Crypto, to Thwart Chinese Spying

(Wired: Threat Level) -  Journalists covering the Olympics in Beijing ought to consider using virtual private networks and avoiding the use of instant messenger to interview subjects for stories, says Rebecca MacKinnon, CNN's former Beijing bureau chief and University of Hong Kong new media professor.

"If you are trying to work on sensitive stories that may be beyond topics that perhaps the Chinese government might be happy about you reporting, if you’re communicating with sources who might be under surveillance, you  need to make sure that you’re using secure e-mail and that you’re using a secure internet connection," she says.

READ MORE HERE [ Source: Wired: Threat Level, Sarah Lai Stirland, stirland@gmail.com ]

Geopolitics - July 9

(EnergyBulletin.net) - India left hits out at government, The Iraqi Oil Ministry's new fave five, Iran to "hit Tel Aviv, U.S. ships" if attacked.

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China attacks Dalai Lama as talks continue

BEIJING (Reuters) - China launched another attack on exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Wednesday even as his envoys are expected to have a second day of secretive fence-mending talks.

READ MORE HERE [ Source: Reuters ]

Tehran issues warning to Israel

The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned at the weekend that Iranian retaliation for a strike on its nuclear facilities could include blocking oil routes and striking Israel with long-range missiles.

READ MORE HERE [ Source: The Financial Times Ltd. ]

Mugabe’s rival puts his hopes in wrong hands

JOHANNESBURG — The African Union summit ended on Tuesday just as Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe had hoped it would: with a de facto recognition of his right to keep ruling his benighted country.

Zimbabwe’s opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, and his Movement for Democratic Change had been desperately hoping that the gathering of 53 African leaders in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh would take a firm line against Mr. Mugabe’s move to inaugurate himself after a violence-plagued, one-man election last week. The MDC wanted Africa to make it clear to Mr. Mugabe that the March 29 first round of the vote, in which Mr. Tsvangirai won the largest share, was the last legitimate poll held in the country, the sole basis for any negotiations toward a national unity government.

READ MORE HERE [ Source: Globe and Mail ]

Hundreds rally in Brussels in push for seal hunt ban

About 250 anti-seal-hunt protesters rallied outside the European Union headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday.

The protesters demanded that the 27-country EU impose a total ban on all imports of seal products from Canada and other countries that have annual seal culls.

READ MORE HERE [ Source: CBC.ca ]

Anti-Bush Protest in London June 15, 2008

QUOTE From Video: “The issue here isn’t whether this is ‘brutality’ or who was starting the fights. The issue is that out Government chose to suppress the people’s ability to voice its opinions, in order to please the United States.” See Video below.

READ MORE HERE