Impunity Watch: Asia

Malaysia Withholds 10,000 Confiscated Bibles

2009-11-08T21:49:51-05:00

By M.E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Government officials in Malaysia confiscated and continue to refuse releasing 10,000 Bibles confiscated for using the word "Allah" to refer to God. Officials maintain their position after announcing their plan to withhold the Bibles on Wednesday, November 4.

The Bibles were apprehended by the Malaysian customs services, and according to a Home Ministry official, the government told the importer to return the Indonesian-language Bibles last month.

The tension stems from the use of the word "Allah" in the Bibles, which is banned by the government for use by non-Muslims in an apparent act to appease Muslims. According to the same Home Ministry official, "the publications, the Bibles, are already banned." He declined to make further comment, indicating that he is not authorized to make public statements.

Christians in Malaysia say the Muslim Malay-dominated government is violating their right to practice their religion freely. About 30 percent of the country's 28 million people practice Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism or other faiths. The concern is that Malaysia will no longer be regarded as a peaceful nation. The Christian Federation of Malaysia, which had called for the release of all Bibles, described the seizure as "ridiculous and offensive." The government maintains that the Arabic-origin word "Allah" is an Islamic word and its use by Christians and others will upset Muslims.

Bishop Ng Moon Hing, chairman of the Christian Federation of Malaysia said, "This constitutional right (to practice freely) is rendered illusory if Christians in Malaysia are denied access to Bibles in a language with which they are familiar."

In addition to the 10,000 most recently seized by the Malaysian government, another 5,100 Bibles, also imported from Indonesia, were confiscated in March and have not been released. There is apparently no immediate information on those Bibles or whether the publications will be released or returned in the near future.

For more information, please see:

MSNBC World News - Malaysia rejects call to release 10,000 Bibles - November 8. 2009

BBC World News - Malaysia withholds 'Allah Bibles' - Novmeber 4, 2009

The Jakarta Globe - 10,000 Indonesian Bibles Seized in Malaysia for Using the Word ‘Allah’ - November 6, 2009

Associated Press - Malaysian government has refused to release 10000 Bibles - November 4, 2009

Japan Promises Aid to Mekong Region

2009-11-08T15:54:20-05:00

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

TOKYO, Japan – Japan and five Southeast Asian nations in the Mekong region ended a successful summit meeting on Saturday with Japan promising more than $5.5 billion in loans and grants in the next three years.

Japan’s prime minster said that the Mekong region comprising Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand is a “priority area” for Japan’s official development assistance. The Mekong region is one of the poorest areas of Southeast Asia, isolated and marred by war and political turmoil.

The prime minister released a statement saying, “We strongly recogni[z]ed the need for further strengthening of Mekong-Japan relationship and cooperation to maximi[z]e the potential of the Mekong region.”

A Japanese official from the foreign ministry added, “Japan plans to expand our humanitarian aid and assistance for human resources development….”

Accordingly, Japan’s prime minister plans to increase aid to Myanmar, a country criticized by the international community for its human rights abuses, including the detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Japan has given about $31 million worth of aid to Myanmar in the past. The aid came mostly as disaster relief and humanitarian assistance since Japan has been reluctant to provide loans and grants to countries criticized for human rights violations.

The goal of the leaders at the Summit was to boost development through cooperation, and they agreed on a plan that would promote development, protect the environment and combat climate change.

The participants at the meeting also stated that they “expect” the Myanmar government to take “more positive steps in its democrati[z]ation process” and called for transparent elections next year.

The Japanese prime minister has been advocating for an EU-style Asian community and has been committed to strengthening economic development in Asia. The Summit also came at a time when tensions between Thailand and Cambodia are increasing because of Cambodia naming Thailand’s fugitive ex-premier as Cambodian government adviser.

