PHNOM PENH ,Cambodia – The defense counsel for Nuon Chea moved to have Ney Thol removed from the trial. Nuon Chea’s attorneys allege Ney Thol cannot be impartial and has political ties to the Cambodian People’s Party. In the motion, the defense claims the “continued presence on the bench threatens to undermine the credibility and integrity” of the hearings.

The Khmer Rouge Tribunal dismissed the motion. Media spokesman for the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, Reach Sambath, stated, “I can only say that the motion was not upheld.”

Ney Thol is one of Cambodia’s most senior judges, an army general who heads a military court, and a member of the Cambodian’s People Party. During his career, Ney Thol has convicted two political opponents for natural security-related crimes. Previously, Ney Thol stepped down during preliminary hearings for Kaing Guek Eav because Ney Thol had been placed in a military prison in 1999.  Because of the experience, he stated that he was too close to the case.

Ney Thol could not be reached for comment, but has previously denied any allegations of bias.

For more information, please see:

Earthtimes – Cambodian Judge Accused of Bias Will Stay for Khmer Rouge Hearing – 30 January 2008

PR Inside – Defense Lawyers Demand Removal of Cambodian Judge from UN-Backed Tribunal – 30 January 2008

By Juliana Chan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China – The People’s Daily, the leading community party newspaper in China, expressed in a commentary piece Tuesday that any attempt to use the Beijing Olympics to discredit China or force it to change policy is doomed to failure.

This comes in response to an intense week of increased international criticism of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. On Monday, Britain’s Prince Charles, who has long taken an interest in Tibet, said he would not be going to the opening ceremony of August’s games. Wang Hui, a spokeswoman for the Beijing Olympic organizing committee, responded to the Prince’s boycott as “unfair…[t]he Beijing Olympic Games belongs to the whole world, not only to China. Our slogan is ‘One World, One Dream.”

The Games have been linked to Darfur, Taiwan independence, religious liberties in Tibet, and freedom of expression. Beijing, however, is fighting to prevent the event from being politicized.

The commentary said that the international pressure has forced China to face “suggestions and accusations from all over the world, including misunderstandings, sarcasm and very harsh criticism.” Furthermore, China will never submit to taunting or political pressure from groups or governments wishing to use the Beijing Olympics to change Chinese policy.

Jiang Yu, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said China’s progress in protecting the rights and freedoms of its citizens should be recognized, and the international community should oppose acts disrupting the Olympic Games.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Olympics-China says won’t submit to pressure – 29 January 2008

Guardian Unlimited – China hits out at attempts to politicise Olympics – 29 January 2008

CNN – Tibet group: Prince to boycott Games – 28 January 2008

By Kristy Tridhavee
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

DHAKA, Bangladesh – On January 24^th, Bangladesh authorities arrested Mehedi Hasan, a field investigator for the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC), for instigating protests against emergency rules.

On January 15^th, rioters ransacked more than a dozen garment factories. Rioters protested their lack of unpaid wages and unsafe working conditions. In order to break up the riots, Bangladesh police shot tear gas into the crowds. During the riots, over one hundred persons were injured, factories were damaged, and vehicles were vandalized. The garment factories involved in the riots resumed operation on January 16^th.

Authorities arrested Mehedi Hasan at the Zia International Airport before he boarded a plane to Bangkok. According to an unnamed official, Mehedi Hasan was taken to court on Sunday. Authorities will detain and question him for up to four days. In addition to Mehedi Hasan, authorities have arrested ten other labor leaders. Authorities identified the relevant persons after watching video of the riots taken by television stations.

Mehedi Hasan’s employer, WRC, is an independent monitoring group. It investigates working conditions at factories that make goods for the United  States. It specifically investigates factories that make college and university apparel. WRC’s Executive Director Scott Nova protested the arrest in a statement, “There is no legitimate reason for Mehedi Hasan’s arrest and we call upon the government of Bangladesh to effect his immediate and unconditional release. We are deeply concerned for his safety.”

Other groups have joined the WRC in protesting the arrest. Labor Behind the Label (LBL) and the War on Want (WW) have also called for the Mehedi Hasan’s release. LBL has written letters to all British fashion brands, asking them to make formal inquiries about the arrest. In the letter LBL writes, “It is clear that Mr. Hasan’s arrest is related to the labour rights monitoring work he has performed on the WRC’s behalf. Labour rights advocates in Bangladesh are very concerned that the security forces will physically mistreat Mr. Hasan…All of these charges are false to the point of absurdity.” WW’s John Hilary, campaign and policy director, said, “It is unacceptable that researchers should be locked up for defending workers’ rights. We call for the immediate release of Mr. Hasan and for the rights of all trade unionists to be respected.”

Bangladesh is currently under emergency rule. A military-back interim government runs the Bangladesh government. Civil rights have remained suspended while security forces operate under the emergency rule.

For more information, please see:

AP – Police Arrest Bangladesh Rights Activist – 29 January 2008

Independent Bangladesh – Cases Files Against RMG Workers, Leaders – 18 January 2008

War on Want – Bangladesh Government Cracks Down on Workers’ Rights Monitors – 28 January 2008

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