Police chief vows to crack down on anti-monarchy campaigners as his top priority

Wichean: A serious concern

Response is intrigued. The police chief doesn't see lese majeste as just one of his priorities to be integrated in to the work of a senior police officer, but as his main priority.

Ordinary Thai people will not see the benefits of an accountable, professional service or of police who see their jobs as being to protect and serve those who pay their wages. He will not be prioritizing security, interpersonal or anti-social crime, not the ravaging effects of drug use on inner-city communities, not trans-border people smuggling or corruption. Under his leadership, their will be a focus on prosecuting people with " the full wrath of the police force" for disagreeing with him.

In a quick search it is difficult to find the priorities of the police forces of neighbouring countries and Response's language skills wouldn't be up to it if they were. Further afield; and the whole of the first page of Google results for "policing priorities" are from regional British police so in this case we're talking about the UK, the priorities are quite different. The publicly stated priorities of the British police include the following: to "make communities safer", to "deliver a more effective, transparent and responsive criminal justice system for victims and the public", "reduce the harm caused by alcohol and drugs", "tackle terrorism and violent extremism", "tackle serious and organized crime". Never one to advocate blindly for the police, but Khun Wichean's priorities are seemingly less specific, except on his one main priority. It seems that if the Thai's are looking for a police service, they've got a way to go yet.



http://www.hertspa.org/committees/14140504/14148539/14187452/
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/204171/wichean-takes-it-personally

UN funds Cambodia's prison of the undesirables

Sex Workers in Phnom Penh

A Human Rights Watch research consultant, Sara Bradford, who works closely with former inmates, said the Cambodian government was breaking its own laws by detaining people without charge or trial.
''Such centres are abusive, illegal and ineffective. The operation of the centres, and all funding to them, needs to stop immediately.''
Last year the UN's own Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights described the conditions at Prey Speu as ''appalling'', where people ''were illegally confined and subject to a variety of abuses of power by the staff that included sub-humane conditions of detention, extortion, beating, rape, sometimes resulting in death, and suicide''.

http://www.transcontinental.com.au/news/world/world/general/un-funds-cambodias-prison-of-the-undesirables/1983520.aspx?storypage=0

Better than Belarus...

"There is no freedom. There is no space for us to express ourselves even though we chose to fight peacefully"

The continuing attacks on freedom of the press and expression and the climate of fear that is deepening, twelve printing houses have turned down Red Shirt publications and Red Power News (http://www.redpowernews.com/) has taken to printing in Cambodia (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/10/29/politics/Red-power-mag-stranded-on-Cambodian-border-30141089.html)

With Thailand one position below Azerbaijan and one above Belarus in the world press-freedom ranking (http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2010,1034.html), two and a half satang can truly look down on two.

Response suggests that "Better than Belarus" might be used to attract foreign investors to Thailand, or even tourists.

There is increasing light being shone on the UK Prime Minister David Cameron's trip to Siam over the festive period with well publicized calls for him to call off his trip (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/2010/10/31/david-cameron-urged-to-axe-trip-to-thailand-115875-22676572/).

Locked In, Locked Out

Zarganar: http://thisprisonwhereilive.co.uk/

 

Burma's heroic democracy and human rights activists continue to sit in prison while those outside discuss whether or not it is right to participate in these fraudulent elections. Response is reminded of the discussions one can hear or overhear between affluent people surrounded by poverty as they try to convince themselves of the reasons one should not give to beggars. The only support these reasons can claim is in the nods of agreement and the assertions themselves.



"...many continue their activities, at great risk, while in prison. Another function is to instill into the wider population the fear that engaging in politics or activities deemed in opposition to the regime comes at a cost: you pay with your freedom and sometimes your life."

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19880
Please see: http://thisprisonwhereilive.co.uk/

The Burmese Internet on the Eve of Election

"Burma tops CPJ's "10 Worst Countries to be a Blogger." With the scheduled general election in the country approaching, there have been reports of growing interference with both local and exiled journalists. As Burma enters the final stretch of the campaign, CPJ's senior South East Asia representative, Shawn Crispin, gave me a brief summary of the online situation."

And it seems in this, control of the internet too, Thailand is in esteemed company though they failed to make the top ten. Better luck next time Thailand.