For more information, please see:

Asia One – Japan to increase aid to Myanmar: PM – 8 November 2009

Channel News Asia – Japan steps up aid to Mekong nations – 7 November 2009

Straight Times – Japan-Mekong talks wrap up – 7 November 2009

Karzai Opponent Denounces Election Victory

2009-11-07T10:42:23-05:00

By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KABUL, Afghanistan- In his first comments since Hamid Karzai was declared to have won the fraud-hit election, former Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah said Karzai’s reelection is “illegal” and his government a failure. Abdullah told reporters in Kabul that Karzai’s government would lack the legitimacy needed to deal with problems such as checking corruption and fend off the Taliban.

Article 21 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that, “Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.” This article also declares, “The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government, this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine election which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.”

President Karzai was declared the winner after Abdullah withdrew from a run-off election on Monday saying the vote would not be free or fair. He contended that he was not quitting as a concession, but because he could not trust the process.

The scrapped run-off vote was originally planned for this weekend. President Karzai agreed to the run off after hundreds of thousands of votes from the 20 August first round were discounted because of widespread fraud. An investigation by the Electoral Complaints Commission revealed that President Karzai’s share of the vote dropped to 49.67%, below the required 50% plus one vote threshold needed to avoid a run-off.

Because the fraud which occurred in the August round affected the ability of the Afghan people to freely elect their representatives, their right to vote was diminished. The reelection of President Karzai could be considered as not being genuine as Abdullah has alluded to since some of the population’s votes were not counted.

Abdullah said the decision of the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) not to have a run-off had “no legal basis”. “Such a government which lacks legitimacy cannot fight corruption…A government which comes to power without the people’s support cannot fight the phenomena of terrorism threats, unemployment, poverty and hundreds of other problems,” he told reporters.

He said the election commission, which critics believed was biased towards Karzai, had exceeded its mandate. Critics have called Karzai’s victory unconstitutional since he did not secure more than half of the vote.

Although his words were sharp, Mr. Abdullah said that he saw the flawed Aug. 20 election as finished and that he did not plan to continue his efforts to challenge the results. He said “The process has completed itself with that final illegal decision,” referring to the IEC. “I leave it to the people of Afghanistan to judge.”

The former foreign minister has urged his backers to remain peaceful. He also called on his supporters to show restraint and not do anything illegal to oppose the government. Karzai has promised his new administration will be inclusive, but Abdullah has ruled out playing a role in the administration, despite pressure for a unity government. “I have no interest in the future cabinet of Karzai’s government and I will pursue my agenda, which is change,” he told the news conference.

This crisis has delayed decisions by the US and NATO partners on sending more troops to fight the Taliban insurgency, in addition to paralyzing the Afghan government for months.

For more information, please see:

BBC News- Afghan Election Victory ‘Illegal’ - 4 November 2009

The New York Times- Karzai’s Top Rival Denounces Afganistan’s New Government- 4 November 2009

Examiner.Com- Karzai Opponent: Abdullah Abdullah Says Re-election Was Illegitimate- 5 November 2009

United Nations- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Sri Lanka Responds to EU Report Demands

2009-11-06T15:15:03-05:00

By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - The European Union (EU) recently imposed a deadline on Sri Lanka’s human-rights report. The consequences of failure to adhere to the EU deadline include a termination of trade concession worth up to $116 million dollars under the GSP Plus program. The GSP Plus program functions to allow Sri Lanka tax-free exports to Europe on principle products such as domestic garments. Only fourteen countries in the world currently enjoy such an economic relationship with the EU.

The tariffs cut would entail significant economic ramifications for Sri Lanka, while European countries would face minor inconveniences such as price increases for Sri Lankan import textiles. The refusal for second-round tariffs would have the effect of eliminating thousands of jobs in Sri Lanka’s textile industry.

The Sri Lanka report to the EU must demonstrate the progress of the Sri Lankan government’s resettling initiatives for the hundreds of thousands internally displaced persons following the end of a twenty-five year war against the Tamil Tigers insurgency group. Since the defeat of the Tamil minority’s fighting force, the Sri Lankan government has been confining scores of Sri Lankan nationals in refugee camps. Due to the inadequacy of essential resources, dwellers in the camps, jointly funded by the UN and the Sri Lankan government amongst other groups, endure sub-human conditions. Furthermore, recent flooding has increased the risk of water-borne diseases spreading in the camps. Weather-worn roads have also made transportation of food and clothing to the camps difficult.

