By: Radio Free Europe, November 23, 2005
A prominent international analysis group said on 23 November that Western governments have not "dared" to criticize the recent elections in oil-rich Azerbaijan because of their interests in the region.
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By: International Herald Tribune, November 25, 2005
Standing beside Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. secretary of state, when she visited Kazakhstan last month, President Nursultan Nazarbayev said he "wholly and truly" supported freedom of speech in his country. Six days later, the police seized 50,000 copies of Svoboda Slova, an opposition newspaper whose name means freedom of speech.
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By: New York Times, November 24, 2005
On her fourth day of keeping a Web log, she introduced herself to the world with these striking words: "I am a dance girl, and I am a party member." Sometimes timing is everything, and such was the case with the anonymous blogger, a self-described Communist Party member from Shanghai who goes by the pseudonym Mu Mu.
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By: United Press International, November 23, 2005
The 12-day visit to China of the U.N. Human Rights Commission's special rapporteur on torture offers a combination of challenges and threats to leaders in Beijing. Manfred Nowak, head of the UN organization, arrived in Beijing Monday, hours after U.S. President Bush left the Chinese capital to complete his four Asian nation journey with a brief stop in Mongolia before heading back to Washington.
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By: Voice of America, November 27, 2005
Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party is on its way to a decided win in elections for a newly created Senate. Observers say the turnout for Saturday's election was the lowest since independence in 1980. Independent monitors say the overall average turnout for the Senate election was between 15 and 20 percent. In the March general election, 60 percent of eligible voters cast ballots.
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By: All Africa, November 22, 2005
Five Liberians have been arrested for apparently transporting a consignment of rice to support persons believed to be engaged in dissident activities.
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By: New York Times, November 27, 2005
Somebody needs to remind Meles Zenawi that he is supposed to be setting the example for how democracy should work in Africa. As things stand, the only example Mr. Meles, the Ethiopian prime minister, is setting is one of autocratic repression.
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By: Voice of America, November 24, 2005
Ugandan opposition politician Kizze Besigye, who has been charged with treason and rape before the High Court, will also face a terrorism charge in military court. Critics say the charges, coming just ahead of the country's general elections, are politically motivated.
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By: BBC, November 28, 2005
Kenya outlawed opposition rallies and dismissed calls for elections, after voters rejected a new constitution. Vice-President Moody Awori said demonstrations supporting calls for elections would be seen as a "threat to national security". Opposition leader Raila Odinga said it is unconstitutional to deny people freedom of assembly.
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