Jump to content

2012 Romanian protests

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Mahetin (talk | contribs) at 22:29, 12 April 2012. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

2012 Romanian protests
Demonstrations on Bucharest streets
Date12 January 2012 — present [1]
Location
62 cities in Romania, including Bucharest [4]
Caused byTax raises, salary cuts, unemployment, economic conditions, political corruption[2]
GoalsResignation of President Traian Băsescu
Early elections
Methods
StatusOngoing
Concessions
Number
over 20,000 participants throughout Romania
Casualties
Death(s)0
Injuries60+ (23 hospitalized)[3]
Arrested290+

On January 12, 2012, a series of Romanian protests broke out in a number of cities across the European nation, triggered by a discussion regarding a health reform bill proposed by the former government. An incident also occurred on Romanian television as President Traian Băsescu insulted the Deputy Minister of Health, Raed Arafat on air. The protests became violent, with both protesters and members of the Gendarmerie sustaining injuries during the ensuing clashes.

Nearly a month later, on February 5, Prime Minister Emil Boc announced his resignation on a Monday morning as a result of the ongoing, sometimes violent, demonstrations, publicly stating that his decision would "release the tension in the country's political and social situation".[4] Protests, on a minor scale, continue to occur in University Square with ongoing demands by the protesters for the President's resignation and for early general elections.

Causes

Beginning in 2010, the Boc government, faced with the late-2000s recession, imposed a series of tax increases and significant cuts in public-sector wages and social benefits with strong public support from president Traian Băsescu.[5][6] Furthermore, it imposed a new labour code, which included suggestions from multinational corporations and business lobbies such as the Romanian-American Chamber of Commerce,[7] but was strongly opposed by all major Romanian trade unions and by some employers' organizations.[8][9] As the parliamentary opposition opposed all these measures and the government only held a weak majority, the government decided to bypass the Parliament altogether, adopting the laws through a special procedure provided by the Constitution of Romania.[10]

In the last days of 2011, the government introduced a new healthcare bill, which would have significantly reduced state-supported health benefits, allowed private companies greater freedoms in the health insurance market, and privatised a large part of Romanian hospitals.[11] A major opponent of the bill was Undersecretary Raed Arafat, a widely respected public figure and the founder of the Mobile Service Emergency Resuscitation and Extrication (SMURD) service, a public emergency service partially funded from private donations. His main objection concerned the privatization of emergency services, which he believed would quickly lead to the disappearance of the public one, as for-profit companies in the sector would have access to both private and public funds.[12][13] As a result Arafat became the main target of criticism from president Băsescu, a proponent of the law.[14] The conflict culminated in a telephone confrontation during a TV talk show on 9 January 2012, during which Băsescu suggested Arafat should leave the government.[15] Arafat resigned the following day, citing the main reason as the need for a fair criticism of the healthcare bill from outside the government.[16] On 10 January, a spontaneous meeting of solidarity with Arafat and SMURD was organised in Bucharest. Bucharest protest in solidarity for Raed Arafat On 11 January, a small meeting of solidarity with Arafat and SMURD was organised in the centre of north-western city of Cluj-Napoca.[17] The demonstrations grew in size on the 12th and spread to Târgu Mureş, the original home of the SMURD, where 1,500 to 4,000 people took part in a march organised with the help of the Facebook social network.[18] The Târgu Mureş events also meant a gradual change of direction. Besides slogans in support of the SMURD, protesters also shouted explicitly anti-Băsescu chants, demanding his resignation.[19] On the evening of 13 January, during a press conference, president Băsescu requested the bill to be quashed, citing resistance from the populace and once more criticizing the ones opposing it as well as the "smart boys" allegedly controlling the public healthcare system. Health minister Ladislau Ritli promptly fulfilled the president's request.[20] Nevertheless, people decided to continue with the planned protests.

