By Irving Feng
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

HANOI, Vietnam – Bloggers in Vietnam were given lengthy prison sentences for speaking out against corruption and human rights abuses perpetrated by the Communist government.

Three prominent bloggers from the “Free Journalists Club” were given multi-year sentences ranging from four to twelve years.  Nguyen Van Hai, aged 60, from the northern port city of Hai Phong received a sentence of twelve years with an additional five years of probation after his release.  Ta Phong Tan, aged 44, from the southern province of Bac Lieu received ten years in prison.  Phan Thanh Hai, aged 43, from the city of Hanoi received a four year sentence with an additional five years of probation.

State officials first arrested the bloggers in April for distorting the truth and posting anti-state propaganda which violated criminal codes.  The jury, when handing down the sentences, alleged that such anti-state propaganda negatively impacted national security and Vietnam’s international image.

Ta Phong Tan, a formal police officer, posted about the alleged abuse of police powers in the country.  After she was arrested, her mother set herself on fire in protest over the mistreatment of her daughter.  Ta Phong Tan’s mother died from her injuries en route to the hospital.

Phan Thanh Hai, in charge of the law and science arm of the blog, challenged the state’s current course of action and called for political and social change in Vietnam.  After Phan Thanh Hai was charged with violating national security and posting anti-state propaganda, all allegations were denied.

The bloggers from 2007 to 2010 posted over 400 stories criticizing the deep corruption in the Communist government following debt scandals and economic slowdowns in what was once a bustling economy.  Local news sources characterized the bloggers’ internet posts as opportunistic and taking advantage of the new internet freedoms afforded to the Vietnamese people.  The bloggers were accused of eroding the general population’s trust in the central government by distorting the state’s image.

The U.S. has criticized the verdicts and lengthy prison sentences given to the bloggers.  The U.S. embassy released a statement saying they were deeply concerned with what has transpired and believes that imprisoning these people contradicts Vietnam’s commitment to international human rights.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also voiced her concerns over the potential human rights violations of the bloggers.  President Barak Obama also recently mentioned the persecution of the Vietnamese bloggers and called for greater international freedoms in the expression of the media.  The U.S., however, has chosen not to sanction Vietnam’s less than sterling historical record involving human rights violations.

 

For further information, please see:

People’s Army Newspaper – Three jailed for anti-State propaganda – 25 September 2012

Saigon Giai Phong – Three bloggers receive prison term for anti-gov’t propaganda – 25 September 2012

Viet Nam News – City court jails anti-state propagandists – 25 September 2012

The Guardian –Vietnam jails three bloggers for ‘anti-state propaganda’ – 24 September 2012

International Business Times –  Vietnam Jails Three Anti-Government Bloggers Including Renowned Dissident Dieu Cay – 24 September 2012

Reuters – Vietnam jails three bloggers in crackdown on dissent – 24 September 2012

By Irving Feng
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

The UK denied asylum for Sri Lankan refugees and deported them back to their potentially dangerous homeland where the refugees fear violence and torture.

The Sri Lankan refugees who have been denied asylum belong to the Tamil ethnic group.  Many of these refugees had been involved with, or supported, the separatist group, the Tamil Tigers, that fought in a civil war for self-rule for twenty six years in Sri Lanka.  The civil war drew to a conclusion in 2009 after producing roughly 100,000 casualties.

Human rights groups and the refugees themselves have alleged mistreatment for those returning back to post-civil war Sri Lanka.  There have been reports of detainment, physical abuse and torture for any returning Tamils that were known associates or loose affiliates of the separatist group, the Tamil Tigers.

Sri Lankan presidential adviser, Rajiva Wijesinha, reminds the public, however, that the UK itself has quelled these public fears and the returning refugees would not be subject to torture or mistreatment of any kind.  The UK alleges that only high level activists within the Tamil Tiger organization returning to Sri Lanka may be targeted by the government.  Other returning refugees are in no such danger.

However, conflicting reports from human rights groups have alleged that any refugees associated with the separatist group, no matter their level of involvement, would be at risk for mistreatment.  One Tamil man’s reaction was that he would rather commit suicide in the UK after being denied asylum rather than returning to Sri Lanka and be subject to torture.

