Massenprotest: Türkische Demonstranten erringen Sieg über Erdogan

DIE WELT: Nach fünftägigen Protesten stoppt die Regierung den Polizeieinsatz. Premier Erdogan verzichtet auf das umstrittene Bauprojekt im Stadtzentrum. Hunderttausende strömen auf den Taksim-Platz in Istanbul.

Mehr als eine Million Menschen forderten im Herzen Istanbuls am frühen Samstagabend den Rücktritt des türkischen Ministerpräsidenten Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Zuvor hatte die Regierung um 16 Uhr Ortszeit befohlen, den Polizeieinsatz gegen die Maßenproteste abzubrechen, die fünf Tage davor begonnen hatten.

Der türkische Ministerpräsident hat sich erstmals in seiner Regierungszeit massiven Protesten gegen seine Politik beugen müssen. Nach Massendemonstrationen, die sich über das ganze Land ausgebreitet hatten, und nachdem Hunderttausende Menschen in Istanbul der Polizeigewalt trotzten, wurde der Polizeieinsatz abgebrochen.

Menschenmassen strömten über die mittlerweile völlig zerstörte Einkaufsmeile Istiklal klatschend und mit Siegesrufen zum Taksim-Platz, von dem die Proteste vor fünf Tagen ausgegangen waren. Dort hatte die Regierung nun einen Park wieder geöffnet, den Tage sie zuvor gewaltsam hatte räumen lassen. Größte Anti-Erdogan Demonstration » | Von Boris Kálnoky , Istanbul | mit dpa | Samstag, 01. Juni 2013

Türkei: Aufstand gegen den „selbst ernannten Sultan“

DIE PRESSE: Rund um den Taksim-Platz in der türkischen Metropole Istanbul tobten schwere Straßenschlachten. Die Demonstranten wollen das autoritäre Verhalten von Premier Erdoğan nicht länger hinnehmen.

Der Mann kann es nicht fassen. „Wir sind auf dem Platz“, schreit er, als er und mehrere hundert andere Demonstranten am Samstagnachmittag auf dem zentralen Taksim-Platz von Istanbul ankommen. Es ist ein Moment des Sieges einer spontanen Protestbewegung, die sich seit Freitag im Zentrum der türkischen Metropole Istanbul immer wieder schwere Straßenschlachten mit der Polizei liefert. Doch plötzlich hat sich die Polizei an den Rand des riesigen Taksim-Platzes zurückgezogen.

Selbst der Gezi-Park neben dem Taksim-Platz wird von der Polizei den Demonstranten überlassen. Der Park war am Freitag der Ausgangspunkt für die heftigsten Massenproteste in der Türkei seit dem Machtantritt von Ministerpräsident Recep Tayyip Erdoğan vor zehn Jahren gewesen. Einige Tage lang hatte eine kleine Gruppe von Demonstranten den Park besetzt, um die Abholzung der Bäume dort zu verhindern: Auf dem Gelände soll ein Einkaufszentrum entstehen, was die Istanbuler Innenstadt nach Meinung der Demonstranten endgültig in eine Betonwüste verwandeln würde. » | Von Susanne Güsten | Istanbul | Die Presse | Samstag, 01. Juni 2013

Santé publique: La cigarette bannie des lieux publics en Russie
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Au grand dam de ses adeptes, une loi interdisant la cigarette dans les lieux publics est entrée en vigueur samedi en Russie. But de l'opération: réduire de moitié le nombre de fumeurs dans le pays.

La loi interdit notamment de fumer dans les écoles, les universités, les centres culturels et sportifs et les hôpitaux.

Les fumeurs ne pourront plus faire de pause-cigarette sur leur lieu de travail. Il sera interdit de fumer dans les trains, les ascenseurs et tous les bâtiments administratifs, y compris les ministères.

Pour pouvoir fumer, il faudra désormais s'éloigner à 15 mètres des aéroports, des gares et des stations de métro et les cigarettes ne seront plus vendues dans les kiosques de rue, une pratique jusqu'alors courante en Russie. Une loi difficile à appliquer » | afpNewsnet | samedi 01 juin 2013

Muslims Combating Anti-Semitism
YNET NEWS: At Jerusalem conference, British-born Muslim compares KKK rallies in US to anti-Israel protests in London. 'During my visit I saw Israel wasn't some apartheid state,' he says

A small, but increasingly vocal number of Muslims are rejecting radical hate speech and combating anti-Semitism in the Muslim world. In the recent Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism held this week in Jerusalem, Palestinian Media Watch director, Itamar Marcus and Dr. Boaz Ganor organized a panel discussion with Muslim activists actively rejecting hate rhetoric.