Response's internet connection seems as though it's suffering the junta's icy grip as well, even though we're far away and it's impossible. Apologies if some of this message becomes lost or double posted or something, or if i can't attach the great photo that accompanies the article. 

http://cpj.org/internet/2010/10/the-burmese-internet-on-the-eve-of-election.php

Burma needs a war crimes inquiry

The proposed UN inquiry would call the Burmese regime to account, but it depends on global support that's so far lacking

Some governments seem concerned that pushing for an international process of accountability may negatively affect the conduct of the elections by driving Burma further into isolation. A few Asian leaders have suggested a commission of inquiry could lead to renewed intense fighting in Burma. If anything, embarking on an accountability process will put all parties to the conflict on notice that there are consequences for serious abuses. As we have seen from Liberia to the Balkans, justice could instead facilitate a process in which highly abusive figures are marginalised and a more reformist leadership is able to emerge in Burma.
Some states are concerned that acting on a commission of inquiry may affect whether democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be released shortly after the elections, as her current term for house arrest expires. While we all want to see Suu Kyi released, her liberty is not a meaningful indicator of progress in Burma. She has been released and detained many times over the last 20 years. Burma's military rulers are masters at using one woman's freedom as a bargaining chip to distract and deter the international community from taking actions that would harm the military's interests.
Another argument is that certain powerful countries, namely China, are actively lobbying against a commission of inquiry for Burma. A commission will only succeed if the major players who have come out in support of a commission are as active in support for it as China is in efforts to scupper it. In the past, commissions of inquiry have been created by the security council despite China's initial reservations, most recently in the case of Darfur. But there will need to be a commitment to a campaign of sustained advocacy and high-level démarches to ensure enough votes to support it.
The international community needs to heed the call of the UN special rapporteur to act, because as he points out, "Justice and accountability are the very foundation of the UN system." Getting a commission of inquiry for Burma will entirely depend on how much the EU, the US and like-minded states are prepared to engage, rather than on how much the spoilers want to shoot it down.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2010/oct/28/burma-war-crimes-inquiry

Indonesian Mental Health Care Unshackled

A great account from New Matilda of Indonesian Health Workers working to improve the lives of mentally ill people, on one hand freeing people from shackles and on the other working to prevent more people being shackled.



"The new model reserves hospitalisation for cases of demonstrated need. Nurses trained to deal with serious disorders are made responsible for as many as twenty families in a given area. According to Dr Viora, the goal is to "empower the primary health care worker" to treat people in their own communities. Judged a success in Aceh province, the model is now being rolled in other parts of Indonesia.

Professor Achir Yani, Head of the Provincial Health Office in Aceh, is managing a provincial government programme that aims to eradicate forced restraint and confinement by the start of 2011. Yani told New Matilda that as well as being less costly, community care reduces relapse problems.


Deinstitutionalisation has been a global trend in mental healthcare. Australian health services have been going through the process for more than thirty years. Decades ago, Indonesia was the acknowledged leader in healthcare among the nations of South East Asia. Over the past decade this vast nation has been working hard to catch up. As a question of human rights as well as of quality and accessibility of care, the campaign to end confinement is a fitting yardstick of progress.


Hundreds of people have been released. The issue has been placed on the national agenda, with the Indonesian government’s recent commitment to ending forced restraint nationwide by 2014. Dr Pandu Setiawan is a leading architect of mental health reform and heads the Indonesian Mental Health Network. He describes this commitment as the culmination of a decades-long campaign to improve mental health policy. And Dr Setiawan is confident that the committed group of young mental health professionals at the heart of the anti-pasung push will be successful.


Earlier this month, a sign proclaiming "Toward an Indonesia free of pasung" was posted at the entrance of the Ministry of Health (see image above). The words are superimposed over a shattered chain. If the efforts of the professionals and activists leading the charge are matched by sustained political will, Indonesia will meet its commitment to those still in shackles."


http://newmatilda.com/2010/10/28/mental-health-patients-unshackled

New call for end to mandatory detention

Xmas Island Detention Centre

Australia's shameful and embarrassing position as the only industrialized country to routinely imprison people for seeking asylum continues as the HRC makes yet another call for the prison camps to be closed.

"The Australian Human Rights Commission has again recommended an end to mandatory detention of asylum seekers.

The latest call coincides with the release of the Commission's 2010 Christmas Island immigration detention report.

Human Rights Commissioner Catherine Branson says despite recent decisions by the federal government to move children and families into commmunity-based detention, conditions on Christmas Island remain unacceptable."

http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/Podcasts/world-view/episode/120532/New-call-for-end-to-mandatory-detention

Obituary: Human rights campaigner Asmara Nababan dies at 64

 “Bang As [as Asmara was colloquially called] was our teacher, friend and father. He was a loyal figure in the struggle to defend human rights. He is a role model of consistency and courage in struggling for human values,” Kontras chairman Haris Azhar said. “He fully dedicated his life to efforts to promote democracy, defend victims of human rights violations and empower civil society.”