Malar Rajendran may be a living example of the Sri Lankan government mistreating returning Tamil refugees.  Rajendran’s husband was a low ranking member of the Tamil Tiger organization.  When Rajendran’s initial asylum application had been denied, she was deported back to Sri Lanka in 2009.  The 49 year old woman was immediately detained upon her return, and she experienced brutal physical punishment including being kicked, punched and beaten with an iron rod.  Rajendran was also sexually assaulted and raped multiple times by her detainers.

Rajendran’s horrific experience pushed her to escape Sri Lanka and seek asylum for a second time in the UK.  The tragic evidence left on Rajendran’s body due to the physical and sexual abuse she experienced after her first deportation persuaded officials in the UK to grant her application for asylum.

Despite human rights groups’ reports of mistreatment and examples like Rajendran’s firsthand experience with brutal physical and sexual mistreatment, asylum applications continue to be denied by UK officials and the deportations continue.  The UK continues to deport asylum seekers who they believe no longer require the protection of their borders.

 

For further information, please see:

BBC – Deported Sri Lankans arrive home from UK amid torture fears – 20 September 2012

The Indian Express – UK to evict Lankan asylum seekers despite ‘Tamil allegations of torture’ – 19 September 2012

The Guardian – Britain is returning Tamil refugees to be tortured in Sri Lanka – 19 September 2012

Al Jazeera – Tamil asylum seeker in UK voices torture fear – 18 September 2012

By Karen Diep
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar – Yesterday, Myanmar released about 60 political prisoners in new amnesty a day after the Myanmar government claimed it would pardon hundreds of inmates.  According to BBC News, Myanmar has released more than 500 prisoners, including a number of political detainees and foreigners.

“We’re optimistic that these are the remaining political prisoners,” said Naing Naing, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition National League of for Democracy (NLD).  However, human rights advocates are skeptical and cautioned that the exact number of political prisoners is unknown.

“While another prisoner amnesty is welcome in principle, like everyone else we’re left waiting to see the list before we assess how many political prisoners are included, what it means and how significant it is,” shared Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch’s Deputy Director for the Asia Division.

“The problem is there is a lack of transparency from the Burma government about who is a political prisoner, where they are, and how many are left,” continued Mr. Robertson.

According to France 24, the exact number of political detainees still imprisoned varies but opposition groups have estimated 300 activists.

This act by the Myanmar government seems to be an attempt for the United States (U.S.) to further alleviate sanctions ahead of President Thein Sein’s visit to the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly in New York City this September.

“I think political prisoners are bargaining chips for Thein Sein’s policies,” said Bo Kyi, the Joint Secretary of the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

According to Boston News, after fifty years of military rule, the Myanmar government’s linchpin in policy reform is political prisoners’ freedom.

On Monday, the European Union (EU) advised preferential trade status for Myanmar.  According to the Wall Street Journal, Myanmar authorities are optimistic the U.S. will continue to ease its sanctions when President Thein Sein visits New York City.  Moreover, U.S. officials are currently contemplating how and when to ease a ban on Myanmar made-products.

For further information, please see:

Boston News – Myanmar is called insincere on political prisoners – 18 September 2012

France News – Burma releases political prisoners in new amnesty – 18 September 2012

BBC News – Burma releases 500 prisoners in amnesty – 17 September 2012

Wall Street Journal – Myanmar Releases Prisoners as Suu Kyi Visits U.S. – 17 September 2012

By Irving Feng
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KARACHI, Pakistan – Protests over the anti-Islam film “Innocence of Muslims” has spread throughout Asia, erupting in violent clashes between demonstrators and police.

Muslims in Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Yemen and the territory of Kashmir have taken to the streets to burn American flags, denounce the United States, and storm American embassies.  The protestors are furious over the film’s depiction of the Prophet Muhammad.  The low-budget, independent film characterizes the prophet as a fraud, womanizer, and pedophile.

On Monday, September 17, in Pakistan, protestors set fire to a press building and a government building in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.  Several hundred protestors clashed with police shortly after the acts of vandalism.  The police fired on the mob killing at least one protestor and wounding several others.  The demonstrators allegedly set fire to the buildings to get more press coverage for their cause.

Protestors in southern Pakistan also clashed with police one day prior.  Protestors attempted to storm the U.S. Consulate in Karachi resulting in the death of one protestor and wounding a dozen more.  Despite these eruptions of violent protest, there have also been many peaceful protests including a demonstration attended by thousands of students and teachers in the town of Chaman.

