When the world is on fire, why sit and watch?

Social media has done something — around the world, people are seeing others protest, and are thinking, “why don’t we try the same?” Citizens are unsatisfied with the way their governments are stripping away rights and dignity— so they are taking to the streets to demand action and to make their voice heard. In places such as Hong Kong, Chile, Bolivia, Indonesia, and Lebanon to name a few, this might very well be the largest wave of global protests in modern history since 2011. And while they are happening in nations very different from your own— they all have similar themes and universal concerns— fighting back against corruption, inequality (around wealth or gender), political freedom, and climate change.

It is hard to know what is going on in the world at all times, but I did what I could to find out what in the world is going on and centralized the information in one location here. But it’s not enough to just know what is happening. You must also understand that these protests deserve your attention because they affect all of us. As always I will provide some further reading to dig into as well.

Keep reading!

Hong Kong (the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill movement)

Protestors are feeling angered towards current systems that make them feel trapped. We all saw demonstrations on our news outlets this summer, but discontent can be traced back to February, where members of Hong Kong's government proposed an extradition bill known as the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019. Hong Kong is part of China, but enjoys its own special freedoms. But this bill led many people in Hong Kong to believe that this is Beijing’s way of exerting greater control.

It’s a fight for democracy.

Their fear is painfully valid. Under the bill's provisions, the region would be able to extradite suspects to other countries on a case-by-case basis, with the chief executive holding significant power over which cases apply. This raises eyebrows considering, part of Hong Kong’s package in 1997, when the British turned over Hong Kong, was guaranteed its own independent court system. So why extradite? The bill was brought up based off of a recent case in which a Hong Kong resident suspected of murdering someone in Taiwan, couldn’t be extradited to stand trial in Taiwan, but instead, was tried on money laundering charges done in Hong Kong.

But here is the catch.

Have you heard of the Loving v Virginia case? This interracial couple got their marriage certified in D.C where their union was recognized. But in Virginia, where interracial marriage was illegal, that certification of union was not recognized. Even though that was their home, if they wanted to live in Virginia they would have had to live in separate homes. It wasn’t until they appealed the decision to the U.S Supreme Court, that they got the ruling in their favor, and the final decision that Virginia violated the Equal Protection clause and that states could not infringe on marriage. In this case, the Supreme Court had the upper hand. Well, for Hong Kong and Taiwan, China is the upper hand, because it has technical oversight. However, in this case, China also has a special interest: exerting more power and control. Protesters feared that if this bill was to go into effect, this would allow Chinese authorities to engage in “legal kidnapping”- they could go after political dissenters under the guise of made up or exaggerated charges.

The good news is that as of early-mid fall, the bill was suspended and formally withdrew from the legislative process. But the fire has not died down. This bill only ignited what was already set to flame. Hong Kong protesters are demanding more from their government— electoral reform and a commission or investigation to look into police misconduct and brutality.

Stay Updated:

Indonesia (Student Movements against corruption, personal freedom, and climate)

from reuters article linked at the end of section

University students in major cities across Indonesia took to the streets to demonstrate their disapproval to a new law passed by parliament that reduces the authority on the corruption commission— which is a key body that fights for accountability and oversight. Activists are rightfully fearful that this revision will weaken the powers of one of the most credible institutions in the country. Especially in a place where the police and parliament are already perceived as being corrupt. The students are also protesting the proposed criminal code, which is a comprehensive set of proposed changes to the country’s existing penal code, which dates back to the days of Dutch colonial rule. Here is a bit taken from The Guardian that goes over why the proposals to the criminal code are a issue:

“If passed, the proposed criminal code would usher in sweeping and significant changes that could threaten a wide range of civil liberties. There are more than 18 problematic articles within the bill but in protests this week students slammed the parliament for attempting to regulate their private lives and police their morality. Among the most controversial articles are those that would outlaw extramarital sex, which activists say would criminalize homosexuality and cohabitation for unmarried couples. The bill also stipulates new laws on discussions of sex education and contraception, and includes a four-year jail term for unauthorized abortions.

