David L. Chaplin II
Impunity Watch, Asia

BEIJING, China – The anonymous campaigners behind the so-called “Jasmine rallies”, a reference to the “Jasmine revolution” in Tunisia that sparked unrest across the Arab world, said their movement had support in dozens of cities. Chinese authorities deployed hundreds of policemen, blocked internet services and detained several dissidents by force to thwart ” Egypt-style’ ‘ protests in Beijing and Shanghai on Sunday.

Ambassador Jon Huntsman called the detention and beating of the foreign press “unacceptable and deeply disturbing.” He is urging the Chinese government to hold the perpetrators accountable and respect the rights of foreign journalists in the country.

Beijing’s Wang Fu Jing street, a busy shopping area was washed repeatedly with high-pressure water hoses to keep people away. The entry to the area was also restricted.

China’s leaders have watched developments in the Arab world nervously, as similar issues were among the root causes of the upheaval there.

Chinese authorities have reacted to these demonstrations by rounding up more than 100 known dissidents and rights advocates, activists said, and blocking references to the “jasmine” rallies on websites and search engines.

“We believe these deeds cannot stop the development of the Chinese Jasmine Revolution,” the organizers said.

On Sunday Premier Wen Jiabao promised action on top public concerns including soaring inflation, runaway economic growth and official corruption in an online chat with Internet users.

Hundreds of uniformed and plainclothes police had blanketed the city’s Wangfujing shopping street for the second week running, aggressively pushing away foreign reporters with cameras and briefly detaining several.

Bloomberg News said one of its correspondents was kicked and punched by at least five men in plainclothes, believed to be Chinese governmental security personnel. He required medical treatment.

“This type of harassment and intimidation is unacceptable and deeply disturbing,” U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman said in a statement.

The new statement was posted on Facebook, Twitter and other overseas social networking sites officially blocked in China, and came one day after security personnel turned out in force to thwart gatherings in Beijing and Shanghai.

Citizens have been urged to gather for subtle “strolling” demonstrations, but take no overt protest action, each Sunday afternoon at designated locations in cities across China, people protest to highlight public anger with the government.

The latest call urged “all social groups, intellectuals, unemployed college graduates, retired soldiers, Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, laid off workers, victims of forced land seizures and building demolitions, and all people suffering from governmental injustice” to take part.

According to the feedback received by various new sources, on Feb. 27, 2011, this movement spread to over 100 cities, largely exceeding  initial expectations of 27 cities, it said, calling for people to “walk” for change again next Sunday.

“We send our salutations to all Chinese citizens supporting and participating in this noble movement!”

For more information, please see:

Vancouver Sun – Organizers plan new rallies despite tough weekend clampdown – 1 March 2011

The Times of India – China cracks whip, crushes ‘jasmine’ stir – 28 February 2011

Voice of America – US Ambassador Decries Chinese Abuse of Journalists – 28 February 2011

CTV News – Diplomats criticize harassment of journalists in China – 28 February 2011

Paramedics transporting the body of Shahbaz Bhatti, only Christian minister in Pakistan, who was shot dead on Thursday (Photo courtesy of the New York Times)

By Joseph Juhn
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The only Christian in Pakistan’s government was assassinated on March 2 after pushing for change in laws that mandate death for people who insult Islam.

Shabaz Bhatti, a Roman Catholic, was the minority affairs minister and is the second top Pakistani official to be shot to death this year over his opposition to a blasphemy law. Earlier in January, the Punjab Province governer, Salman Taseer was also assassinated by his body guard for the same reason: calling for reforms to the blasphemy law.

The law was first introduced in the 1970s and amended later in 1986 under Gen. Mohammad Zia ul-Haq, the military leader, to include the death penalty for those who are accused of making derogatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad, the Korean or Islam.

Critics of the law say the law has been used against the minorities ever since. Christians, who make up roughly 5% of Pakistan’s 180 million population, occupy the lower ends of society with menial jobs. Along with Shiite Muslims and other minority Muslim sects, Christians are the most oppressed group and often frequent victims of suicide bombings, kidnappings and homicides.

Recently, there has been a case in which a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, 45, was charged with violating the blasphemy law and faced execution. Bhatti, being an outspoken critic against the law, defended the woman. Now, many are speculating that this may have triggered the extremists’ anger.

Ali Dayan Hasan, South Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch, called Bhatti’s assassination “a grave setback for the struggle for tolerance, pluralism and respect for human rights in Pakistan.”

Bhatti was on his way to work in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, when assailants sprayed at least 25 bullets at the Bhatti’s car. A letter that was found at the scene indicated that the killing was done by supporters of Al-Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban, according to the police.

After Bhatti’s death, Pakistani television aired a video in which a calm and convinced Bhatti purported to keep fighting for the rights of Christians and other minorities, even if it meant dying for the cause.

“When I’m leading this campaign for the abolishment of blasphemy law, and speaking for the oppressed, and the marginalized, persecuted Christians and other minorities, these Taliban threaten me,” Bhatti said. “These threats and these warnings cannot change my opinion and principles. I prefer to die for my principles and for the justice for my community rather than to compromise.”

For more information, please see:

The International Herald Tribune – Extremists Are Suspected in Killing of Pakistani Minister – 2 March 2011

AFT – Canadian leaders ‘outraged’ by Pakistan minister’s killing – 2 March 2011

The Los Angeles Times – Pakistan’s only Christian Cabinet member assassinated – 3 March 2011