By: The Washington Post, November 15, 2005
Just a half-year ago a million nonviolent demonstrators in Beirut led a Cedar Revolution that forced Syria's military withdrawal from their country. In April mass protests in Kyrgyzstan, dubbed the Tulip Revolution, forced the country's corrupt president to resign. After Ukraine's Orange Revolution of November 2004 and Georgia's Rose Revolution of November 2003, it seemed as though the world was being swept up in a rising tide of democratic ferment.
By: Human Rights Watch, November 2, 2005
The imprisoned Iranian journalist and dissident, Akbar Ganji, said that Judiciary officials have tortured him to renounce his writings. Human Rights Watch today expressed grave concern for his physical well-being and urged the Iranian government to release him immediately and unconditionally.
By: BBC News, November 14, 2005
The first Christian satellite television channel in Egypt began broadcasting on Monday. Aghapy Television was established by the Coptic Christian church, the main church in Egypt.
By: BBC News, November 15, 2005
Tens of thousands of people have attended rallies in Australia to protest against the government's proposed changes to industrial laws. Trade unionists have called it the biggest demonstration in the country's history.
By: Forum 18, November 14, 2005
Uzbekistan's Post Office routinely opens parcels of religious books and magazines sent from abroad, sends examples to the state Religious Affairs Committee, then collects them with a Committee decision as to whether or not to ban the title, writes to the sender and the failed recipient to explain why titles have been rejected, and (sometimes) returns them at Uzbek Post Office expense, Forum 18 News Service has found.
By: Human Rights Watch, November 11, 2005
An independent journalist in Uzbekistan was ambushed and assaulted on November 9 by a group of unidentified men, the latest attack in a worsening environment for government critics since the May 13 massacre in Andijan, Human Rights Watch said today.
By: BBC News, November 14, 2005
An Uzbek court has found 15 men guilty of trying to overthrow the government and set up an Islamic state, in a case which drew international criticism.
The 15, who pleaded guilty at the start of the trial, were sentenced to between 14 and 20 years in jail.
By: Washington Times, November 14, 2005
President Bush has a historic opportunity to rehabilitate his human rights credentials when he visits China this weekend by confronting Chinese President Hu Jintao about his country's role in protecting the Sudanese government from United Nations' sanctions to help end the world's worst humanitarian disaster: the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan.
By: BBC News, November 14, 2005
Members of Zimbabwe's main opposition party expelled at the weekend say their sacking is unconstitutional. Movement for Democratic Change official spokesman Paul Themba Nyathi criticised leader Morgan Tsvangirai
By: BBC News, November 15, 2005
Police in Uganda have shot dead at least one rioter on the second day of protests over the arrest of opposition leader Kizza Besigye. As police fired bullets and tear gas, charges of rape and treason were read out to Dr Besigye in the High Court.