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/10/29/obituary-human-rights-campaigner-asmara-nababan-dies-64.html

Indonesian House Speaker’s ‘Senseless’ Tsunami Comments

“Anyone who is afraid of waves shouldn’t live near seashore”

West Sumatra scholar Ricky Avenzora also criticized the comments, labeling them naive and hurtful.

“Marzuki Alie’s statement about the tsunami in Mentawai did not only show the naivete of a legislative leader but it is also very very painful for the people of West Sumatra,” he said.

Ricky said the statement was insensitive and senseless because many people had lost loved ones in the disaster.

“And you can’t take people from their homes and relocate them. How much strength does Marzuki have to relocate all the islanders in Indonesia and what will he do with the islands afterwards?” he said."

In his thoughtful and considered response to the complaints regarding his earlier comment he said he was only joking. Or in his own words: "I was saying it in a joking tone". And Response is sure you will agree, that in that case, it's fine (?).



http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/outrage-after-indonesian-house-speakers-senseless-tsunami-comments/403692

Asean leaders ask Burma to let in observers

"Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said that Burma suffers from a credibility deficit, and his Filipino counterpart Alberto Romulo as been insisting that an election that is not fair, free and inclusive is little more than a farce."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/10/29/mekong/Asean-leaders-ask-Burma-to-let-in-observers-30141085.html

After a few days away, Our Landmark 100th Post...

Response thought, after a few days away, that our milestone 100th post we would post a humourous and merciless take on writing about suffering (in this case in Africa).

http://www.granta.com/Magazine/92/How-to-Write-about-Africa/Page-1

Gender discrimination in authoritarian Burma

Since we cannot seek justice from the un-independent judiciary system in Burma, we must put them on trial at the International Criminal Court for violations of international law. They have committed a lot of war crimes and inhumane crimes that need to be investigated by a UN commission of inquiry. About ten countries have already given their endorsement. So, we have a plan to enlist more countries in support of this commission of inquiry.
http://www.mizzima.com/edop/interview/4488-gender-discrimination-in-authoritarian-burma.html

Junta Envoy Says Burma Has No Political Prisoners

Response has posted this story a little bit late, but thought it was worth it. During the ambassador's speech, it is reported, were the faint sounds of stifled laughter and the sight of fellow ambassadors hiding their red faces behind piles of important documents.

"WASHINGTON —  Burma's United Nations Ambassador, Thant Kyaw, told an incredulous UN committee on Wednesday that his country has no political prisoners.
“There are no political prisoners in Myanmar [Burma], and no individual has been incarcerated simply for his or her political beliefs,” Thant Kyaw told a committee that deals with human rights questions."

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19798

200 NCR landowners demand to be detained

More than 200 owners of native customary rights (NCR) land gathered outside the gate of the Simunjan police station here demanding to be detained together with seven of their collegues who were being held for alleged mischief with fire yesterday.
Fearful of more owners turning up, police quickly closed the gate to prevent them from entering and called for more reinforcement.

http://hornbillunleashed.wordpress.com/2010/10/24/200-ncr-landowners-demand-to-be-detained/#comment-9931

Indonesia confirms Papua torture

"... human rights groups say the Papuan villagers who were tortured were farmers.
They add that this video is evidence of the grave abuses committed by the Indonesian military in Papua, where a small group of rebels have waged a low level war for independence for decades."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11604361

Diagnosis Critical - Report from Mae Tao Clinic

Diagnosis: Critical: Health and Human Rights in Eastern Burma

 Full Report Here 

No Forced Repatriation: Thai FM

Mae La Camp in Mae Sot

Thailand will repatriate Burmese refugees staying on the Thai-Burmese border only when peace prevails in Burma, said Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
He made the statement on Friday when he visited Mae La refugee camp in Tak Province where some 40,000 Burmese refugees are staying.
Speaking to a camp committee, Kasit said the Thai authorities would not send the refugees back by force, but will only send them back if political situation in Burma gets better after the general elections on Nov. 7.

“We will be repatriated voluntarily when the situation in Burma is secure for us,” a committee member said, adding that they would not be sent back if there was still armed conflict in their home areas.

