Impunity Watch: Asia

Youth Activists Arrested in Azerbaijan

2009-07-16T01:27:39-04:00

By Alishba I. Kassim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BAKU, Azerbaijan - Two student activists were arrested and beaten in Azerbaijan after they posted a video critical of the nation’s government.

Authorities arrested Adnan Hajizada, a University of Richmond graduate and fellow activist Emin Milli, in the capital city of Baku last week. A friend of the pair said government officials questioned them while they were out at dinner and struck Milli without warning, and then attacked Hajizada. The two were then arrested and accused of attacking the officials.

Hajizada and Milli are now awaiting trial, where they could be punished with up to five years in prison. They are being held in pretrial detention for the time being, reported The New York Times. Mehriban Efendiyeva, friend of the pair, as well as an activist, said "We note with great regret that in some parts of the world today, severe injustices against the driving force for the progress – the socially active youth – take places in the most brutal manner."

U.S. Embassy and German officials have voiced concern about the detention and the arrests, which have prompted the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry and Prosecutor General’s office to respond by saying the two countries were "meddling in its affairs." There are reports circulating that Milli and Hajizada were beaten, and are currently being denied access to lawyers or medical treatment.

A statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan read, "We call on the Government of Azerbaijan to ensure that Mr. Milli and Mr. Hajizada are granted proper access to legal assistance and medical care. We ask that the Government of Azerbaijan exercise due process in this case and respect the rights of these individuals."

The video posted by the two activists satirized the Azerbaijani government paying exorbitant prices to import donkeys. The video ended with the statement, roughly translated, "There will be someone to protect donkey civil rights, but who will protect human civil rights?"

For more information, please see:

AP - Azerbaijani Blogger Arrests Prompts Backlash - July 14, 2009

The Collegian - 05' Richmond Graduate Arrested - July 14, 2009

The New York Times - In Azerbaijan a Donkey Suit Provokes Arrests - July 14, 2009

Burma’s Junta Prepare to Free Political Prisoners

2009-07-14T20:03:47-04:00

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

NEW YORK, United States– Burma’s UN Ambassador Than Swe announced during a Security Council session that his country is preparing to release some of the political prisoners so that they can participate in the 2010 general election. This decision was made at the request of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon during his last visit to Burma.

Swe said, “The Myanmar [Burmese] government is processing to grant amnesty to prisoners on humanitarian grounds…Myanmar [Burma] today is steadfastly proceeding on its chosen path to democracy.”

UN Secretary General Ban visit Burma (Source: AFP)

Ban told reporters after the Security Council meeting that he conveyed the international community’s expectation to the Burmese government in the clearest terms possible. He also added that “the world is now watching closely whether they [Burma’s junta leaders] will choose to act in the best interest of their country” since the Burmese people will bear the cost of any lack of cooperation by their government with the international community.

Other UN members, including the U.S., United Kingdom and France, together called for stronger action by the Security Council against Burma, especially with matters related to Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader who is currently on trial for violating her house rest. Ban’s request to see Suu Kyi was denied during his visit, and Suu Kyi is not likely to be among the prisoners to be freed in time for the 2010 election.

The new constitution, which 92% of voters approved in last year’s referendum and will be voting for in the 2010 election, bars Suu Kyi from holding a political office. Thus, some claim that the election is to further strengthen the powers of the junta generals. In response, Swe remarked that “undue pressure from the outside would not be conducive to Myanmar’s [Burma’s] home-grown political process.”

Nevertheless, U.S. envoy Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council members that there could be “no free and fair election while key leaders of Burma’s Democratic opposition, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi…languish in Burma’s prison.”

There was no official word on how many of the estimated 2,100 political prisoners will be release in time for the 2010 general election.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Burma junta ‘to free dissidents’ – 13 July 2009

Bloomberg – Myanmar to Free Political Prisoners, Envoy Tells UN – 13 July 2009

Mizzima – Burma preparing to free political prisoners – 14 July 2009

Kashmiris World Over Observe Martyr Day

2009-07-13T23:33:18-04:00

By Alishba I. Kassim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Kashmiris all over the world observed Kashmir Martyr Day on Monday to pay homage to the Kashmiri martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Kashmir’s struggle for self-determination.

