By Joseph Juhn
Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Asia

Foreign journalists seeking to cover a potential protest in Shanghai were detained by police officers (Photo courtesy of the New York Times)

BEIJING, China – As the anti-government protests continue to spread and topple incumbent dictatorships in North Africa and the Middle East, Chinese officials have begun to crack down on foreign journalists.

On Sunday, about a dozen foreign journalists were detained for two hours in an underground room in Shanghai attempting to cover a protest. Apparently, these journalists showed up to the Peace Cinema near People’s Square to capture images of possible protests when they saw messages on several anonymous Internet sites urging Chinese citizens to conduct a “strolling” protest against the government.

This incident is noteworthy considering the recent pattern of government crack downs on foreign journalists. Only a week ago foreign journalists were reported to being physically harassed by security officers – one videographer even being hospitalized. In response to accusations of violent police actions, China’s foreign minister, Yang Jiechi, denied the police taking any part in beating foreign reporters. He stressed repeatedly that China follows “the rule of law.”

“Foreign journalists should respect and abide by China’s laws and regulations… Beijing is a very big city with a large population. It is important to maintain normal order,” said Jiang, foreign ministry spokeswoman. Although the minister’s denial contradicts eyewitnesses and video accounts, no official investigation is known to be underway.

In Beijing and other major cities, at least a dozen other foreign journalists reported private intrusion, as they were visited in their homes by government officials who repeatedly warned not to cause trouble.

Following the recent controversial events, China announced new restrictions on foreign journalists working in China. Under the new rules, foreign journalists must now have prior government permission to interview anyone in a public area, essentially repealing the loosened reporting policy implemented at the time of the 2008 Beijing Olympics to showcase China’s more tolerant face to the world.

Such intimidation of foreign journalists is a notable shift for the communist regime a sign of the government’s fear of any antigovernment revolts like those that have swept the Middle East and North Africa in the past month.

David Bandurski, a professor at the University of hong Kong who heads the China Media Project said: “They have gone into control mode once again. What we are seeing now, in the short term, is China is closing in on itself, because it doesn’t have another answer or response.”

“Intimidation of journalists is the classic response. It is not necessarily entirely new, but it is something we have not seen for a long time,” Bandursky added.

For more information, please see:

The New York Times – Even With Protests Averted, China Turns to Intimidation of Foreign Journalists – 6 March 2011

The Washington Post – Amid fears of unrest, China imposes new restrictions on foreign journalists – 7 March 2011

Tibetan Review – China to expel foreign journalists who cover protests – 4 March 2011

David L. Chaplin II
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – The efforts to achieve “inter-ethnic reconciliation and integration” following the violent events in Southern Kyrgyzstan last June, when over 435 people dead and nearly 2,500 others injured between the Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities during an inter-ethnic conflict, has been difficult.

The European Union has praised Kyrgyzstan’s reform agenda for stabilization and democratization, describing it as “ambitious”. Further reforms are critical to stability in southern Kyrgyzstan as the situation in the volatile region is “not optimistic,” chief of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said Thursday.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis vowed to help Kyrgyzstan bolster its stability, security and parliamentary system during his March 2-3 trip to Osh and Bishkek.

“It is essential to strengthen dialogue between the ethnic communities. The OSCE supports Kyrgyzstan in meeting these challenges, in particular ready to support a national consultative mechanism on police reform and criminal justice.”

“Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to restore stability after last year’s tragic events are commendable, I encourage the government to continue reforms, particularly ahead of the forthcoming presidential election,” he concluded.

“We must address acute security concerns, including threats to border security. But ensuring long-term security in the country also requires reform of the police and judiciary, policies to promote economic stability and respect for the rights of all members of society,” Azubalis said..

“The efforts of state-building in Kyrgyzstan and of bolstering its democracy and economy should draw on the citizenship of its people – and not simply their ethnicity,” said José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission.

The OSCE is also determined to continue co-operating with Kyrgyzstan in battling trans-national threats like terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime and unsecure borders, by coordinating with international partners like the UN and European Union, said Ažubalis.

Kyrgyzstan President Roza Otunbayeva has played a key role in two revolutions.

Roza Otunbayeva inspired the protest movement; often considered a philosopher and diplomat, she took the helm of the country and guided it through a difficult and dangerous transition period, declaring war on corruption, the clan system, nationalism and religious extremism.

Her first vistory was ridding the country of its then leader, President Akayev in 2005. Five years later President Bakiyev‎ was removed by a similar popular revolution.

A year ago a number of opposition parties came together, united in aversion to Bakiyev‎‘s corrupt regime. Realizing then the need to move toward a parliamentary form of government.

“Recent events in North Africa allow us to see things in a different light. It’s clear that these types of people, who allegedly order mass killings, should be punished”, said Otunbayeva referring to Bakiyev and his family tree of corruption being the center of all atrocities that took place within the countries recent history.

“A society influenced by criminality has no future. So one needs a clear and strong plan of action. The people will always support authorities or leaders who really want to clean up the country,” said Otunbayeva.

For more information, please see:

XINHUA news – Reforms critical to Kyrgyzstan’s stability: OCSE chairman – 4 March 2011

Europolitics – EU Praises Kyrgyzstan Reform Agenda – 1 March 2011

Central Asia Online – OSCE to help Kyrgyz stability, security, parliament – 3 March 2011

Euro News – Kyrgyzstan: Politics post revolution – 4 March 2011