BRIEF: Fiji Supports Chinese Actions in Tibet

BRIEF: Fiji Supports Chinese Actions in Tibet

SUVA, Fiji — Cutting against the grain of the common international sentiment, the Fiji’s interim government has thrown its support behind the Chinese government in their recent handling of the riots in the Tibetan city of Lhasa. 

The Permanent secretary to the interim Prime Minster, Parmesh Chand, confirmed that the interim Prime Minister had written to the Chinese government to officially express his support.  According to Chand, the PM Bainimarama praised the Chinese government for abiding by the rule of law and stressed that he understood that the situation in Tibet was an internal matter for China to deal with.  Chand also said that it is not uncommon for world leaders to pass along notes like this. 

Concern has grown, particularly in New Zealand and Australia, regarding Fiji’s increased dependence on China.  Since the 2006, Fiji’s relations with Australia and New Zealand have been strained and an increasing amount of Fijian aid is coming from China.  New Zealand Green MP Keith Locke has publically expressed his fears of what a fusion of these alliances and his perception of Fiji’s lack of respect for democracy could mean for the future.  “It’s bad enough that Mr Bainimarama has trampled on democracy in Fiji, without supporting the Beijing’s suppression of Tibetan rights,” he said.  He also called upont the New Zealand government to condemn the Fijian statement. 

For more information, please see:

News Talk ZB — Concern at ties between China and Fiji — 25 March 2008

The Sydney Morning Herald — China applauded for Tibet crackdown — 25 March 2008

Scoop — NZ Govt caught over Bainimarama support for China — 25 March 2008

Radio New Zealand — Fiji supports the Chinese government’s handling of fatal riots in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet — 25 March 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Fiji indicates support for Chinese government’s action in addressing deadly riot in Tibet — 24 March 2008

BRIEF: Two Kurds Killed in Turkey Protests

ISTANBUL, Turkey – On March 24, hundreds of Kurdish protesters threw stones at Turkish police in southeastern Turkey; marking the fifth day of confrontation between the two sides.  Two protestors were killed as a result of the confrontations in cities across the country and dozens more were injured.  Over 130 people were arrested.

In early March, the Turkish military launched an eight-day campaign in northern Iraq, targeting PKK camps.  The continuation of Turkish military operations against Kurdistan’s Working Party (PKK) has caused heightened tensions in Turkey’s mostly-Kurdish southeast.

Police used batons, tear gas and water cannon on protesters in the city of Van.  Thousands of protesters took part in the Van demonstrations, with many of them hurling rocks and chanted slogans in support of the PKK Kurdish rebel group.  Protestors set up barricades and lit fires in the streets.

Clashes took place across the country, with arrests and injuries reported in Hakkari and Siirt.  In Viransehir, protestors threw Molotov cocktails at police.  Unrest was also reported among Kurdish communities in western Turkey, including in Mersin and Izmir.

These recent clashes coincide with the celebration of the Newroz spring festival, also known as the Kurdish New Year.  The holiday is associated with Turkey’s large Kurdish population and often sparks conflict between clashes between the Turkish military and the PKK.

The PKK took up arms in 1984 to make a Kurdish ethnic homeland in southeastern Turkey.  Since 1984, approximately 40,000people have died in violence between the PKK and the Turkish military.

For more information, please see:
Jerusalem Post – Kurds Clash with Turkish Police for 5th Day; 2 Dead – 24 March 2008

Al Jazeera – Kurds Killed in Turkish Protests – 23 March 2008

Reuters – Kurdish Man Dies in Clash with Turkish Police – 23 March 2008

BBC – Turkish Police Clash with Kurds – 22 March 2008

Nepali Police Arrested over 400 Tibetan Protesters

By Ariel Lin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KATHMANDU, Nepal – UN officials reports Nepalese police stopped two separate protests by Tibetan exiles and monks in Katmandu, and arrested 475 protesters on Monday as they gathered to protest the recent crackdown on Tibetans in China.  The UN human rights office in Nepal said the arrested included some prominent Nepali human rights activists who joined the protests.

