Category: Business

Hong Kong announced on Tuesday plans to strengthen its ideological review of politicians and officials.

The bill will be sent to the city council next month. The parliament now lacks opposition after many have been disqualified because political views were seen as a security threat.

Authorities have stated that a “negative list” of crimes in which colleagues may be dismissed, including acts that jeopardize national security, claim independence, or refuse to accept China’s sovereignty over Hong Kong. Was detailed.

Eric Tsang, the city’s constitutional and mainland secretary, confirmed that criticism of the Chinese Communist Party could also be a disqualification factor.

“I’m not patriotic, but I don’t love or respect the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party,” he told reporters after the new law was announced on Tuesday. “This doesn’t make sense.”

“It should not be allowed to harm the basic system of the country, its socialist system, or the socialist system led by the Chinese Communist Party.”

After a large and often violent anti-democratic movement shook the financial hub in 2019, China led a thorough crackdown on Hong Kong critics.

Opponents were imprisoned and prosecuted, and each month introduced new laws, procedures and policies aimed at challenging and imposing political legitimacy. This includes a radical new national security law.

Hong Kong CEO Carrie Lam (C) has overseen a broad crackdown on oppositions in Hong Kong over the past year.
AFP / Anthony Wallace

Hong Kong was never democracy-something that fueled protests and resentments against Beijing.

However, the city maintained a veneer of choice that allowed small, loud opponents to thrive in certain local elections.

In recent years, authorities have increased the disqualification of politicians sitting in or standing as candidates in the city’s semi-elected legislature, based on their political views.

The new law extends disqualification to all civil servants, including local councilors, who have little voting rights but hold some of the only positions fully elected by general voting.

In late 2019, candidates for democratization won the majority of these positions. The big blow to Beijing is that it emphasizes that Hong Kongers tend to overwhelmingly choose candidates for democracy when given the opportunity.

Under the proposed new law, all district councilors must pledge a new pledge of allegiance to the state.

Anyone who refuses an oath, makes a false oath, or is considered dishonest by the authorities is prohibited from standing for five years.

Authorities said the law was not retroactive, but said that “past actions” were also taken into account when determining disqualification.

The announcement of the new requirements is that China’s top executive Xia Baolong will “close a loophole” that will allow “real patriots” to run Hong Kong and “anti-Chinese troublemakers” to enter politics. It took place the day after the plan was stated to be in progress.

President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will present a “roadmap” to rebuild US-Canada relations at the first bilateral meeting on Tuesday, officials said, but the abandoned Keystone pipeline May present a hurdle.

Following President Donald Trump’s turmoil, Biden would have wanted to use his honed personal connection skills while meeting the leaders of the major northern allies.

However, when the conference was effectively held for a coronavirus pandemic and neighbors would build common values ​​from afar rather than directly, senior U.S. government officials said Biden’s first bilateral event as president. I told reporters the night before.

“I think the biggest deliverables from a trip or conference will essentially be … a roadmap to revitalize US-Canada cooperation,” officials said Monday.

Announcements on the “next step” will be made in multiple areas, including diplomacy, transportation or infrastructure, and the fight against Covid-19, officials said.

Biden and Trudeau will address several mutual priorities, including tackling climate change, the North American economy, revitalizing the Arctic Circle, and threats to democracy in Myanmar and Venezuela.

“By giving the same opinion on several themes, such as climate change and economic recovery, we can do more together,” Trudeau’s office offers a similar broad handwriting. did.

US President Joe Biden had a de facto meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on February 23, 2021 at his first bilateral meeting as a leader in his country.
AFP / SAUL LOEB

However, according to senior U.S. officials, the two countries will also step into the thorny issue of China’s “unfair economic practices,” its human rights records, and Beijing’s continued detention of two Canadians.

Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spaber were arrested in China in 2018. That year, Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was seen as likely to be in retaliation for being arrested on a US warrant.

“Sure, I’m hoping the prime minister will raise it, and the president is ready to discuss it,” officials said.

Officials did not describe how US-Canada relations were undermined during the four-year Trump administration, but instead chose to emphasize various “common interests” between the two countries.

One issue that can arise is Biden’s decision to revoke permission for the Keystone XL pipeline, a project that environmentalists strongly oppose but Ottawa is backing.

