1.   That country was held fast in the grip of an oppressive regime.

2.   The citizens of Kwangju rose in rebellion against the oppressive regime.

3.   The country is in the grip of an extremely oppressive regime.

4.   ...refugees from the oppressive regime.

5.   The country is ruled by an oppressive regime.

6.   And religion in China has rarely offered an ideological sanctuary from oppressive regimes, as Christianity did in Western Europe and Russia.

7.   Both were Jews, whose families lived in fear of an oppressive Soviet regime.

8.   All the while they have failed so far to take out the oppressive Taliban regime or even, apparently, a single al-Qaida kingpin.

9.   By removing the Taliban from power, American forces eliminated an oppressive regime and provided an open arena for democracy and freedom to flourish.

10.   Even if a human rights report is ignored here, it can boost the morale of people struggling under oppressive regimes.