The EU report concerning Sri Lankan’s practices include allegations of indiscriminate killing of civilians and arbitrary imprisonment. EU officials stated that the observations made by the Sri Lankan government in its reports would be scrupulously examined before the EU can further consider the continuation of trade concessions. The EU’s intense scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s government practices seems to stem from the Sri Lankan government’s prior failures to fulfill promises expedient resettling of internally displaced persons. Furthermore, the international community expressed skepticism with the Sri Lankan government’s claim of conducting internal investigations in the form of a screening process to identify rebel attacks amongst the encamped civilians.

Sri Lankan officials voiced their dissatisfaction of apparent lack of clarity in some of the EU’s reporting demands. The Sri Lankan government claims to have responded to specific human rights issues raised by the EU, although it never mentioned whether or not it compiled a full report until this morning (November 6). The EU has yet to send its response to the Sri Lankan government.

Without the continuation of the trade concession, Sri Lanka’s textile workers will lose their business to other Asian countries such as Vietnam, India, and China. The job cuts would be massive, and the inability to freely export garments would significantly strain Sri Lanka’s economic interests. Considering the submission of the report, the EU suggested that it will continue discussions with Sri Lanka concerning the continuation of trade concessions.

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera - Sri Lanka faces EU tariffs - 05 November 2009

Lankaweb - Sri Lanka's observations on EC GSP Plus report handed over - 06 November 2009

Tamil Guardian -Sri Lanka hardens stand on GSP Plus - 29 October 2009

Chinese Activist Risks Jail Over Letter to Obama

2009-11-06T08:23:43-05:00

By M.E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China- A Chinese dissident, freed recently after spending eight years in prison, is seeking Obama's help in gaining medical parole for two friends jailed with him for forming a political study group.

Yang Zili sits in an interview in Beijing, Wednesday, November 4, 2009 after being imprisoned for eight years. Yang seeks PrResident Obama's help in gaining medical parole for two friends still imprisoned for forming a political study group. Photograph courtesy of MSNBC.com.

Yang Zili appealed to President Obama in a letter on behalf of those who were arrested with Yang. Yang said he felt an obligation to help his friends, who are ill, and Obama may be able to raise their cases with Chinese leaders during his trip to Beijing next month.

By writing to President Obama, Yang risks being re-arrested because the terms of his parole ban him from political activities. In an interview on November 4, Yang said, "I have no choice but to take this risk because I feel I have a responsibility to help them." He went on to say that, "If I don't make an appeal that is particularly on behalf of these two people, they might just slip through the cracks."

Yang was released after serving eight years of his ten year sentence for his involvement in the New Youth Study Group, an informal group of young professionals and academics that met privately to discuss democratic reform. The group was known as the "four gentlemen of Beijing." Their gatherings indicated to many that China remained intolerant of political dissent. When Yang and his friends were arrested and given their harsh sentences, this notion was further confirmed.

While imprisoned, the other two members of the "four gentlemen of Beijing," Xu Wei and Jin Haike, suffer from mental problems and sickness as a result of "an appendectomy that went badly," according to Yang.

Yang and fellow-former member of the New Youth Study Group, Zhang Honghai wrote and signed a letter explaining their situation to President Obama. A copy of the appeal was emailed to the U.S. Embassy. Yang urges President Obama to persuade President Hu Jintao to give the men amnesty or medical parole. He says the study group did nothing illegal.

In the letter Yang and Zhang plead that, "As the latest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and the president of the greatest democratic country in the world, you have tremendous influence with the Chinese government and its people." In talking about the letter, Yang states that "Whether or not this letter is effective depends on how much Obama cares about human rights in China."

Yang and Zhang are not alone. Many Chinese, political activists and religious dissenters especially, are eager to see whether President Obama will take a stand on human rights during his first trip to China as president on November 15. Other letters express similar concerns and seek freedom for detained activists and a stronger line on human rights concerns from the administration.

