By Christine Khamis

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

NEW DELHI, India –

Protesters from the Jat community in India have damaged equipment in the Munak canal, leading to Delhi authorities setting strict water rationing rules. Delhi schools are closed on Monday because water supplies in the area are in danger of running dry. Seven out of nine water treatment plants have closed due to the protests. Irrigation engineers are currently attempting to restore water to the area.

Violent demonstrations are ongoing, with protestors violating curfew rules and forcing the closure of roads and railways. India has deployed its army to quash the protests, which is reported to gave opened fire on them in some areas. At least 12 people have been killed by security forces, with another 150 sustaining injuries. Protesters have continued to throw rocks at security forces, attack vehicles and set buildings and other public property on fire.

Delhi’s government has sought out assistance with the water shortage from the Supreme Court. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is also in the process of forming a committee to consider the protesters’ demands.

The Jat protesters are campaigning for guaranteed jobs within India’s caste system. India’s constitution incorporates an affirmative action program in which the lower castes in its system have reserved and protected opportunities in education, employment, and government.

There are three categories of lower castes: the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, and the Other Backward Castes (OBC). The Scheduled Castes, called Dalits, are the lowest in the caste system. The Scheduled Tribes generally live in remote areas. The OBCs are disadvantaged but are not as excluded from Indian society as the other two groups. They are essentially considered to be those in the lower castes who are considered backward simply because they did not belong to the upper castes.In 1989, benefits were extended to those in the OBC category.

In March 2014, India’s government announced that it planned to recategorize the Jats as falling into the OBC category, which would entitle the Jats to be part of a government quota system for jobs. India’s Supreme Court recalled the plan in 2015 because in its view, the Jats are not entitled to OBC status.

The Jats believe that the Supreme Court’s decision places them at a disadvantage because they are not entitled to the same job quotas as those in the other lower castes.

 

For more information, please see:

ABC News – Deadly North India Protests Lead to New Delhi Water Shortage – 21 February 2016

BBC News – Water Crisis Fears in Delhi Over Jat Caste Unrest – 21 February 2016

The Economic Times – Jat stir: Delhi Reels Under Water Crisis; Schools to be Shut on Monday – 21 February 2016

The Sydney Morning Herald – Delhi water crisis: Schools, Factories Close as Indian Army Deploys to Quell Protests – 21 February 2016

 

 

 

 

 

By Christine Khamis  

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China –

Britain has accused China of abducting Hong Kong bookseller Lee Bo to the Chinese mainland. It also claims that China has breached the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration under which Hong Kong transitioned from British colonial rule to partial control by Beijing. According to Britain’s Foreign Office, the violation is the first serious breach of the Sino-British treaty.

In a biannual report on Hong Kong affairs, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond stated that Mr. Lee was “involuntarily removed” to China’s mainland without due process under Hong Kong law. The report is issued to Britain’s Parliament and reviews the state of Hong Kong and Britain’s ties.

A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hong Lei, has rejected Britain’s report. Mr. Hong states that Hong Kong affairs are a domestic issue for China and that other countries have no power to meddle, according to the New York Times.

Mr. Lee, who holds a British passport, went missing in late December. Chinese police confirmed that he was in China, had traveled there voluntarily, and did not wish to be in contact with Hong Kong officials.

Mr. Lee is associated with publishing house Mighty Current Media. Mighty Current is known for publishing gossip-style books about Chinese leaders. The publisher has released books about topics that many other publishers avoid covering, such as Chinese president Xi Jinping’s love affairs.

Four of Mr. Lee’s colleagues have also disappeared recently, including Gui Minhai, a Swedish citizen who vanished in Thailand in October. In January, Mr. Gui appeared on Chinese news sources stating that he had voluntarily returned to China to make amends for violating his probation there in 2003.

Under the Sino-British treaty, Hong Kong reverted back to China’s control in 1997 but is allowed liberal civil freedoms including freedom of speech, freedom of press, and a separate legal system. However, there has recently been much unrest among citizens of Hong Kong due to China’s increasing infringements on its autonomy. 

 

For more information, please see:

The Free Press Journal – UK Accuses China of Violating Treaty in HK Bookseller’s Case – 13 February 2016

Associated Press – UK: Hong Kong Bookseller ‘Removed’ in Breach of China Treaty – 12 February 2016.

The Hong Kong Standard – UK accuses China of violating pact over bookseller Lee’s removal – 12 February 2016

The New York Times – UK: Hong Kong Bookseller ‘Removed’ in Breach of China Treaty – 12 February 2016

The New York Times – Britain Accuses China of Violating Treaty in Hong Kong Bookseller’s Case – 12 February 2016

By Christine Khamis

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

 

Police clashed with protesters in the Mong Kok district in Hong Kong on February 9 during a celebration of the Lunar New Year. The confrontation occurred after police attempted to shut down unlicensed food vendors serving traditional New Year delicacies.

People had gathered in Mong Kok, a shopping and residential district, to celebrate the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Police came in to remove the unlicensed vendors, who have generally been left alone by authorities in years past.

Around 100 protesters threw glass bottles, bricks, and other objects at the police as the confrontation intensified. They also set fires in the streets. Police used batons and pepper spray to break up the crowds of protesters. They then fired two warning shots, an act which is very rare in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong police department later issued a statement saying that protesters had ignored police warnings to disperse from the streets and had begun to shove officers.

As many as 90 police officers were injured during the clash, although reported numbers vary. Four journalists also sustained injuries. 54 people were arrested for charges of assaulting police and resisting arrest, among other crimes.

Hong Kong’s government has condemned the protest. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Leung Chun-ying has stated that police are under strict rules regarding the use of force and that they had taken the necessary precautions during the Mong Kok protest. Mr. Leung has also stated that those arrested during the protest will be prosecuted.