Course of the protests

January

  • January 12: A non-violent protest started in Târgu Mureș to express solidarity with the founder SMURD, Raed Arafat.
  • January 13: On 13 January, in Bucharest, people gathered at around 18.00 in University Square, to support Raed Arafat. At around 19:00 local time, protesters left from University Square towards the Cotroceni Palace. The number of demonstrators increased, so that at the Presidential Administration about 2000 protesters gathered.
  • January 14: On 14 January, protests took two different camps: one in University Square, one just outside the gates of Cotroceni Palace, the presidential residence. Small incidents involving stone throwing prompted the Gendarmerie and police officers to intervene using tear gas and in full force against this group. The people were dispersed.

Official statements from the Gendarmerie, stated that the reason they intervened in such force was that people were occupying the streets, therefore impeding the flow of traffic in the area.

Estimated: 5,000 people

  • January 15: On 15 January, Romanians continued to take to the streets demanding the resignation of president Băsescu and of the Boc government. Since the early hours of the day, protesters gathered again in the squares of Romania's main cities shouting and waving Romanian flags cut in the middle, the symbol of the 1989 Romanian Revolution, and urging authorities for early elections. The opposition political alliance, Social Liberal Union (USL) demanded an extraordinary plenary meeting of the Parliament of Romania to discuss the ongoing situation.
University Square (Bucharest), place of the violent events of January 2012

During the night, the protests took a strange turn as two groups became clearly defined. One peaceful group of protesters, that stood their ground and used non-violence as the main method of protest, remained at the University Square,[21] while smaller groups started using violence. These smaller groups did almost everything in their power to destroy police barricades and push them away towards the calmer side of the protesting.[21] The violent groups converged on Unity Square and two different worlds were visible on television: a group of peaceful protesters – though very vocal – and meters away something that looked like the London Riots.

It is important to note that the night before, on the 14th, the Gendarmerie interfered at the slightest use of violence, but on this night it allowed fires to be started, shops to be burned and a very bleak picture to be painted. Also, a group of 400 students that was supposed to join the peaceful protests, could not do so because they were stopped by the police, while violent hooligans who minutes later chose the same walking path were not stopped and were allowed to get very close to the calm situation in University Square. It has been speculated that violence was allowed to discredit the actual peaceful protesters.

It was later discovered that one of the alleged instigators, Elias Bucurica, was a party member and supporter of National Union for the Progress of Romania (UNPR), a party that belongs to the coalition that supported the standing government. At least one Romanian newspaper places Bucurica at the scene of the protests.[22] Bucurica was also a known football hooligan and leader of a Dinamo Bucharest ultras group. Bucurica's past acts have resulted in him being banned from all football stadiums, however his position as leader of the ultras group hasn't changed nor has his ban ever been enforced. Pictures of Bucurica being present and directing a cheering crowd at a UNPR party rally for Bucharest 2nd District mayor Neculai Ontanu were published on October 19, 2010.[23] Also, on December 21, 2011 pictures of Bucurica directing the crowds at the launch of USP (UNPR's center-left political platform) were published.[24] According to video footage, hooligans retreated from Union Square towards the Tineretului Park. vandalizing street objects in their path. Tineretului Park is the largest park in Bucharest's 4th District, the mayor of which, Cristian Popescu Piedone, recently announced he resigns from all the positions he held in Conservative Party (PC), part of USL, and would run for a second mayoral term as a UNPR candidate. Cristian Popescu Piedone later said: "We should not turn this case into a political one and parties that want to profit from these events will probably have to explain themselves." Gabriel Oprea, Defense Minister in the Boc Government and president of UNPR had this to say: "It is pure demagogy, there is no connection between the people that were there and UNPR." MEP George Becali, owner of Steaua Bucharest football club stated that among the hooligans involved in the events, there were Steaua Bucharest ultras led by Catalin Zisu, a General in the Ministry of National Defence of Romania. General Catalin Zisu declined to comment on Becali's allegations, although according to one source,[25] the Information and Public Relations Direction in the Ministry of National Defence of Romania informed the personnel about the accusations. The Gendarmerie stated that the Saturday night protests in Bucharest degenerated after compact groups of ultras appeared in the square. Allegedly, these where led by Tararache Marius and Bischin Ioan Țintă Claudiu from Dinamo Bucharest and Denescu Alexandru Mihai from Steaua Bucharest. The Gendarmerie announced on January 17 that Mihai Capatana was arrested for 29 days for vandalism in connection with the events.