Elsewhere in Asia, protestors assaulted the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta with rocks and Molotov cocktails.  Indonesian Muslims, outraged by the anti-Islam film took to violence resulting in the hospitalization of eleven injured police officers and the arrests of four protestors.  American flags and photographs of U.S. president Barak Obama were being burned in the streets.  Protestors hold the U.S. responsible for the production of the independent anti-Islam film.

15,000 protestors have taken to the streets in the region of Kashmir to protest the film “Innocence of Muslims,” burn American flags, and demanded the expulsion of all Americans from their territory.  The government in Kashmir has advised all Americans travelling in the region to leave immediately before protests escalate to the levels present in other parts of Asia and the Middle East.  The U.S. Embassy in the region also sent out an advisory warning for all citizens to leave immediately.

The origin of the film is still shrouded a mystery, however, there are reports that link it to a California man who has been convicted of fraud named Nakoula Basseley Nakoula.  The movie trailer has not been removed from internet video site, Youtube, since the clip of the film falls within the guidelines set up by the site.  Access has been restricted, however, in countries such as India and Indonesia where the content of the trailer is deemed illegal.

 

For further information, please see:

The Jakarta Post – Film protest turns violent – 18 September 2012

Shanghai Daily – Muslims in fury over anti-Islam US movie – 18 September 2012

BBC – Anti-Islam film: Thousands protest around Muslim world – 17 September 2012

Reuters – Muslim protesters rage at United States in Asia, Middle East – 17 September 2012

The Washington Post – Indonesians upset with anti-Muslim film clash with police outside US Embassy; at least 12 hurt – 17 September 2012

Hurriyet Daily News – Thousands in Kashmir protest anti-Islam film as cleric demands Americans ‘leave’ – 14 September 2012

By Irving Feng
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KARACHI, Pakistan – Factory fires in Pakistan kill over 300 workers and raises questions about substandard worker safety and poor labor regulations.

A garment factory in Karachi was set ablaze and caused the death of what officials believed to be 289 workers from a nearby blue collar neighborhood.  A second fire in a shoe factory in Lahore caused the death of roughly 25 workers.  Officials investigating have yet to determine the cause of the fires but faulty wiring is believed to be the predominate cause of the fire in Karachi and  sparks from a back-up generator is believed to be the cause of the fire in Lahore.

Survivors from the Karachi fire say the high death toll was due to a lack of available exists in the factory and barred windows.  All exits, except one, in the factory were locked to prevent workers from leaving their shifts early and the barred windows, factory managers claim, were installed to prevent break ins.

Employees working on the top floors of the Karachi factory immediately began breaking the metal bars on the windows with tools when smoke and fire roared up the stairs.  Some workers managed to break through the bars and jump out of windows multiple stories up and suffered broken bones from the fall.  Those less fortunate scrambled for the single congested exist and were trampled and crush by the wave of panicking workers attempting to escape the flames.  Officials say that the majority of the workers died from smoke inhalation and severe burns.

Survivors of the Lahore fire say that the main exit to their factory was also blocked, trapping unlucky workers inside.  Due to rolling blackouts prevalent in Pakistan, workers at the Lahore factory attempted to start the back-up generator when the electricity went out.  The sparks from the generator may have ignited nearby chemicals used to make shoes.  The factory in Lahore was illegally set up in a residential neighborhood in the city.

Workers’ rights in Pakistan are guaranteed in their constitution.  The Hazardous Occupation Rule 1963, under the 1934 Factories Act, provides legal protections for workers including an entire section, added in 1997, concerning fire safety.  Pakistan has also signed the International Labor Organization’s labor inspection convention which mandates governments to inform their workers of their legal rights and calls for labor inspections and the proper reporting of any problems.

Despite Pakistan’s prior commitment to workers’ rights, an executive order issued under the Punjab Industrial Policy 2003 has abolished many of labor inspections which helped monitor and guarantee workers’ rights.  The new executive order was aimed at bolstering a more business-friendly environment and increasing industry in Pakistan.  These bans on labor inspections were adopted under fierce pressure by wealthy industrialists.

 

For further information, please see:

BBC – Karachi fire: Factory owners granted bail – 14 September 2012

The Guardian – Karachi’s factory fire exposes Pakistan’s lax health and safety regime – 14 September 2012

Al Jazeera – Hundreds killed in Karachi factory fire – 13 September 2012

The New York Times – More Than 300 Killed in Pakistani Factory Fires – 12 September 2012

Reuters – Fires engulf Pakistan factories killing 314 workers – 12 September 2012