demonstrations

First images of Tehran clashes

Sophie Team Observers — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:36:46 +0100

The opposition movement born in the wake of Iran’s disputed presidential election in June is back on the streets of Tehran today, marring the anti-American celebrations organised to mark the 30th anniversary of the storming of the US embassy in 1979.

These are the first images to come from the capital. We’re updating this post as we get more footage. Please be aware that the time indicated is the time we publish the document, not the time it happened.

Send us your images.

Photos of women stripped naked and humiliated, posted online

Sophie Team Observers — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:55:19 +0200

Photographs of Guineans being humiliated naked in the street during last Monday's opposition crackdown are circulating on the Net. One of our Observers says he witnessed the scene when this photo was taken.

A few days after the brutal repression in Conakry last week, several photos of women being abused by soldiers were posted on the Guinea News forum. We were sent these ghastly images but chose only to publish one, after blurring the face of the victim.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has called for an investigation in order to bring to justice "all those responsible for carrying out summary executions, rapes and other human rights violations" in what she described as a "bloodbath" at the hands of the Guinea's army.

Will Captain Camara cause Guinea's downfall?

Team Observers — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:37:55 +0200

Posted on flickr by pyngodan.

Still in shock after the bloody crackdown that cost the lives of 157 people on Monday in Conraky, Guineans wait in apprehension for their junta leader’s next move. One of our Observers gives us his view of captain Moussa Dadis Camara’s nine months in office.

The Head of Guinea’s military junta has tried to distance himself from the bloodbath that took place in Conraky stadium on Monday, when government troops opened fire on thousands of opposition protesters. Camara claims he doesn’t control the army, but his image as a peaceful transition leader after former president Conté’s death is in shambles, and many Guineans view him as nothing more than a dictator.

Although his political and economic achievements after nine months in office are considered mediocre at best, Captain Camara readily sees himself in the presidential seat for good.

"Security forces surrounded the stadium and began shooting"

Team Observers — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:22:56 +0200

A day after anti-government protests ended in a brutal bloodbath, Guineans are slowly getting over the shock. Over 150 people were reportedly killed on Monday in Conakry, when security forces attacked a gathering of thousands of opposition protestors.

Captain Moussa Dadis Camara promised peace and stability when he seized power on the death of former president Lansana Conte in December 2008. Nine months later, Conakry experienced its bloodiest day in recent history.

Security forces shot at a crowd of people gathered at the Conakry stadium to protest Camara’s possible candidacy in the upcoming presidential elections. Although the junta chief had promised his fellow citizens and the international community that he would not run for office, his intention to go back on his word has become clear in recent weeks.

The UN, the United States and France all firmly condemned the violence in Conakry and continue to put pressure on Camara to honour his promise not to run for office.

Iranian girl followed and arrested at her front door

Team Observers — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:18:01 +0200

These images were sent to us by our Observer Omid Habibinia. He says the footage was filmed on September 18 in the town of Rasht. It allegedly shows security forces detain a protester at the entrance of her building after having followed her home. Her family and neighbours appear to struggle to help her before being pushed back by the police.

Police use 'sonic weapon' to break up Pittsburgh protests

Team Observers — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:42:15 +0200

One thousand protesters gathered outside the G20 summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Thursday. When they hurled bricks, police responded with a new, painful weapon: a Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) used in Iraq and against Somali pirates.

The LRAD (Long-Range Acoustic Device), also known as sonic weapon, was originally used to warn US navy vessels when enemy ships were approaching. It has become the latest non-lethal weapon used to control hostile crowds . Remaining near one of these machines when in use is extremely painful, and can inflict permanent hearing damage.

Police were already equipped with these machines in New York during the 2004 national Republican Convention, but they weren’t used at the time. The Pittsburgh G20 summit was therefore the first time US forces used the sonic weapon against fellow citizens. One LRAD even resonated during a live CNN report.

Unknown location. Posted on Youtube by Booku4

On Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh. Posted on Youtube by ndromb.

