Kyrgyzstan election results contested

Kyrgyzstan’s incumbent Kurmanbek Bakiyev claims an 85% of the vote in the weekend’s presidential election, but challenger Almazbek Atambayev is questioning the results.

Uighur struggle continues, in streets of Urumqi and Internet

Two more Uighurs were killed by police in Urumqi, while Chinese intellectuals have launched an online petition drive for detained Uighur economist Ilham Tohti.

More protests in Xinjiang

Chinese authorities have re-imposed a curfew in the city of Urumqi, Xinjiang, following new disturbances sparked by authorities’ attempt to bar Friday prayers at local mosques.

Rights groups, Uighur diaspora demand truth in Xinjiang violence

Human Rights Watch is demanding an “international investigator” to probe the ongoing violence in Urumqi, as Uighur expatriates held angry protests at the Chinese embassies in Ankara and Oslo.

Xinjiang: 150 dead in Uighur unrest

Over 150 are dead and some 1,000 injured after Chinese security forces attacked a protest march by ethnic Uighurs, sparking widespread clashes in Kashgar, Xinjiang province.

Russia brokers deal on Pentagon access to Kyrgyz base?

Diplomatic sources say Moscow brokered a long-sought deal granting the US continued access to Manas air base in Kyrgyzstan—apparently fearing Islamist militant incursions into Central Asia.

Tibetan lama faces lengthy term in weapons charge

The trial opened this week in China’s Sichuan province for Phurbu Tsering Rinpoche, a respected Tibetan lama who faces 15 years in prison on a weapons possession charge.

Turkmenistan tilts to West following pipeline blast?

Turkmenistan accused the Russian state energy company Gazprom of causing a pipeline explosion, days after the Ashgabat government broached joining a new pipeline project bypassing Russia.

International protests follow death sentence for Tibetan protesters

International protests have greeted the sentencing of two Tibetans to the death penalty for their role in last year’s protests in Lhasa. Thirty-five Tiebtan protesters were arrested in Kathmandu.

New Tibetan uprising in Qinghai province

In the first major Tibetan protests since last year’s uprising, hundreds of residents in Ragya, Qinghai province, attacked a police station, leading to the arrest of nearly 100 monks.

Kyrgyzstan: opposition calls for protests

Opposition parties this week called for protests across Kyrgyzstan on March 27, amid worsening economic conditions and mounting accusations of government repression.

Tibet: repression continues, China Lobby strikes back

Tibetan protests in China continue to be met with harsh repression, now ignored by the media. But Beijing’s lobbyists were mobilized as US Congress passed a resolution honoring the Dalai Lama.