For more information, please see:

Yahoo! World News - Chinese activist risks jail with letter to Obama - November 5, 2009

Forbes - Chinese activist risks jail - November 6, 2009

MSNBC World News - Chinese activist risks jail with letter to Obama - November 5, 2009

U.S. Envoy Denounces China’s Refugee Repatriation

2009-11-06T01:41:55-05:00

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

WASHINGTON, United States – The U.S. nominee for North Korea human rights envoy, Robert King, said he will continue to pressure China to stop the deportation of North Korean refugees.

At the Senate confirmation hearing, King said, “The Chinese have been less hospitable than we would like in terms of accepting [North Korean] refugees and allowing them access to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.”

China views North Korean defectors as “economic migrants,” not refugees. Therefore, China deports the defectors to North Korea where they face persecution. China and North Korea have a secret agreement regarding deportation of North Korean defectors.

King also labeled North Korea as “one of the worst abusers of human rights in the world” and asked the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to continue supporting human rights in North Korea despite Pyongyang’s lack of cooperation. The U.S. has taken in about 80 North Korean defectors since the passage of the North Korean Human Rights Act.

Furthermore, King described North Korea’s kidnapping of Japanese citizens as “one of the most egregious human rights violations.” He said that the U.S. would support Japan in their efforts to obtain information of the abducted citizens. Since 2002, North Korea has kidnapped 13 Japanese citizens.

Critics have accused the Obama administration of turning a blind eye on North Korean human rights issues. Some have claimed that North Korea’s reprocessing of plutonium has overshadowed the country’s abysmal human rights record.

The UN has recently urged North Korea to immediately reverse its human rights record by providing food to millions of hungry citizens, stopping public executions and ending persecution of defectors who are sent back to North Korea.

The U.S. listed North Korea as one of the worst offenders of religious freedom last month, which put North Korea on the list of “countries of specific concern” for the ninth consecutive year.

In addition, the U.S. State Department issued a human rights report earlier this year concerning human trafficking and repatriation of North Korean refugees.

Reports have said that the Senate is “virtually certain” to confirm King, however, North Korea has been critical of King’s nomination.

For more information, please see:

AFP – US envoy says to press China on NKorea refuges – 5 November 2009

Taiwan News – US envoy nominee presses NKorea on human rights – 6 November 2009

Yonhap News – U.S. envoy on N.K. human rights denounces China for refugee repatriation – 5 November 2009

U.S. Authorities Fail to Question Chief Sri Lankan General

2009-11-04T18:36:16-05:00

By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

COLOMBO,Sri Lanka - General Sarath Foneseka, one of the recognized masterminds behind the Sri Lankan government’s final, victorious campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam, left Oklahoma city today on a civilian visit to his daughters. Upon hearing of the general’s arrival into the country, authorities in the United States Department of Homeland Security formulated plans to interview the general. The discussion had the purpose of trying to substantiate allegations of war crimes the Sri Lankan military and government committed throughout the quarter-century civil war against the Tamil Tiger insurgency. However, the General left Oklahoma City without any disturbance by U.S. authorities.

General Fonseka played an integral role in the Sri Lankan government’s spring defeat of the Tamil Tigers. Although the ultimate attack on the insurgency purportedly aimed cease the bloody violence reigning over Sri Lanka for over twenty-five years, reports of crimes against humanity arose in reports submitted to the U.S. congress. The reports concentrated on heinous acts perpetrated in the final months of fighting ultimately leading to the Tamil Tigers’ defeat in May.

The report actually asserted that both separatists and Sri Lankan government forces committed atrocities against human rights. The Sri Lankan government, however, was accused of confining droves of citizens in schools, hospitals, and other large public structures located in designated no-fire zones. Furthermore, human rights groups alleged that the Sri Lankan government engaged in indiscriminate bombing over Tamil territories, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilian nationals.

