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

By Kristy Tridhavee
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Hundreds of Cambodians marched in the capital to remember the murder of the country’s most prominent labor leader, Chea Vichea. Vichea leadCambodia’s largest labor union, Free Trade Union of Cambodia. He was gunned down at a newsstand while reading a newspaper in January of 2004. At the march, his brother, Chea Mony, commented on the remembrance, “This is for his memory. I am very proud that so many people attended out of love for him.”

Kek Galabru, director of the Cambodian rights group Licadho, remembered Vichea, “He was the one who brought (the unions) all together. After him, there were divisions … fighting against one other.”

The anniversary of Vichea’s death highlighted improper imprisonment of Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeum. Samnang and Oeum are both serving a 20-year prison sentence for Vichea’s murder. Rights groups allege the men’s arrests were a cover-up for a political assassination.

Their convictions are highly suspect though. The men’s confessed only after police torture. A judge, who dropped the initial charges for lack of evidence, was quickly removed from his position, and the murder chargers were reinstated. The trial violated Cambodian law and international law standards. And on appeal, the Appeals Court upheld the convictions despite prosecutors admitting there was a lack of evidence. Vichea’s family and a prime witness to the murder have also commented that they do not believe Samnang and Oeum are responsible.

Souhayr Belhassen, president of the Paris-based International Federation of Human Rights, said, “There is compelling evidence that these two men were targeted by the authorities as scapegoats for the murder, and nobody is fooled by this charade.”

In a joint statement by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the Asian Human Rights Commission, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (a joint program of the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Organization Against Torture), and the International Trade Union Confederation, the organizations asked the Cambodian government to exonerate and free Samnang and Oeum. The seven organizations also called upon the government to begin a full and impartial investigation of the murder and a independent, public inquiry into the prosecution of Samnang and Oeum, which would include allegations of police brutality, intimidation of witnesses, and political interference in the judicial process.

In the aftermath of Vichea’s murder, there has been an ongoing pattern of violence against trade union activists. Hy Vuthy and Ros Sovannarith were murdered in 2007 and 2004 respectively. There have also been reports of physical assaults. Guy Ryder of the Brussels-based International Trade Union Confederation commented, “The murder of Chea Vichea and other trade union leaders has had a chilling effect on labor rights and workers’ freedoms inCambodia, even more so given the lack of proper, credible investigations to find their killers. It sends a deplorable message to Cambodian workers that trade union membership or activity will put their safety at risk.”

For more information, please see:

AFP – Hundreds Remember Cambodian Labour Leader’s Murder – 22 January 2008

Earthtimes – Hundreds Rally in Cambodia for Anniversary of Union Leader’s Murder – 22 January 2008

Human Rights Watch – Cambodia: Release Scapegoats for Labor Leader’s Murder – 22 January 2008

By Juliana Chan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s two-day trip to China last week was aimed to encourage sovereign wealth funds to invest in the U.K. Mr. Brown has been criticized, however, for his failure to emphasize the world’s concerns about human rights in the country.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said that Mr. Brown would raise the issue in a general sense, but would not be central to the discussions.

In an open letter to the Prime Minister on January 16, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Mr. Brown should use this visit to Beijing to discuss urgent domestic and international human rights concerns with the Chinese government. Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at HRW said, “With the Beijing Olympics just months away, Brown has a golden opportunity to press the Chinese leadership on human rights issues. But the moment will be wasted if Brown doesn’t make specific requests and urge specific Chinese action.”

The letter urged Mr. Brown to discuss six issues with Chinese Premiere Wen Jiabao and officials:

• China’s failure to fully implement new regulations allowing greater press freedom.
• The re-arrest on December 27,2007 of prominent HIV/AIDS activist Hu Jia.
• China’s superficial commitments to upholding the rule of law.
• Limited Chinese support for international efforts to promote civilian protection in Darfur, Sudan.
• Limited Chinese support for international efforts to promote human rights in Burma.
• Absence of transparency in Chinese aid to abusive governments.

Mr. Brown chose not to highlight these concerns, however, and focused on trade relations between the two countries instead.

For more information, please see:

HRW – UK: Brown Should Press Rights in China – 16 January 2008

HRW – Letter to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Regarding His Upcoming Trip to China – 15 January 2008

Guardian Unlimited – UK’s Brown urged to press China on human rights – 17 January 2008

Reuters – Brown seeks to take China relationship to new level – 18 January 2008

Guardian Unlimited – Come on, Mr. Brown, stand up to the Chinese – 20 January 2008