Impunity Watch: Asia

China Arrests Human Rights Activist

Photo of rights activists Hu Jia (R) and his wife Zeng Jinyan

By Juliana Chan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China - In an apparent effort to repress dissent before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Chinese authorities have detained a prominent AIDS and human rights activist, accusing him of subversion.

Police forced their way into Hu Jia's home, cut his telephone and Internet connections, and took him into custody Thursday. Mr. Hu, 34, was arrested on charges of "incitement to subvert state power," a charge that is said to be vague and has often been used against Chinese activists. His wife, Zeng Jinyan, also a well known AIDS activist remains under house arrest, with security personnel posted outside their home and contact with the outside world cut off.

Mr. Hu is known for helping people with AIDS receive treatment. Furthermore, he and his wife have chronicled their lives under house arrest, writing about run-ins with security offices and hired thugs.

In November, Mr. Hu, using a Web camera, participated in a European parliamentary hearing in Brussels about human rights in China. He expressed that the official promises are not being kept before the Olympic games.

His arrest comes in the wake of an intensifying government crackdown on rights defenders. As the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics near, the Chinese government has made great efforts to portray a flawless image of the country, and "has increasingly clamped down on those who criticize its heavy-handed policies."

Mr. Hu can face a long prison term, but as The New York Times reports, "a prosecution of one of the best known human rights advocates would generate negative publicity about China's rights record before the 2008 Olympic Games."

For more information, please see:

IHT - China AIDS activist detained for 'subversion' as police cut his home phone line, Internet - 29 December 2007

The New York Times - China Detains Dissident, Citing Subversion - 30 December 2007

AFP - Chinese human rights activist arrested: rights group, campaigners - 29 December 2007

Reporters Without Borders - Outrage at human rights activist Hu Jia's arrest in Beijing - 28 December 2007

HRW Urges Indian Government to End Violence

Photo of a bus set on fire by protesters in Orissa, India

By Juliana Chan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BHUBANESWAR, India - Fearing attacks by Hindus, nearly 700 Christians have moved to relief centers after clashes between the communities left at least five people dead. Violence broke out on Christmas night between Hindus and Christians in eastern Orissa state. Approximately a dozen churches were damaged during a protest backed by a right-wing Hindu group.

Authorities say a Hindu leader, who has accused Christians of forcibly converting low-caste Hindus to Christianity, was attacked on Christmas Eve. As AFP reports, "Hardline Hindus accuse Christian missionaries of aggressively converting low-caste Hindus -- who face discrimination from higher castes -- by force or by attractions such as free education."

Clashes between the two erupt periodically, and rising tensions have prompted several Indian state governments to enact anti-conversion laws.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the Indian government to act immediately to try to end violence between Hindus and Christians in Orissa and "demanded an independent inquiry to identify those instigating riots."

HRW alleges that for several years now extremist Hindu groups have been fueling an anti-Christian campaign, but the Indian government has been ignoring it. Meenakshi Ganguly of HRW said that the Orissa government should have addressed this problem before it became violent.

Now, HRW is calling on Hindu and Christian leaders to work together toward a peaceful reconciliation. It is also urging the Indian government to meet its "international obligations to ensure that all people may equally enjoy the right to freely profess, practice, propagate and adopt religion."

Although the Orissa government has ordered a judicial inquiry, HRW notes that India's secular identity is in serious jeopardy unless there is a vigorous attempt by the national government to investigate the religious violence.

For more information, please see:

Time of India - Orissa violence: Independent probe sought - 30 December 2007

TIME - A Christian-Hindu Clash in India - 28 December 2007

IHT - Nearly 700 Christians move to relief camps to avoid attacks by Hindu hard-liners in India - 29 December 2007

UPDATE: Bhutto's Son Named As Successor

Photo- Benazir Bhutto's successors, son Bilawal and widower Asif Ali Zardari - AFP

LAHORE, Pakistan- After Benazir Bhutto's death this week, her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has chosen her son and widower to jointly lead the party in accordance with Bhutto's will.  Her son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, will ceremonially lead the party from abroad as he continues his education at Oxford.  Her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, will run the day-to-day activities in Pakistan.  Once Bilawal is done with his studies, he will return to lead the party full time.