The situation continues to aggravate while large numbers of people seeing the events happening in Bucharest take to the streets of major Romanian cities and demand the resignation of the president and his Government. After days of increasing protests throughout the country there are no official statements from either the Presidency or Government officials.

About one hundred people, mostly former revolutionaries, gathered at around 14.00 in Victory Square, Timişoara, to protests against Băsescu. The meeting was authorized and was scheduled to end at 17.00, when supporters of football team Poli Timişoara were expected to arrive in the square. An elderly man chanting in favor of Băsescu was escorted by the gendarmes from the area.[26]

About four hundred people gathered in Iaşi, to attend a meeting of solidarity with Dr. Raed Arafat, initiated by the Iaşi National Liberal Party's (PNL) youth organization, in Union Square. They were joined by others who gathered in Palace of Culture Square.[27]

  • January 16: On 16 January, in Bucharest, large numbers of protesters arrive once more in University Square, demanding the resignation of president Băsescu and of the Boc government.[28]

It appears that the police forces are able to control the situation, and that this evening they decided to go for a preventive tactic, rather than striking back.[29] The geandarmery filters posted in key places of Bucharest, such as nearby subway access points, blocked the access of those who were carrying fighting materials into the University area. However, a much larger number of protesters, 113 according to police officials, were picked up, both at University Square and Unity Square. No significant violent events took place.

Demonstrators from Union Square, Cluj-Napoca, whose number reached about 600, initiated an evening march through the city center, chanting anti-government and anti-presidential slogans. Participants in the march were supervised by gendarmes, and protesters displayed large Romanian flags.[30]

  • January 17: On 17 January, protests in Bucharest continued. Hundreds of people gathered in the middle of the day with numbers rising towards the evening.

Prime Minister Boc invited the USL opposition alliance to talks, scheduled to take place on 18 January at the Palace of Parliament. The co-presidents of the USL, PNL leader Crin Antonescu and Social Democratic Party leader Victor Ponta, have announced as the first and foremost point of the agenda,the immediate resignation of the Democratic Liberal Party Government of Emil Boc and the current alliance in power to step down and call early elections as a response to the claims of the protesters.

Protests in 60 other cities throughout the country took place, with very similar demands. Early modest estimates put over 5000 people in the streets of Romanian cities.

An important related event is that on this day Dr.Raed Arafat returned to his former position as sub-secretary of state. Arafat declared that his initial resignation was because of the damaging health bill that was being put forward, and now that the bill was no longer an issue he would resume his role. He also pointed out that though original protests were in solidarity towards him, now the protests are of a social-political nature and have nothing to do with his position; he will also not be participating in any public talks about current protests as he feels they do not involve him. Despite the fact that Dr. Arafat resumed his position, protests continue, now clearly demanding one thing: the resignation of the current president and government.

In Constanţa building safety inspectors (an agency of the Ministry of Regional Development) visited City Hall to question the Mayor, Radu Ştefan Mazăre, about the legality of a number of tents he set up near the protesters' location. These tents were serving protesters with hot tea. In response to the investigation, Radu Mazare expelled out the inspectors and joined the protesters in the street.[citation needed] He thus became the first politician that was part of the opposition to take part in the protests.[citation needed] He has stated that his presence was not as Mayor or politician, but as a citizen.[citation needed]

In Alexandria, Teleorman County, hundreds of people, including unemployed citizens, pensioners, civil servants and trade unionists protested on the plaza of the House of Culture. They were joined by dozens of people coming from Roşiori de Vede by bus. Notably, besides demanding Băsescu's resignation, people have also called for the resignation of a local figure, county prefect Teodor Niţulescu.[31]