But the draft code is also much more. It is feared that a vague article that refers to “living laws” could be used to legitimize hundreds of existing and discriminatory sharia laws at local level. The code also expands the existing blasphemy law, which has been used to prosecute religious minorities, and makes insulting the president, vice president and state a criminal offense, which activists fear could impact Indonesia’s hard-won press freedoms. Other articles also outlaw black magic and associating with Marxist-Leninist organisations.”

This code would not only affect native Indonesians, but tourists as well. As of now the criminal code bill has been delayed, there hasn’t really been in any further updates since October.

Keep Reading:

India (Citizenship Act Protests)

Mass protests have spread across India as people demonstrate their opposition to what is feared to be a “nationalist agenda” to marginalize the 200 million Muslims that call India their home. It’s the Citizenship Amendment Act and it was passed early December. It grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Christians from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh but blocks naturalization for Muslims. It echos the discriminatory tones of Trump’s Muslim ban. Police have been trying to block protests from happening and their has been internet outages to stop the flow of communication and coordination among activist groups. Police officers have also been detaining people, flights have been delayed as of a routine, and mobile services have been cut off.

Stay Updated:

Kashmir (Takeover)

ap_19235576047910-254a0fa723603115e339e70524ffa5deec7c0081-s1400-c85.jpg

This year we saw wide scale arrests and communications blackout in Kashmir by Indian security forces that prompted Pakistan to suspend rail service and diplomatic ties. They were under siege, experiencing the worst crackdown in three decades, imposed by the Indian government as it revoked the region’s autonomy by abrogating article 370 of the constitution— dating back to 1949, this article guaranteed Kashmir’s special status within the larger Indian union and enshrined the conditions of the state’s accession to India soon after 1947. India has also abrogated article 35A— It empowers the state legislature in Srinagar, the capital, to define who is a permanent resident with the right to buy property and apply for jobs. It’s the dissolution of this article that perhaps presents a graver threat to Kashmiris, as it potentially clears a way for India to acquire land.

By erasing what was left of its independence the Indian government has chosen to unilaterally alter the future of an entire people (who have never submitted to Indian sovereignty). Not only that, it has effectively instituted a mass detention of Kashmiris by rushing in thousands of troops in addition to the half a million already stationed there. All of this happened without any consultation with Kashmiris, without any discussion among India’s own parliamentarians, and, most crucially, without any sound legal foundation.

The entire population is under the severest curfew in decades and an unprecedented communications blockade has been put in place, with mobile phones, broadband, even landlines blocked. The world’s largest democracy has cut off Kashmir from the rest of the world.

Keep Reading

Lebanon (New Taxes & An Election)

This October, demonstrations began as a way to protest new taxes on internet-based calls, including through WhatsApp. In unprecedented scenes, tens of thousands of peaceful protesters from different religious and class sectors of society assembled in cities across the country accusing the political leadership of corruption and calling for social and economic reforms.

Protesters want complete political reform, with a new technocratic government and an investigation into corruption. It is important to note that underlying frustration with the government and the political elite had been accumulating for years. Public anger has escalated in recent years over electricity and water shortages, as well as the government’s failure to manage the country's waste, dollar liquidity, and economic crises.

With debt levels soaring, the government has been trying to implement economic reforms to secure a major aid package from international donors. But many ordinary people say they are suffering under the country's economic policies and that government mismanagement is to blame for their troubles. As of mid December, the country has elected a new PM— a university professor named Hassan Diab. Many are outraged at the appointment, saying he is corrupted, and are wanting a democratic/functioning government.

Keep Reading

“Lebanon Protests Explained” by Amnesty International
“Trust is Lost” by Middle East Eye

Iraq (October Revolution, Power Outrage)

Protesters draped in their country’s flag have been taking part in demonstrations since Oct. 1 that have left at least 319 people dead and at least 8,000 injured according to the U.N.

The unrest started on 1 October, when people took to the streets of Baghdad and in the south to express their anger at endemic corruption, high unemployment, dire public services and foreign interference. The prime minister has resigned in response, but protesters want to sweep away the entire political establishment.

The protests are leaderless, however coordination and communication has been made over sites like Facebook and Whatsapp, so consequently Iraq’s Ministry of Communications repeatedly disconnected the Internet and blocked social media platforms for periods of time.