In occupied Kashmir, the present authorities have imposed curfews in places such as Srinagar and have barricaded all roads leading to Lal Chowk; home to the Lal Chowk March. The Chairman of the All Parties Huriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, despite being kept under house arrest by the India, urged all people to massively partake in the Lal Chowk March to remember Kashmir’s martyrs. Indian police have arrested scores of people in occupied Kashmir, and raided the homes of several APHC leaders.

Different functions are being held in other parts of Kashmir that include speakers who have been paying tribute to those who lost their lives on June 13, 1931 when the Dogra troops shot dead 22 protesting Kashmiris in front of Srinagar Central Jail.

In Islamabad a rally was held where participants presented a memorandum at the UN office in which they asked the UN Secretary General to put an end to human rights violations and restrictions on movement and press. They further urged the Secretary General to play an active role in the Security Council to bring about a final resolution on the Kashmir dispute issue.

Here in the US, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, executive director of the Kashmiri American Council, spoke to representatives of Amnesty International and urged them to put an end to the atrocious violations being committed in Kashmir. In particular, Dr. Fai spoke about the recent abduction, rape, and murder of two young girls in Shopian by the military. Kashmiri territory has been in dispute ever since the Partition between India and Pakistan in 1947. Since then, there has been civil and international unrest surrounding the issue. Kashmir has been home to human rights violations, and breeding ground for acts of violence.

Dr. Fai ended her speech by quoting President Obama from his L’Aquila, Italy speech saying, "We don’t want stronger nations bullying weaker nations. On the other hand, where you have nations that are oppressing their people, isn’t there an international responsibility to intervene?"

For more information, please see:

South Asian News Agency - Kashmir's Martyr Day Observed World Over - July 13, 2009

Kashmir Watch - The Kashmir Tragedy: Kashmir Martyrs' Day - July 13, 2009

Greater Kashmir - Martys' Day Observed in Pakistan - July 13, 2009

Concerns of Witch Hunt in the Uighur Riots Investigation

2009-07-11T14:03:37-04:00

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

URUMQI, China– Human Rights Watch has expressed concern that the latest development in the Xinjinag region indicates that the Chinese government appears to have launched a widespread, politicized crackdown of Uighurs instead of conducting an impartial investigation.

Since the violence erupted on July 5, the Chinese authorities have deployed at least 20,000 troops around Xinjiang, and the national and regional officials have stated that death penalty will be imposed on protesters who committed the violence.

However, Sophie Richardson of Human Rights Watch said, “The government has promised a thorough investigation into the violence but has so far presented a skewed and incomplete picture of the unrest. This raises serious doubts about its commitment to investigating all aspects of the violence.”

Uighurs protest in Urumqi (Source: AP)

For example, the official death toll showed that out of 184 people who died, 137 were Han Chinese and only 4 were Uighurs. However, one Uighur man in Urumqi said, “I’ve heard that more than 100 Uighurs have died but nobody wants to talk about it in public.” Further, Rebiya Kadeer, Uighur leader who is in exile in the U.S. and being blamed by the Chinese leaders for masterminding the riots, also stated that she believes about 500 Uighurs have died.

There are also reports that the government and media’s reports of the violence focused on instances that were attacks on the Han Chinese. The government has not released any accounts of violence against Uighurs, and it is unclear as to what extent the security forces actually tried to break up the riots. Furthermore, there is concern over the whereabouts of the detainees since the Chinese government has not notified the family members. Many Uighurs who are free are living in fear that they may be arrested for any acts of dissent.

Richardson added, “If [Chinese government is] serious about their stated commitment to justice, the coming days should see the first steps toward credible investigation. But much of the rest of the rhetoric undermines that goal, and instead suggests a witch hunt.”