Two of the panel speakers included Kasim Hafeez, a British Muslim who runs The Israel Campaign and Rev. Majed El Shafie, a human rights advocate originally from Egypt. Ahmad Mansour, a Palestinian living in Berlin, who is a policy advisor for the European Foundation for Democracy, was also scheduled to speak but was unable to attend.

"When people say that anti-Semitism exists in the Muslim world because of Israel, that is simply an excuse," says Kasim Hafeez, born in Britain to a Pakistani Muslim family.

"People here (in Israel) get Islamic anti-Semitism. In Europe, we deny it," Hafeez expounded.

"As a university student, I would attend radical anti-Israel rallies in Trafalgar Square. Here I am standing in London in the middle of a European capital - chanting 'death to Israel' and nothing was ever done."

He compares those rallies with the Ku Klux Klan. "An Al-Quds Day rally in London is equivalent to a KKK rally in the US," he stressed. Hafeez told Tazpit News Agency that he began to change his thinking when he read A Case for Israel, by Alan Dershowitz.

Hafeez explains that he read the book in order to learn how to further deconstruct Zionist propaganda. "But I began to see that I could no longer support my convictions because I had no answers to the arguments that were made for Israel," he explains.

"I found that the radical Islamic doctrine that I grew up with and my own belief in violent jihad could no longer support the truth I once believed in." » | Anav Silverman, Tazpit | Thursday, May 30, 2013

Death Toll Rises After Oklahoma Tornadoes
Emergency Management Director David Barnes talks storm damage

Türkei: Erdogan bringt Opposition zum Kochen
In der Türkei richten sich Bürgerproteste immer stärker gegen den als autoritär empfundenen Ministerpräsidenten Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In Istanbul und der Hauptstadt Ankara kam es den zweiten Tag in Folge zu Zusammenstössen mit der Polizei. Erdogan will jedoch am eingeschlagenen Kurs festhalten.

Den Artikel hier | agenturen/bers;hesa | Samstag, 01. Juni 2013

Schweiz: 36 Stunden Regen zum Sommeranfang
Nördlich der Alpen regnet es fast das ganze Wochenende. Die Hochwassergefahr steigt. Ein Mann ist in Kaltbrunn (SG) von den Fluten mitgerissen worden.

Den Artikel hier lesen | Samstag, 01. Juni 2013

Foreign Office Warning Over Turkey Protests
The Foreign Office has warned Britons to avoid areas where violent protests are ongoing across Turkey, including in Istanbul's tourist centre, where thousands of people thronged Taksim Square.

Read the Telegraph article here | Barney Henderson | Saturday, June 01, 2013

Hope Not Hate Letter to Mirror Condemning Far-right Extremists Signed by 33,000 People

DAILY MIRROR: The letter to the Daily Mirror condemns far-right groups using soldier Lee Rigby’s shocking murder for their own agenda

Ed Miliband joined celebrities and more than 33,000 people yesterday in signing a letter to the Daily Mirror condemning far-right groups using Lee Rigby’s death for their own agenda.

The Labour leader joined stars, union bosses and leaders of all faiths in blasting the English Defence League as it planned 90 demonstrations this weekend.

In the letter they said: “We know that the EDL does not speak for all of Britain, just as we know that Muslim ¬extremists do not speak for all Muslims.”

Mr ¬Miliband added: “Today’s Hope Not Hate letter to the Mirror from 33,000 people shows people who spread hatred will fail.”

Anti-racism campaign Hope Not Hate, supported by the Mirror, was behind the message.

Comedian Eddie Izzard urged people to sign the letter and within hours thousands had backed it as the campaign went viral on Twitter.

Among other celebrities to give their support were singers Speech Debelle, Beverley Knight, Billy Bragg and Blue’s Lee Ryan and Duncan James.

Apprentice winner Stella English also got on board and said: “My mum lives moments from where the murder happened so this means a lot to me. I applaud what the Mirror is doing.”

TUC chief Frances O’Grady was among the union bosses to add their names to the letter.