Here are some primary issues highlighted by TIME magazine: “Iraq is the 12th most corrupt country in the world according to NGO Transparency International in 2018. According to Transparency International, since the overthrow of dictator Saddam Hussein regime in 2003, Iraq has faced “significant corruption challenges”. These include a weak capacity to absorb the influx of aid money and a lack of political will for anti-corruption efforts.

Anger has grown with the levels of corruption; protesters believe that money is not going to where it should. For example, despite sitting on a healthy current account surplus, and earning $65 billion in oil export revenue in 2018, Iraq’s government doesn’t provide clean drinking water to the oil-rich region of Basra.”

Protesters initially called for more jobs and basic services including clean water and electricity, and want to see their leaders held to account for corruption, as well as new electoral laws. Protesters have not only called for the resignation of the country’s political leadership, including the Prime Minister, but also for the entire political system of sectarianism to be overthrown.

Stay Updated:

Iran (A Crackdown, A Blackout, Hundreds Dead, & Thousands Arrested)

Iran is experiencing its deadliest political unrest since the Islamic Revolution 40 years ago. Protests were sparked by 50% gas price hikes that came without warning, and within 72 hours, outraged demonstrators in cities large and small were calling for an end to the Islamic Republic’s government and the downfall of its leaders— and morphed that anger into nationwide anti-government demonstrations.

The government responded quickly— it pulled internet away, and retaliated towards protesters with brutal, deadly force. Frustration is widespread and the lethal force seems to be unprecedented. The latest outbursts not only revealed staggering levels of frustration with Iran’s leaders, but also underscored the serious economic and political challenges facing them, from the Trump administration’s onerous sanctions on the country to the growing resentment toward Iran by neighbors in an increasingly unstable Middle East.

Families have been warned not to talk to media, which means the information going in and out is hard to measure.

Stay Updated:

Algeria (Revolution of Smiles or Hirak Movement)

When President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who held office since 1999, announced that he would run for a fifth term— protests sparked. Since February 22, Algerians have been in the streets protesting for big structural changes to their government. He was able to somehow remain in power, even though he suffered from a stroke that left him paralyzed and mute back in 2013. He eventually resigned, and the former President now Army Chief of Staff called for two elections- one on July 4th that was canceled, and the other set for today, December 22.

The protest movement is known as the Hirak in Arabic. Algerian authorities have arrested many of the pro-democracy movement activists since September 2019. Those who remain detained are on on vague charges such as “harming national unity” and “undermining the morale of the army.” Protesters are calling for sweeping government reforms, accusing leaders of widespread corruption and state repression.

Stay Updated:

Sudan (Pro- Democracy Protests)

The unrest in Sudan can be traced back to December 2018, when then President Bashir's government imposed emergency austerity measures to try to stave off economic collapse. The protests expanded into demands for the removal of Mr. Bashir — who had been in charge for 30 years — and his government. Cuts to bread and fuel subsidies also sparked demonstrations in the east and the anger spread to the capital, Khartoum.

On April 6th demonstrators occupied the square in front of the military's headquarters to demand that the army force the president out. This is when media from the international world started paying attention. Five days later, the military announced that the president had been overthrown. A council of generals assumed power on 11 April but it has struggled to return normality to the country.

So who is leading the protests? For one, the economic problems brought Sudanese from all walks of life to the streets, but the organisation of demonstrations was taken on by the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) —this is a collaboration of doctors, health workers and lawyers.

As seen with many nations around the world, protesters are mostly young, reflecting the country's demographics, but in Sudan people of all ages have been seen in the crowds. And of course, women are at the forefront of the demonstrations.