The PPP also passed a resolution calling for an international investigation into Benazir's death, stating that they did not accept the current inquiry being conducted by President Pervez Musharraf.

The PPP will be participating in and contesting the January elections, and urged main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif to contest the elections as well; he will most likely follow the recommendation.  Bilawal noted, "my mother always said democracy was the best revenge."

For more information, please see:

New York Times - Bhutto's Son and Husband to Lead Party - 30 December 2007

BRIEF: 40 Killed in latest battle of the Sri Lankan Civil War

MANNAR, Sri Lanka - Tamil Tigers continued their fight for independence against the Sri Lankan military today.  The military initiated the conflict by sending troops to capture Tamil occupied territory in the northwestern district of Mannar.  Rough estimates place the death toll at 40; however, both sides are prone to exaggerate the losses of their opponent and minimize their own casualties. 

Earlier this year Sri Lanka evicted the Tamil Tigers from the eastern jungle region and now plans to drive out the Tigers from Mannar.  Although Sri Lanka hopes to destroy all of the military power of the Tigers, military analysts say there is no clear winner and that the war could continue for years.

The two sides engage in fighting almost everyday and Sri Lanka pledges to continue bombing until the Tigers end their resistance movement.  Around 70,000 have been killed since the civil war began in 1983; 5,000 have died since 2006. 

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Sri Lanka military, rebels say clashes kill dozens – 29 December 2007

Reuters – Sri Lanka military say killed 30 Tamil Tiger rebels – 14 December 2007

Reuters – Sri Lanka says 39 rebels, 6 troops killed in clashes – 3 December 2007

BRIEF: Democracy Possible in HK by 2017

Photo of Donald Tsang at BBC News

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's chief executive, Donald Tsang, announced at a press conference Friday that a timetable has been set and Beijing will allow Hong Kong to pick its leader by universal suffrage by 2017.

Hong Kong's leader is currently chosen by an 800-member committee.

The city's pro-democracy camp, however, was disappointed in the 2017 date, hoping it would see democracy sooner in Hong Kong. China's parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC) ruled out democracy in 2012 as a possible date for universal suffrage, the second veto of its kind. The first was a 2004 decision that squashed hopes for full elections in 2007.

The 2017 date marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return from British to Chinese rule. Mr. Tsang said this was a "most important step" in Hong Kong's political future and is Beijing's clearest indication yet as to when full democracy might finally germinate.

For more information, please see:

AP - HK Granted Greater Democracy - 29 December 2007

Reuters - HK awaits key Beijing ruling on democracy reforms - 28 December 2007

Bloomberg - China Says Hong Kong May Pick Chief Executive in 2017 (Update1) - 29 December 2007

Clashes in the Indian state of Orissa

By Claudia Parker
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

ORISSA, India – Varying reports covering the week-long rioting in the Indian state of Orissa are emerging.  All reports agree that Hindus, Christians, and Indian police have engaged in fighting; however, sources differ with regard to the cause and scope of the attacks.

It appears that the violence erupted in a small town of 4,000 due to a Christmas celebration perceived by Hindus to promote conversion.  Since that time 19 churches have been ransacked and burned, 25 people have been arrested, four people have been killed, dozens have been injured, and hundreds of houses and vehicles have been destroyed. 

One article claims the police refused to intervene until Thursday when a group of Hindus set fire to a police station complaining of a lack of protection.  While another report suggests that the police station was attacked only after the police had attempted to provide safe haven to some rescued villagers.  A mob of approximately 500 opened fire on the burning police station; the police allegedly returned fire for over an hour and killed three people.  Official reports have not been issued because the lines of communication have been disrupted.  A judicial inquiry is being made and a curfew has been ordered; the Indian government has also dispatched 300-paramilitary troops to promote peace in the region.