She said: "The fact the EDL is looking to make political capital out of the tragic murder of Lee Rigby shows just how far this organisation is prepared to go to stir up conflict and division.” Letter to the ‘Daily Mirror’ » | Alun Palmer | Saturday, June 01, 2013

We Are The Many »

My view and essay: This Beheading Should Be a Seminal Moment in Our Tolerance of Islam » | Mark Alexander | Thursday, May 23, 2013 and Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Chaos as BNP Supporters and Anti-fascist Campaigners Clash Outside Parliament Over Drummer Lee Rigby's Brutal Killing

MAIL ONLINE: Far-right and opposing groups planned demonstrations for today / A total of 31 arrests made so far in London following clashes / Soldier Lee Rigby's family have appealed for calm in the wake of his death / Ed Miliband signs letter condemning rise in anti-Muslim violence

Rival protesters clashed outside the Palace of Westminster today, as BNP supporters and anti-fascist campaigners came to blows.

At least one man, a BNP activist, suffered a large cut to the nose after fierce shouting from either side of gated barriers spilled into violence.

Dozens of police sought to break up the disorder, at around 1pm today, after the chanting escalated.

Police sniffer dogs were also deployed to help calm the situation, as tempers flared.

The fighting came despite calls for peace from police and the family of soldier Lee Rigby in the wake of his death.

The 25-year-old's family yesterday stressed that the young soldier would not have wanted violent attacks to be carried out in his name, and urged protesters to remain peaceful. » | James Rush | Saturday, June 01, 2013

'Most Violent In Years': Istanbul Protests Spread Across Turkey
The initial protest was prompted by government-backed plans to demolish a park in the center of Istanbul, to build a shopping mall. Since then, it's grown into an Occupy-style rally against the Islamist-leaning government. In the capital, Ankara, police also used tear gas to push back protesters who were trying to reach the headquarters of the ruling Justice and Development Party.

RT Live Updates »

Pat Condell: Muslims Must Reject Jihad

Turkish Spring? Violent Clashes Rumble Through the Night in Istanbul

Is Turkey's Secular System in Danger?

BBC: Those who founded the Republic in 1923 might well be turning in their graves: their vision of Turkey as a strictly secularist and nationalist state - not just a separation of state and religion, but also the removal of religion from all aspects of public life - is being questioned.

In the lead-up to the 89th anniversary of the Turkish Republic on 29 October, political values have never been more openly debated, thanks to a public consultation process, initiated by Turkey's parliament, for a new constitution.

Generally, society has welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a new political framework, to replace the one that was put in place after the 1980 military coup.

But the process has opened old wounds, with heated debate on the role of religion in politics and the increasingly conservative nature of public life.

Secularism is hard to define in Turkey, according to Fadi Hakura of London-based think tank Chatham House. Turkey is constitutionally a secular state, but secularism seems to have taken a unique shape, because of "historical and geographical circumstances in the country".

For example, while there are clear examples of the symbolic application of secularism in daily life, such as the ban on headscarves in public institutions, there are other aspects of the Turkish state that do not sit with secularism. » | Arash Dabestani, Pinar Sevinclidir and Ertugrul Erol | BBC Monitoring | Wednesday, October 24, 2012

French Far Right Leader Loses Immunity, Faces Charges

BBC: French far right leader, Marine Le Pen, could face criminal charges for inciting racism, the BBC has learnt.

The French authorities opened a case against Mrs Le Pen in 2011 after she likened the sight of Muslims praying in the streets to the Nazi occupation of France.

As a European Parliament member (MEP), she enjoyed immunity from prosecution.

However, this protection was removed by a European parliamentary committee in a secret vote this week.

BBC chief political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue says he has been told that the vote to remove her immunity was "overwhelming".

It will need to be ratified by the full parliament, but that's expected to be a formality, our correspondent says.

When the parliament's legal affairs committee first tried to consider the case, Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far right National Front party, failed to turn up.

This week she sent a fellow French MEP in her place.