Mr Biden revoked the permit by executive order on the first day of his inauguration, fulfilling the promise of the campaign and “the decision will not be reviewed,” officials said.

The summit begins with a 45-minute private bilateral meeting with Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and Canadian responders.

It will then be expanded to broader bilateral discussions.

Myanmar’s military leaders accused military junta of responding to the “violent” anti-coup demonstrators accused of following severe sanctions from Washington and Brussels on Tuesday by the wealthiest countries in the world. , Exposed to new pressure.

Authorities are gradually stepping up the use of force against large-scale, mostly peaceful civil disobedience campaigns demanding the return of exiled leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Authorities are gradually stepping up the use of force against large-scale, mostly peaceful civil disobedience campaigns demanding the return of exiled leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
AFP / Ye Aung THU

Three anti-coup protesters have been killed in previous demonstrations, and a man patrol the neighborhood of Yangon for a night arrest was also shot dead over the weekend.

“The use of live ammunition against unarmed people is unacceptable,” he said in a statement. The Foreign Minister of the G7 Group’s rich democratic nation, consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the EU, said Tuesday.

“Anyone who responds to violent and peaceful protests must be held accountable,” they said, calling on Myanmar security forces to “exercise maximum restraint and respect human rights and international law.” It was.

Myanmar anti-coup protest
AFP / Gal ROMA

Sharp accusations are an overnight blacklist of two other members of the U.S. administration (Air Force chief Maung Maung Kyaw and fellow military junta member Moe Myint Tun) after announcing targeted sanctions against other top generals earlier this month. Followed by.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “We will take further action against violent people and do not hesitate to suppress their will.”

A few hours ago, the European Union also approved sanctions on Myanmar’s military and its economic interests, and EU foreign policy director Josep Borrell said financial support for government reform programs was “withheld.” Stated.

EU imposes “targeted measures” on Myanmar’s military rulers
EBS

After seeing commercial hub Yangon gather at major junctions on Tuesday, protesters continued to rally throughout Myanmar.

In the northern city of Kachin, Myitkyina, where violence from authorities is exploding, protesters waving the Myanmar flag, flashing the three-finger salute, a symbol of resistance, riding a motorcycle across the town. It was.

Mandalay saw a more gloomy crowd at Tett Ninewin’s funeral, where a 37-year-old man shot dead on Saturday when security forces fired at a crowd of anti-coup protesters.

Three anti-coup protesters have been killed in previous demonstrations
AFP / STR

Widow Tider Funin said, “I’m asking everyone for help to make sure my husband’s case is dominated by justice,” hoping that “the dictator has been defeated.” He added that he was.

“This country is owned by the public,” she told AFP.

Aung San Suu Kyi has not been seen in public since the coup
AFP / Lillian SUWAN RUMPHA

More than 680 people have been arrested since the coup on February 1, and almost all are still in custody, according to a surveillance group of the Political Criminal Assistance Association.

Internet shutdowns at night are also becoming more commonplace, raising the fear of arrests of anti-coup protesters during a power outage.

In recent weeks, Myanmar troops have deployed tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to protesters, causing an isolated incident of using live rounds.

They also strengthened the presence of security forces in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city.

The crackdown failed to quell a week-long large-scale street demonstration involving a large number of impressive civil servants, bankers, and health care workers.

Tens of thousands gathered on Monday in the military fortress, Naypyidaw. More than 100 people were arrested as police chased protesters on the street.

Yangon demonstrators ignored security forces and barricades set up in the city to hold instant rallies for protesters killed in the mayhem.

“We can only pray for them,” said student Thura Myo. “Even when we are sad, our voice is heard by the international community.”

Boycotts of civil servants have choked many government activities, businesses and banks, and on weekends, military junta issued the most ominous warning of diminished patience.

Shu Qi has not been seen since being detained in the dawn raid, but has been charged twice by military junta for possessing an unregistered walkie-talkie.

Her hearing is scheduled for March 1st.

Strict coronavirus restrictions imposed by North Korea could force the World Food Program to cease operations in countries where chronic malnutrition is widespread, the UN organization’s website said. The report said on Tuesday.

Poor countries under international sanctions on nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs have long struggled to feed themselves, suffering from chronic food shortages.

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) is by far the largest international aid activity in the country, with its website providing special food to approximately one million pregnant women, lactating mothers and children each month. It offers.

