Asia

Peaceful Protesters Arrested in Burma

By Pei Hu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

YANGONG, Myanmar – On December 30th, the Burmese government arrested nine peaceful protestors calling for the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Tun Tun Win, Tun Tun Linn, Pyae Pyae Aung, Win Myint Maung, Min Thein, Kaung Htet Hlaing, Phyo Wai,Yeni Soe and Htet Htet Oo Wai are members of the opposition party’s youth wing, the National League for Democracy (NLD).

According to a witness the protesters were wearing white Jasmine flowers symbolic of their “White Jasmine Campaign” to free Burma’s political prisoners. The arrest worried many locals as they do not know where the protestors had been taken.

Witnesses say that the protesters were marching down the former parliament building in the capital, carrying signs and banners for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi before they were violently beaten and “dragged” into a truck by the police.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest in Rangoon city for the past 13 years. The NLD won a landslide victory in 1990 elections, however, the current military government of Burma, which has ruled the country since 1962 has never allowed any other party to take power.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners in Burma issued a statement condemning the arrest of the youth members and calls for their release. According to the Association, the current Burmese government has arrested more than 200 political prisoners in November 2008 alone.

Burma’s ruling military government, the People’s Power Force, has recently drafted a constitution paving the way for what it says will be democratic elections in 2010, but many critics are skeptical of the government.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Burma Activists Arrested at March – 30 December 2008

Global Voice – Myanmar: Nine Activists Arrested During Peaceful March – 30 December 2008

VOA – Burma Arrests 9 Pro-Democracy Protesters – 30 December 2008

Maoists Attack Nepalese Media

By Pei Hu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

Kathmandu, Nepal – On December 23rd, local Nepalese newspapers published blank editorial columns protesting a Maoist affiliated attack on Himalmedia, an English-language news publisher. On December 21st, a group of 50 union protestors stormed Himalmedia offices and attacked the employees and burned 2,500 copies of newspapers injuring 12 people.

The attack happened after the newspaper published news article was critical of Maoist affiliated trade unions and injured staff who allegedly tried to stop the news agency from publishing news that was critical of the Maoist-led government. “Trade unions in Nepal did not grow out of labor issues. Rather they were established by political parties be they Maoist unions or any other while extending their organization. They have always been mobilized to attain political ends,” said Professor Krishana Khanal, a political analyst. “The Maoists are trying to bring the media under their control through their unions.”

Maoists were a formal rebel groups in Nepal. Earlier this year, the Maoists won local elections and now have a majority in Nepal’s coalition government. However, Maoists have been criticized for using intimidating tactics to generate supporters.

Kunda Dixit, editor of Nepali Times, published by Himalmedia said, “We saw the attack as an attack on press freedom, on the values of democracy for which we fought, the media has fought, along with civil society and the democratic parties in the past… and now the threat comes from an elected Maoist government, and we thought we had to make a strong statement.”

The Maoist Prime Minister, Prachanda, denied any Maoist involvement in the attacks and promised an investigation. “The party cannot be blamed for the incident carried out by some individuals,” said Sharma Dinanath, a Maoist spokesman. “The government will investigate and take action against the guilty.”

Reporters Without Borders condemned the recent attacks on Himalmedia saying, “Threats and assaults against the media are escalating,” and “The Prime Minister, Prachanda, should keep his promise and launch an investigation to ensure the guilty are punished.”

For more information please see:

APF –  Nepal Media Protest Against Maoist Union Attack – 23 December 200

RSF – Militant Maoists Continue Their Attacks Against the Media – 23 December 2008

VOA – Nepal Media Protests Attack by Maoist Activists – 23 December 2008

Arrest of the China Democracy Party Founder

By Ariel Lin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China– Guo Quan, a former associate professor at Nanjing Normal University and the acting chairman of the newly established China New Democracy Party, was arrested by police near his Nanjing home.  “He tried to set up an opposition party, they accused him of ‘subversion of state power,’ ” Mrs. Guo’s wife said.  “They told me that he had been formally arrested, but they didn’t give me any details,” Li said. “They gave a bunch of documents to his mother.”

Nanjing Police Department agents sent Mr. Guo’s mother a letter denying her request to hire a lawyer because her son’s case involved “state secrets.”  She says, “(They) arrested my son and forbade us to visit him and hire a lawyer. Does that mean they are going to try him secretly? I am upset! My son was arrested for being a human rights activist; now who is going to protect his human rights? I love my son, so I hired a lawyer, but the regime would not let the lawyer accept the case. How could his only act, writing an open letter to Hu Jintao, be deemed subversion?”  The authorities denied Guo’s family attorney’s request to visit him.

