Colour revolutions are a series of uprisings that first started in former communist nations in Eastern Europe in the early 2000s. It is also used to refer to popular movements in the Middle East and Asia.
They have been criticized by Russia and China for being orchestrated by the United States and its Western allies to overthrow regimes.
Why in News?
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday (September 16) appealed to Russia, India, and other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to cooperate with each other in order to prevent foreign powers from destabilising their countries by inciting “colour revolutions”.
Well-known colour revolutions
- Orange revolution: It occurred in Ukraine against the illegal election of President Viktor Yanukovych.
- Tulip revolution: The movement led to the ouster of Kyrgyzstan’s President Askar Akayev in early 2005.
- Jasmine Revolution: Occurred in Tunisia for the ouster of longtime President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.