Sanctions have long been a complex aid effort, but WFP said North Korea’s voluntary coronavirus quarantine poses new problems for rescue operations.

North Korea closed its border in January last year to protect itself from the first virus outbreak in neighboring China. This is the first country in the world.

North Korea has long struggled with self-sufficiency
AFP / Ed Jones

“Food imports, international staffing, and access to physical surveillance remain reduced over the long term,” WFP said in a report outlining its plans.

“WFP will opportunistically use windows that allow food imports to replenish and optimize domestic inventories,” he added.

“If food cannot be imported, there is a significant residual risk of shutdown in 2021.”

Pyongyang has long claimed that there have been no cases of Covid-19 killing more than 2 million people worldwide, and its leader, Kim Jong Un, repeated this claim at a major military parade in October. ..

Experts suggest that the virus is unlikely, given its first appearance in neighboring China, a major provider of trade and aid.

The United Nations estimates that more than 40 percent of North Korea’s 25 million people are food insecurity.

Opposition parties called for large-scale protests after a major politician was arrested in Georgia in an early morning assault on party headquarters on Tuesday, deepening the swirling political crisis after being contested in last year’s parliamentary elections.

Hundreds of riot police used tear gas against supporters of Nika Melia, who had been camp at the United National Movement headquarters in Tbilisi, before the opposition leader was arrested and placed in pre-trail detention.

The raid caused swift criticism from the US and British embassies in Georgia and raised concerns about the country’s fragile democracy.

Many of his supporters were also detained in an overnight raid, and the opposition leader, the Lero Party, called for “a peaceful and unwavering struggle to protect Georgia’s democracy.”

The court ordered Melia to be placed in pretrial detention after refusing to pay an increase in bail.
AFP / Vano Shlamov

“Liberation of political prisoners and parliamentary elections are the only possible ways out of the crisis,” Mamuka Khazaradze told journalists on behalf of all opposition leaders.

He urged supporters to gather outside government headquarters to protest Melia’s arrest.

“We are deeply concerned about the government’s decision to detain the leaders of major opposition parties,” the US embassy in Georgia said in a statement.

“Power and aggression are not the solution to resolve Georgia’s political differences. Today, Georgia has set back on the path to becoming a stronger democracy in the Euro-Atlantic countries.”

“I was shocked by the UNM headquarters scene this morning,” British ambassador Mark Clayton wrote on Twitter.

Garibashibiri confirmed as prime minister by parliament on Monday
AFP / Vano SHLAMOV

However, Georgia’s Interior Ministry defended the attack, saying “police used proportional force and special means.”

Georgia has been on the verge of a political crisis since the parliamentary elections in October. Opposition accused it of fraud after the ruling George Andreem party claimed a narrow victory.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Giorgi Gacaria resigned from George Andrew’s plan to arrest Melia.

Opposition politicians called for further protests as Georgia’s political crisis deepened
AFP / Vano SHLAMOV

Last week, a court in Tbilisi ordered Melia to be put in pretrial detention after refusing to pay an increase in bail prior to a hearing in a case related to a 2019 anti-government demonstration.

He was charged with “organizing mass violence” during protests and faces up to nine years in prison.

Proponents were camping at his party headquarters last week until the attack on Tuesday.

Melia, 41, rejected the case for political motives.

The detention order raised stakes in the crisis over the disputed elections.

Opposition lawmakers refused to occupy a seat in the new parliament with a boycott that weighs heavily on the ruling party’s political legitimacy.

They also demanded a new poll.

Georgia’s new prime minister, Irakli Garibashibiri, confirmed in parliament on Monday, said in a speech to lawmakers that his government would proceed with the arrest of Melia, politicians “cannot hide from justice.” Stated.

Garibashibiri is a loyal lieutenant of the powerful oligarch, Vizina Ivanishvili, who is widely regarded as the head of Georgia, despite having no official political role.

Analysts said Georgia’s political crisis had serious consequences for fledgling democracy and was unlikely to be resolved without greater diplomatic involvement from Tbilisi’s western allies.

Matthew Briza, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s US think tank, said Georgia’s “retreat of democracy” under Georgia’s dreams was “the opposition broke Georgia’s democracy.”

