March 1 — Africa: LIBYA
The Untied Nations reports that about 140,000 people have been trying to cross Libya’s border with Egypt and Tunisia, escaping fierce fighting between the pro-government forces and the rebels. (March 11): The United States and the European Union call on Colonel Gaddafi to step down. The EU also imposes economic sanctions against Libya. (March 18): The United Nations Security Council passes a resolution authorizing a no-fly zone over Libya and air strikes to protect civilians from attacks of pro-Gaddafi forces. (March 26): Extensive air-strikes by coalition planes led by the U.S., UK, and France across Libya help the rebels retake their territorial losses from government forces in the east of the country, and push westward towards Gaddafi’s stronghold in his hometown of Sirte.
March 2 — South Asia: PAKISTAN
Pakistani Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti is ambushed and shot dead in broad daylight by members of Pakistani branch of the Taliban, Tehrik-i-Taliban. Bhatti was one of the critics of the country’s draconian blasphemy laws and a supporter of their reform. The blasphemy laws carry a death sentence for insulting Islam; however, the critics say it is often applied to persecute people of other faiths. After Bhatti’s murder, and Governor Salman Taseer’s before him, the Pakistani government has decided to abandon the proposed reform of the laws.
March 4 — Europe: UNITED KINGDOM
The Welsh people approve devolution in a referendum, which gives the Welsh Assembly powers to make laws in 20 areas, such as health, agriculture, and education. Consequently, the Assembly will not need the UK Parliament’s approval to deal with issues from within the designated areas.
March 8 — Europe: SERBIA/KOSOVO
Serbia and Kosovo meet for EU-sponsored talks that are to focus on issues, such as telecommunication, transport, and airspace. Kosovo has unilaterally declared independence in 2008, and so far has been recognized by 75 countries; however, Serbia is not among them. Resolving issues with Kosovo is a key condition for Serbia to be considered for the European Union membership.
March 9 — North America: UNITED STATES
The Governor of the U.S. state of Illinois, Pat Quinn, signs a bill abolishing the death penalty. The move makes Illinois the 16th state that does not allow executions. In 2000, the previous governor imposed a 10-year moratorium on death penalty after it was revealed that several death row inmates were wrongly convicted.
March 9 — South Asia: AFGHANISTAN
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) issue a report showing that the year 2010 saw the highest number of Afghan civilian casualties since the beginning of the war in 2001. More than 2,770 civilians were killed in 2010, which is 15 percent higher that the year before. Most of these deaths were caused by the Taliban and other insurgents.
March 11 — East Asia: JAPAN
A devastating 9.0 magnitude offshore earthquake followed by powerful tsunami up to 133 feet high hit northern Japan. As a result, about 28,000 people are either killed or missing, 150,000 other are left homeless, and the destruction to infrastructure is estimated at more than $300 billion. In addition, damage to the Fukushima nuclear plant, located 155 miles north of Tokyo, causes several explosions, radiation leaks, and contamination of food and water supplies. The government evacuates hundreds of thousands of residents from around the damaged plant.
March 14 — Middle East: BAHRAIN
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and other Gulf states send troops to Bahrain after the country requested them to help suppress the continued violent anti-government protests. They are also supposed to protect oil and gas installations and financial institutions. Most of the protesters call for more powers to be delegated to the elected parliament. Some, however, want Bahrain to become a republic. (March 15): After violent clashes that injured more than 200 people, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa declares a three-month state of emergency. The UN condemns the excessive use of force.
March 15 — Middle East: SYRIA
Hundreds of people in Syria initiate rare street protests, calling for democratic reforms, the release of political prisoners, and an end to corruption. The riot police arrests about 35 people. Bashar al-Assad has been ruling Syria through emergency law since 2000. He took over from his father who was in power for 30 years. Like other Middle Eastern countries, Syria suffers from high poverty and unemployment. (March 21): Thousands of protesters show up for a rally in the southern city of Deraa, enraged by the killing of a demonstrator by the riot police, which leads to days of violent unrest and more deaths. (March 24): Pressured by the continued protests, the government announces some conciliatory reforms, including ending emergency law of 1963. The steps, however, do not appease the crowds, and the protests spread to other cities across Syria.
March 18 — Middle East: YEMEN
A police sniper fires into a crowd of anti-government demonstrators in Yemeni capital, Sanaa, killing more than 45 people and injuring 270 others. The country’s president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years, declares a state of emergency. The protests spread to other cities across the country. (March 23): Under the pressure of continued widespread protests, President Saleh sacks the entire cabinet and offers to step down in January. The opposition does not accept the offer.
March 20 — Africa: EGYPT
Egyptians approve constitutional changes in a referendum, which paves the way to parliamentary elections as early as September. The changes include reducing the presidential term from six years to four and limiting the president to two terms.
March 31 — Africa: IVORY COAST
Forces supporting internationally recognized president of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, take control of the country’s airport in Abidjan and close in on former President Laurent Gbagbo. Gbagbo lost in the run-off election held in November of last year, but so far has refused to accept the defeat. The post-election violence has resulted in several hundreds deaths and has taken toll on the country’s economy.
March 31 — South Asia: INDIA
The results of India’s 2011 census show that the country’s population has grown to 1.21 billion and India is expected to overtake China as the most populous country by 2030. However, the growth rate has been steadily falling. The census also reveals a growing gender imbalance, with 914 girls for every 1,000 boys, and an improving literacy rate, reaching now 74 percent.