By Greg Donaldson
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KATHMANDU, Nepal – For many Nepalese women, who were forced to become sex slaves in their youth, help is on the way. Last Saturday in a documentary entitled “Nepal’s Stolen Children” the CNN Freedom Project uncovered the lucrative sex trafficking industry that has plagued Nepalese women for years. Hosted by actress Demi Moore, the program featured the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year, Anuradha Koirala, and her organization Maiti Nepal, which has rescued over 12,000 stolen Nepalese children from sex trafficking since its founding in 1993.

Tony Maddox, executive vice president and managing director of CNN International said, “This is a multi-faceted story, but each side does not carry equal moral value. Modern day slavery is wrong. It needs to be stopped…CNN has committed our reporters around the world for the year to investigate an end to this global epidemic.”

Each year thousands of girls are lured into following prospective employers to a large city only to be forced into prostitution.

In the documentary, Moore speaks with several girls that were trafficked when they were as young as eleven years old. The girls told horror stories of being tortured if they refused to participate in sexual activities. Traffickers would do anything from force-feeding these young girls growth hormones to make their bodies become more women-like to electrocution.

Radika, one of the rescued girls, recounted her stay at a brothel. She explained that if she refused to have sex with a man she would be burned with cigarettes on her body or hot water would be poured on her. She went to the brothel with her baby son, but was separated from him. If her child cried, his tongue would be burned with a cigarette.

In 2004, the cost to buy a sex-trafficked Nepalese girl was approximately 2,400 (USD) reports the WNN. Arresting traffickers can be difficult as adequate police enforcement generally does not exist in rural Nepal.

In the CNN documentary, Nepal’s Prime Minister, Jhalanath Khanal, cites the extensive poverty of the country as being one of the reasons why women of Nepal are suffering so much. The country’s poor economic situation leads many young girls to look for a better life. The WNN reports that Nepalese girls are cheaper to buy, much more cooperative, and are easier to control.  However, Prime Minister Khanal vowed to tackle the issue as part of the new federal constitution that will “provide every kind of right to women.”

Anuradha Koirala believes that the problem begins with the offenders’ attitudes towards women. However, she feels that male attitudes can be changed by allowing men to play major roles in preventing sex trafficking reports the Jakarta Post. Anuradha also hopes to globalize the issue.

“You and me and everybody, we expect this issue to be globalized. One day we hope this will end and that we have a traffic-free society.”

Through Maiti Nepal, Anuradha has provided more than a shelter for these girls and young women, she has created a home. It is a place for them to heal, go to school, learn a skill, and for some who are infected with HIV/AIDS, it is the place where they can spend their days surrounded by love, reports CNN.

Moore has also co-founded the “Demi and Ashton Foundation” with the goal of eliminating child sex slavery and human trafficking.

For more information please see:

CNN — ‘Nepal’s Stolen Children’ airs Sunday @ 8pm (ET) — 6 July 2011

The Jakarta Post — Anuradha Koirala: Stopping sex trafficking – 4 July 2011

The Kathmandu Post — Tracing trafficking trails — 13 January 2011

CNN — Woman fighting sex slavery named CNN Hero of the Year – 22 November 2010

Women News Network — Lost Daughters — An ongoing tragedy in Nepal — 5 December 2008

By: Jessica Ties
Impunity Watch, Asia

NEW DELHI, India – Gay rights activists are outraged at statements made by India’s health minister in which Ghulum Nabi Azad described homosexuality as “unnatural” and a “disease” from the West and implied that homosexuality is responsible for the majority of India’s HIV rate.

Azad is quoted as stating “Unfortunately there is this disease in the world and in this country where men are having sex with other men, which is completely unnatural and shouldn’t happen, but it does.”

The remarks were made at a conference in which officials addressed the fact that HIV has affected approximately 2.5 million people living in India and 7.3 percent of homosexuals have been diagnosed with HIV.

The statements came as some parts of India have begun to increase their acceptance of homosexuals and homosexuality. In July 2009, homosexuality was decriminalized by New Delhi’s highest court which found that “consensual sex amongst adults is legal, which includes even gay sex and sex among the same sexes.”

