News from around the world

The international public has so far been oblivious to the so-called “KCK operations” carried out in Turkey by Prime Minister Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party for the past two years. Under the guise of “fighting terrorism,” the Erdogan government has been using the judiciary, the police, and the media to penalize all civic activism in support of rights demanded by Kurdish citizens in Turkey. The “KCK operations” in particular have been deployed to spread fear amongst activists, to silence public dissent, and to normalize the arbitrary arrest of citizens. Ironically, the Erdogan government’s suppression of dissent and of democratic politics has visibly intensified at a time when “Turkish democracy” is being hailed as a model for the Arab world.

At the Federal executive committee meeting of Labour Party Pakistan held on October 30 in Lahore, Younas Rahu, general secretary Labour Party Sindh reported that 4000 rain affected families have been helped by the relief efforts by LPP. They belong to seven districts including Nawabshah, Sanghar, Dera Allah Yar, Badin, Mir Pur Khas, Thatha and Hyderabad. Over 50 percent of these 4000 belong to Hindu community of Sindh. LPP put up a special effort to reach to this community, which were normally left out by the Muslim religious parties working for relief in Sindh. Special efforts were also made to reach to peasant women in relief camps without any help.

The New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI) condemns the arrest of veteran trade-union leader, Prafulla Chakraborty. Comrade Chakraborty who was picked up from his residence by the police this morning was long associated with the workers movement of Kanoria Jute Mill at Phuleshwar, Howrah. He was charged with IPC Section 326 (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), IPC 324 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), and Sections 149,147,120B and 323.( case number 1145/11 dated 9.10.2011). His bail application was later rejected by the Uluberia Court and is remanded in judicial custody till 24/10/2011.

The 24 Parti Sosialis Malaysia activists facing charges under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and Societies Act were given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal by a Butterworth sessions court today.

Around 100 women and men took part in a rally named Mini Skirt Protest - Women against Rape at Bundaran Hotel Indonesia, Thamrin, Jakarta, on Sunday September 18th 2011. Dozens of women, including several activists from Perempuan Mahardhika, wore miniskirts, as a statement that rape has nothing to do with the way women dress.

We fully support the strike by PT Freeport Indonesia workers for better wages and conditions. The government must guarantee legal protection to the workers and protect them against intimidation and threats while they are on strike and conducting negotiations with the company in accordance with Law Number 13/2003 on Labour.

More than 60,000 people shouting " no nukes", joined a rally and demonstration in Tokyo on September 19.

This solidarity statement is still open to signatures. To add a signature, pease send your name/organization to:
[email protected]

Baba Jan was tortured by the Pakistan security services, the ISI while he was whisked away from jail for two days on Wednesday September 14. Baba Jan is a climate change prisoners who raised his voice for the compensation of Atta Abad lake effectees. He is now facing over a dozen police cases.

With 6.7 per cent and 12 MPs the Red Green Alliance has tripled its electoral support at the elections for national parliament on September 15 compared to the elections in 2007.