March 11 – South Asia: PAKISTAN
A bomb attack in Pakistan kills two policemen who were escorting health professionals administering vaccination against polio disease for the local people. The Taliban militant group opposes the vaccination program, saying it is an excuse for the West to sterilize the Muslims. According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, the number of polio cases in Pakistan has risen sharply, from 58 in 2012 to 93 in 2013.
March 16 – Former Soviet Republics/Europe/International Organizations:
UKRAINE / RUSSIA / UNITED NATIONS / INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
More than 97 percent of people in the Ukrainian region of Crimea vote to secede from Ukraine and join Russia in a controversial referendum organized by Russia with Russian troops controlling the area. Many Crimeans who oppose the secession boycotted the vote. Ukraine, the European Union and the United States say the vote is illegal and it will be never recognized. (March 17): The EU and the U.S. impose travel ban and freeze assets of some high-ranking Russian and Ukrainian officials after the Crimean vote. (March 21): Russia officially annexes Crimea. Ukraine and the EU sign an association agreement, establishing closer economic relations. (March 27): The United Nations General Assembly adopts a resolution, which says that the referendum in Crimea was illegal. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approves a loan for Ukraine in the amount of $18 billion. Also, the United States Congress passes legislation guaranteeing a $1 billion loan for Ukraine.
March 21 – East Asia: THAILAND
Thailand’s Constitutional Court rules that the February elections were invalid because the opposition’s blocked some polling stations preventing many voters from casting their ballots.
March 24 – Africa: EGYPT
An Egyptian court handed down death sentences for 528 supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, the organization of the ousted President Mohammed Morsi, which since then has been declared a terrorist group by the new government. They are convicted of murdering a policeman and other violent acts. The sentence jolts the international community and causes a concern about the verdict’s compliance with international standards. Those convicted are expected to appeal the ruling.
March 30 – East Asia: TAIWAN
Tens of thousands of people protest Taiwan’s controversial trade agreement with China on the streets of the capital, Taipei. The government and business groups claim the deal will give Taiwan a wider access to Chinese markets, but many are afraid that the deal will make Taiwan too dependent on China economically. The agreement was signed last year, but is yet to be ratified by the parliament.