Anjali Gopalan, founder and executive director of the Naz Foundation which fights the spread of HIV, has said that Azad “let a golden opportunity pass, for narrow sectarian gains, when he should have used the platform to address the concerns of the country as a while.”

Following the backlash resulting from the statements, Ghulum Nabi Azad has since clarified his remarks and stated that the statements were taken out of context.

For more information, please see:

CNBC – AP News in Brief at 5:58 am EDT – 5 July 2011

The Hindu – Azad Clarifies on ‘Gay-Sex-is-Unnatural’ Remark – 5 July 2011

The New York Times – India’s Health Minister Calls Homosexuality ‘Unnatural’ – 5 July 2011

By: Jessica Ties
Impunity Watch, Asia

BEIJING, China – Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmed Bashir arrived in Beijing on July 5 following an unexpected delay for a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao which was initially scheduled to take place on July 4.

Indictments by the International Criminal Court against Bashir have made Beijing’s invitation to the Sudanese leader controversial and has led to condemnation by several rights groups including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Because China is not a member of the International Criminal Court, the country was not obligated to arrest Bashir once he presented himself in the country.

The International Criminal Court has indicted Bashir on charges of genocide for the mass killings that have occurred in the Darfur region of Sudan since the leader’s rise to office in 1993.

Richard Dicker, the director of Human Rights Watch’s international justice program stated that “Bashir’s flouting of international arrest warrants should be cause for condemnation, not for an invitation.”

Chinese President Hu Jintao reportedly invited Bashir to China to increase cooperation between the two nations and “exchange views on Sudan’s ongoing north-south peace process and the Darfur issue.”

Bashir’s visit comes just before the secession of South Sudan from the North which is expected to occur at midnight on July 9.

For more information, please see:

CNN – Sudanese Leader’s Visit Emphasizes China’s African Agenda – 29 June 2011

L.A. Times – Confusion as Sudan President Arrives Day Late in Beijing – 28 June 2011

Aljazeera – Bashir Visits China Ahead of S Sudan Split – 27 June 2011

By Greg Donaldson
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KABUL, Afghanistan— Approximately nine Taliban suicide bombers stormed the prestigious hilltop Inter-Continental Hotel in the capital city late Tuesday night, killing up to twenty-one people in the raid. Armed with rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons, the attackers entered the heavily guarded hotel where foreigners and authorities generally stay. An Afghan security official said that three of the suicide bombers detonated their explosives, one in front of the main gate, one on the second floor and one behind the hotel, reports the Khaama Press.

It is unclear whether the attack was in response to a local governor’s meeting or the upcoming transfer of police power. Regardless, the attack comes at a critical time as the United States plans to transfer security responsibilities to the national intelligence police in Kabul on the fourteenth. Afghan president Hamid Karzai has stated for months that his security forces are competent enough to handle Taliban attacks. President Obama has also announced the withdrawal of 33,000 American troops by the end of next year.

In response to the various Taliban attacks that preceded and followed the hotel bombing, President Karzai has spoken with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari about doing more to prevent Taliban activities. Both sides point fingers at the other when discussing the Taliban’s actions in their countries, but Afghan and US officials have pushed Pakistan to do more on the Pakistani side of the border to prevent future attacks reports Dawn.

Kamel Khan, a businessman, was visiting the hotel when the raid began. Khan heard gunfire and saw a man carrying a machine gun, with an ammunition belt across his chest, and a backpack. Khan stated “He stared at all of the guests like he wanted to kill us, and he had enough bullets to do it, but for some reason he just turned and kept going.”

Another hotel visitor, Maulvi Mohammed Orsaji, the head of the Takhar Provincial Council, was having dinner with a judge in the hotel’s formal dining room when several gunmen entered the room and killed the judge and Orsaji’s guard. Orsaji related that he had previous military experience, but he had never seen such a wild attack in his life. Some of the bombers carried tape recorders playing Taliban war songs and shot at anyone they saw, reports MSNBC.

