February 2 – East Asia: THAILAND
Thailand holds parliamentary elections amid widespread anti-government protests that have been taking place since November. However, the protesters are preventing the voting from taking place in the country’s several provinces. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called the elections in hopes of ending the conflict, but the opposition wants to form a transitional government, which would reform the country’s political system.
February 9 – Europe: SWITZERLAND
In a national referendum, the Swiss voters narrowly approve bringing back strict quotas on immigration from the European Union. Supporters say foreign migrants lower salaries and put pressure on the country’s social infrastructure, such as education and health care. Opponents argue that migrants bring high skills, contributing to the country’s economic success. The EU says the outcome of the referendum is against the EU-Swiss agreement on freedom of movement.
February 11 – Europe: CYPRUS
The leaders of Greek Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus resume talks on possible reunification of the island. The last negotiations broke off in mid-2012, when Cyprus took over the European Union’s rotating presidency that lasts six months.
February 15 – Middle East / International Organizations: SYRIA / UNITED NATIONS
The Second round of Geneva talks between the United Nations special envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi and representatives of the Syrian government and opposition reaches an impasse. The opposition demands a transitional government that would not include current President Bashar al-Assad, while the Syrian government calls the opposition terrorists and insists on fighting them before discussing any issues. The only agreement both sides were able to come to was allowing the civilians to leave the besieged city of Homs. Since 2011, more than 100,000 people have lost their lives and more than 9 million have been displaced in Syria’s conflict.
February 20 – Former Soviet republics / Europe: UKRAINE
At least 77 people are killed in clashes between the protesters and police in Ukraine’s city of Kiev, making it the worst day in months of anti-government demonstrations. Police are accused of using live ammunition against unarmed protesters. The protests escalate, with the opposition seizing government buildings in several cities. (February 21): Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych signs a deal with the opposition brokered by an EU and Russian mediators in an attempt to end the crisis. Agreement stipulates that a unity government will be formed and a presidential election will be held by the end of the year. The parliament votes to reduce presidential powers and release former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko from jail. (February 22): President Yanukovych flees the capital and hundreds of people enter the grounds of his official residence. The opposition takes control of the country with the parliament Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov as interim president. (February 26): Pro-Russia and pro-Ukraine protesters clash in Ukraine’s Crimea region, where ethnic Russians constitute a majority. (February 27): Pro-Russian gunmen seize two government buildings in Crimea’s capital of Simferopol and place and raise Russian flags on them. Russia performs military exercises in the region, with the United States warning it of any military intervention.
February 27 – Latin America: VENEZUELA
Clashes between hundreds of student protesters and security forces in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, turn violent and about a dozen of people are killed. The protests began at the beginning of February in the western states of Tachira and Merida with students revolting against rising inflation (about 56 percent), shortages of basic food items, and widespread crime. Venezuela has the fifth highest murder rate in the world. The protests soon spread to the capital and other cities. The protests are the largest in the last decade.