By Karen Diep
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

NEW DELHI, India – On Wednesday, authorities arrested and charged Naveen Soorinje, a television reporter, with abetting the July attack in Manglaore.  This has many criticizing the government of “moral policing” and media organizations casting it as an “assault on press freedom.”

Mr. Soorinje allegedly took television footage of Hindu activists in the southern state of Karnataka partying and chasing girls and boy, presumably college students, to subsequently beating them.  Furthermore, certain men were caught fondling one of the already traumatized girls.

The Hindu activists caught on tape defended the attack against the boys and girls as just the conditions of a rave party.  Furthermore, the police stated that the group were simply having a birthday party and no drugs were found.

According to BBC, Mr. Soorinje believes that he is being targeted “for exposing the failures of the local administration in dealing with cases of moral policing and attacks on minority communities by Hindu hardline groups.”

“[The] police [had] no business to arrest him.  He was just discharging his professional duties. The arrest sends bad signals on how the local police are mixed up with right-wing organisations,” said retired high court judge in Banglaore and human rights activist Mr. Saldhana.

Yesterday, individuals from various organizations protested in front of the deputy commissioner’s office for Mr. Soorinje’s arrest.  Additionally, the Visual Media Journalists Association also held a protest in front of the city police commissioner’s office.

Moreover, DYFI Dakshina Kannada district president Muneer Katipalla believes that Mr. Soorinje’s arrest was a revenge tactic against him.

“Naveen is a reporter with social concern and has exposed several wrong doings of bureaucrats and politicians and thus earned their ire.  The government should file a special petition in the court and relieve him from all charges,” stated Mr. Katipalla.

The police denied targeting Mr. Soorinje.  According to the Mangalore city police commissioner, Manish Kharbikar, authorities arrested 29 people in connection to the attack and Mr. Soorinje’s name was included in the charge sheet.

“We are only complying with court orders,” relayed police commissioner Manish Kharbikar to BBC.

However, activists representing journalists submitted a memorandum to the state home minister, R Ashok, demanding Mr. Soorinje’s release.  They further demanded harsh consequences for those officers whom previously arrested Mr. Soorinje.

In Mangalore three years prior, the Sri Ram Sena, a Hindu hardline group, attacked women in a city pub because it was against Indian culture for women to go to pubs.

For further information, please see:

BBC – Outcry over India journalist arrest – 9 November 2012

The Hindu – Journalists stage dharma in Udupi – 9 November 2012

Times of India – Support flows in for arrested TV reporter – 9 November 2012

By Karen Diep
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia 

BEIJING, China – Yesterday, the UN chief for human rights, Navi Pillay, urged China to permit international respondents to evaluate the state of Tibetan regions experiencing protests against Chinese rule.  Thus far, there have been 12 outstanding requests for UN human rights officials to visit China.

“Deep underlying issues need to be addressed, and I call on the Government to seriously consider the recommendations made to it by various international human rights bodies, as well as to avail itself of the expert advice being offered by the UN’s independent experts on human rights,” said Ms. Pillay.

According to BBC, up to 60 Tibetans have set themselves on fire.  On October 27th, the Chinese government offered a $32,000 reward for information regarding the chain of self-immolation.  Moreover, an additional $7,700 may be given to those who are aware of such planned protest.

A few weeks go, authorities allegedly beat a 17-year-old girl for distributing flyers demanding Tibet’s freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama.  The young girl was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison.

Moreover, authorities have arrested and sentenced those writing essays, producing films or distributing photos to four to seven years in prison.  Furthermore, there has been apprehension regarding fair trials and the torture of captives.

Ms. Pillay does not believe heavy security will promote stability.  “I have had several exchanges with the Chinese government on these issues.  But more needs to be done to protect human rights and prevent violations,” shared Ms. Pillay.

According to Voice of America, High Commissioner Rupert Colville has been the spokesman for Ms. Pillay and believes that the Chinese government should release those previously detained for exercising their freedom of expression.

“She is also appealing to Tibetans to refrain from resorting to extreme forms of protest, such as self-immolation, and urging community and religious leaders to use their influence to help stop this tragic loss of life,” shared Mr. Colville.   “She fully recognizes Tibetans’ intense sense of frustration and despair, which has led them to resort to such extreme means, but there are other ways to make those feelings clear. It is important that the government also recognizes this, and permits Tibetans to express their feelings without fear of retribution.”