This riot is only the latest uprising in a string of on-going clashes between the majority Hindu population and the minority Christian population.  Orissa is considered one of India’s most anti-Christian regions.  In February 2007, Hindus demolished a church and intimidated Christians living in a local slum.   In 1999, an Australian missionary and his two sons were murdered by Hindus opposed to Christian proselytizing.  A number of incidents have taken place between 1999 and 2007, but it appears that in many of the previous clashes the Indian police failed to stop the violence or prosecute the offenders. 

According to Ashis Nandy, a political psychologist and sociologist at India's Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, the Hindu majority are reacting to the recent conversion of thousands of “untouchables” who traditionally form the lowest caste of Hinduism.  He suggests that Hindus fear the conversion of untouchables because Christianity allows them to move up the social ladder and away from their traditional jobs and roles.  Although Hinduism is by nature tolerant of other religions, some Hindus use their beliefs to promote hostility against Christians and Muslims – thereby creating a clash of cultures and worldviews.  Nandy states that "the source of tolerance has become a source of bigotry,” which will continue to cause uprisings in the months ahead. 

For more information, please see:

Hindustan Times – Police firing kills four in riot-hit Orissa district – 28 December 2007

International Herald Tribune – Police open fire on hard-line Hindus, killing at least 3 – 28 December 2007

TIME – A Christian-Hindu Clash in India – 27 December 2007

Voice of the Martyrs – http://www.persecution.com/ - 1 March 2007

BRIEF: Philippine Mayor Denies Assassination of Local Journalist

MANILA, Philippines – A mayor of a southern Philippine town denies any involvement in the killing of a local radio broadcaster, Fernando Lintuan. Lintuan openly criticized the government and the mayor since 1988. However, the Mayor denies any hand in Lintuan’s murder, stating, “It is the height of stupidity for me to do harm on him hours after he aired his criticism on the People's Park. Clearly there are unseen groups at work that has set up a scenario wherein City Hall is to be blamed for the killing of a journalist.”

Lintuan was killed on Christmas Eve while driving to work when his murders ambushed him. He had previously survived another murder attempt in 1987 when armed men barged into his radio booth and killed his announcer Leo Palo. Lintuan survived only because Palo fell on him to protect him from the men’s gunfire. Lintuan is the fifth journalist to have been murdered in 2007 and is the sixty-seventh to have died violently since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo come into power in 2001.

For more information, please see: 

AHN – Mayor Denies Link in the Killing of Philippine Journalist – 27 December 2007

Nepal Supreme Court Guarantees Gay Rights

By Kristy Tridhavee
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KATHMANDU, Nepal – Nepal’s Supreme Court has ordered the government to enact laws protecting the rights of the country’s gay and lesbian population, declaring that “they should be allowed to enjoy all the rights defined by national and international human rights law and instruments.” 

In the court’s ruling, it stated: “The government of Nepal should formulate new laws and amend existing laws in order to safeguard the rights of these people. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and intersex are natural persons irrespective of their masculine and feminine gender and they have the right to exercise their rights and live an independent life in society.”

Although homosexuality is not a specific crime in Nepal, “unnatural sex acts” are punishable up to one year in prison. The gay and lesbian population of Nepal alleges that there is a long history of discrimination against their groups in the highly conservative nation.  “There were no specific laws to protect the rights of sexual minorities but the Supreme Court's decision has opened the doors to enjoy our rights,” said Sunil Babu Pant, president of the Blue Diamond Society, which works on behalf of sexual minorities in Nepal.

In response to requests for same-sex marriage laws, the Supreme Court recommended that the government form a committee to study existing laws and provisions in foreign countries on same-sex marriage. In addition, the Court ordered the government to frame laws based on the committee’s findings.  

The ruling is the first of its kind in Asia. Hari Phuyal, a senior advocate, commented, “So far, no apex court has passed such a verdict.” Pant added, “It was an extremely positive decision and a pleasant surprise for us. It would set a precedent for other conservative countries like Nepal.”

