By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

LAHORE, Pakistan – Violence against Pakistani women has increased in the past few months.  According to one report, more than 220 women were burned between April and June of this year, leading to the deaths of 40 women in Punjab.  The report also stated that while attacks against women are increasing, the assailants are enjoying impunity.

Although the attacks are not limited to a certain region of Pakistan, the hotspot for these inhumane attacks in the recent years has been Punjab.  Pakistani women who suffer acid burns appear to be those who have broken a social code or “honor,” for example, refusing to marry the man her family has chosen or for running away from unhappy marriages as well as being seen in public with an unrelated man.

Nisha Varia at Human Rights Watch said, “Violence against women in Pakistan is endemic…there are very high rates of domestic violence and incidents like acid attacks.”

Sabira Sultana was burnt by gasoline by her husband (Source: AP)

In an acid attack, acid is thrown onto the face and other body parts of the women.  Such an attack causes severe pain and bodily mutilation, but is commonly practiced in South Asia.  Varia also attributed the frequency of acid attacks to the fact that acid in readily available in Pakistan.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said there is a great need to foster awareness among the victims to fight for justice so that the culprits are held responsible.  In many cases, even when the attack results in the death of the woman, her family often does not press charges, let alone report the crime.

Although the society does not consider burning women a crime, there is a movement demanding that burn attack cases be registered under the Pakistan Penal Code so that assailants can be found responsible for burning another human being.

Pakistani officials estimated that more than 150 women are burned each year with acid or kerosene, and the actual number of victims is probably much higher.  Luckily a local entrepreneur is raising money for reconstructive surgeries by hiring the victims to work at beauty salons.

For more information, please see:

CTV News – Pakistani charity helps acid-burn victims – 5 July 2009

Daily Times – Female Burn victims require government attention: AGHS – 4 July 2009

The Jerusalem Post – Women in Pakistan face wave of burn attacks – 6 July 2009

 

 

By Alishba I. Kassim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

GENEVA, Switzerland – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has been leading international calls to encourage restraint in China in the face of the recent riots. The riots in China’s Xinjiang region have killed at least 140 people. The violence erupted as China’s leader started a visit to Italy ahead of the Group of Eight industrialized powers summit.

Chinese state media reported that thousands of people fought with police and set fires to vehicles in the city of Urumqi. Uighur Muslims, native to the region, have rejected Beijing’s accusations that they organized the riots.

“Wherever it is happening or has happened the position of the United Nations and the secretary general has been consistent and clear: that all the differences of opinion, whether domestic or international, must be resolved peacefully through dialogue,” the UN chief told the press speaking about the riots in Xinjiang. He further added that “Governments concerned must also exercise extreme care and take necessary measures to protect the life and safety of the civilian population and their citizens and their properties, and protect freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of information.”

Italy’s President, Giorgio Napolitano raised the issue of human rights to China’s President, Hu Jintao. “We agreed that the…economic and social progress that is being achieved in China places new demands in terms of human rights,” Napolitano said at a news conference with the Chinese President. Britain also joined Italy’s President in urging China to show restraint.

The violence involved thousands of people in Xinjiang, home to ethnic Muslim Uighurs, who have long complained of repressive Chinese rule.

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

By Alishba I. Kassim

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

 

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Pakistan’s 2 million refugees displaced by the fighting in the Swat Valley are now facing threats of disease as they cope with unsanitary conditions due to damaged water and sewage systems.

“There are major challenges facing the displaced and those still caught in the conflict areas. Health facilities have been damaged or destroyed,” said Eric Laroch, assistant director-general of the Health Action in Crises Cluster of the WHO. Since most of the displaced people are living with host communities, there is an “enormous strain” on the region’s health-care system the UN reported. 

Pakistan’s refugees are threatened with diarrhea, measles, and respiratory infections as a result of the strain on the health service. So far the WHO’s early warning system has been able identify and control more than 30 potential communicable disease outbreaks. However, the refugee crisis is likely to worsen. “A displacement crisis the government said would only last for weeks looks set to go on for months with no relief in sight,” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty’s Asia-Pacific director. 

Pakistan’s government said that by June 30, civilians may be able to start returning to their towns and villages within a week. However, the offensive is still going strong and it is unlikely that they will be able to return soon. The recent fighting has produced the largest exodus in Pakistan since the country’s founding in 1947 and the UN said that only about a quarter of the funds it requested for the refugee crisis have been received. Meanwhile, in absence of effective aid from such agencies, hard-line Islamist charities are using this time to help the refugees and garner support. 

For more information, please see:  

Bloomberg – Pakistan’s Refugees Face Disease Threat – July 3, 2009 

Miami Herald – Pakistan Short of Aid to Resettle Refugees –  July 2, 2009  

New York Times – In Refugee Aid, Pakistan’s War has New Front – July 1, 2009

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

WASHINGTON, U.S. – 37 U.S. Senators have written to Vietnam’s president asking for “immediate and unconditional release” of Father Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly, a Roman Catholic priest who has been a strong advocate for democracy in Vietnam.

Father Ly is the founder of Bloc 8406, a pro-democracy movement that began in 2006.  The Vietnamese government has accused Father Ly of spreading propaganda against its communist government.

Father Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly (Source: AP)

However, the U.S. Senators believe that Father Ly’s trial back in 2007 was seriously flawed.  According to a human rights group, Father Ly was denied access to a lawyer and the security guards silenced him when Father Ly tried to speak during the four-hour trial.  Thereafter, he was sentenced to eight years.

In their letter, the U.S. lawmakers said, “Given these serious flaws in relation to his arrest, trial and imprisonment, we request that you…allow him to return to his home and work without restrictions to his right to freedom of expression, association and movement.”  The Senators added, “Father Ly’s arrest, trial and ongoing detention in this instance call into question Vietnam’s commitment to …fundamental principles.”

The Vietnamese Embassy in Washington did not confirm receipt of the senators’ letter, but Maran Turner of Freedom Now said imprisoning Father Ly would mean that U.S. government has placed Vietnam back on the list of “countries of particular concern” for violations of religious freedom.  U.S. did place Vietnam on this list in 2004, but removed it in 2006.

Father Ly is well known in the United States for his longstanding fight in promoting religious freedom and democracy for Vietnam, and the 63-year old priest has been jailed three times for a total of 17 years since 1970’s.

For more information, please see:

AP – 37 senators seek freedom for Vietnamese priest – 1 July 2009

BBC – US call to free Vietnamese priest – 2 July 2009

NYT – 37 U.S. Senators Urge Vietnam to Free Imprisoned Priest – 1 July 2009