By M.E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BANDUNG, Indonesia – Less than one year ago, Indonesia enacted an “anti-pornography” law, which bans public displays of flesh. Over the New Year’s holiday, four woman as well as a manager and an event organizer at a bar in a trendy Indonesian city could be the first to be charged under this new statute.

The arrest on New Year’s Eve at a party held at Belair Coyote Bar and Restaurant in Bandung, Indonesia for “sexy dancing” raises concerns and worries that the law may be the prelude to the imposition of wider restrictions. The law was introduced with the strong backing of the country’s small but influential Islamist political parties. Opponents of the statute said the parties’ real intention was to use the law to spread orthodox Islam in Indonesia by controlling artistic and cultural expression. The law, critics warned, also threatens the country’s rich pre-Islamic cultures, which have long coexisted with Indonesia’s traditionally moderate brand of Islam.

Despite the existence of the 441-page anti-pornography law, there is debate about whether to charge the women with a criminal law or the more severe anti-pornography law. Punishment under the anti-pornography law can be as severe as having to serve up to 10 years in prison for the dancers. Further, under the anti-pornography law, the manager and organizer could face as much as 15 years in prison.

Commenting on the incident, a police spokesperson said the dancers had been wearing skimpy clothing. Under the new law, all bodily movements deemed obscene or a threat to public morality give rise to an action to be prosecuted under the anti pornography statute.

The law has prompted protests across Indonesia amid fears it could threaten local traditions such as Bali temple dances or penis sheaths traditionally worn by the aboriginal Papua tribes.

It is unclear whether the women and bar personnel will be convicted, but authorities are pushing to prosecute.

For More Information, please see:

The Star – Indonesia group condemns case against “sexy” dancers – January 6, 2010

Jakarta Globe – Bandung Sexy Dancers Busted for ‘Stirring Desires’ – January 5, 2010 

The New York Times – Arrests for a Revealing Dance Pit Flesh Against Faith – January 24, 2010

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Despite Taiwan’s status as one of the world’s freest countries, the 2010 report by Freedom House, a Washington-based human rights watchdog, downgraded Taiwan’s score on civil liberties.

For example, Tu Sheng-hsiung, an owner of a hot pot restaurant in Taiwan, hung up a sign prohibiting Korean customers from eating at his restaurant.  This move was sparked by Tu’s anger and disapproval of a Korean athlete’s behavior at the recent East Asian Games held in Hong Kong where a Taiwanese taekwondo player was knocked unconscious due to South Korean player’s illegal action.

Although Tu argues that his move has gained wide support, Taiwanese lawmakers have been pushing for an anti-discrimination legislation which, if ratified, would make Tu’s act punishable.

Taiwan’s legislators are attempting to combat discrimination based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, mental or physical disabilities, and gender or sexual orientation.

Under this anti-discrimination bill drafted by the Chinese Nationalist Party, employers will be required to provide equal salary package for all employees and business owners will not be allowed to discriminate against customers.

The draft rules also forbid use of discriminatory words, such as “pigs” or “Taiwan dogs,” between Taiwanese and those from mainland China.

Although the bill’s intent is laudable, many have voiced concerns, especially because civic groups have been excluded in terms of enforcing the law if the bill is implemented.

Taiwan’s Labor Rights Association Director Wang Chuan-ping opined that enforcing this bill would be difficult.  She reasoned, “It would be hard to define what ‘discrimination’ is at work because employers can always come up with an excuse to avoid being charged after firing or refusing to hire someone based on ethnicity or sex.”

Wu Jia-zhen, director of a Taiwanese NGO, commented that several anti-discrimination clauses already exist in other laws, such as Taiwan’s Immigration Act and the Act for Gender Equality in Employment.

She pointed out that having the specific anti-discrimination clause in these laws have had little effect in combating inequality.  Wu blamed the attitudes of public servants for the ineffectiveness of anti-discriminatory laws adding that such laws can only be effective if people’s attitudes change.

Nevertheless, the drafters of the bill claim that the “new law will enhance…broader protection of equal rights.”

For more information, please see:

The China Post – Lawmakers push for law to combat discrimination – 4 January 2010

Taipei Times – Groups question discrimination bill – 23 January 2010

Taiwan News – Freedom House downgrades Taiwan’s civil liberties rating – 13 January 2010

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

SEOUL, South Korea– For the first time, South Korea’s government funded human rights watchdog, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), released a report on the alleged human rights abuses in North Korea.

The report said that the number of North Korean political camps has declined, but it also detailed inhumane conditions like torture and executions of North Korean political prison camps where more than 200,000 people are estimated to be imprisoned.

NHRCK official said in the six political prisons in the North where people are held indefinitely, “Nearly every type of human rights violation has occurred in those political concentration camps including the secret execution of prisoners [without trial].”

North Korea incarcerates entire families for minor political wrongdoings by one particular member of the family, such as damaging Kim Jong-il’s photo or singing South Korean songs.  Defectors who try to escape to China or South Korea are also punished, and the punishments have grown harsher over the past three years.

Inmates are not given clothes or shoes, but are provided only shelter and food.  Conditions for female inmates are especially harsh as they are often called in by the authorities and sexually assaulted.

Importantly, NHRCK’s report reflects a change within the South Korean government.  In the previous two administrations, South Korea remained silent on the issues of North’s human rights abuses and avoided directly criticizing North Korea’s rights violations.

However, the recent assessment by NHRCK shows South Korea’s willingness to publically confront North Korea concerning its human rights abuses.

Nonetheless, this report comes amid new tensions where Pyongyang threatened Seoul with a “holy war” after reports came out regarding South’s contingency plan for resolving the current political, social and economic instability in the North.

NHRCK plans on translating the report into English and sending it to the UN Commission on Human Rights as well as other international organizations to bring awareness of the atrocities still happening in North Korea.

Some experts have criticized the NHRCK report saying that it may further deteriorate relations between the North and the South.  Seo Bo-hyuk, a professor in Seoul, voiced his concern saying, “A unilateral demand from South Korea could stifle the improvement of inter-Korean relations.”
For more information, please see:

AsiaNews – More than 200,000 political and religious prisoners in North Korea – 21 January 2010

Chosun Ilbo- Seoul Breaks Silence on N.Korea’s Human Rights Abuses – 22 January 2010

VOA – South Korean Human Rights Body Breaks Silence on Abuses in North – 20 January 2010