For more information, please see:

BBC – Most of Xinjiang dead ‘Chinese’ – 11 July 2009

Human Rights Watch – China: Security Build-Up Foreshadows Large-Scale Crackdown – 10 July 2009

MSNBC – Muslim women lead protests in China – 10 July 2009

Myanmar Orphans Flee to Thailand

2009-07-11T01:29:12-04:00

By Alishba I. Kassim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

THAI SONG YANG, Thailand – A sudden offensive against ethnic Karen rebels by Myanmar’s military junta has led to a mass exodus of refugees from Myanmar. The six-decade long conflict between the Christian Karen and the mainly-Buddhist Myanmar’s junta continues to escalate.

Thailand is already home to 135,000 refugees, yet more refugees and orphans continue to arrive. Just weeks ago a group of 96 orphans fled their children’s home in Myanmar to the sound of mortal shells, AFP reports.

One such orphanage is run by Tasanee Keereepraneed, who watches over children from Myanmar tending to toddlers not much younger than themselves. Tasanee has readily taken in orphans and displaced families from one of the world’s longest conflicts. "The children look after each other and take care of themselves. The older ones teach the younger ones…They have to grow up very quickly," said Tasanee, speaking about the orphans. These children idly spend their time since the resources available to them are meager at best, "They do not have a school, they do not have a place to stay because they had to run from the attacks," said Tasanee.

Many elderly couples have been forced to flee the fighting and seek refuge in Thailand’s makeshift camps, some after having walked long distances without food and hardly any water. Those left behind are at risk of suffering at the hands of the rebels and as well as the military. In early June local aid groups reported the rape of teenage and pregnant women by government troops.

History makes no secret of hiding that war brings out ugliness in everyone.

For more information, please see:

AFP - Myanmar Orhaps Flee to Uncertain Refuge in Thailand - July 9, 2009

AP - Myanmar Refugee Numbers Swell in Thailand - July 6, 2009

Rape No Longer Legalized Under Afghan Marriage Law

2009-07-09T20:06:15-04:00

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KABUL, Afghanistan – A new version of Afghan marriage law no longer requires a wife to submit to sex with her husband, only that she perform certain housework. The original law required the wife to submit to the husband’s sexual advances every four days. This sex clause was met with international condemnation for appearing to legalize marital rape.

This marriage law applies only to the minority Shiite Muslims in Afghanistan, and the 10% Shiite minority is allowed to settle family affairs under their own jurisprudence under the Afghan Constitution. Nevertheless, the critics considered the law as a return to the old Taliban-era rules when the Afghan government is supposed to be promoting democracy and human rights.

The United Nations released a statement saying, “The United Nations has had concerns about parts of the law that do not conform with international law, particularly in regard[s] to the rights of women.”

Afghan Shiite women protesting the original marriage law (Source: AP)

The revised law now says the wife need only do housework that the couple agreed at the time of their marriage, and the clause requiring the women to obtain her husband’s permission to leave the house and the sex clause have been deleted.

The new draft appears to give women more freedom, stating that a woman is the “owner of her property and can use her property without the permission of her husband.” However, although the new draft may be seen as a move towards better protection of women’s rights, many activists argue that the government has not done enough to make a significant change in the women’s daily lives.

Women’s advocate Shukria Barakzai said, “We need a change in customs, and this is just on paper. What is being practiced every day, in Kabul even, is worse than the laws.” She remained skeptical as to how much change the new law will bring to the women’s lives, adding, “Still there are forced marriages and child marriages…and the lack of access to divorce.”

Although the revised law is likely to be approved, it is unclear how long it will take the parliament to take up the draft since the legislature is in recess for the next two weeks.