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19809

Malaysian Government fails 70,000 Dayaks in their bid to get MyKads

The Sarawak Indigenous Lawyers Association (SILA), it is learnt, offered to help the NRD earlier this year to resolve the problem of stateless people in the state. The NRD is yet to respond.
The SILA feels that the NRD should be staffed by better qualified personnel “who know how to exercise their discretion in resolving the problem of the stateless in Sarawak”. This means not sticking rigidly by the rule book, said a SILA spokesman. “NRD should accept other evidence not covered in the rule book as proof of citizenship.”
For instance, SILA wants the NRD in Sarawak to follow its counterpart in Sabah and not make it mandatory for the marriage certificate to be produced before a child can be given a birth certificate. In cases of non-Muslim-Muslim marriages, it was pointed out, there are no marriage certificates “when a couple chose to live in sin and produce children”.

http://hornbillunleashed.wordpress.com/2010/10/23/10869/

Raziah – Protestors jailed

"In a recent story Sarawak Report exposed the shocking attempt by the firm Quality Concrete to force Iban villagers to hand over their rights to 3,035 hectares of Native Customary Rights Lands in Sebangan for just MR 250 (US$ 80) per family.

The company, of which the Chief Minister’s sister Raziah is one of the Directors,  is after the millions of dollars-worth of rare and valuable hardwood trees in the area.  However the Ibans are refusing, saying they want to preserve their forest for future generations."
http://hornbillunleashed.wordpress.com/2010/10/23/10946/

China's Ethnic-policy Balancing Act

Kokang: Photo from another Irrawaddy article

Some observers see the autonomous regions of China's ethnic groups as a potential model that could be emulated in Burma, but so far such an approach has gained little interest within the junta.
China has its own ethnic Kachin, Wa, Kokeng and Shan living in Yunnan Province who enjoy greater freedoms that their fellow ethnics living in Burma, who are still treated like  third-class citizens .
Also, as a potential model for Burma, China has experimented with political and social reforms to stimulate economic development, while Burma’s generals are still living in the 19th century with a dormant economy.

 http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19788

Burmese Embassies Restrict Advanced Voting

"On Tuesday, the Burmese embassy in Japan opened for advanced voting, but again only selected Burmese citizens were invited.
“They didn’t inform the Burmese community in Japan,” said Phone Myint Tun, who took part in a “Don't Vote” campaign in front of the embassy in Tokyo on that day. “Very few of my Burmese friends received invitation letters from the embassy.”

In Oct. 16, the Burmese embassy in London sent invitations to a handful of Burmese citizens, none of whom are members of NGOs or exile pro-democracy groups.
The Burma Liberation Front in the UK said they sent some of their members who hold Burmese passports to the embassy demanding that they be allowed to exercise their rights to vote."

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19790

Health warning over Sumatra fires

 "Environmental activists say despite regulations curbing the practice of forest burning in Indonesia, officials are not tough about enforcing the rules.

Bustar Maitar from Greenpeace told the BBC many farmers in Sumatra still burned trees to clear the land, even though it is illegal, so they can plant crops."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11593978

Junta blocks vehicles with anti-drug stickers

The KIO publicly announced the renewal of its “War against Drugs” on October 5, setting October 15 as the deadline for a complete ban on all forms of drugs in Kachin State, and its territories in Northern Shan State.

The announcement included a warning to drug users, producers, smugglers and distributors that harsh penalties, including the death penalty, are now in place against anyone breaching KIO anti-drug laws.

http://www.kachinnews.com/news/1767-junta-blocks-vehicles-with-anti-drug-stickers.html

Irrawaddy: Red Shirts at the UN Cartoon

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19791

Australia Jumps The Queue In East Timor

From Shona Hawkes in the newly reborn New Matilda.

"Many are against it because they think that East Timor’s first priority should be its own people’s basic needs. Few Timorese people can access clean water. Many can’t get to a doctor, or a school — half the population is illiterate. This year crazy weather has led to floods, landslides and big winds, tipping subsistence farmers over the brink. People I’ve spoken to don’t understand why a big, rich country like Australia is trying to offload its responsibilities onto its struggling half-island neighbour.

[...]

To establish a refugee processing centre, Australia would have to ensure that there were no overlapping land claims for a proposed site, or else negotiate with all legitimate claim holders. Alternatively it risks being complicit in land rights violations. Because of the lack of land laws, it’s not clear who owns land in East Timor. In numerous cases the East Timor Ministry for Justice has simply claimed properties as State land, without recognising others’ land claims or ensuring just compensation. Traditional customary landowners and vulnerable people have no means to assert and defend a land claim."

http://newmatilda.com/2010/10/22/australia-jumps-queue-east-timor
Response AP is happy indeed to see New Matilda breathing again after her near-death experience.