Chanting “China, stop killings in Tibet. UN, we want justice,” the protesters were marching toward the UN offices when police stopped them and snatched their banners.  The protest in Katmandu by 200 Tibetan refugees and monks was broken up by police, who beat them with bamboo sticks and arrested scores, dragging them to trucks and vans to be taken to police stations. Police official Sarad Karki said about 245 demonstrators were arrested in the protest.

Police also stopped a second protest near Singhadurbar, where the prime minister’s office and all government ministries are located, but less force was used.  Police official Sarvendra Khanal said 155 protesters were arrested there.

The UN human rights office said it was deeply concerned at the arbitrary arrests and detentions of several hundred individuals. “These actions by police violate individuals’ basic rights to freedom from arbitrary detention and freedom of movement, in addition to impairing the individuals’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression,” the UN said in a statement.

The Nepali government denied it was using excessive force, saying it was only trying to stop political activities by Tibetans.  “We will not allow any anti-China activities in Nepal and will stop it. The allegations that excessive force was used to break these protests are baseless,” said Modraj Dotel, Nepal’s home ministry spokesman.

For more information, please see:

AP – Nepal Police Arrest Tibetan Protesters – 24 March 2008

CBC News – 400 Tibetan supporters arrested in Kathmandu – 24 March 2008

FOX News – Nepalese Police Beat Back Monks, Refugees in Tibetan Protest; About 475 Arrested – 24 March 2008

Reuters – Tibetans protest in Nepal, 250 detained – 24 March 2008

BRIEF: Dozens Killed in Attacks Throughout Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A series of suicide attacks, shootings, and rocket strikes have claimed dozens of lives this week in Iraq. The sudden rise of violence despite of additional 30,000 troops deployed in critical areas underscore the precarious nature of security in the country.

On early Sunday morning, 13 Iraqi soldiers died when a suicide attacker drove a fuel tanker into an army base in Mosul in northern Iraq. At least 40 people were also injured when the attack caused a massive blast. In other violence:

· Drive-by shooting in a Baghdad market claimed seven lives and injured 16 people

· Rocket strikes in Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green Zone killed at least fifteen people, eight of whom were civilians

· A suicide car bomb killed at least three people near Samara

· A roadside bomb killed five Iraqi soldiers close to the city of Kirkuk

Violence in Iraq had declined since the stationing of extra 30,000 troops last June. But this week’s attacks have shown that any improvements made in security can deteriorate anytime.

For more information, please see:

Associated Press – 42 die in series of attacks across Iraq – 23 March 2008

BBC News – Dozens die in attacks across Iraq – 23 March 2008

AFP – 54 killed in Iraq bloodshed – 23 March 2008

International Herald Tribune – Rockets hit Green Zone in Iraq – 23 March 2008

BRIEF: This Week’s Pacific Island Forum Will Discuss Fiji Elections

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Leaders from more than 15 nations around the Pacific will converge on Auckland this week for the Pacific Island Forum.  New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told the Fiji Times that among the topics to be discussed at the conference is Fiji’s progress towards Democratic elections.  Peters has also said that all Pacific Islanders share the goal of returning Fiji to democratic elections. 

“We will continue to encourage Fiji to build on its preparations for elections, and we all stand ready to assist and encourage this process,” he said.

The Fiji’s interim Foreign Minister has said that he is willing to attend the meeting with an open mind.  At the meeting Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will be asked by the other Foreign Ministers attending the meeting to give a presentation of what has transpired over the last twelve months in Fiji. 

The meeting is set to begin this Wednesday.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Times — Forum wants Fiji to return to elections next year says NZ — 24 March 2008

Pacific Magazine — Meeting on Fiji in Auck this week — 24 March 2008

News Talk ZB — Fiji Foreign Minister Has Positive Outlook on Forum Ministers Meeting — 23 March 2008

Fiji Times — Fiji on Forum agenda: Minister — 21 March 2008