PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – The Khmer Rouge Tribunal rejected Nuon Chea’srequest for bail.  Nuon Chea is charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role as Pol Pot’s right-hand man during the Khmer Rouge regime’s rule of Cambodia. Nuon Chea had argued that he was not a flight risk and his safety was not in danger because he had been living for years “in peace and harmony” at his home in the jungle along the Thai border.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Pol Pot’s Number Two Loses Bail Bid – 20 March 2008

By Kristy Tridhavee
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Asia

YANGON, Myanmar – The United Nations [UN] special envoy to Myanmar reported that its last visit to the country was its most disappointing yet because senior government leaders refused to meet with them. Ibrahim Gambari, a representative from the envoy, commented, “Whereas each of my previous visits produced some tangible result that could be built upon, it is a source of disappointment that this latest visit did not yield any immediate tangible outcome.”

The only thing the UN special envoy was able to do was leave a list of UN recommendations for international monitoring that would enhance the “credibility and inclusiveness” of the democracy project the military junta says it is undertaking. The Myanmar government has begun to implement a seven-step process called “a road map to democracy.”

Critics, however, believe the plan will only guarantee continued military dominance. The “road map to democracy” calls for elections in 2010 and bars participation by Aung San Suu Kyi. Aung San Suu Kyi is a leader of the National League of Democracy, and she has been under house arrest for 18 years intermittently. During the UN special envoy’s visit, Ibrahim Gambari met withAung San Suu Kyi, and during the visit she urged that there could be no reconciliation until she was treated as partner in the dialogue.

US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad also expressed disappointment with the constitutional and referendum process. The draft of the constitution had yet to be distributed, and there are laws prevented debate concerning it. The UN will attempt to introduce a draft statement based on its concerns and lack of progress on important issues. However, U.N. Ambassador U Kyaw Tint Swe said that “no Security Council action is warranted with regard to Myanmar.”

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej made his first visit to Burma and made controversial comments, which were quite contrary to the UN’s reactions. During his weekly TV program, the prime minister said, “Killings and suppressions are normal there but we have to know the facts.” He went on to praise the Senior General Than Shwe. He then went on to add, “And Senior (Gen) Than Shwe practices meditation. He says he prays in the morning … and the country has been in peace and order.” Senior General Than Shwe ordered troops and riot police to fire at peaceful street protestors, which were lead by thousands of Buddhist monks.

For more information, please see:

AP – UN Envoy Disappointed with Myanmar Trip – 18 March 2008

International Herald Tribune – UN Envoy Disappointed by Myanmar Visit – 19 March 2008

Inter Press Service – Thailand Queers ASEAN’s Burma Pitch – 19 March 2008

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – The Khmer Rouge Tribunal rejected Nuon Chea’srequest for bail.  Nuon Chea is charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role as Pol Pot’s right-hand man during the Khmer Rouge regime’s rule of Cambodia. Nuon Chea had argued that he was not a flight risk and his safety was not in danger because he had been living for years “in peace and harmony” at his home in the jungle along the Thai border.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Pol Pot’s Number Two Loses Bail Bid – 20 March 2008

BEIJING, China – Michael Smith, an Australian tourist, captured violence in the Tibetan capital Lhasa in video on Friday.  The video shows Tibetans smashing windows and setting fire to Chinese shops and cars, while people are heard cheering. Han Chinese, China’s largest ethnic group, operated many of the businesses targeted by the rioters.  It also shows Chinese security forces, but no clashes between them and the rioters. No deaths or injuries were seen on the video.

Smith said he “met so many Tibetan people on the streets, so many young Tibetan boys just screaming for Tibet’s freedom.”  One young Tibetan male shouted to Smith’s camera “We don’t have any freedoms.  “The Tibetan people are going crazy.  It’s absolute mayhem on the streets,” Smith said.

For more information, please see:

CNN – Tourist video shows riot, flames in Tibetan capita – 18 March 2008

CNN – Tourist films Tibet riots – 18 March 2008

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Pakistan’s new parliament met for the first time on Monday, after pressure had been put on President Pervez Musharraf to set a date (see Impunity Watch article here).  The new parliament, filled with a majority of opposition members, is expected to take major steps to make change in the country in resistance of President Musharraf.

During a meeting today, Fahmida Mirza was elected speaker of the parliament.  Mirza is a business woman, veteran politician, and friend of Asif Ali Zardari (the current leader of the Pakistan People’s Party and the Benazir Bhutto‘s widower).  She is the first woman to ever be elected Pakistani speaker.

Mirza was elected with 249 votes in the 342-seat house.  As speaker she will determine which issues the new parliament, which met for the first time Monday, will address in session.

The Prime Minister has yet to be named, and an announcement is expected next week.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Woman elected Pakistani speaker – 19 March 2008

Impunity Watch – BRIEF: After Many Protests, Pakistani President Sets Date for Parliament – 11 March 2008