By Juliana Chan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

In breaking a promise to the United Nations, Myanmar’s military government has arrested almost 100 dissidents, Amnesty International reports.

The human rights group said the junta had arrested 96 people since November. Facing increased international pressure, the military government met with United Nations’ envoy to Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, in November and agreed that it would hold no more activists following its deadly crackdown on protests in Yangon in September 2007.

September’s protests led by Buddhist monks, turned into the biggest anti-government demonstration since 1988. According to the United Nations, at least 31 people were killed and 74 are missing.

Catherine Baber, director of Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific program, said that four months since the violent suppression on peaceful demonstrators, rather than stopping unlawful arrests, the government has actually accelerated them. She said that instead of bowing to demands for moderation from the international community, the junta’s priority is to silence its citizens.

The new arrests target people who attempt to send evidence of the junta’s crackdown to the international community. Among those arrested are members of democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, a Buddhist monk, and a labor activist.

Amnesty International said that at least 700 people arrested in connection with the September protests remain behind bars, while Myanmar is still holding 1,150 political prisoners from before the demonstrations.

Furthermore, Myanmar’s military government has postponed an invitation to United Nations envoy, Mr. Gambari. Mr. Gambari has visited Myanmar twice and was promised a third visit soon, in a effort of cooperation with the United Nations. The junta now says it will not be convenient for Mr. Gambari to visit until April.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Burma dissident arrests ‘ongoing’ – 25 January 2008

The New York Times – Rights Group Accuses Myanmar of Holding More Dissidents – 27 January 2008

AFP – Myanmar arrests 96 dissidents since November: Amnesty – 26 January 2008

By Elizabeth Breslin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

The Pakistani Army announced today that it will be distancing itself from the election process.  The parliamentary elections are now scheduled for February 18th, delayed because of the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhuttoin December. (See Impunity Watch story here).

An Army spokesperson said that “conduct of elections as per Constitution is the sole responsibility of the Election Commission and Army will not be involved in the election process.”  Pakistan’s current military chief, General Ashfaq Kayani, has seemed to prefer to stay out of politics since his appointment in October 2007.   Some analysts believe that the Army is attempting to keep itself outside of the likely controversies surrounding the upcoming election.  Kayani understands that the process will be messy, and by staying out of it he will avoid any blame.

President Musharraf’s opponents are alleging that he will use his power as President to influence the elections.  There is a widespread concern that Pakistan’s Election Commission is incapable of assuring a fair election.  There are allegations that the current Chief Election Commissioner is openly partisan, as well as government officials on all levels.  Furthermore, after the removal of judges and suspension of the Constitution in November, government officials and members of the judiciary are afraid to act independently.

Pakistan’s government has assured United States and European Union monitoring teams that they will be allowed to access elections sites freely and can go in unannounced to any polling site.  They are however refusing to allow exit polls to be conducted.  Critics worry that this is problematic as exit polls are an essential tool for assuring fair and independent elections.

In a speech on Friday, President Musharraf has issued a warning to Western countries to stop criticizing Pakistan’s government regarding the election and its methods of fighting against terrorism.  He requested instead their support during this difficult time.  He reiterated that the elections would be free and fair.

For more information, please see:

CBS News – Pakistan’s Army Steps Aside From Election – 27 January 2008

Daily Times – ANALYSIS: Election manipulation – 27 January 2008

BBC News – Musharraf issues warning to West – 25 January 2008

The Kansas City Star – Pakistan bans observers from conducting exit polls for election – 25 January 2008

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – The Khmer Rouge Tribunal ruled statements made by Nuon Chea, after his arrest but without legal counsel, would not be invalidated because the statements were consensual. When Nuon Chea was arrested, he was fed, rested, and warned to wait for legal representation before he spoke to authorities. However, he made the statements irregardless.

In a statement to the press, the court explained, “In reality, it appears difficult to imagine a situation where the waiver could have been clearer and more deliberate than in this case, without questioning the intellectual capacity of Mr. Nuon Chea, which does not appear to be in question here.”

In the past Nuon Chea declared publicly that he did not trust lawyers and would want a person “who was there” in order defend the Khmer Rouge regime. Since his arrest, Nuon Chea has hired Cambodian lawyer Sun Aran, a Khmer Rouge survivor.

For more information, please see:

Earthtimes – Cambodian Court Declares Former Khmer Rouge Leader Statement Stands – 25 January 2008

DHARAMSALA, India – The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) released its annual report, finding that the year 2007 saw repression worsen. The report accuses China of human rights violations in Tibet, particularly related to the freedom of expression, association, and religion. Cases of arbitrary arrests and imprisonments increased almost three times compared to 2006.

Within Tibet, there was hope that human rights violations would decrease in 2007, with China under international scrutiny ahead of the Beijing Olympics. As arbitrary arrests, unfair trials, torture and execution continue, there is “a clear indication of the human rights situation worsening in Tibet.”

For more information, please see:

Thaindian News – Chinese human rights violations continuing: Exiled Tibetans – 24 January 2008

Pahyul – Year 2007 sees repression worsening in Tibet: Report – 22 January 2008

By Kristy Tridhavee
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

DHAKA, Bangladesh – On Tuesday, Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed pardoned three university professors hours after a court sentenced them to two years in prison for stoking campus demonstrations. Today authorities released nine students accused of inciting unrest during those same demonstrations. The nine students released were the last of the students detained from August’s unrest.

Hundreds of supporters gathered for two days before the nine students were freed. The release appears to be an effort at reconciliation. Authorities feared the professors’ imprisonments would spark a fresh wave of protests in defiance of a state of emergency.

Last August, violence erupted at Dhaka University when army soldiers allegedly assaulted university students. The government imposed curfews to suppress any further violence; however, one person died, and hundreds were hurt. TheBangladesh government has been under a state of emergency since January 2007. An interim government took power following months of strikes and riots by rival supporters of the two main political parties: the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Awami League. The interim government has promised to clean up the notoriously corrupt government and hold elections in 2008.

Amnesty International has said the professors’ pardons are not sufficient. Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said, “Charges should never have been brought against the professors in the first place. The arrest and prosecution of the Dhaka University professors is illustrative of the manner in which emergency regulations are open to abuse in cases involving the right to peaceful protest. The restrictions imposed through the Emergency Powers Rules exceed what is permissible under international law. The current rules and restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association are too widely framed and are being selectively applied.”

For more information, please see:

AFP – Bangladesh Frees Nine Students after Mass Protests – 23 January 2008

Amnesty International – Bangladesh: Pardon of Teachers Not Enough Says Amnesty – 23 January 2008

Daily Times Pakistan – Bangladesh Pardons Teachers Jailed over Campus Unrest– 23 January 2008