The military and protesters have reached several agreements fleshing out the details of a power sharing arrangement, while balancing trust and accountability. On August 4th they signed a constitutional declaration which will pave the way for the formation of a transitional government. A formal signing ceremony took place on August 17. They have agreed on the following:

Power-sharing will last for 39 months
Elections to be held at the end of that period
A sovereign council, cabinet and legislative body will be formed
A general will head the council for the first 21 months, a civilian for the remaining 18
Sovereign council will have 11 members (5 civilian and 5 military nominees plus one agreed by consensus)
A prime minister, nominated by the pro-democracy movement, will head the cabinet
The ministers of defense and interior will be chosen by the military
The other positions will be taken by pro-democracy candidates
Sovereign council and cabinet members barred from running for election

While demonstrations were mainly peaceful, the military used brutal tactics such as tear gas and shooting to break up assemblies.

Stay Updated:

France (Yellow Vest Movement, Income/Wealth Inequality, Diesel Prices, Pension Reforms)

The protesters, known as the Yellow Vests movement, initially wanted the French government to withdraw a proposed tax increase to gas prices in late 2018 since many have to drive long distances for work, highlighting economic inequality between urban and rural communities. Eventually, they also called for higher wages, reforms to address inequality, and the resignation of President Emmanuel Macron, especially after proposing taking away pension plans.

These protests have halted transportation services such as trains and buses forcing many people to walk or bike to their jobs. The Yellow Vest moniker was came from the fluorescent yellow safety vests worn by demonstrators. French law states that all motorists must carry a luminous yellow vest or face a fine, hence the apparel was readily available to anyone wanting to protest.

Stay Updated:

Puerto Rico (A Hurricane, Corruption, and a political leader’s inappropriate remarks)

On July 13, the contents of a Telegram group chat managed by Governor Ricardo Rosselló were leaked to the public, and immediately led to mass protests calling for his resignation. These messages consisted of a series of crude, sexist and homophobic chat messages between the embattled governor and his closest aides. He offended nearly every one of the island's 3 million residents, taking aim at women, gay people, people with weight issues, a revered independence movement leader who died of cancer, and the thousands of victims of the devastating 2017 hurricane.

While this ignited the spark for many to take to the streets, anger has been brewing for a while now. Protesters were expressing their indignation with the ongoing corruption scandals and a 12-year economic recession and Puerto Rico's ballooning debt crisis resulted in shuttered schools, cuts in government services, layoffs and university tuition hikes. In 2016, the US Congress created a board to oversee the island's finances — a body that has become a target of the protesters.

The Governor resigned, but many are still criticizing the response to Hurricane Maria.

Stay Updated:

Ecuador (Fuel Subsidies, Austerity measures, and a push for resignation of President Moreno)

Demonstrations began in Ecuador in October, when the government announced that it was ending decades old fuel subsidies as part of public spending cuts agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The change led to a sharp rise in fuel prices, which many said they could not afford. Indigenous communities feared that the measure would result in increased costs for public transport and food, and that their rural communities would be the hardest hit. The government also released a series of labor and tax reforms as part of its belt-tightening measures it was forced to undertake when it agreed to a $4.2bn loan with the IMF. Some of the more controversial reforms include a 20 percent cut in wages for new contracts in public sector jobs, a requirement that public sector workers donate one day's worth of wages to the government each month, and a decrease in vacation days from 30 to 15 days a year.

The protests ended in mid-October, with the communities sitting down with the President to create austerity packages and agreements.

Keep Reading:

Bolivia (Electoral Fraud and Civil Unrest)

Bolivia is being hit by its biggest protests in decades following a disputed Oct. 20 election in which first indigenous President Evo Morales declared himself the outright winner of a fourth consecutive term, avoiding the need for a runoff vote against his top rival. Allegations of fraud by the opposition have fed weeks of sometimes violent protests, which Morales has called an attempted coup after what he says was a fair election. In November, Morales resigned but demonstrators took to the streets to decry the nation's interim president, Jeanine Añez. The protesters, made up largely of members of Bolivia's indigenous population, view Añez's rule as illegitimate and are calling for Morales to return. The former president has been granted asylum in Mexico.

According to an NPR article, “Morales supporters are critical of Añez's European ancestry, fearing that indigenous groups in Bolivia – the Aymara and Quechua, among others – will lose standing among other religious and cultural groups. Many supporters carry the Wiphala flag, which Morales established as the dual flag of Bolivia, equal to the national flag. After declaring herself interim president, Añez spoke from the presidential palace in La Paz with a large bible in hand.”