Between the inhumane acts of the government and separatists, it has been calculated that between 7,000 and 20,000 civilians had been killed over the final months of fighting. Despite the severity of the allegations and the imperative information General Fonseka could divulge concerning heinous practices in war, the Sri Lankan government swiftly pronounced its disfavor towards the idea of an interview.

The Sri Lankan government seemed particularly leery of the possibility that U.S. authorities would inquire about Sri Lankan Secretary of Defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The brother of the Sri Lankan president and a U.S. citizen himself, Rajapaksa is acknowledged as another significant figure in the Sri Lankan military’s defeat over the Tamil Tigers. The Sri Lankan government also denies the merits of the allegations of human rights offenses.

Without any words from the Sri Lankan government, the only corroborated information on Sri Lanka's war practices is the lofty, tragic death toll for the bloody civil war.

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera - U.S. to 'question' S Lanka army chief - 04 November 2009

Guardian - U.S. to question Sri Lanka army chief war crimes allegations - 02 Novermber 2009

Lanka Journal - Sri Lanka's top general leaves U.S. unquestioned - 04 November 2009

Bangladesh Workers Riot Over Pay Kills at Least Two

2009-11-04T12:08:45-05:00

By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

DHAKA, Bangladesh- At least 2 people have been killed and over 100 injured in clashes between textile workers and police in Bangladesh, police have said. The authorities delayed the report almost 12 hours after the media first reported the deaths.

The violence erupted as workers protested over unpaid salaries in the outskirts of Dhaka on Saturday. “Law-enforcers had to fire rubber bullets from shot guns to disperse the workers who hurled stones and bricks at our officers,” said police inspector Shafiqul Alam. Workers arriving to work at Nippon Garments factory found a notice stating the factory was closing for a month, citing losses and depressed orders.

The workers then took to the streets to protest, with as many as 15,000 people involved in the protests, police said. Maleka Begum, a police official, said in addition to at least 100 workers, a number of police officers were injured in the chaos.

Protesters were demanding three months of back pay, Begum said, “The angry workers became unruly and violent this morning. They threw up barricades on the roads and suddenly attacked police.” The workers were told they would be paid on Saturday, but when they arrived found the notice announcing the “closure due to economic depression” from Oct 31 to Nov. 29

“We were owed many arrears. As the workers wanted break the lock to enter the factory, police obstructed us,” said Majeda Begum, a factory worker.

Garment factories in the country of Bangladesh have been hit hard by the global economic crisis. Unions said factories have cut wages to compete for orders with other apparel-producers, such as Vietnam, China and India. Over forty percent of Bangladesh’s industrials workforce is employed in the garment sector, and this whole has been affected by the economic downturn.

Saturday’s clashes were the most severe since the global downturn began to affect Bangladeshi apparel factories, which accounted for 80 percent of the country’s $15.56 billion dollars worth of exports in the last year. In June, 50,000 also workers protested wage cuts and unpaid salaries clashed with police and leaving many injured.

For more information, please see:

Aljazeera. Net- Bangladesh Workers Riot over Pay- 31 October 2009

Associated Foreign Press- ‘Two Killed, 100 Hurt’ in Bangladeshi Workers Riot- 31 October 2009

BDNews24.Com- Tongi Violence Leave 2 Dead, 100 Injured - 1 November 2009

South Korea Grapples with 'Race'

2009-11-02T17:09:46-05:00

By M.E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

SEOUL, South Korea - A report issued on October 21 by Amnesty International reveals the country's social concern over racism and discrimination.

The report showed that there is a widespread racist sentiment against migrant workers, who mostly are from poor Asian countries. In compiling its research, the human rights organization cited sexual abuse, racial slurs, inadequate safety training and the mandatory disclosure of H.I.V. status, a requirement not imposed on South Koreans in the same jobs. The report also found in citing local news media and rights advocates, that following last year’s financial downturn, “incidents of xenophobia are on the rise.”

