David L. Chaplin II
Impunity Watch, Asia

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – An independent mechanism was requested by the United States to investigate alleged War crimes and crimes against humanity caused by the Sri Lankan military as their civil war drew to a close.

A resolution was passed by the United States Senate calling on the current Sri Lankan administration and the international community to support the United Nations in putting plans together, holding Sri Lanka to an international standard of accountability against human right violations.

Senator Robert Casey presented the resolution as sympathetic to the Tamil cause.

As we approach the two-year anniversary for the end of the 26-year conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka, a “Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC)” was established by the Sri Lanka Government.

This LLRC was established to determine who bears responsibility for incidents that occurred between February 2002 and May 2009. The LLRC also recommends agencies to proactively prevent recurrences of a similar nature in the future, while promoting national unity for all communities.

Panels of Human Rights and International Law experts have been appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in counseling the Sri Lankan Government toward human rights accountability.

The Government of Sri Lanka must “allow humanitarian organizations, aid agencies, journalists, and international human rights groups’ greater freedom of movement, including in internally-displaced persons camps” and make strides in establishing a democracy rule of law.

The growing global voice of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees domiciled in the U.S. and European nations has created outcry for Sri Lanka to face an international commission and for alleged violations of international humanitarian laws.

The Sri Lankan Government claims no civilian were lost during military advances against Tamil separatists.

But, global rights group Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch possess evidence that an estimated 40,000 noncombatants lost their lives during the months of conflict.

The Sri Lankan military projects blame on the Tamil strike forces for their alleged use of nearly “300,000 civilians as human shields”.

Assistant secretary Blake told AFP in an interview “The point I would make is now here we are almost two years after the end of the war and still these kinds of challenges to, particularly to press freedoms and media freedoms continue. It’s a bit unusual and a bit counter-intuitive. Again, the LTTE is no longer a force to be reckoned with.

“It’s important to say that if Sri Lanka is not willing to meet international standards regarding these matters, there would be pressure to appoint an international commission to look into these things, ” says Blake.

This process has become more common in recent weeks as the United Nations Security Council recently passed a resolution unanimously against Libya and the referral of Moammar Qadhafi to the International Criminal Court to impartially investigate suspected war crimes as well as strong arm abuses against his people.

Senate Resolution 84 is a simple resolution, and “although it is non-binding, it does express the concerns of American lawmakers that the government of Sri Lanka provide a credible and fair mechanism of ensuring accountability for possible violations of human rights during the war,” a US Embassy official told the Daily Mirror.

For more information, please see:

Hindustan Times – US call for probe in Lanka – 3 March 2011

Asian Tribune – US Senate/ State Department in consensus to bring Sri Lanka under global scrutiny for alleged war crimes – 3 March 2011

– US call for independent mechanism – 3 March 2011

Colombo Page  – US Senate resolution expressing support for reconciliation in Sri Lanka introduced – 2 March 2011

Tamil Net – US Senate Resolution calls for accountability for Sri Lanka war crimes – 2 March 2011

Times Online – US Senate resolution backs Lanka war crimes panel – 2 March 2011

By Joseph Juhn
Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Asia

Foreign journalists seeking to cover a potential protest in Shanghai were detained by police officers (Photo courtesy of the New York Times)

BEIJING, China – As the anti-government protests continue to spread and topple incumbent dictatorships in North Africa and the Middle East, Chinese officials have begun to crack down on foreign journalists.

On Sunday, about a dozen foreign journalists were detained for two hours in an underground room in Shanghai attempting to cover a protest. Apparently, these journalists showed up to the Peace Cinema near People’s Square to capture images of possible protests when they saw messages on several anonymous Internet sites urging Chinese citizens to conduct a “strolling” protest against the government.

This incident is noteworthy considering the recent pattern of government crack downs on foreign journalists. Only a week ago foreign journalists were reported to being physically harassed by security officers – one videographer even being hospitalized. In response to accusations of violent police actions, China’s foreign minister, Yang Jiechi, denied the police taking any part in beating foreign reporters. He stressed repeatedly that China follows “the rule of law.”

“Foreign journalists should respect and abide by China’s laws and regulations… Beijing is a very big city with a large population. It is important to maintain normal order,” said Jiang, foreign ministry spokeswoman. Although the minister’s denial contradicts eyewitnesses and video accounts, no official investigation is known to be underway.

In Beijing and other major cities, at least a dozen other foreign journalists reported private intrusion, as they were visited in their homes by government officials who repeatedly warned not to cause trouble.

Following the recent controversial events, China announced new restrictions on foreign journalists working in China. Under the new rules, foreign journalists must now have prior government permission to interview anyone in a public area, essentially repealing the loosened reporting policy implemented at the time of the 2008 Beijing Olympics to showcase China’s more tolerant face to the world.

