By Kristy Tridhavee
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Asia

KATHMUNDU, Nepal – The United Nations Children Fund [UNICEF] and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHCHR] in Nepal have expressed deep concern for children taking part in the increasing violent protests.

Currently, there have been ethnic protests in Southern Nepal, which have cut off fuel from the capital. The United Democratic Mahadesi Front [UDMF] have called for a general strike until ethnic Mahadesis from the impoverished Terari region have more of a say in the country’s governance. The UDMF have stopped fuel shipments to the capital by blocking the main road.

UNICEF and OHCHR both have confirmed reports that children are taking part in the violent protests and strikes. In Neplgunj, children from the ages of 7 to 15 were seen carrying sticks and supporting a general strike. In Duhabi, numerous children were seen carrying sticks while guarding a roadblock. Additionally, the agencies report that thousands of children in Terari have stopped attending school since the general strike began.

In light of the fact that protests have gotten increasingly violent, the agencies both urge that adults respect the rights of children and do their part to avoid children from participating. Thus far, two protestors have been killed, and numerous have been injured. Among those that are injured, there are reports that a fourteen year old boy was injured by a bullet.

In a statement from the agencies, they wrote, “People under eighteen must not be forced, coerced or bribed into participating in political activities. Any participation must be voluntary, with consideration given as to whether they fully understand the implications of their participation. Children should not be armed under any circumstances.” The agencies also reminded all concerning parties that Section 23 of the Election Code of Conduct of 2007 states that no children should be brought to participate in any kind of procession, mass meeting or rally, or in any election-related publicity activity.

Negotiations have begun between the government and the UDMF to end the protests and general strike. The Nepalese government stated that it was hopeful that negotiations can bring an end to the ethnic protests and help the parties reach an understanding.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Nepal Government Hopeful to End Ethnic Unrest – 22 February 2008

Chinaview – UN Bodies Express Concern Over Use of Children in Protests in S.Nepal – 22 February 2008

The Hindu News – UN Concerned Over Use of Children in Protests in Nepal – 23 February 2008

By Ariel Lin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

Beijing, China – The city’s Olympics organizing committee said 14,901 people from 6,307 households had been relocated for Olympics Game venues.  The figures are dramatically different from those provided last year by an international campaign group.  The Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) said an estimated 1.25 million people had been displaced ahead of the Games, often in a brutal and arbitrary manner with little compensation.  COHRE described the situation as an “abysmal disregard” for the basic human right to housing.

However, Chinese officials said everyone who was relocated did so voluntarily, and with adequate compensation.  According to Zhang Jiaming, vice-director of the Beijing Municipal Construction Committee, “the relocation projects enjoyed the support of residents involved…All the relocated households signed the relocation agreements and move voluntarily; no one was forced our of their home.”  Zhang also indicated the average compensation per household for relocation was enough to allow some displaced resident to buy better housing and some could even afford a car with left over money.

The key issue remains for this massive relocation is the lack of transparency.  According to Nicholas Bequelin, who is a researcher for Human Rights Watch, “People did get money and were resettled, but what is important is what happened to the people who protested. Many people were taken to police stations or threatened with job dismissal.”  In addition, Human Rights Watch reports show that much of the compensation money was embezzled by corrupt local officials, many relocations were forced by using heavy-handed police tactics, and there was no opportunity to object when compensation did not match the value of people’s home.

In recent years, evictions from homes and farmland have caused widespread protests across China.  Residents are often frustrated with government’s inadequate compensation and corruption.  Last year, police were deployed to evict protesters on the construction site of the new state television network headquarters in Beijing.

For more information, please see:

AP – Beijing Olympic official says people evicted got generous compensation – 19 February 2008

BBC News – ‘Thousands’ moved for China Games – 20 February 2008

Reuters – Beijing says 15,000 relocated for Games venues – 19 February 2008

The Washington Post – China Defends Relocation Policy – 20 February 2008

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Co-investigating Khmer Rouge Tribunal judges will inspect the Tuol Sleng Torture Center and the killing fields outside as part of their investigations actions. Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, will lead them through the sites and describe his past actions for the judges. He oversaw the torture center during the Khmer Rouge Regime and is alleged to be responsible for nearly 16,000 deaths.

During the Khmer Rouge regime, over 16,000 persons were sent to the Tuol Sleng Torture Center where they were tortured and then executed in the nearby killing fields. Only a handful is known to survive. The killing fields nearby are littered with numerous mass graves. Thus far, Kaing Guek Eav has not denied allegations against him. The investigations will be closed to the public; however, there is some suspicion that some of the regime’s victims will be present.

For more information, please see:

The Earthtimes – Khmer Rouge Court Judges to Inspect Cambodian Genocide Sites – 22 February 2008

Radio News Netherlands – Cambodia Tribunal to Visit KRouge Torture Centre – 22 February 2008

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka- In the midst of new fighting between the Sri Lankan government and rebel groups, the United Nations Security Council’s working group on children is meeting today to review the situation of children in the country.  United States based group Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the United Nations to sanction both the rebels and the government for using or condoning the use of child soldiers.

The HRW press release states that the rebel groups, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Karuna group (a faction that split from the LTTE in 2004), use child soldiers in blatant violation of international law.  According to the release, the Sri Lankan government should also be held responsible because it fails to investigate cases of child recruitment and abduction.  There are also allegations that the government’s security forces have assisted in child abductions.

In October 2007, the rebel groups signed an agreement to release all of their child soldiers by the end of 2007, however UNICEF reported that at least 196 children were working under the rebels as of the end of January 2008.

According to Jo Becker, child rights advocate at HRW, “the Security Council should punish [the rebels’] brazen violations with concrete action.”

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch – UN: Sanction LTTE, Karuna Group for Child Soldiers – 21 February 2008

International Herald Tribune – Rights group lashes rebels, government over child soldiers as fighting rages in Sri Lanka – 21 February 2008

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan- On Thursday, Pakistan’s two main opposition parties announced that they had formed a coalition government.  After winning the majority of parliamentary seats in Monday’s election (see Impunity Watch briefhere), the parties agreed to put aside their differences and agree upon “a common agenda.”

It is expected that the coalition opposition government will put further pressure on President Pervez Musharraf.  The parties have already agreed thatMusharraf should immediately reinstate the chief justice he fired in November, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Pakistan People’s Party leader, Asif Zardari, said that the parties had “a lot of ground to cover” but “in principle [they] have agreed to stay together.”

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Pakistan parties agree to coalition – 21 February 2008