For more information, please see:

The Huffington Post – Afghan Marriage Law No Longer Legalizes Rape – 9 July 2009

MSNBC – Afghanistan revises contentious marriage law – 9 July 2009

Telegraph – Afghanistan revises marriage law but women still required to submit to sexual intercourse – 9 July 2009

Imprisoned American Journalist in North Korea Speaks Out

2009-07-08T23:56:35-04:00

By Alishba I. Kassim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

North Korea – After weeks of no news, the sister of one of the American journalists imprisoned in North Korea finally received word. Lisa Ling, a CNN contributor, said, "It was only the first time I had heard her voice in weeks… I was so relieved but I feel so helpless…It’s just difficult to know I cannot do anything to bring her home."

Lisa Ling’s sister, Laura Ling, and Euna Lee, both journalists, were sentenced to 12 years in prison on charges of illegally entering the country to conduct a smear campaign. "I know that our government has been working behind the scenes very hard trying to bring the girls back home… but our countries don’t talk, and perhaps this could be a reason," said Lisa Ling, hoping the recent arrest will encourage dialogue between the US and North Korea.

Ling said that without being able to look at her sister, it was difficult to discern her state. She said her sister was "very specific about the message that she was communicating, and she said, ‘Look, we violated North Korean law and we need our government to help us. We are sorry about everything that has happened, but we need diplomacy.’"

Both, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, former reporters for California-based Current TV, were arrested while reporting on the border between North Korea and China. North Korea’s state media released a report last month explaining how the two American journalists had illegally entered the country to record material for a "smear campaign" against the North Korean government. Ever since, the US has intervened trying to secure the release of the two journalists on humanitarian grounds.

A former North Korean prisoner, Kang Chol-Hwan, is also speaking out about the condition of North Korea’s "concentration camps." Chol-Hwan has painted a bleak picture of chaos and violence in the camps and is hoping the American journalists obtain a speedy release. Chol-Hwan was sent to the camp because North Korea’s former leader, Kim Il Sung, thought Chol-Hwan’s grandfather was a traitor.

Chol-Hwan, now a journalist, is speaking out in part to expedite Laura Ling and Euna Lee’s freedom. Although he did add that he is convinced that the North Korea’s communist regime is treating both women well.

For more information, please see:

CBS - Lisa Ling Pushes for Sister's Release - July 8, 2009

CNN - Sister Hears from Journalist Trapped in N. Korea - July 8, 2009

VOA News - Former North Korean Prisoner Speaks Out - July 8, 2009

Burn Attacks Against Pakistani Women Increase

2009-07-07T20:32:12-04:00

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

LAHORE, Pakistan – Violence against Pakistani women has increased in the past few months. According to one report, more than 220 women were burned between April and June of this year, leading to the deaths of 40 women in Punjab. The report also stated that while attacks against women are increasing, the assailants are enjoying impunity.

Although the attacks are not limited to a certain region of Pakistan, the hotspot for these inhumane attacks in the recent years has been Punjab. Pakistani women who suffer acid burns appear to be those who have broken a social code or “honor,” for example, refusing to marry the man her family has chosen or for running away from unhappy marriages as well as being seen in public with an unrelated man.

Nisha Varia at Human Rights Watch said, “Violence against women in Pakistan is endemic…there are very high rates of domestic violence and incidents like acid attacks.”

Sabira Sultana was burnt by gasoline by her husband (Source: AP)

In an acid attack, acid is thrown onto the face and other body parts of the women. Such an attack causes severe pain and bodily mutilation, but is commonly practiced in South Asia. Varia also attributed the frequency of acid attacks to the fact that acid in readily available in Pakistan.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said there is a great need to foster awareness among the victims to fight for justice so that the culprits are held responsible. In many cases, even when the attack results in the death of the woman, her family often does not press charges, let alone report the crime.

Although the society does not consider burning women a crime, there is a movement demanding that burn attack cases be registered under the Pakistan Penal Code so that assailants can be found responsible for burning another human being.

Pakistani officials estimated that more than 150 women are burned each year with acid or kerosene, and the actual number of victims is probably much higher. Luckily a local entrepreneur is raising money for reconstructive surgeries by hiring the victims to work at beauty salons.

