BRIEF: Malaysian Parliament Dissolved to Call Early Elections

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia – Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dissolved the country’s Parliament to instigate early elections.  According to Malaysian law, elections must be held within 60 days of parliament being dissolved.  However, it is typical that the election commission calls for an election long before the 60 day deadline.

The move for early elections has sparked criticism from Anwar Ibrahim.  Anwar Ibraham, former deputy primer and member of the Democratic Action Party, notes that the timing of the early election precludes him from taking part.  He is unable to stand for office until March under an ban imposed when he was jailed in 1998.

Experts foresee that the elections will be quite controversial because of the recent ethnic tensions between Indians and the Malay majority, rising food prices, and allegations of corruption in judiciary.

For more information, please see:

International Herald Tribune – Malaysia to Hold Early General Elections Amid Anger over Prices, Ethnic Tensions – 13 February 2008

BRIEF: Citing Darfur, Spielberg Drops Out of Beijing Olympics

BEIJING, China – In a statement released on Tuesday, film director Steven Spielberg announced his withdrawal as artistic adviser for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Mr. Spielberg accused China of not doing enough to resolve the crisis in Darfur, saying “I have made repeated efforts to encourage the Chinese government to use its unique influence to bring safety and stability to the Darfur region of Sudan. Although some progress has been made [the situation] continues to worsen and the violence continues to accelerate.”

At least 200,000 people have been killed and two million forced from their homes in the five-year conflict.

Actress Mia Farrow, who has campaigned against what she calls the “Genocide Olympics,” praised Mr. Spielberg’s decision, hoping it would influence others to drop out of the Olympic Games.

In response, the Chinese Embassy in Washington called Mr. Spielberg and Ms. Farrow’s actions unfair for linking the Games to Darfur. They said the event should not be politicized.

Although human rights groups have applauded Mr. Spielberg’s decision, some are unhappy with the focus on Darfur alone. Richard Just of The New Republic said Mr. Spielberg made it seem “as if Darfur were the only reason one might think twice about serving as a propagandist for the Beijing Olympics.”

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Olympics – EU rights champion backs Spielberg over Games – 13 February 2008

The New York Times – Mia Farrow Gains Ground in Campaign Against Beijing Games – 13 February 2008

BBC News – Spielberg in Darfur snub to China – 13 February 2008

Annan Faces Criticism in Kenya

By Elizabeth Costner
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has put Kenya’s crisis talks back on track today after defusing a row over his suggestion for a “grand coalition” government to end the post-election turmoil. 

Annan told Parliament yesterday that a power-sharing government could be a way out of the crisis, sparking criticism from President Mwai Kibaki.  Annan clarified his statement this morning, saying it “represents his perspective on the discussions and does not imply a formal agreement between the two parties.”

The head of the Kenyan government team, Justice Minister Martha Karua, said that Annan undermined the government’s position at the negotiations.  Ms. Karua has said the statements about a possible transitional government for two years, followed by new elections, “caused distress and great embarrassment to them as it had misrepresented their position.” 

Many had thought a power-sharing deal was imminent, however the government’s reaction to Annan’s statement yesterday shows that they are clearly against new elections. 

The talks have been moved from the capital Nairobi to an undisclosed location, and a news blackout has been implemented.  Both parties have declined to comment on the discussions. 

Progress at the talks has given hope to many Kenyans who saw more than 1,000 people die and 600,000 flee their homes due to the violence following the December 27 elections. 

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Kenya government anger with Annan – 13 February 2008

Reuters – Kenyan rivals hunker down in secret for crisis talks – 13 February 2008

AFP – Annan defuses row in Kenya crisis talks – 13 February 2008

AP – Kenyan Politicians Discuss Power-Sharing – 13 February 2008

Reuters – Analysis-Seeds of class war sprout in Kenya’s crisis – 13 February 2008

BRIEF: South Korea Holds First Jury Trial

DAEGU, South Korea – As part of an effort to reform its legal system, a nine-member jury trial was held on Tuesday for the first time in South Korea’s legal history.

The new juries will only be used in certain criminal cases. Its findings are non-binding, however, and judges will retain the final say in verdicts and sentences.

South Korea’s judicial system is considered by many to be outdated, a remnant of its former authoritarian rule. The system is undergoing gradual changes since the National Assembly agreed last May to introduce changes including giving testimony and evidence greater weight.

Following the trial, the court president said the innovation was “a significant step to not only improve human rights, but also to win the public’s trust.”

For more information, please see:

The Korea Times – Nation’s First Trial by Jury Held at Daegu District Court – 12 February 2008

BBC – S Korea holds first trial by jury 12 February 2008

Economic Times – South Korea launches jury system – 12 February 2008

Darfur Refugees Flee Into Chad

By Meryl White
Impunity Watch Reporter, Western and Central Africa

ABECHE, Chad – European Union military forces are presently being deployed to Eastern Chad.  By the end of the month, almost 4,000 troops are expected to be on the ground. The troops are needed to protect civilians and refugees from violence and insecurity that has spilled over from the Darfur, Sudan region. These troops will provide security, aid, and promote stability in the region.

On Monday, Nouradine Delwa Kassire Koumakoye, Chad’s Prime Minister, stated that Chad could not absorb any more refugees from the Darfur region. In the last few days, more than 12,000 refugees from Darfur have crossed the border.

In response, the government of Sudan has claimed that Chad is using the refugees from Darfur as a “trading” and “bargaining chip” in the growing dispute between the two nations.

Mohamed Ahmed al-Aghbash, Sudan’s Commissioner of Refugees told state news agency SUNA, that the “Chadian announcement violates the laws and charters of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.”

Presently, the UNHCR and its partner groups “were taking care of 240,000 Sudanese refugees in 12 camps in eastern Chad and some 50,000 from Central African Republic in the south of the country.”

For more information, please see:

BBC- EU Force Resumes Chad Deployment – 12 February 2008

Africa Reuters -Sudan condemns Chad threat on Darfur refugees – 12 February 2008

CNN – New Wave of Darfur Refugees Flee Into Chad – 12 February 2008