There are no official figures of the homosexual population in Nepal, but rights groups estimate that homosexuals and transgender people account for about ten percent of the twenty-seven million population.

For more information, please see:

Advocate – Nepal Court Rules for Gay Rights – 27 December 2007

AFP – Nepal Supreme Court Orders Government to Guarantee Gay Rights – 22 December 2007

Hindustan Times – Nepal Supreme Court Directs Government to Safeguard Gay Rights - 23 December 2007

 

 

BRIEF: BENAZIR BHUTTO IS ASSASSINATED

Photo - Benazir Bhutto - T. Mughal/European Pressphoto Agency/NYT

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan- At an election rally today, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was shot in the neck by a gunman who then set off a bomb.  Bhutto was killed along with 15 other people, and many were injured.

Bhutto was declared dead by doctors at a hospital at 6:16pm.  Doctors tried to revive her for 35 minutes but she had shrapnel wounds, a head injury, and heart failure. 

President Pervez Musharraf blames Islamic militants for the assassination, however there are no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack.

Bhutto was the head of Pakistan's People Party (PPP) and was campaigning for the upcoming elections to be held in the end of January.  Pakistan's political environment has been chaotic in the past, and her death will likely cause the situation to become worse.  Bhutto had many followers, who are now are in a state of shock.

Political rival Nawaz Sharif said "it is not a sad day, it is [the] darkest, gloomiest day in the history of this country."

For more information, please see:

BBC News - Benazir Bhutto killed in attack - 27 December 2007

New York Times - Bhutto Assassinated in Attack on Rally - 27 December 2007

A March in Support of Cambodian Tribunal as Officials Prepare to Ask for More Funds

By Kristy Tridhavee
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Christian and Muslim leaders joined hundreds of Buddhist monks and nuns in a march supporting the Cambodian Tribunal. Organizers said the tribunal is an important part of the country’s recovery. The marchers came from around the country and marched to the special courts located on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. At the courts, marchers were welcomed and took part in a question and answer session with officials. Tribunal officials told the marchers that the courts were working for them.

During the Khmer Rouge regime, government officials forcibly defrocked Buddhist monks and closed their pagodas. The Khmer Rouge regime also forced Muslims to renounce their faiths or be murdered, and they also destroyed Christian churches.

The marchers choose to demonstrate on Christmas Day in order to draw attention to the international nature of the Khmer Rouge tribunal. Attorneys from around the world are taking part in the work, and the UN has backed the tribunal. Several former Khmer Rouge leaders are to put on trial for crimes against humanity for the death of nearly 2 million Cambodians during the regime’s rule. 

Next month, the tribunal will appeal for more funding from international donors. The tribunal is need of tens of millions of dollars in order to continue. Officials believed the trials would end in 2009, but the tribunal is only set to begin in 2010. The extra funds are needed for the essential elements of an international court such as more translators, victim support, and court transcription services.

However, the tribunal faces some hesitation from the international donors because of recent allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Recent reports indicate that there are problems regarding the sharing of responsibilities between the Cambodian and foreign personnel.

The United States did not contribute to the original budget but is considering on whether or not to contribute now. The United States, like other international donors, are weary because of the recent reports. Jospeh Mussomeli, US Ambassador to Cambodia, commented, “It would simply be irresponsible to suggest using American taxpayer money until we're sure that the administrative process is also fixed.”

The tribunal plans to give donors a “complete package” of progress and actions taken to fix the previous problems. Peter Foster, UN-appointed spokesman for the tribunal, indicated that he does not believe the tribunal will fall apart because of lack of funding. He commented, “It's too late at this point, no matter what happens, to stop.” 

For more information, please see:

AP – Cambodian Tribunal Needs More Money – 26 December 2007

BBC – Buddhist Monks March in Cambodia – 25 December 2007

United Press International – Monks March in Support of Cambodia Trials – 25 December 2007