Ms. Pillay’s statements were made days before Chinese leaders meet for the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

For further information, please see:

Hindustan Times – UN urges China to allow monitors in Tibet – 3 Nov. 2012

BBC – UN official urges China to address issues in Tibet – 2 Nov. 2012

Voice of America – UN Rights Chief Urges China to Address Tibetans’ Grievances – 02 Nov. 2012

 

By Irving Feng
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

TOKYO, Japan – Japanese authorities alleged that a U.S. serviceman, stationed on the southern island of Okinawa, broke into a local home and assaulted a young boy.

The U.S. serviceman, stationed at the U.S. Air Force base in Kadena, had reportedly been drinking in the village of Yomitan around 1 a.m. on Friday.  While he was intoxicated, the serviceman broke into a third floor apartment above the bar where he was drinking, damaged a television set inside, and struck a 13 year old boy inhabiting the apartment.

The assaulter attempted to flee by jumping out the third story window and sustained injuries from the fall.  The U.S. serviceman has been taken to the U.S. Navy hospital in Okinawa for treatment.  He may have sustained possible broken bones and other internal injuries from the fall.

This incident of assault comes just three weeks after the two Navy sailors were arrested for the alleged rape of a local Japanese woman.  A curfew, which was violated by the drunken U.S. serviceman who assaulted the boy, was imposed on all 52,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan after the alleged rape.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda issued a statement condemning the actions of the serviceman as “deplorable,” especially after the curfew had been installed due to the recent transgressions by other members of the U.S. military.

The Japanese government has issued a formal complaint to the U.S. government regarding the actions of the U.S. serviceman.  Foreign Minister Koichiro Genba expressed that the incident was absolutely inexcusable and said that more official protests regarding the man’s actions were to come.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry asked to meet with U.S. Ambassador to Japan, John Roos, immediately after the assault.  Roos stated that the actions of the U.S. serviceman were extremely upsetting, and the well-being of the young boy that was assaulted was a grave concern.

Roos also assured the Japanese authorities and the local public that the U.S. government does not take incidents of violence lightly and pledged to cooperate with the Japanese government in the investigations to prevent similar, future incidences.

Local opposition in Okinawa to U.S. military presence has been fierce since the bases were first established.  The U.S. maintains that the military presence is for the protection of the Japanese people, however, the locals complain about noise, problems with crime and safety, and incidents like the 1995 rape of a schoolgirl by three U.S. servicemen.

With the rape of the local woman several weeks ago and, now, the most recent assault on the young boy in his apartment, the tensions and distrust among the Japanese locals and the U.S. military personal is on the rise.

For further information, please see:

Daily Yomiuri – U.S. military man eyed in Okinawa home invasion – 3 November 2012

The Japan Times – U.S. airman’s home intrusion draws fire – 3 November 2012

Huffington Post – Japan U.S. Troops Incident: Airman Suspected Of Assaulting Young Boy – 2 November 2012

Reuters –  Japan deplores assault on boy by suspected U.S. serviceman – 2 November 2012

By Karen Diep
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

HANOI, Vietnam – Yesterday, two Vietnamese songwriters underwent a 5-hour trial at Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Court for their alleged anti-government songs violating Article 88 of Vietnam’s Criminal Code.  Tran Vu Anh Binh, facing six years in prison, and Vo Minh Tri, facing four years instead, were detained in late 2011.

Vo Minh Tri’s song lyrics purportedly condemned a police intervention and suppression of anti-China activists.  The lyrics further addressed other social justice issues.

Meanwhile, other singers have performed Tran Vu Anh Binh’s songs, including one of which criticizing the government for arresting insurgents.

According to the Global Post, the two produced two songs, “Anh La Ai?” (“Who are You?”) and “NuocToi Dau?” (“Where is My Country?”).  Furthermore, the lyrics of “Where is My Country?” include the following lyrics: Where is your nationalism?; Why consciously take orders from China?; You will leave a mark to last a thousand years; Your hands will be stained with the blood of our people.”

E News Park Forest reported that yesterday Amnesty International stated that the songwriters “should be released immediately and unconditionally.”