The move clears the way for the French authorities to pursue a case against the leader, who steered her party to a record 18% showing in the first round of last year's presidential election. » | Saturday, June 01, 2013

BBC: Paris ban on Muslim street prayers comes into effect » | Friday, September 16, 2011

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Marine Le Pen: Muslims in France 'like Nazi occupation': Marine Le Pen, the leader of the French far-Right, drew heavy criticism after she said Muslims praying outside were like Nazi occupiers. » | Sunday, December 12, 2010

Turkey Protests Spread after Violence in Istanbul over Park Demolition
THE GUARDIAN: Demonstrations against Erdogan government in several cities as riot officers use tear gas to control protesters in Istanbul


Turkey has been engulfed by a series of protests across several cities after riot police turned Istanbul's busiest city centre hub into a battleground, deploying tear gas and water cannon against thousands of peaceful demonstrators.

In one of the biggest challenges to the 10-year rule of the prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, demonstrators took to the streets of Ankara, Izmir, Bodrum and several other cities as well as Istanbul to vent their frustration at what is seen to be an increasingly authoritarian administration.

The air of government nervousness was reinforced by the relative lack of mainstream media coverage of the drama in central Istanbul, fuelling speculation that the Erdogan government was leaning on the main television stations to impose a blackout on the ugly scenes.

Following several days of dawn police raids on the protesters seeking to occupy Gezi park on Taksim Square in Istanbul city centre, the clashes escalated violently, leaving more than 100 people injured, several of them seriously.

Police went on the rampage against protesters who had been sitting reading books and singing songs.

There was widespread criticism of the heavy-handed intervention and of the government, which is committed to demolishing the park to erect a shopping centre.

The US state department said: "We certainly support universally peaceful protests, as we would in this case." In Brussels, MEPs called on the EU to act. » | Constanze Letsch in Istanbul | Saturday, June 01, 2013

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Drummer Lee Rigby's Family Reject "Extremist" Groups Using Woolwich Murder for Political Gain
THE INDEPENDENT: Family statement: 'Lee would not want people to use his name as an excuse to carry out attacks against others'

Family and colleagues of Drummer Lee Rigby have distanced themselves from “extremist” groups using his brutal murder as an excuse to commit violence and make political gains. The condemnation comes as a blow to groups planning to hold a series of marches across the country tomorrow.

The English Defence League and the British National Party have both planned nearly 60 different demonstrations across Britain and anti-fascists have vowed to oppose them. Unite Against Fascism and Hope Not Hate both told The Independent they would be in London to counter demonstrations by the two groups, while large EDL marches are also expected in Leeds and Manchester.

But the young soldier's relatives urged mourners to show their respect in a “peaceful manner” amid increased tensions between political and religious groups.

In a statement released through the Ministry of Defence, family members including his mother Lyn, stepfather Ian, wife Rebecca and son Jack, said: “We would like to emphasise that Lee would not want people to use his name as an excuse to carry out attacks against others.

”We would not wish any other families to go through this harrowing experience and appeal to everyone to keep calm and show their respect in a peaceful manner.“ » | Kevin Rawlinson | Friday, May 31, 2013

Right-wing Buddhist Leading the Campaign to Force Muslims Out of Burma Says He Wants His Group 'To Be Like the English Defence League'

MAIL ONLINE: Venerable Wirathu is leader of Burma's '969' campaign to boycott Muslims / He was jailed for nine years in 2003 for inciting anti-Muslim violence / Says he wants to be like EDL who 'protect the public without violence'

The English Defence League might be the last place you would expect a devout Buddhist monk to turn for inspiration.

But a right-wing spiritual leader in Burma has revealed how he wants to copy the EDL in his bid to rid his country of its Muslim minority.

The Venerable Ashin Wirathu, who was jailed for nine years in 2003 for inciting anti-Muslim violence, says the hardline nationalist party should be applauded for 'not carrying out violence, but protecting the public'.

His comments come a week after more than 1,000 EDL members marched on Downing Street in a protest over the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby in nearby Woolwich, swilling beer, chanting anti-Muslim slogans and clashing with anti-fascist activists. Thirteen people were arrested.

Now, orange-robed Wirathu, who leads Burma's so-called '969' campaign to boycott Islamic businesses and bring an end to inter-marriage with Buddhists, says he wants his gang members to be more like the EDL.

According to The Times, Wirathu said: 'People give me various names: The Burmese bin Laden, the bald neo-Nazi. '[But] do you know the English Defence League? We would like to be like the EDL. Not carrying out violence, but protecting the public.' » | Matt Blake | Friday, May 31, 2013

Turkish Police Break Up Istanbul Park Protest
Riot police use tear gas and water cannon to rout peaceful demonstration against demolition of Gezi park in city centre.