Have a look at:  http://fretilinmedia.blogspot.com/2010/10/fretilin-timor-leste-not-ready-to-have.html .

UK Government confirm Thai nationals received refugee status - evidence update

"by Andrew Spooner
I have finally obtained cast-iron proof that a Thai national was granted refugee status in the UK in 2009 after I made direct contact with the relevant UK Government ministry responsible for deciding who recieves refugee status in the UK.
The result was that a spokesperson from the UK's Home Office, the UK Government ministry that controls the Border Agency, confirmed that at least one Thai national was granted refugee status in the UK in 2009.
In addition to this I also contacted the Refugee Council, the largest independent body in the UK which deals with asylum seekers and refugees, to get their insight into whether the refugee documentation provided to me by my interview subject was, in their opinion, likely to be authentic. A spokesperson from the Refugee Council stated that the papers I was provided with do look like documents that would verify that a person has refugee status. However, they did say only the Home Office can confirm the status of a client and its authenticity.
Adding all this together, I am more than happy that my original story and interview was 100% accurate. What is now clear is that a precedent has been set and more Thai nationals seeking refuge from political violence and intimidation could emerge. One simple fact must be considered in all of this - that the present Thai regime does very little to control the extremist acts of intimidation, threats & violence perpetrated by the supporters and members of the PAD. The evidence of the present regime's collusion with the PAD is overwhelming and substantial, as is the same regime's refusal to uphold the rule of law vis a vis the actions of the PAD. One may even go so far to assume that the PAD acts as an agent of the regime, such is the legal and politcal cover it recieves. This has become one of the salient features of Thailand's present political predicament.
If anyone has any proof to refute the evidence I've produced so far as to the veracity of my interview subject's refugee status, please put it in the comments section. Just saying it isn't so or calling my "biased" doesn't count, I'm afraid.
Follow me on Twitter - @andrewspooner "

This is a follow up post by Mr Spooner after, aspersions were cast over his original account of an interview he conducted with a Thai national, claiming she had been granted asylum by the UK government. Please read the original interview.

UN raises worries over Timor police

"UN special representative for East Timor, Ameerah Haq, praised the general stability in the southeast Asian state but raised concerns about policing and the commuting of prison terms for some involved in the unrest.
"Public confidence in the state's willingness to support the rule of law and human rights can be adversely affected if the public perceives that individuals in high profile cases are given favored treatment," she told the Security Council.

Haq said she raised the "concern" with Ramos-Horta after he lifted jail terms against those convicted for February 11, 2008 attacks against him and the prime minister, and some soldiers convicted for killing eight police officers in the 2006 troubles."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/202212/un-raises-worries-over-timor-police

Indonesian activists reject Suharto for 'hero' gong

"The annual award goes to Indonesians who "perform acts of heroism and make extraordinary contributions" to the nation.
But anti-graft campaigner Teten Masduki, of Transparency International, said Suharto was unworthy of such an honour because he led a corrupt regime that stole billions of dollars from the country.
"He was extraordinarily corrupt to the point of bankrupting Indonesia. How could such a person be made a national hero?" he told AFP."


http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/202205/indonesian-activists-reject-suharto-for-hero-gong

'Health emergency' in Burma's ethnic east: report

"Community groups aim to provide healthcare in the absence of state provision, but these are severely hampered by conflict, the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and lack of resources."


http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/202207/health-emergency-in-burma-ethnic-east-report

Burma's health care reaches crisis point

"We want the international community to consider this as a crime against humanity," said Dr Maung, who won the Magsaysay Award for her humanitarian work.
Almost one third of those surveyed experienced human rights abuses in the preceding year, particularly forced labour and displacement. The report also states that the abuses are directly linked with the health crisis, as children in displaced families were three times more likely to suffer.
The problem of children and women who die from preventable and curable diseases can be solved through comprehensive public health services, Dr Maung said.
"But unless the human rights violations are stopped in Burma, the health problems cannot be solved."