For more information, please see:

CTV News – Pakistani charity helps acid-burn victims – 5 July 2009

Daily Times – Female Burn victims require government attention: AGHS – 4 July 2009

The Jerusalem Post – Women in Pakistan face wave of burn attacks – 6 July 2009

UN Chief Urges China to Respect Freedoms

2009-07-06T23:32:59-04:00

By Alishba I. Kassim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

GENEVA, Switzerland – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has been leading international calls to encourage restraint in China in the face of the recent riots. The riots in China’s Xinjiang region have killed at least 140 people. The violence erupted as China’s leader started a visit to Italy ahead of the Group of Eight industrialized powers summit.

Chinese state media reported that thousands of people fought with police and set fires to vehicles in the city of Urumqi. Uighur Muslims, native to the region, have rejected Beijing’s accusations that they organized the riots.

"Wherever it is happening or has happened the position of the United Nations and the secretary general has been consistent and clear: that all the differences of opinion, whether domestic or international, must be resolved peacefully through dialogue," the UN chief told the press speaking about the riots in Xinjiang. He further added that "Governments concerned must also exercise extreme care and take necessary measures to protect the life and safety of the civilian population and their citizens and their properties, and protect freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of information."

Italy’s President, Giorgio Napolitano raised the issue of human rights to China’s President, Hu Jintao. "We agreed that the…economic and social progress that is being achieved in China places new demands in terms of human rights," Napolitano said at a news conference with the Chinese President. Britain also joined Italy’s President in urging China to show restraint.

The violence involved thousands of people in Xinjiang, home to ethnic Muslim Uighurs, who have long complained of repressive Chinese rule.

For more information, please see:

AFP - AFP Urges China to Respect Freedoms - July 6, 2009

Al-Jazeera - Uighur Exiles Deny China Riot Claim - July 6, 2009

Reuters - Major Incidents of Unrest in China - July 6, 2009

Chinese Baby Girls Being Sold for $3,000

2009-07-04T15:33:30-04:00

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China– An investigation by a Chinese newspaper found that about 80 baby girls in southern China’s Guizhou Province have been sold to childless families in the U.S. and Europe for $3,000 each. These baby girls were “confiscated” from families when the parents could not pay the $3,000 fine for violating China’s Family Planning Policy.

Chinese families in rural villages, unlike those living in urban areas, are allowed to have a second child to continue the family name and to help out with the farm if the first child is not a son. However, if the rural families have more than two children, they face a fine of $3,000, which is several times a farmer’s annual income. Accordingly, this is an unpopular policy among rural residents, and families in Guizhou Province who could not pay the fine had to hand over their babies to the local authorities.

Chinese couple whose six-month old baby daughter was taken away by the government (Source: NDDAILY.com)

Abandoned babies in China can be registered for adoption, but the investigation alleged that the local authorities confiscated the babies and then forged documents by labeling the babies as “orphans.” The adoption fee of $3,000 per baby was split between the local authorities and the orphanages. This type of foreign adoption program has been referred to as “Baby Economy,” and the local orphanages made huge profits.

Although China’s Family Planning Policy leaves some families devastated and gives rise to corruption in some villages, one official said, “This is the policy. You pay, or you let the government take care of the baby.” However, the babies are not raised by the government, but taken overseas.

Zhou Ze, a lawyer and professor at China Youth College for Political Science, commented that forcibly removing babies from their parents to make a profit constitutes abduction.

Adoption rules for foreigners in China were tightened in 2006, but the regulation has proven ineffective due to local government corruption.

For more information, please see:

BBC – China babies ‘sold for adoption’ – 2 July 2009

The Straight Times – Illegal babies sold – 4 July 2009

Telegraph – Chinese babies sold for adoption to US and Europe, report claims – 3 July 2009

UPI – Chinese baby girls sold for adoption – 2 July 2009