Topic: Political Asylum

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6 famous dissidents in China

The surprising escape of a blind legal activist from house arrest is buoying China's embattled dissident community, even as the government cracks down on those who helped him.
China's leadership shakeup: Bo Xilai and 4 other names to watch

Five names to keep an eye on as China prepares for a once-in-a-decade leadership change.
What happens next in Libya? America's five greatest concerns.

The push toward a post-Qaddafi regime in Libya is raising questions in Washington about how far a US commitment extends to ensuring a peaceful transition to democracy. With an eye to lessons from regime change in Iraq, some lawmakers are urging steps now to help shape that transition.
Four reasons help is slow to reach Somalia’s famine victims

As more information about East Africa’s famine reaches Western audiences, the situation looks increasingly grim – but aid doesn’t seem to be keeping pace with the publicity. What challenges do humanitarian organizations face?
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 06/06

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Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng's next step: Study at a US university? (+video)

The US says prominent Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng has been offered a fellowship by a US university. The US State Department said it would move quickly to provide a visa for Mr. Chen and his family.
Chinese activist pressured to leave US embassy, says friend (+video)

To protect his family, the blind legal activist agreed to leave the safety of the US embassy and stay in China, a trusted friend of Chen Guangcheng told the Monitor.
China activist Chen Guangchen: 'I'm free. I've received clear assurances'

A blind Chinese legal activist who was at the center of a diplomatic tussle between Washington and Beijing left the US Embassy Wednesday to receive medical care in Beijing and be reunited with this family.
Clinton arrives in Beijing, but blind lawyer's case casts shadow

Human rights lawyer Chen Guangcheng escaped from house arrest and is presently being sheltered in the US embassy; his status is sure to impact Secretary Clinton's arrival for high-level talks.
6 famous dissidents in China

The surprising escape of a blind legal activist from house arrest is buoying China's embattled dissident community, even as the government cracks down on those who helped him.
Global News Blog
Soccer player defects from Cuba, requests asylum in US

Soccer player defects: A Cuban national soccer player disappeared while his team was playing in an Olympic soccer tournament in Tennessee.
China's leadership shakeup: Bo Xilai and 4 other names to watch

Five names to keep an eye on as China prepares for a once-in-a-decade leadership change.
Malaysia sends Saudi home, where he's threatened with death for a tweet

A Malaysian lawyers' group blamed Malaysia for handing Hamza Kashgari over to the Saudi authorities 'on a silver platter.' Mr. Kashgari allegedly insulted the prophet Muhammed on Twitter.
A top cop in China disappears. Medical leave or US asylum?

China's rumor mill is ablaze over the whereabouts of Wang Lijun, a top police chief in Chongqing who 'went on vacation-style treatment.' What happens next could be a blow to a top Communist Party contender.
US must honor its commitment to Iraqi and other refugees

US asylum seekers and immigrants are allowed access to legal counsel, but refugees are not. Allowing legal advocates to assist refugees would improve the refugee resettlement process immediately and tangibly – for both refugees and US officials.
Latin America Monitor
Drug violence in Mexico drives 'narco-refugees' into US

The number of 'narco-refugees,' Mexicans trying to escape drug violence by seeking asylum in the US, increased almost 50-fold from 2006 to 2008.
What happens next in Libya? America's five greatest concerns.

The push toward a post-Qaddafi regime in Libya is raising questions in Washington about how far a US commitment extends to ensuring a peaceful transition to democracy. With an eye to lessons from regime change in Iraq, some lawmakers are urging steps now to help shape that transition.
Australia refugee swap with Malaysia faces key test

Australia plans to airlift refugees from an intercepted boat to Malaysia next week. It will film their forced return and post it on YouTube to deter future refugees from trying to reach its shores.
Four reasons help is slow to reach Somalia’s famine victims

As more information about East Africa’s famine reaches Western audiences, the situation looks increasingly grim – but aid doesn’t seem to be keeping pace with the publicity. What challenges do humanitarian organizations face?
Separate DSK accuser's asylum story from her New York rape story

In Strauss-Kahn case, we must separate questions about the credibility of the accuser's asylum story from her account of assault at the hands of DSK. Women seeking asylum in the US face a system designed to keep them out and to doubt their credibility from the onset.
Does hotel maid in Strauss-Kahn case need a defense lawyer, too?

Officials assert that the alleged victim in the sexual assault case against ex-IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn lied on her tax returns, asylum application, and on other occasions. Is she now in legal trouble?
On World Refugee Day, UN warns that poor countries bear greater refugee burdens

The UN's World Refugee Day report shows that 80 percent of refugees are hosted by developing countries, not the richer nations that have the economic capacity to absorb and host refugees.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 06/06
Why Australia just toughened its tough immigration stance

Riots at Australia’s immigration detention centers have pushed Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s government to take new measures on asylum-seekers. But critics say they don't target the fundamental reasons for the unrest.
Five famous jailed dissidents in China: Ai Weiwei to Liu Xiaobo

Chinese authorities have cracked down on dissent in hopes of preventing a popular uprising in China like those that have erupted in the Middle East. Sweeping arrests of prominent dissidents have been part of the campaign and have earned the Chinese government widespread internal and international criticism. Who are some of these activists being put behind bars?
Africa Monitor
In Ivory Coast, Gbagbo's forces defect en masse: reports

Forces loyal to Ivory Coast's renegade President Laurent Gbagbo appeared ready to combat Thursday's lightning-quick rebel advance. Instead, thousands seem to have defected.
Letters to the Editor – Weekly Issue of February 21, 2011

Readers write in about immigrants seeking asylum in the US for domestic violence and wish retiring columnist David Francis a fond farewell.
Global News Blog
Hong Kong's largest housing project is getting a new face

Hong Kong's housing hub Chungking Mansions is home to 5,000 people and best-known for its ugliness. Now it's maintenance wants to clean it up.
Hosni Mubarak's exit plan: Where do exiled leaders go?

With Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak heading out of office, it’s likely he has thought about where he’d head next if he’s forced out of the country as well as the presidency. Read our list of ousted world leaders who fled their countries to live out the rest of their days elsewhere.
Refugees forced back to a still-violent Iraq, prompting criticism of European policy

Three days after Ali Jassim Mohammed returned to Baghdad to get documents for his Swedish residency application, he was caught in a bombing on his way to the passport office.