  • January 19: With the coming of demonstrators to University Square, Bucharest, at the USL meeting from the Triumphal Arch and from Victory Square, the number of people gathered in downtown reached 1,500. Tension is high, the seventh day of protests starting to resemble ever more Sunday, most violent day of the Romanian street protests. Revolutionaries, young people, office workers, members of USL, gendarmes, football fans and politicians gather in the University Square.[32] At the USL protest attended about 20,000 people moved in bulk in University Square. It's likely that the number communicated by the Romanian Gendarmerie is under-rated.[33] Protesters from University Square threw bottles and stones in gendarmes. They have intervened in force and succeeded to take 30-40 people.[34]
  • January 23: The protests continued for eleventh day with over 3,000 people in several cities. Prime-Minister Emil Boc, submitted the resignation of Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi. The reason for his dismissal Baconschi offensive is the statement that the minister made ​​it to the protesters.[35]

A young lieutenant, Gheorghe Alexandru, member of Air 71 Flotilla Câmpia Turzii, arrived in uniform among the protesters in University Square in Bucharest. The military lieutenant, aged 27 years, said that he chose to join demonstrators in Bucharest out of respect for his nation and to demonstrate that "the Army did not leave." Asked about the consequences that his uniformed presence among the protestors will attract, the young lieutenant said he is aware that there will be consequences, but is willing to take full responsibility.[36]

  • January 24: Series of relatively peaceful protests continued in the twelfth day. At the meeting were present representatives of Trade Union military personnel, CFRists, professors, revolutionists, researchers and members of civil society, that demanded the resignation of President Traian Băsescu, respectively the resignation of the government. Protest began in Victory Square and continued with the assault on TVR public television headquarters, where people chanted slogans against the current leadership, saying that the Romanian Television censor the broadcasted informations.[37]

The President Traian Băsescu expresses for the first time his opinion about the protests in the last 12 days.[38]

  • January 25: Despite severe weather, protests continued in Bucharest and other cities. President Traian Băsescu addressed the nation and assured people that he understands the reasons of their protests and he knows what is to be done. He also announced he will not resign unless it will become the only obvious solution to end the political crisis. Băsescu further stated he will pursue a Constitutional revision in order to fulfill the popular choice expressed in the Romanian parliamentary reform referendum, 2009.

March

  • March 8: Over 5,000 miners gathered in front of the National Coal Company headquarters. Protests became more violent every minute. The miners declared that the protests will continue until their rights will be respected, not only on paper.[39] The miners blocked the entrance to Petroşani (Hunedoara County), on DN66.[40]

During a speech emitted by President Traian Băsescu, several citizens booed him from the balconies of Palace of the Parliament (Bucharest). They shouted: "Resignation!" and threw paper that was written "Traian Băsescu, the first and the last". "Well, wait until I finish my word... Gentlemen, go to him and call him" Băsescu said, referring to a person in the balcony that shouted "King Mihai". Group of protesters, consisting of 5-6 people, was evacuated, after which the president continued his speech.[41]

  • March 21: Thousands of people protested in Bârlad (Vaslui County) against American company Chevron. The citizens are indignant because abusive exploitation of shale gas in the country. The Bârlad City Hall, led by Constantin Constantinescu, started a campaign to collect signatures against the exploitation of shale gas through hydraulic fracture process.[42]
  • March 24: 200 supporters of football team FC Universitatea Craiova, whom joined the supporters of teams FC Dinamo București and FC Rapid București, protested in front of the Palace of the Parliament against decision of disaffiliation the team by the Executive Committee of FRF. To calm the spirits, the gendarmes used the tear gas. Some supporters were dispersed in front of the museum "Grigore Antipa". At least 37 citizens were arrested.[43]

Criticism of police response

The intervention of law enforcement has been met with controversy. Peaceful groups of protesters were denied access to the University Square, and on Saturday evening arrests were conducted at random, with people being detained without having committed any act of violence.[citation needed] People who did not take part in protests were also subject to abuse,[44] which has severely discredited the image of the forces in the eyes of the protesters. The chief of Gendarmerie admitted that this was an issue, but claimed that they were isolated incidents and did not mention any official investigation regarding them[45] [neutrality is disputed].

Reactions

The Romanian government and presidential administration were without reaction for the first two days of protest. No member of the administration has expressed any opinion, nor made any official statement during the events on Saturday and Sunday.

