Newsline 22 December 2009: Opposition protestors commemorating Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri clash with security forces and vigilantes in three main Iranian cities, Rwanda's traditional Gacaca courts are helping people move on after the 1994 genocide – and why does London receive a Christmas tree from Norway every year?
Iranian protestors clash with security forces
Pro-reform protestors have clashed with Iranian security forces and vigilantes in three cities overnight and today, according to opposition websites. Activists have gathered to commemorate one of the country's leading dissidents, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, who died at the weekend.
There were also clashes on Monday when tens of thousands of supporters attended the ayatollah's funeral in Qom.
Thomas Erdbrink, Radio Netherlands Worldwide's Tehran correspondent told Newsline’s Paddy Maguire about the latest developments. Listen to the interview.
Traditional court system helps Rwandans move on
The 1994 Rwandan genocide, which saw hundreds of thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus killed by the Hutu-dominated government, still resonates in daily life in the country. Despite several high-profile court cases in and outside the country, there are still many suspects who have yet to be tried.
To speed up the process, the Rwandan government has introduced the Gacaca courts, a traditional African communal court system, designed to promote healing help people move on move on from the crisis.
John Betista Habeyaramana of Rwanda's National Reconciliation Committee told Newsline reporter Sebastiaan Gottlieb that the courts are proving successful. Listen to the interview.
London’s yearly Norwegian Christmas present still going strong
For over 60 years, the Norwegian capital Oslo has sent a yuletide gift of a Christmas tree to London. The tree, illuminated with white lights in traditional Scandinavian style, stands in Trafalger Square in the heart of the capital. But not everyone knows the history of the gift, which began with a royal escape almost seventy years ago.
But not everyone knows the story behind the gift, which began with a royal escape almost seventy years ago, as correspondent Allis Moss has been finding out. Listen to the report.
Photo taken during opposition protests in Iran, June 2009 (Flickr)
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"Iranian protestors clash with security forces"....Iran murders their own citizens and the world stands-by and says nothing about the murders. You don't hear anyone ( especially the UN and EU) wanting to boycott the Iranian government but when Israel defends itself against Hamas' relentless rocket attacks on it's citizens and attacks Hamas the EU wants to boycott them. I guess it's because Israel doesn't have any natural gas or oil to sell to the EU. { What good is the EU and the UN if they don't stand-up for those who suffer in Iran. Two sets of standards you blokes have. One who gives you oil and gas get special treatment while little countries who have nothing to sell are treated like criminals.
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