“Without the larger Western mediation, the situation could be very dangerous,” said a former diplomat who coordinated US Caucasus policy under former President Bush’s administration.

Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012, has been declining in popularity as it has been unable to cope with the economic stagnation and is perceived as a recession in its democratic efforts.

Critics have accused the country’s wealthiest man, Ivanishvili, of persecuting political opponents and creating a corrupt system in which private interests permeate politics.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s representative lawyer stays in different accommodations each night to avoid arrest, saying her trial will help Myanmar people decide whether to become military “slaves” again. ..

Soldiers raided the residence of a private leader, detained her in a pre-dawn raid three weeks ago, effectively ending a decade of testing on Myanmar’s democracy.

The new junta has promised to hold elections within a year, but so far the junta has exercised power over all political institutions in the country, including courts.

Khin Maung Zaw has an unlicensed walkie-talkie and is tasked with protecting her from two vague accusations of violating coronavirus restrictions.

Khin Maung Zaw has an unlicensed walkie-talkie and is tasked with protecting her from two vague accusations of violating coronavirus restrictions.
AFP / Thet AUNG

“Myanmar is now at an important point in history,” the 73-year-old told AFP by phone from the national capital, Naypyidaw, looking back over weeks of national protests demanding the release of clients.

“If you lose, you will be a slave to the military junta for 40 or 50 years. You have to win this battle.”

Military junta has already taken action to wipe out the Supreme Court of a country that could be Suu Kyi’s sympathizer, and Kin Maung Sau’s briefs have been thoroughly piled up against him.

Despite some requests, he has not yet been granted permission to meet his clients prior to the March 1 hearing.

“If I don’t get permission to meet her for a hearing, I’ll let the world know that the trial isn’t fair,” he said.

Khin Maung Zaw spent a total of 9 years behind the bar
AFP / STR

He also strengthened his own safety precautions due to the “indirect pressure” given to him by his relatives.

“At night, I have to leave my house and stay at someone else’s house,” he told AFP.

Born in Pyinmana in 1948. Pyinmana says he is accustomed to threats from powerful military forces in a town on the outskirts of the capital, built by the former military junta.

Khin Maung Zaw could not yet see his client, Aung San Suu Kyi, despite some requests to the police.
AFP / ROSLAN RAHMAN

He was first imprisoned at the age of 17 after protesting the former dictatorship for distributing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights throughout the university campus in Mandalay.

He was sent to the infamous Coco Islands prison, 400 km (250 miles) from the coast of Myanmar.

He says it was “the equivalent of Gulag.” It was later demolished after the prisoners went on a hunger strike to protest the dire situation on the island.

Released in 1972, he was arrested again three years later for participating in student demonstrations. He spent a total of nine years behind the bar.

“I have overcome all these executions and oppressions, so I have no reason to be afraid of myself,” he said.

Since the coup, authorities have steadily stepped up the use of force to contain the large-scale civil disobedience campaign that is sweeping the country.

Khin Maung Zaw is amazed at their motivation, but at least three anti-coup demonstrators have been killed so far and are afraid of their safety.

“Sparks are sparks,” he said. “In the past, when the army was desperate, they would do anything.”

His last notable case was defending Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyo Sou Wu.

Both men spent nearly 18 months in prison for reporting atrocities against the stateless Rohingya minority.

The incident confronted the Suu Kyi administration, which defended the military attack on the Rohingya community, and, according to US diplomats, once called the reporter a “traitor.”

However, Kin Maung Sau said he did not consider the “personal side” of the case, which was less important than the country’s efforts to avoid a return to the junta.

“I’m not representing Aung San Suu Kyi as a person. I’m representing a publicly elected person under military attack,” he says.

“It all defends democracy.”

Donovan Mitchell had 23 points and eight assists when NBA-leading Utah Jazz dropped a franchise record of 28 3-pointers on the Charlotte Hornets route 132-110 on Monday.

Joe Ingles and Georges Niang each scored 21 points as Jazz got a great offensive performance from the bench, winning their 21st victory in the last 23 games and improving overall to 25-6.

Jordan Clarkson (Five Three), Mike Conley (Four Three), Mitchell (Three Three) and Royce O’Neal (Two Three) contributed to the domination of jazz across the arc. Conley also scored 15 points.