On 16 January, the first official statements came from Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc. He stated that the protests threaten Romania's economic stability and that a new law of Public Health is being drafted. He further stated that freedom of speech is guaranteed, but that street violence is unacceptable.[46] Boc added on 17 January that "each citizen who protests and is unhappy concerns" him.[47]

Other PDL party members referred to the protests in harsh terms. Senator Iulian Urban claimed pro-Arafat protesters are "worms that deserve their fate" [48] Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi said the protests were "instigated by the Opposition" and compared them to the Mineriads of the 1990s.[49] PDL spokesman Sever Voinescu-Cotoi added that the protesters are "neurotic" and suggested they watch The Death of Mr. Lazarescu, an acclaimed Romanian film about the country's healthcare system.[49]

Consequences

On the evening of January 13th, President urged the Government to abandon the health bill, following public pressure, noting that "there are many who are satisfied with the health system and that reform is not wanted by anyone in the system, except for some doctors”.[50]

After only five days, from January 17, 2012, Dr. Raed Arafat was recalled to the position of Secretary of State for Health.[51] Although Dr. Raed Arafat agreed to return the position in the ministry, crisis has not been defused, protests have continued, taking different forms.

On February 6, 2012, Emil Boc has resigned as Prime Minister of Romania, together with the whole Government of Romania. That same evening, President Traian Basescu nominated Ungureanu form as soon as a new government.