Hong Kong Police Commissioner Lo Wai-Chung told the news media that authorities were considering charging the protesters with “taking part in a riot”. The charge was last used in 1967 against those participating in riots supporting China’s Cultural Revolution.

The Mong Kok protest is the most violent protest to occur in Hong Kong since 2014. It is also only one of several protests that has occurred in Hong Kong in recent years. The protests have occurred as Hong Kong citizens grow increasingly concerned about China’s assertions of control over their city and civil liberties.

The protests have contributed to the development of a “localist” movement, which calls for Hong Kong’s total independence from China. Participants of the localist movement protest acts that they view as encroaching on Hong Kong’s culture.

 

For more information, please see:

The Hong Kong Standard – Mong Kok Clashes Mar Start to New Year – 10 February 2016

CNN – Hong Kong Police Fire Warning Shots During Mong Kok Fishball ‘Riot’ – 9 February 2016

Time – Hong Kong Sees Violent Start to Chinese New Year as Protesters Clash With Police – 9 February 2016

The New York Times – Protesters and Police Clash at Lunar New Year Festivities in Hong Kong – 8 February 2016

By Christine Khamis

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

Myanmar’s new freely elected parliament opened this week, signifying an official end to almost fifty years of military rule in the country.

In November 2015, Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Myanmar’s National League for Democracy Party (NLD), led her party to win a majority of the parliamentary seats against the leader of the then-ruling military party, Thein Sein. Mr. Thein Sein, who during his presidency worked to move toward a civilian run government, gave a speech last week promoting Myanmar’s democratic transition.

The military’s influence in Myanmar’s government is not completely eliminated, however, as military members retain one-quarter of the parliamentary seats. Members of the new parliament have also chosen U Ti Khun Myat as deputy speaker, despite his belonging to the military-backed Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP). Lawyer U Win Myint, part of the NLD, will serve as speaker.

At least 110 out of the 390 NLD members in the new parliament are prior political prisoners. Ms. Suu Kyi herself was placed under house arrest after her party won Myanmar’s national election in 1990, with the military annulling the results and refusing to hand over power. She remained under house arrest for almost two decades.

Mr. Thein Sein’s duties as president will end in March, but Ms. Suu Kyi is unable to take his place due to a constitutional provision prohibiting those with foreign family members from becoming the president. Both of Ms. Suu Kyi’s sons have British citizenship, as did her husband before his death in 1999. Ms. Suu Kyi has, however, been elected as the chairman of the upper house of the new parliament

There are several other individuals being considered for the presidency, including lawmaker Daw Su Su Lwin and former military commander U Tin Oo. The new parliament will select the next president among three official vice president nominees later this month.

Among the challenges that the new parliament will face are highly prevalent poverty rates, environmental and economic troubles, and continuing violence against the Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic group often persecuted by Myanmar’s Buddhist majority.

 

For more information, please see:

Bloomberg – Myanmar Parliament Elects Suu Kyi Ally as Upper House Chairman – 3 February 2016

The New York Times – First Freely Elected Parliament After Decades of Military Rule Opens in Myanmar – 1 February 2016

NPR – Aung San Suu Kyi’s Party Takes Control of Myanmar’s Parliament – 1 February 2016

Voice of America – Myanmar Parliament Sworn In; Next President Unknown – 1 February 2016

 

 

By Christine Khamis

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

 

MANILA, Philippines –

A small number of former Philippine comfort women continued peaceful protests during Japanese Emperor Akihito’s state visit to the Philippines last week. In his talks with Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III, Mr. Akihito failed to address the issue of the comfort women, who were forced into sexual slavery by members of the Japanese military during World War II.

Mr. Akihito’s state visit marks the 60^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines. Mr. Akihito met with Mr. Aquino during his state visit and addressed the Japanese military’s World War II atrocities, but made no mention of the comfort women.

A presidential spokesman for Mr. Aquino stated last week that the issue of the comfort woman should be addressed by Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, instead of the emperor. Mr. Akihito’s position is largely ceremonial, but he has earned the respect of the Japanese people and may be in a prime position to apologize to the Philippine comfort women.

While the plight of Korean women forced into sex slavery during World War II is well known, there were also many comfort women who came from China and the Philippines. Researchers believe that over 1,000 comfort women came from the Philippines. 70 of those women are still alive.

One prior Phillipine comfort woman, Hilaria Bustamante, was abducted by Japanese soldiers in 1943 and taken to a Japanese garrison, where she was raped multiple times a day for 15 months. Ms. Bustamante is the oldest living Philippine comfort woman at this time, and says she will join street protests to continue the campaign to secure formal reparations from Japan.

In December 2015, Japan issued a formal apology to the South Korean women who were forced into sex slavery, along with a $8.3 million reparation payment. Japan has not made similar apologies to the comfort women of other countries, including the Philippines. Japan has made reparation payments, but those payments come from the private sector instead of the Japanese government. The former Philippine comfort women want formal reparations from the Japanese government itself instead, as well as recognition of their ordeal in Japan’s history books.

The issue of the Philippine comfort women may be overshadowed by the substantial trade agreements between Japan and the Philippines as well as their shared concern over China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea. Both Japan and the Philippines have territorial disputes with China over the South China Sea.

 

For more information, please see:

The New York Times – In Philippines, World War II’s Lesser-Known Sex Slaves Speak Out – 29 January 2016

Manila Bulletin – PH’s WWII Sex Slaves Demand Justice From Japan – 26 January 2016

Al Jazeera – Filipino Comfort Women Seek Talks With Japan’s Emperor – 25 January 2016

International Business Times – Japanese Emperor Visits Philippines Amid World War II Sex Slave, South China Sea Issues – 25 January 2016