Such intimidation of foreign journalists is a notable shift for the communist regime a sign of the government’s fear of any antigovernment revolts like those that have swept the Middle East and North Africa in the past month.

David Bandurski, a professor at the University of hong Kong who heads the China Media Project said: “They have gone into control mode once again. What we are seeing now, in the short term, is China is closing in on itself, because it doesn’t have another answer or response.”

“Intimidation of journalists is the classic response. It is not necessarily entirely new, but it is something we have not seen for a long time,” Bandursky added.

For more information, please see:

The New York Times – Even With Protests Averted, China Turns to Intimidation of Foreign Journalists – 6 March 2011

The Washington Post – Amid fears of unrest, China imposes new restrictions on foreign journalists – 7 March 2011

Tibetan Review – China to expel foreign journalists who cover protests – 4 March 2011

David L. Chaplin II
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – The efforts to achieve “inter-ethnic reconciliation and integration” following the violent events in Southern Kyrgyzstan last June, when over 435 people dead and nearly 2,500 others injured between the Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities during an inter-ethnic conflict, has been difficult.

The European Union has praised Kyrgyzstan’s reform agenda for stabilization and democratization, describing it as “ambitious”. Further reforms are critical to stability in southern Kyrgyzstan as the situation in the volatile region is “not optimistic,” chief of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said Thursday.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis vowed to help Kyrgyzstan bolster its stability, security and parliamentary system during his March 2-3 trip to Osh and Bishkek.

“It is essential to strengthen dialogue between the ethnic communities. The OSCE supports Kyrgyzstan in meeting these challenges, in particular ready to support a national consultative mechanism on police reform and criminal justice.”

“Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to restore stability after last year’s tragic events are commendable, I encourage the government to continue reforms, particularly ahead of the forthcoming presidential election,” he concluded.

“We must address acute security concerns, including threats to border security. But ensuring long-term security in the country also requires reform of the police and judiciary, policies to promote economic stability and respect for the rights of all members of society,” Azubalis said..

“The efforts of state-building in Kyrgyzstan and of bolstering its democracy and economy should draw on the citizenship of its people – and not simply their ethnicity,” said José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission.

The OSCE is also determined to continue co-operating with Kyrgyzstan in battling trans-national threats like terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime and unsecure borders, by coordinating with international partners like the UN and European Union, said Ažubalis.

Kyrgyzstan President Roza Otunbayeva has played a key role in two revolutions.

Roza Otunbayeva inspired the protest movement; often considered a philosopher and diplomat, she took the helm of the country and guided it through a difficult and dangerous transition period, declaring war on corruption, the clan system, nationalism and religious extremism.

Her first vistory was ridding the country of its then leader, President Akayev in 2005. Five years later President Bakiyev‎ was removed by a similar popular revolution.

A year ago a number of opposition parties came together, united in aversion to Bakiyev‎‘s corrupt regime. Realizing then the need to move toward a parliamentary form of government.

“Recent events in North Africa allow us to see things in a different light. It’s clear that these types of people, who allegedly order mass killings, should be punished”, said Otunbayeva referring to Bakiyev and his family tree of corruption being the center of all atrocities that took place within the countries recent history.

“A society influenced by criminality has no future. So one needs a clear and strong plan of action. The people will always support authorities or leaders who really want to clean up the country,” said Otunbayeva.

For more information, please see:

XINHUA news – Reforms critical to Kyrgyzstan’s stability: OCSE chairman – 4 March 2011

Europolitics – EU Praises Kyrgyzstan Reform Agenda – 1 March 2011

Central Asia Online – OSCE to help Kyrgyz stability, security, parliament – 3 March 2011

Euro News – Kyrgyzstan: Politics post revolution – 4 March 2011

David L. Chaplin II
Impunity Watch, Asia

BEIJING, China – The anonymous campaigners behind the so-called “Jasmine rallies”, a reference to the “Jasmine revolution” in Tunisia that sparked unrest across the Arab world, said their movement had support in dozens of cities. Chinese authorities deployed hundreds of policemen, blocked internet services and detained several dissidents by force to thwart ” Egypt-style’ ‘ protests in Beijing and Shanghai on Sunday.

Ambassador Jon Huntsman called the detention and beating of the foreign press “unacceptable and deeply disturbing.” He is urging the Chinese government to hold the perpetrators accountable and respect the rights of foreign journalists in the country.

Beijing’s Wang Fu Jing street, a busy shopping area was washed repeatedly with high-pressure water hoses to keep people away. The entry to the area was also restricted.