When Afghan security forces entered the building, some of the attackers blew themselves up. A NATO helicopter then killed the remaining insurgents in a rooftop battle reports MSNBC. In a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said he received a phone call from one of his fighters during the raid. The fighter stated that the attackers killed the guards at one of the entrances to the hotel, and the assault was going as planned reports MSNBC.

Lutfullah Mashal, spokesman for the national intelligence police, continued to proclaim that the local police have the ability to protect residents from terrorist attacks in a news conference following the hotel siege. However, police officials were unable to explain how the attackers were able to enter the heavily guarded hotel with such a large arsenal of weapons.

For more information, please see:

Dawn– Karzai raises concerns with Pakistan over attacks — 5 July 2011

Khaama Press — Group of Suicide Bombers Stormed Kabul Intercontinental Hotel – 30 June 2011

Miami Herald — US-led coalition: Pakistan group behind Kabul hotel attack – 30 June 2011

Khaleej Times — 21 dead as Taleban storm Kabul hotel – 29 June 2011

MSNBC – ‘Everybody was shooting’: 18 die in Kabul hotel attack – 29 June 2011

Washington Post — Kabul hotel siege leaves at least 11 civilians dead – 29 June 2011

By: Jessica Ties
Impunity Watch, Asia

PHNOM PHEN, Cambodia – Four of the surviving leaders of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge are currently standing trial for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.  Now it seems that others responsible for these attrocities may never be brought to justice. 

In addition the four individuals currently standing trial, the international co-prosecutor has identified two more individuals suspected of being involved in the death of thousands of Cambodians. The co-investigating judges however, have closed the investigation of these suspects without arresting or interviewing them to pursue what would potentially be a third trial.

In response to the judges refusal to investigate,  The Open Society Justice Initiative, which has been monitoring the tribunal, has stated that “The court’s actions suggest that the outcome of a case has been pre-determined, and that judges have refused to gather evidence or investigate facts.”

After Pol Pot rose to power, approximately 1.7 million people perished from starvation, overwork, medical neglect and execution between 1975 and 1979. Four of the key members of the regime responsible for these deaths: Head of State Khieu Samphan, Foreign Minister Ieng Sary, Social Affairs Minister Ieng Thirith and the chief ideologue of the revolution Nuon Chea are standing trial one year after Kaing Guek Eav was sentenced to nineteen years in prison.

The tribunals are being conducted under a “hybrid system,” in which Cambodian judges and staff work in conjunction with United Nations officials. This system has proven to be problematic for past tribunals.

After the court’s refusal to investigate the suspects of the potential third trial, co-prosecutor Andrew Cayley went public demanding that the court take call cases before it seriously.  Commenting on the court’s decision, Mr. Cayley told BBC “It affects the integrity of this institution. The investigation needs to be done properly. Justice must not only be done, but it must manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done. And I believe if that does not happen, it will have serious consequences for the court as a whole.”

After Mr. Cayley’s statements, the Cambodian judges ordered Mr. Cayley to withdraw what they believed to be “confidential information.” They also stated that they would punish the staff member they believed to have leaked information and would welcome the resignation of international staff who disagreed with the way they were conducting investigations.

Co-investigating judge, Mr. Blunk, silenced a journalist who questioned the motives of the court by asking if the judges were trying to bury the case of the other two suspects by responding that “the use of the word ‘bury’ is insolent for which you are given leave to apologize within two days.”

It has been reported that Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen has stated that he would rather see the tribunal fail than see another trial and told Ban Ki-moon, U.N. Secretary-General, that he would not allow any additional trials to take place. It has been speculated that much of the Prime Minister’s motive for avoiding further trials is attributed to his desire to avoid embarrassment because some of the members of his inner circle held positions in the Khmer Rouge and were of an appropriate rank to be brought to trial.

For more information, please see:

VA News  – US War Crimes Envoy Seeking Support for Tribunal – 28 June 2011

Aljazeera – Profiles: Khmer Rough Leaders on Trial – 27 June 2011

LA Times – Khmer Rouge Trial Fraught with Drama in Cambdia – 27 June 2011

BBC – Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge Tribunal in Disarray – 26 June 2011