References

  1. ^ http://www.antena3.ro/romania/au-reinceput-protestele-in-piata-universitatii-vezi-aici-nemultumirile-manifestantilor-163131.html
  2. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/16/world/europe/romanians-protest-austerity-measures.html
  3. ^ Cluj-AM.ro - The balance sheet of 2012 Bucharest protests
  4. ^ Helen Pidd (7). "News World news Romania Romanian prime minister and cabinet resign en masse". http://www.guardian.co.uk/. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 21 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help); External link in |work= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  5. ^ "Legile privind reducerea cu 25% a salariilor bugetarilor şi recalcularea pensiilor, publicate în MO". Gândul. 30 June 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  6. ^ "Presa de azi: Boc taie pensii şi salarii sau nu le dă deloc". Ziare.com. 21 May 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  7. ^ Bechir, Mariana (4 March 2011). "Dezbaterile "Adevărul": Codul Muncii, un pas uriaş spre capitalism". Adevărul. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  8. ^ "Sindicatele reiau mâine protestele legate de Codul Muncii". Evenimentul Zilei. 6 March 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  9. ^ Bechir, Mariana (20 February 2011). "De ce au trecut patronatele de partea sindicatelor în urma schimbării Codului Muncii". Adevărul. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  10. ^ Ciobanu, Rodica; Sultănoiu, Marian (6 April 2011). "Într-o jumătate de mandat, Boc şi-a asumat răspunderea cât toţi ceilalţi premieri în 20 de ani de guvernare. Ce spun foştii prim-miniştri despre această practică". Gândul. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  11. ^ Mixich, Vlad (28 December 2011). "Ce ar fi adus noua lege a sănătăţii pentru pacienţi, medici şi industria asigurărilor?". Hotnews.ro. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  12. ^ Mixich, Vlad (6 January 2012). "Raed Arafat despre reforma în sănătate şi acuzaţiile lui Traian Băsescu". Hotnews.ro. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  13. ^ "Raed Arafat, despre noua lege: Misiunea salvării de vieţi, înlocuită de competiţia comercială". Mediafax. 8 January 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  14. ^ "Băsescu: Dacă este un duşman al apariţiei a încă unui sistem privat de sănătate, el este Raed Arafat". Mediafax. 21 December 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  15. ^ Deleanu, Valentina (9 January 2012). "T. Băsescu s-a războit cu Raed Arafat în direct la TV: "Nu e de acord, pleacă!"". Adevărul. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  16. ^ Deleanu, Valentina (10 January 2012). "Raed Arafat şi-a dat demisia: "Nu se poate susţine ca eu sunt împotriva sistemului"". Adevărul. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  17. ^ Stan, Daniela (11 January 2012). "Raed Arafat susţinut de tineri la Cluj". Adevărul. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  18. ^ Burtescu, Alin (13 January 2012). "SMURD, extremă urgenţă! Proteste de solidaritate cu Raed Arafat în toată ţar". Puterea. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  19. ^ "Miting de susţinere pentru Raed Arafat: 1.500 de oameni au ieşit în stradă la Târgu Mureş". Mediafax. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  20. ^ Lica, Cristina (13 March 2011). "Ministrul Ritli a retras legea Sănătăţii, la cererea preşedintelui Băsescu". Evenimentul Zilei. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  21. ^ a b CNN IReport. Ireport.cnn.com. Retrieved on 17 January 2012.
  22. ^ Gandul.info - ŞOC ÎN BUCUREŞTI: SURPRIZA DIN ACESTE IMAGINI
  23. ^ Puterea - EXCLUSIV. Huligan interzis pe stadioane, şef de galerie la partidul generalului Oprea. Cum s-a făcut alianţă între Dinamo şi Steaua
  24. ^ Kamikaze - Ultrașii Uniunii Social-Progresiste au fost coordonați de șeful galeriei Dinamo
  25. ^ Infomondo.ro - General MApN şi oficial UNPR implicaţi în actele de huliganism din Bucureşti?
  26. ^ Gândul.info - Protests in Timişoara
  27. ^ Tele'M.ro - Third day of protests in several cities across Romania
  28. ^ O nouă rundă de PROTESTE în Bucureşti şi Timişoara. Manifestanţii au început să vină. Sunt aşteptaţi şi studenţi. Antena3.ro. Retrieved on 17 January 2012.
  29. ^ Primele petarde aruncate asupra jandarmilor. Ninsoarea a incetat. 9 manifestanti au fost dusi la sectie: unul cu droguri, ceilalti cu torte si petarde. Hotnews.ro. Retrieved on 17 January 2012.
  30. ^ Gândul.info - Protests in Cluj-Napoca
  31. ^ adevarul.ro - Alexăndrenii remained in the street. People demand the resignation of the prefect of Teleorman, Teodor Niţulescu, President Basescu and the Government
  32. ^ Adevărul.ro - USL meeting, Bucharest
  33. ^ Exclusivnews.ro - 2012 Bucharest protests
  34. ^ B1.ro - Violences in University Square
  35. ^ [1]
  36. ^ [2]
  37. ^ Politicaromaneasca.ro
  38. ^ Gândul.info - President's opinion about the protests last week
  39. ^ Antena3.ro - Protests on Valea Jiului
  40. ^ Gandul.info - The miners continue protests. Over 5,000 people blocked the entrance to Petroşani. The prefect of Hunedoara has announced the miners that a delegation from Economy will go to Valea Jiului.
  41. ^ Madiafax.ro - Băsescu, booed during his speech in Parliament. People in the balconies shouted "Resignation!" and "King Mihai".
  42. ^ Jurnalul.ro - Thousands of people protested against the exploitation of shale gas
  43. ^ Bună ziua Iași - Supporters fought with gendarmes in protest in front of the Government
  44. ^ Ce nu s-a văzut la proteste: Jandarmii agresează o persoană care filmează. Realitatea.net (1970-01-01). Retrieved on 17 January 2012.
  45. ^ Aurel Moise, şeful jandarmeriei: Au fost şi cazuri în care jandarmii au exagerat. Realitatea.net (1970-01-01). Retrieved on 17 January 2012.
  46. ^ Primele declaraţii ale lui Emil Boc de la începerea protestelor: Violenţele compromit stabilitatea economică. Antena3.ro. Retrieved on 17 January 2012.
  47. ^ [3] MSNBC World News
  48. ^ Senator PDL: protestatarii pro-Arafat sunt „Viermi care îşi merită soarta”. Retrieved on 19 January 2012.
  49. ^ a b PDL îşi aruncă lăturile peste protestatari. Retrieved on 19 January 2012.
  50. ^ "Băsescu: Cer premierului retragerea proiectului Legii sănătății". Mediafax. 13 January 2012.
  51. ^ Andreea Nicolae (17 january 2012). "Arafat revine așa cum a plecat: după o discuție cu Traian Băsescu". România Liberă. Retrieved 17 january 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)

External links

Template:Anti-government protests in the 21st century