Gordon Hayward scored 21 points but had to leave the game in the fourth quarter due to a hand injury as the Hornets’ six-game road trip made a difficult start.

Rookie LaMelo Ball also scored 21 points as the Hornets approached until the fourth quarter, when Jazz took command.

In Texas, Tim Hardaway scored the team’s best 29 points as Dallas Mavericks offered one of the best defensive games of the season by limiting Memphis Grizzlies’ shots to just 39% on Monday.

Luka Doncic scored 21 points and Jalen Branson chipped 19 as the Mavericks returned from an unexpected eight-day break and won 103-92 at the American Airlines Center.

Mavericks hasn’t played since February 14th, after a devastating winter storm caused havoc in the Dallas area and forced him to postpone it twice.

Branson scored 17 points as Dallas won his fifth match in the last six games.

The Mavericks quickly left, collecting double-digit leads in the first half of the opening quarter and cruising from there.

Ja Morant scored 22 points and the Grizzlies scored the game’s best 9 assists. The Grizzlies lost twice in a row and were held to the second lowest total season points. The Grizzlies scored just two points more than they did when they lost to Cleveland last month.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic hands the ball to Memphis Grizzlies’ Brandon Clark (15) and Justise Winslow (7) in the second half at the American Airlines Center.
Getty Images North America / Tom Pennington

Desmond Bane finished with 12 points, Brandon Clarke and Jonas Valančinas with 11 points each, and Memphis with Tyus Jones with 10 points. Varane Tunas also won 15 rebounds and completed the double-double.

Elsewhere, Devin Booker scored 34 points as Phoenix Suns defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 132-100 and won his 12th victory in the last 14 games.

Deandre Ayton added 19 points as Sands dominated the Trail Blazers 37-17 in the third quarter to open the second half.

Damian Lillard provided Portland with 24 points and 7 assists. Portland has won two consecutive victories following six consecutive victories during the season.

Lillard’s 24 points were earned on the same day that the Minnesota Timberwolves management made a fuss by hiring Chris Finch as the new head coach instead of former Portland assistant David Vantelpur. Was done.

Nassir Little added 18 points, Gary Trent added 11 points, and Carmelo Anthony added 10 points to the Trail Blazers.

Enes Kanter collected 15 rebounds for Portland and shot 12 out of 39 from behind the arc.

In Los Angeles, Washington Wizards defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 127-124 while working overtime at Staples Center, and Bradley Beal, who won five straight games, scored 33 points.

LeBron James carried Los Angeles aggressively, scoring the team’s best 31 points, but the Lakers were forced into two extra times and lost three times in a row instead.

The next match will be Wednesday’s jazz match, so it’s no easier for the Lakers playing without the injured Anthony Davis.

The Asian market rose largely on Tuesday, raising expectations that the global economy would return to orbit with the deployment of vaccines, but optimism is squeezed by concerns that recovery will drive inflation and rising interest rates. It was softened.

Observers predict a surge in economic activity from mid-year as the blockade eases, as the government rushes to vaccinate against the coronavirus and declining infection and mortality in most parts of the world. doing.

In addition, there is a spending program that will support the huge growth of US President Joe Biden. This could be passed by Congress next month, in addition to the Federal Reserve’s promise to keep monetary policy as loose as necessary.

The trillions of dollars worth of monumental government and central bank support was a major driver of the global stock surge from the bottom almost a year ago when the coronavirus was widespread throughout the globe.

But while the mood is getting better, investors are focusing on the effects of reflation. Prices go up when people return to stores and restaurants or start taking vacations.

Expectations of a surge in inflation have raised US Treasury 10-year yields to their highest in a year, which surprised investors fearing that interest rates would rise.

Technology companies that have benefited from being forced to stay home have suffered the worst blows, and companies that could succeed as the economy resumes have been coveted to buy. I am enjoying it.

“Investors, along with energy and other inflation beneficiaries, have all their stocks in Covid’s recovery as an expensive technology name (sold) to provide a source of funding for cheaper travel-related markers. We’re quickly rediscovering that it’s not created equally, “says Stephen Innes, Axi Strategist.

The playoffs between recovery and inflation concerns have stopped the global market recovery in recent weeks, after some hit record or record highs for the first time in years.

The Dow rose, but the tech-rich Nasdaq fell more than 2% on Monday, and the S & P 500 was in the red.