“This is a ludicrous way to treat people just for writing songs,” said Amnesty’s researcher in Vietnam, Rupert Abbott.  “These men are prisoners of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression through their songs and non-violent activities, and should be freed.”

Weeks prior to Tran Vu Anh Binh and Vo Minh Tri’s prison sentences, three Vietnamese bloggers were accused of disseminating anti-government propaganda and subsequently jailed for four to 12 years.

“There is a very disturbing trend of repression against those who peacefully voice opinions the Vietnamese authorities do not like,” continued Mr. Abbott.

On October 14th, the police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested university student Nguyen Phuong Uyen and three other students.  Nguyen Phuong Uyen allegedly participated in the circulation of leaflets censuring China and the Vietnam over their territorial dispute.  Although the others were released, Nguyen Phuong Uyen remains detained.

“Rather than trying to silence the young people of Viet Nam, the Vietnamese authorities should allow them to express their opinions and have a say in the development and direction of their country,” shared Mr. Abbott.

According to BBC’s South East Asia correspondent, Jonathan Head, Vietnam’s Communist Party is currently experiencing factional splits over mismanagement, fraud, and unstable economy.  Therefore, it is not welcoming to criticism.

For further information, please see:

Bangkok Post – Vietnam jails songwriters – 30 Oct. 2012

BBC – Vietnam jails two dissident songwriters – 30 Oct. 2012

Global Post – Viet Khang and Tran Vu Anh Binh, musicians, jailed in Vietnam for anti-government songs – 30 Oct. 2012

E News Park Forest – Viet Nam: Acquit Songwriters Who Face 20 Years In Jail – 29 Oct. 2012

 

 

By Irving Feng
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

DAVAO CITY, The Philippines – Vice mayor, Rodrigo Duterte, of Davao City has offered a 5 million pesos ($121,000) reward for the capture, execution and delivery of a known fugitive’s head.

 

The fugitive in question is Ryan Yu, the leader of a local car theft ring.  Duterte has offered the public two million pesos ($48,400) for Yu’s capture, four million pesos ($96,800) if he is killed, and an additional 1 million pesos ($24,200), on top of the aforementioned reward, if Yu’s head is literally delivered on ice.

Duterte has a reputation for being tough on crime and has been previously associated with death squads.  These death squads were responsible for the executions of over 200 suspected criminals during Duterte’s previous mayoral term from 2004 to 2009.  The executions included a number of minors as well.

Human Rights Commission (HRC) chairman Loretta Ann Rosales has criticized Duterte’s actions declaring that he has violated the law by ordering the extrajudicial killing of Yu.  Rosales claims that Duterte is depriving Yu of proper due process, and despite Yu’s alleged crimes and links to the car theft ring, enjoys certain rights under the law.

Duterte responded to the allegations by calling for Rosales to show him the specific laws that he has violated by ordering the capture of a known fugitive.  Duterte claims that there is nothing illegal about using the police and government to sanction the capture of a dangerous criminal linked to a local carjacking gang.

Ronald de la Rosa, the local Davao police chief, says his office was flooded with calls and messages from people asking if the reward offer was legitimate.  Rosa assured that the reward was very real, and Duterte says that the funds for the reward will be paid out from his political campaign contributions.

Rosa conveyed that Yu and his gang were responsible for more than 40 stolen vehicles which were stashed in a local warehouse.  The discovery of the stolen vehicles prompted Duterte’s call for Yu’s head.  Duterte and Rosa have conveyed that the offer is to expedite the capture of a very dangerous criminal who could be armed with automatic weapons.

The reward is to facilitate Yu’s capture; however, it is also incentive for a fairly dangerous endeavor.  Duterte says that those who go after Yu need to know that Yu will most likely be armed and incredibly difficult to capture.  Because Yu will not come into custody peacefully, it may be possible that Yu must be killed in order for him to be incapacitated.

For further information, please see:

Philippine Daily Inquirer – Don’t castrate gov’t, Duterte tells CHR chief – 29 October 2012

Philippine Star – Duterte mulls raising bounty for car theft ring leader to P6 million – 29 October 2012

Davao Sun Star – Duterte to Human rights commission head: Show me the law I violated – 29 October 2012

NY Daily News – Mayor in the Philippines offers $121,000 reward for decapitated head – 26 October 2012