Expression and Repression Around the Globe: Protesters Face Police Force in Iraq, Egypt, and China

Security forces in Iraq have arrested several hundred journalists, artists, and lawyers who participated in “Day of Rage” demonstrations Friday. Seeking reform of government operations, tens of thousands of protesters rallied peacefully around the country but faced displays of force by government officers trying to break up the gatherings. The government appears to be targeting for arrest persons perceived to be intellectuals likely ot influence public opinion.       

In Egypt, protesters seeking more democratic reforms and campaigning for the removal of the prime minister and his cabinet were beaten and tasered by police in Tahrir Square Saturday night but returned to the square the next morning. 

In China's major cities, police were deployed in large numbers to squelch any possible protest gatherings.  In  Shanghai, police used a water truck to disperse several hundred people attempting to gather in a public square.  As part of its effort to fend off any nascent protest movement, the Chinese government has arrested activists and human rights lawyers and has blocked the use of Internet search terms including "Egypt," "Tunisia," “jasmine,” and U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr.'s Chinese name.

JFB