Protests resume in Tehran

Julien — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:13:56 +0200

Tens of thousands of Iranian demonstrators have defied a warning by the authorities not to turn an annual pro-Palestinian rally into street protests against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Clashes involving protesters, security forces and Ahmadinejad supporters have broken out. [Post updated throughout the day]

Amir (not his real name) is a student in Tehran. He is taking part in the opposition rally.

Tens of thousands of supporters of [opposition leader] Mirhossein Mousavi are marching in the streets. There have been clashes between opposition members and Ahmadinejad supporters, who are backed by the Basij [a pro-government militia]. The police stepped in, but Ahmadinejad’s backers came looking for us. There will be more protests in other neighbourhoods of Tehran today."

Posted at 9 pm:

Motorbikes set alight in the streets of Tehran. Video published on Youtube by omid2006.

Published at 5.19 pm:

Video published on Youtube by greenshler.

Posted at 4.35pm:

The loudspeaker says: "Death to the USA. Death to Israel." The crowd reply: "Death to Russia" (referring to Russia's perceived support of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad). Video published here.

Photos posted by Mousavi's wife on her facebook account at 3.32 pm:

Mirhossein Mousavi at the rally.

Mohammad Khatami, a former Iranian president, joins demonstrators.

Posted at 3.20 pm:

Video sent to FRANCE 24.

Posted at 2.55 pm:

Posted on YouTube by madyariran.

Posted at 2.40 pm:

Published on this Facebook page.

Posted on YouTube by aryanbigbang12345

Posted on YouTube by onlymehdi. Demonstrators chant "Karoubi, Karoubi", after the name of a reformist candidate in the disputed June 12 presidential election.

Published on Facebook by Freedom Messenger - Ghasedane AZADI

Nokia works with Tehran. So stamp on your mobile

Sophie Team Observers — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:16:16 +0200

In response to Nokia-Siemens' selling of phone-tapping services to the Iranian authorities, a group of protesters staged a demonstration during a gathering for human rights in Iran in Stockholm on Sunday. One of our Observers for Iran, Omid Habibinia alerted us to this video.

How they protest prostitution in Ukraine

Sophie Team Observers — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:59:48 +0200

Their message - "Ukraine is no whorehouse". Their medium - anything from throwing cakes at sexists, challenging male tourists in the street, and getting naked in order to disrupt public ceremonies. Meet Kiev's controversial anti-prostitution activists.

The cost of living in Kiev is not cheap - not much less than in many western European capitals. And yet the average income, according to government statistics, is 300 euros a month. Coupled with lax visa laws for travellers, the conditions have led to the country's sex tourism industry becoming what is thought to be the biggest in Europe. It's no secret; websites like the one that calls itself "Ukraine's number one escort agency" - describe girls by exactly what they'll do in the bedroom, along with a list of prices. "Our escort Ukraine girls are open for all kinds of sex", they boast. Prostitution is supposed to be illegal.

FEMEN, the group of activists in question, says that the government is doing nothing to stop the practice. Which is why they're taking such drastic measures to bring attention to it. But are they the right ones? Give your opinion.

The arrested protester that got away

Sophie Team Observers — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:01:08 +0200

As Mahmoud Ahmadinejad received the official endorsement of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday, the crackdown on opposition protesters continued in the streets of Tehran. Our Iranian Observers tell us that the police are still arresting demonstrators. One, however, already handcuffed, managed to escape.

In preparation for Ahmadinejad's inauguration the authorities banned all gatherings on Monday. The time and place of the ceremony was kept secret but protesters turned out anyway in the Vali-e-Asr and Vanak districts.

This footage was filmed in the Saei Park in the Vali-e-Asr district of Tehran. According to our Observer Omid Habibinia, the bare-chested and handcuffed protester we see was freed by other demonstrators after he had been arrested by the police during the rally, during which he lost his T-shirt.

The protesters are now attempting to undo the handcuffs without drawing attention to themselves. One shouts "get him a T-shirt!" before adding "don't mess up, I'm trying to get the handcuffs off". At the end of the video we see a woman arrive with something for him to wear.

Omid Habibinia sent us this video. Blurring by FRANCE 24.