Stay Updated:

Venezuela ( A Nation Collapsed)

The 2019 Venezuelan protests are a collection of protests that have been organized, since January 11th, as a coordinated effort to remove Nicolás Maduro from the presidency. Since he took office in 2013, Maduro has worked to consolidate his political power. Under his rule, Venezuela has suffered from a humanitarian crisis that has included extremely high inflation, severe food and medicine shortages, and soaring crime rates. An estimated 4.5 million people have left the country. Thousands of people have taken part in competing rallies held by the country's rival political factions, the first since July. In the opposition gathering in the capital, Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president in January, called on demonstrators to keep up the pressure on President Nicolas Maduro by staging daily protests.

Maduro remains in power with security forces largely still loyal to him and with support from Cuba, Russia, and Turkey. Guaido, recognized as the interim president by about fifty countries including the United States, continues to call his supporters to protest in the streets. Talks between the two sides have so far failed.

Stay Updated:

Chile (Income inequality, Public Transportation Fares, Taxes)

For over two months there has been unrest over inequality and shabby social services have left at least 26 dead and more than 13,500 injured, prosecutors said. Riots have hobbled the capital’s public transport system, once the envy of Latin America, and caused billions in losses for private business. What started as a student protest over a spike in subway fares on October 18 has turned into a popular riot in Chile.

The protests have revealed a widespread and deep-seated frustration with entrenched inequality. Privatized education, health care, and pension systems still disproportionately favor the wealthy, and they have left a significant portion of the population in poverty or debt. But the protesters’ demands run far beyond pension system reforms and minimum wage increases; they want a new constitution. The current document dates back to the Pinochet dictatorship, and Chileans hope to revise it so as to limit the role of the government in the economy and formulate a plan that meets the needs and demands of the middle and lower classes.

The government’s reaction was to use violence— rubber bullets that have caused eye injuries, and brutal force so much so that The Guardian reported “Chilean police and soldiers responded to recent mass protests in a “fundamentally repressive manner”, committing serious human rights violations – including unlawful killings and torture – that should be prosecuted, UN investigators have concluded.”

Stay Updated:

Haiti (Economic Crisis and A Call to remove President and Parliament)

In Haiti, protests were sparked over shortages of fuel, food, and a misuse of a loan from Venezuela. President Jovenel Moise promised to boost Haiti’s economy, which is the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, and improve conditions for poor and working-class Haitians when he took office in 2017. But the country has continued to suffer from rising inflation, and its economic crisis worsened after the collapse of an oil-purchasing program with Venezuela. The protests, which intensified in September, threaten to plunge the country deeper into crisis. The opposition group leading the protests is calling for the removal of Moise and parliament members, arguing that they pocketed billions of dollars meant for development.

Opposition leaders created a committee to establish a transitional government, but Moise has refused to step down. Shortages of food and fuel are still widespread. UN agencies estimate that ongoing unrest has left some 3.7 million people suffering from food insecurity, and experts warn that the humanitarian crisis is likely to get worse.

Stay Updated:

What in the World?

When the world is on fire, why sit and watch?

Hong Kong (the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill movement)

Indonesia (Student Movements against corruption, personal freedom, and climate)

India (Citizenship Act Protests)

Kashmir (Takeover)

Lebanon (New Taxes & An Election)

Iraq (October Revolution, Power Outrage)

Iran (A Crackdown, A Blackout, Hundreds Dead, & Thousands Arrested)

Algeria (Revolution of Smiles or Hirak Movement)

Sudan (Pro- Democracy Protests)

France (Yellow Vest Movement, Income/Wealth Inequality, Diesel Prices, Pension Reforms)

Puerto Rico (A Hurricane, Corruption, and a political leader’s inappropriate remarks)

Ecuador (Fuel Subsidies, Austerity measures, and a push for resignation of President Moreno)

Bolivia (Electoral Fraud and Civil Unrest)

Venezuela ( A Nation Collapsed)

Chile (Income inequality, Public Transportation Fares, Taxes)

Haiti (Economic Crisis and A Call to remove President and Parliament)

Home Blog

Contact Subscribe