Mr. Guo’s defense attorney Guo Lianhui commented that Guo made his differing political views public, and the authorities mobilized the state machinery to suppress him.  “My client published a series of articles called ‘Democratic Voice’ and pointed out that there is no democracy and observance of human rights in China.” attorney Guo Lianhui added.

Mr. Guo founded China New Democracy Party to represent anyone petitioning the government and the ruling Communist Party for social justice in land disputes, forced evictions, and allegations of official wrongdoing.  He wrote 347 articles and offered constructive suggestions to the Chinese Communist Party.  However, Mr. Guo was fired from Nanjing Normal University for allegedly violating its constitution and rules on the conduct of faculty.  Then, Mr. Guo was expelled from the Communist-approved token opposition group Democratic Parties and Factions.

For more information, please see:

The Epoch Times – Beijing Arrests Acting Chairman of the China New Democracy Party – 24 December 2008

The Epoch Times – China Democracy Party Founder’s Mother Talks About His Arrest – 15 December 2008

Radio Free Asia – Blogger Charged with Subversion – 22 December 2008

Amnesty International Urges that India’s Anti-Terror Laws Violates Human Rights

By Shayne R. Burnham
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

NEW DELHI, India – The Indian Parliament has passed anti-terror laws in response to the terrorist attacks that occurred in Mumbai last month in order to enhance police security and combat future acts of terrorism.  The new legislation currently awaits approval by the President.

The amendments include changes to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and provisions of the new legislation aiming to set up a National Investigating Agency which will investigate terrorism.

The new amendments include overly broad definitions of “terrorism” and what constitutes membership of a terrorist organization; extends the maximum detention of suspects involved in terrorism from 90 days to 180 days; denies bail for foreign nationals who enter the country illegally; in certain cases, requires suspects to prove their innocence, and; allows proceedings to be closed to the public without specified grounds.

According to Amnesty International, India’s new legislation against terror would violate international human rights treatises.  “While we utterly condemn the attacks and recognize that the Indian authorities have a right and duty to take effective measures to ensure the security of the population, security concerns should never be used to jeopardize people’s human rights,” said Madhu Malhotra, Asia Pacific Programme Deputy Director at Amnesty International.

Amnesty International also stated that “India’s experience with previous anti-terrorism laws has shown that they can lead to abusive practices.”

Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram defended the bill in Parliament stating that it provided an “adequate balance” between “the demands of human rights and the people of India for strong anti-terror laws.”   He went on to say, “You have captured the mood of the nation. The nation expects parliament to pass these laws today and restore their confidence.”

Amnesty International has called on India’s President to reject the new amendments and for the President and Parliament to review the amendments so that they conform to human rights standards.

For more information, please see:

Amnesty International – Proposed New Indian Anti-Terror Laws Would Violate Human Rights – 23 December 2008

Associated Press – Amnesty International Slams Indian Anti-Terror Law – 19 December 2008

Boston Globe – India Supports New Antiterror Laws – 18 December 2008

Taliban Destroys NATO Supplies

By Shayne R. Burnham
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Approximately two weeks ago, Taliban militants destroyed 11 trucks and 13 NATO containers in Peshawar, marking their sixth attack in 13 days.  In total, about 400 containers containing military supplies have been destroyed.

This region is home to one of a few lawless tribal districts that provide security to the Khyber Pass, a crucial trade route.  However, security has deteriorated with the rising power of the Taliban, particularly Hakimullah Mehsud, commander and lieutenant of Baitullah Mehsud, leader of the main Pakistani Taliban faction.

Pakistani citizens add to the deterioration of security by protesting U.S. missile attacks in their country and expressing sympathy towards Taliban insurgents.  Furthermore, some state that the government is doing little to stop the militants.

Kifayatullah Jan, manager at Port World Logistics, a contractor that has been ferrying NATO supplies, stated, “For us it may mean we close shop. We can’t do business if the government cannot provide us protection.”  Jan further stated that his company receives threats from Taliban militants to “stop transporting supplies to the Americans or face the consequences.”

Mahmood Shah, a retired Pakistani Army brigadier formerly in charge of security in the western tribal regions, said the government had the manpower to drive militants out of Khyber but had mounted only a weak response.  He said, “You have the chance to wake up, but if you don’t wake up now, there is a good chance you won’t wake up at all.”

Currently, the constant attacks have caused NATO to seek alternative routes through bordering nations.  NATO intends to deploy an additional 60,000 troops and tactics that include empowering the local tribes in the area to provide further security over the Khyber Pass.

For more information, please see:

Asia Times Online – Another Blow to NATO’s Supplies – 16 December 2008

International Herald Tribune – Taliban Choking a Vital NATO Supply Line – 25 December 2008

Reuters – NATO to Engage Afghanistan Tribes in Taliban Fight – 22 December 2008

Telegraph.co.uk – Khyber Pass:  Crucial for Trade and Invasion – 7 December 2008