Turkey: freedom of press
An Istanbul court has ordered the newspaper Zaman, Turkey's best-selling daily newspaper, into administration, which is ‘deeply concerning’. Zaman is linked to a US-based preacher who is the arch-enemy of the Turkish president. The newspaper has a readership of 63,000+ and is strongly critical of the government. Its sister Today's Zaman is one of a few newspapers printed in English on paper and online. This latest action by a Turkish court, just months after the media conglomerate Koza Ipek was seized by authorities, has raised further alarm regarding press freedom in Turkey and the limitations placed on Turkish journalists. Last week, two opposition newspaper journalists were released from prison after being arrested for spying, when they reported that in January 2014 Turkey’s intelligence agency sent weapons to Islamist rebel groups in Syria, which were intercepted by security forces. Cumhuriyet editor-in-chief Can Dundar and Ankara bureau chief Erdem Gul still face life sentences as they await their trial on 25 March.
Israel: hundreds of illegal Palestinian workers arrested
On Tuesday an illegal Palestinian killed an American tourist and injured ten other people, five critically, in a stabbing spree at the Jaffa Port and along the Tel Aviv beach promenade. The next day, police arrested hundreds of illegal Palestinian workers, and dozens of Israelis who employed them, in a series of raids across the country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a series of measures following bloody attacks by Palestinians who are in Israel illegally. The measures include repair work to seal gaps in the security barrier near Jerusalem, harsher punishments for those who help Palestinians to enter Israel illegally, and the shutting down of Palestinian media channels that broadcast incitement. Israel Defence Forces troops arrested family members of the terrorist who carried out Tuesday’s deadly stabbing spree. Israel currently uses home demolitions against families of attackers, saying the measure is meant to deter attacks. Yisrael Katz (Likud) submitted a bill to the Knesset to deport families of Palestinian terrorists to the Gaza Strip.
Syria: peace talks in Geneva on Monday
A partial ceasefire in Syria, brokered by Russia and the US, finally came into force at the end of February. It does not apply to terrorist groups operating in the country. Despite alleged breaches on both sides and intense clashes between Kurds and other Syrian opposition groups, renewed peace talks are due to begin in Geneva. The substantive part of the talks will begin on Monday 14 March and will not last beyond the 24th. Riyadh-Backed Syrian opposition groups have yet to decide on joining these talks. It is hoped that they will be primarily focused on issues of new governance, the constitution, and the future elections of both president and parliament. The issues of ceasefire and humanitarian access will be discussed by specialised task forces rather than at these talks.
China: persecution increases
The attitudes of Chinese local authorities towards Christians have turned sharply negative recently as the Christian population has grown. Authorities have been removing hundreds of crosses from churches, saying they violate building codes. Bao Guohua, a Chinese pastor, who opposed the campaign, was sentenced to 14 years in prison, and his wife to 12 years. In January authorities demolished a church in Fujian. Last month authorities opened a corruption probe into Pastor Gu Yuese, who had spoken out against the clampdown on Christian activity. China Aid said, ‘The government's criminal prosecution against Christianity is religious persecution.’ The clash over Christians' religious rights is being complicated by overseas organisations giving Christians support. The Chinese government is sensitive to foreign meddling in domestic affairs. In the past year, China's government has relentlessly pursued and jailed human rights lawyers receiving training and funding from foreign sources. See