South Korea is noted as a country that has been repeatedly invaded by neighboring countries, and as a result, the people of South Korea have grown to adopt racial outlooks that have been colored by “pure-blood” nationalism as well as traditional patriarchal mores, according to Seol Dong-hoon, a sociologist at Chonbuk National University. There are even reports that North Korean authorities force women to have abortions who return home pregnant after going to China to find food, as stated by defectors and human rights groups.

The report goes on to assess how globalization for many South Koreans, has largely meant increasing exports or going abroad to study, and that now that it is also bringing an influx of foreigners into a society where 42 percent of respondents (in a 2008 survey) said they had never once spoken with a foreigner.

There is evidence though, that action is being taken to remedy this perverse level of racism. On July 10, Bonogit Hussain, a 29-year-old Indian man, and Hahn Ji-seon, a female Korean friend, were riding a bus near Seoul when another passenger made racial and sexist comments toward them. Customarily, this interaction was not unfamiliar, however, this time the media in the South Korean media broadcasted the incident, and subsequently, prosecutors sprang into action. The passenger was found, identified, arrested, and charged with contempt. This is noteworthy, because for the first time, such charges had been applied to an alleged racist offense.

As a result of this case, which is pending in court, rival South Korean political parties have begun drafting legislation that for the first time would provide a detailed definition of discrimination by race and ethnicity and impose criminal penalties.

For more information, please see:

EIN World News Report - South Korea Racism & Xenophobia News - November 2, 2009

New York Times - South Koreans Struggle With Race - November 2, 2009

The Hankyoreh - Foreigners cite nationalism, discrimination as barriers to life in Korea - April 23, 2009

Refugees Refuse to Budge, Indonesia Might Expel

2009-11-01T23:38:22-05:00

By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

Jakarta, Indonesia- Indonesia has stated the 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers stranded in a boat off the coast of Sumatra must either cooperate with authorities over identity checks or risk expulsion.

The Sri Lankans were caught in Indonesian water on 18 October while attempting to reach Australia. Both nations agreed to a deal last week which would see the asylum seekers moved to an Indonesian detention center. The Sri Lankans, ethnic Tamils who are on board the Australian vessel “Oceanic Viking” have refused to be moved to Riau Island, an immigration detention center in Tanjungpinang, said an Indonesian diplomat. “The Sri Lanka immigrants insist on going to Australia instead,” said Sujatmiko, the foreign ministry’s diplomatic security director.

The asylum seekers numbering 68 men, five women and five children, were detained by Australian customs ship Oceanic Viking, 240 miles from Padang in waters near Enggano Island.

Teuku Faizahsyah, Indonesia’s foreign ministry spokesperson told the BBC that Indonesia will only be able to host the asylum seekers until they have been clearly identified. The asylum seekers have so far resisted any efforts to get off the ship. Faizahsyah says that if the stand-off continues, Indonesia will have no choice but to expel the Sri Lankans.

Indonesia could not force them to move to the Riau Islands’ immigration detention center because it would violate international law. The refugees initially rejected health check-up by an Indonesian medical team but finally gave up after being persuaded by members of the Indonesian foreign affairs ministry’s team.

“Today the Oceanic Viking ship is still in water around 12 miles off the Bintan District coast,” said Sujatmiko. The permission by the Indonesian government allowing the ship to moor near Cempedak Isle expires next Friday. Sujatmiko denied a report saying that Indonesia had received US$50 million as compensation for accepting Sri Lankan immigrants, stating the government was willing to accept the asylum seekers because of humanitarian reasons.

The deal has been seen as a prelude to a wider-ranging agreement between the two nations expected to be signed in November. The agreement would see Australia hand over cash to Indonesia, in exchange for Jakarta ensuring that Australia-bound ships with asylum seekers on board are intercepted. The agreement has been criticized by some in Indonesia who say it is only a way for Australia to outsource its problems to their country.

For more information, please see:

BBC News- Indonesia ‘Might Expel’ Refugees – 29 October 2009

Antara News- Sri Lanka Refugees to Budge From Australian Ship – 28 October 2009

Sri Lanka Watch- Australia Refuses to Accept SL Asylum Seekers – 30 October 2009