And Asian investors have carefully trampled. Hong Kong, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei, Manila, Mumbai, Bangkok and Jakarta all rose, while Shanghai, Seoul and Wellington fell. Tokyo was closed due to a holiday.

AXA Investment Managers Chris Iggo said a key catalyst for raising stock prices could “decline as the market approaches the next phase of recovery.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if market returns become more volatile in the coming months.”

Traders are eagerly awaiting Fed Boss Jerome Powell’s parliamentary testimony from Tuesday, looking for thoughts on the central bank’s views on rising yields and their impact on policy, especially interest rates.

“The Fed has given the impression of ignoring short-term inflation spikes and has made great efforts to regain expectations for the possibility of short-term rate hikes,” said Michael Hughson of CMC Markets. It was.

“The US dime yield is just below 1.4% … There is concern that US central bankers may be a little over-blaming for inflation risk.”

Jerome Powell’s Parliamentary testimony is closely tracked on the idea of ​​the Federal Reserve’s view of rising Treasury yields
POOL / JIM LO SCALZO

However, OANDA’s Edward Moya said Powell is likely to reaffirm his commitment to seeing jobs recover and inflation continue to rise.

“The course of interest rates hasn’t changed this year, and some economists see interest rates as rising in January next year,” he said.

“Financial conditions remain tight and wage pressure remains absent, which should prevent inflation concerns from getting out of control.

“Economic data is improving, but remains inconsistent, and that’s all Powell needs to maintain his ultra-tolerant stance.”

Oil prices continued to rise, and as the world emerged from the blockade, optimistically in response to demand, it recorded a nearly 4% rise and then accumulated more than 1% a day.

Hang Seng Index: up 1.2% at 30,670.60

Shanghai-Comprehensive: 3,636.36, down 0.2% (closing price)

Tokyo-Nikkei 225: Closed due to holidays

Pound / Dollar: Fall from $ 1.4064 at 2145 GMT to $ 1.4060

Euro / dollar: rising from $ 1.2161 to $ 1.2167

Euro / Pound: Rise from 86.44 pence to 86.53 pence

Dollar / Yen: Up 105.09 Yen from 105.07 Yen

West Texas Intermediate: $ 62.55 / barrel up 1.4%

Brent North Sea Crude: $ 66.31 / Barrel Up 1.6%

New York-Dow: 0.1% up at 31,521.69 (closing price)

London-FTSE 100: down 0.2% at 6,612.24 (closing price)

-Bloomberg News contributed to this story-

Georgian police arrested the opposition’s top leader on Tuesday and used tear gas in a violent assault on party headquarters, further deepening the political crisis fought in last year’s parliamentary elections.

A live television broadcast showed that Nika Melia, the leader of the United National Movement, the country’s main opposition, was pulled out of party headquarters and detained before the trial.

Meanwhile, hundreds of riot police have used tear gas against his supporters and leaders of all opposition parties in the country that have been camp in the building since Wednesday, live photos from Mtavari TV showed.

Many opposition supporters were detained.

Giorgi Pataraia, one of UNM’s leaders, told AFP that police “stolen a computer server” from UNM headquarters.

“The police used proportional force and special means” in the police operation, the Georgia Interior Ministry said in a statement.

The court ordered Melia to be placed in pretrial detention after refusing to pay an increase in bail.
AFP / Vano Shlamov

“I was shocked by the UNM headquarters scene this morning,” British Ambassador Mark Clayton wrote on Twitter.

“Violence and turmoil in Tbilisi is the last thing Georgia needs right now. I urge all sides to act restrained now and for the next few days.”

Georgia has been on the verge of a political crisis since the parliamentary elections last October. Opposition accused it of fraud after the ruling George Andreem party claimed victory.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Giorgi Gacaria resigned from George Andrew’s plan to arrest Melia.

The news of the plan caused anger between opposition and warnings from the Western allies of the former Soviet Union.

Garibashibiri confirmed as prime minister by parliament on Monday
AFP / Vano SHLAMOV

Last week, a court in Tbilisi ordered Melia to be put in pretrial detention after refusing to pay an increase in bail prior to a hearing in a case related to a 2019 anti-government demonstration.

He was charged with “organizing mass violence” during protests and faces up to nine years in prison.