China’s leaders have watched developments in the Arab world nervously, as similar issues were among the root causes of the upheaval there.

Chinese authorities have reacted to these demonstrations by rounding up more than 100 known dissidents and rights advocates, activists said, and blocking references to the “jasmine” rallies on websites and search engines.

“We believe these deeds cannot stop the development of the Chinese Jasmine Revolution,” the organizers said.

On Sunday Premier Wen Jiabao promised action on top public concerns including soaring inflation, runaway economic growth and official corruption in an online chat with Internet users.

Hundreds of uniformed and plainclothes police had blanketed the city’s Wangfujing shopping street for the second week running, aggressively pushing away foreign reporters with cameras and briefly detaining several.

Bloomberg News said one of its correspondents was kicked and punched by at least five men in plainclothes, believed to be Chinese governmental security personnel. He required medical treatment.

“This type of harassment and intimidation is unacceptable and deeply disturbing,” U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman said in a statement.

The new statement was posted on Facebook, Twitter and other overseas social networking sites officially blocked in China, and came one day after security personnel turned out in force to thwart gatherings in Beijing and Shanghai.

Citizens have been urged to gather for subtle “strolling” demonstrations, but take no overt protest action, each Sunday afternoon at designated locations in cities across China, people protest to highlight public anger with the government.

The latest call urged “all social groups, intellectuals, unemployed college graduates, retired soldiers, Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, laid off workers, victims of forced land seizures and building demolitions, and all people suffering from governmental injustice” to take part.

According to the feedback received by various new sources, on Feb. 27, 2011, this movement spread to over 100 cities, largely exceeding  initial expectations of 27 cities, it said, calling for people to “walk” for change again next Sunday.

“We send our salutations to all Chinese citizens supporting and participating in this noble movement!”

For more information, please see:

Vancouver Sun – Organizers plan new rallies despite tough weekend clampdown – 1 March 2011

The Times of India – China cracks whip, crushes ‘jasmine’ stir – 28 February 2011

Voice of America – US Ambassador Decries Chinese Abuse of Journalists – 28 February 2011

CTV News – Diplomats criticize harassment of journalists in China – 28 February 2011

Paramedics transporting the body of Shahbaz Bhatti, only Christian minister in Pakistan, who was shot dead on Thursday (Photo courtesy of the New York Times)

By Joseph Juhn
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The only Christian in Pakistan’s government was assassinated on March 2 after pushing for change in laws that mandate death for people who insult Islam.

Shabaz Bhatti, a Roman Catholic, was the minority affairs minister and is the second top Pakistani official to be shot to death this year over his opposition to a blasphemy law. Earlier in January, the Punjab Province governer, Salman Taseer was also assassinated by his body guard for the same reason: calling for reforms to the blasphemy law.

The law was first introduced in the 1970s and amended later in 1986 under Gen. Mohammad Zia ul-Haq, the military leader, to include the death penalty for those who are accused of making derogatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad, the Korean or Islam.

Critics of the law say the law has been used against the minorities ever since. Christians, who make up roughly 5% of Pakistan’s 180 million population, occupy the lower ends of society with menial jobs. Along with Shiite Muslims and other minority Muslim sects, Christians are the most oppressed group and often frequent victims of suicide bombings, kidnappings and homicides.

Recently, there has been a case in which a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, 45, was charged with violating the blasphemy law and faced execution. Bhatti, being an outspoken critic against the law, defended the woman. Now, many are speculating that this may have triggered the extremists’ anger.

Ali Dayan Hasan, South Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch, called Bhatti’s assassination “a grave setback for the struggle for tolerance, pluralism and respect for human rights in Pakistan.”

Bhatti was on his way to work in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, when assailants sprayed at least 25 bullets at the Bhatti’s car. A letter that was found at the scene indicated that the killing was done by supporters of Al-Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban, according to the police.

After Bhatti’s death, Pakistani television aired a video in which a calm and convinced Bhatti purported to keep fighting for the rights of Christians and other minorities, even if it meant dying for the cause.

“When I’m leading this campaign for the abolishment of blasphemy law, and speaking for the oppressed, and the marginalized, persecuted Christians and other minorities, these Taliban threaten me,” Bhatti said. “These threats and these warnings cannot change my opinion and principles. I prefer to die for my principles and for the justice for my community rather than to compromise.”

For more information, please see:

The International Herald Tribune – Extremists Are Suspected in Killing of Pakistani Minister – 2 March 2011

AFT – Canadian leaders ‘outraged’ by Pakistan minister’s killing – 2 March 2011

The Los Angeles Times – Pakistan’s only Christian Cabinet member assassinated – 3 March 2011