Melia, 41, rejected the case for political motives.

The detention order raised stakes in the crisis over the disputed elections.

Opposition lawmakers refused to occupy a seat in the new parliament with a boycott that weighs heavily on the ruling party’s political legitimacy.

They demanded a new poll.

Georgia’s new prime minister, Irakli Garibashibiri, confirmed in parliament on Monday, said in a speech to lawmakers that his government would proceed with the arrest of Melia, politicians “cannot hide from justice.” Stated.

Garibashibiri is a loyal lieutenant of the powerful oligarch, Vizina Ivanishvili, who is widely regarded as the head of Georgia, despite having no official political role.

Analysts said the swirling political crisis in Georgia had serious consequences for fledgling democracy and was unlikely to be resolved without greater diplomatic involvement from Tbilisi’s western allies.

Matthew Briza, a senior researcher at the Atlantic Council, a U.S. think tank, said Georgia’s “democratic retreat” under Georgia’s dream was “oppositions seat in Congress for democracy. I’m saying I can’t take it. ” It’s broken in Georgia. “

“Without Western mediation, the situation could be very dangerous,” said a former diplomat who coordinated US Caucasus policy under former President Bush’s administration.

The United States and the European Union have expressed concern over plans to arrest Melia and urged the Georgian government to peacefully resolve the crisis and ensure that the judicial system is free from political prejudice.

Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012, has been declining in popularity as it has been unable to cope with the economic stagnation and is perceived as a recession in its democratic efforts.

Critics have accused the country’s wealthiest man, Ivanishvili, of persecuting political opponents and creating a corrupt system in which private interests permeate politics.

A few weeks after the coup, a Malaysian court ordered a suspension of a controversial plan to deport 1,200 Burmese detainees to their hometown in response to a final legal objection.

Immigrants, including vulnerable minority members, had already been taken by bus or truck to a military base on the west coast of Malaysia and loaded onto a waiting Myanmar Navy vessel.

The United States and the United Nations have criticized the plan, but rights groups said some of the people scheduled to be repatriated were asylum seekers.

Rights groups Amnesty International and Asylum Access have challenged in court, claiming that Malaysia violates international tariffs by sending vulnerable people back to potentially endangered countries.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered a suspension of repatriation on Wednesday to allow hearing of the group’s bid to suspend deportation, their lawyer New Shinyu told AFP.

“The government needs to respect court orders and prevent one in 1,200 people from being deported today,” said Katrina Jorene Maliamauv, secretary general of Amnesty International Malaysia.

She urged authorities to grant UN refugee organizations access to migrants to be deported. Then they can evaluate whether they should be given refugee status.

“It’s important to note that the suspension of executions granted by the court does not mean that 1,200 people are safe from deportation. They face life-threatening risks,” she adds. I did.

“We urge the government to rethink its plans to send this group of vulnerable people back to Myanmar.”

Activists are making a final attempt to prevent the deportation of 1,200 Burmese detainees by naval vessels.
AFP / Mohd RASFAN

Dozens of buses and trucks, previously carrying migrants and escorted by police cars, arrived at Lumut’s naval base, according to AFP journalists at the scene.

Myanmar troops seized power in early February, detained private leader Aung San Suu Kyi and launched a series of large-scale protests.

Malaysia initially expressed “serious concern” in a coup, but news came out a few days later that it had accepted an offer from the Myanmar junta to send warships to repatriate detainees.

Authorities claim that the repatriated people have committed crimes such as overstaying visas, and that there are no persecuted Rohingya minority members (not recognized as Myanmar citizens).

However, according to Lilianne Fan, international director of the Geutanyoe Foundation, which works with refugees, detainees include people in Kachin and Shan states who are in conflict with minority members of Christians.

Malaysian authorities have blocked UN refugee organizations from the Immigration Detention Center since late 2019. In other words, it is not possible to decide who should be given refugee status.

James Bowie Tan Bick, chairman of the Malaysia-based Chin Refugee Alliance, said he was “shocked” to find that Chin was among those deported.

“They are refugees from conflict areas,” he told AFP.

Malaysia is home to millions of migrants from poor parts of Asia who work in low-paying jobs such as construction. It comes not only from Myanmar but also from countries such as Bangladesh and Indonesia.