Protests on SBY anniversary

JAKARTA - THOUSANDS of protesters took to the streets in Indonesia on Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of the swearing in of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Anti-government rallies were staged in Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Palu and Bogor, where students reportedly clashed with police. Almost 20,000 police were on standby in the capital to deal with unrest, the Antara state news agency reported, but there were no reports of violence in the city.
About 300 protesters gathered in front of the presidential palace in Jakarta, shouting 'SBY has failed, SBY has failed'. 'He has failed to eradicate corruption,' said Rudi Daman of a group called the People's Defender Front.
Another protester, Yati Andriyani of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, said Dr Yudhoyono had not honoured promises to protect human rights in the mainly Muslim country of 240 million people. 'They were only empty promises,' she said.
Demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails at police who responded with tear gas in Makassar, South Sulawesi province, on Tuesday as Dr Yudhoyono visited the town. The president, a centrist ex-general, warned protesters to express dissent within the limits of the law and not to try to overthrow the government, a loose coalition of nationalist secular and Islamic parties.
'The democracy we all want is not one leading to a sea of slander and anarchy, which can damage the things that we have built,' Dr Yudhoyono told Elshinta radio. 'As a country, the world will see whether a nation's democracy is ethical and civilised or not.' -- AFP

Abuses will not stop co-operation with Indonesia

"The head of the Indonesian human rights group Kontras, Haris Azhar, said: ''The video clearly shows very barbaric tortures against the Papuans.''
He urged the Indonesian government ''to find out who the victims are and who the perpetrators are''.

Response is not surprised, the historical record and this present example are consistent. Of course, human rights abuses and torture carried out by allies will be overlooked and quickly forgotten. Whereas, milder abuses carried out by those who are otherwise uncooperative or disobedient will likely be punished most severely.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/abuses-will-not-stop-cooperation-with-indonesia-20101018-16qxt.html

Who cares if the election is 'free and fair'?

"... what would trigger renewed protests? The junta's instinctive need for control could result in some last-minute intimidation, sparking an explosion of pent-up rage. There have already been reports of deadly attacks on USDP campaigners in Shan State, which could be a sign of things to come."

"Is a full-blown uprising a likely scenario? It is, of course, impossible to say. But as long as the regime is betting its future on an election that will rankle in people's memory for years to come, it will never be able to end its repressive ways, and this can only mean trouble somewhere on the horizon."


http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/202229/who-cares-if-the-election-is-free-and-fair

Govt urged to verify Papua torture video

www.yale.edu/gsp/papua/index.html

Ifdhal said the government should investigate the video and not simply deny any government involvement in the actions depicted in it.
He said a failure by the government to ascertain the truth behind the video would intensify public distrust of the government’s role in Papua.
He told The Jakarta Post that commission members in Papua had begun questioning sources in connection with the video.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/10/19/govt-urged-verify-papua-torture-video.html

Burma's election won't help minorities: Karen leader

BuSEIN: Since the military regime forced the ceasefire groups to transform into the border guard force it brings ethnic unity, so we've come together and so now we have put our political objectives together in the same platform, and so this is good.

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/201010/s3042185.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Opening Burmese Elections to Media and Observers: Indonesia

“We don’t need foreign observers. We have abundant experience in holding elections … We don’t need to clarify the credibility of these elections to other people,” Thein Soe, the chairman of the Union Election Commission, told a news conference in the capital Naypyitaw, as quoted by Reuters.
“Besides, the election laws enacted are very balanced and easy to understand.”

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/10/19/myanmar%E2%80%99s-election-could-improve-opening-media-ri.html

Soeharto as Hero?

Human rights activists, however, have repeatedly voiced concern over Soeharto’s human right abuses.

Sumarsih from the Solidarity Network of Victim Families of Human Rights Violations said Soeharto was a corrupt and authoritarian leader whose regime was largely supported by the military.

“During his tenure, he committed many gross human rights abuses as has already proven by the investigations of the National Commission on Human Rights,” she said.

Sumarsih added that Soeharto’s role as the country’s “father of development”, a commonly cited reason behind the push to name him a national hero, must be re-examined.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/10/19/people-have-say-soeharto-hero.html

US sanctions and human rights in Thailand

The U.S. government monitors human rights around the world, produces an annual report on specific countries’ human rights records, and occasionally singles out specific countries for admonishment.  Yet the U.S. is routinely silent on human rights in Thailand, even when the Thai press acknowledge that abuses have occurred.

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2010/10/18/us-sanctions-and-human-rights-in-thailand/

Army chief takes aim at 'red' officers

"His transfer can be considered as a promotion although it's a bit off the track [to the force control unit]," an army source said.

Col Pongsawas Phanchit, director of the Operations Division of the 1st Army, was appointed to replace Col Natthawat.

A source said the reason for his transfer was that Col Natthawat had been in charge of the Bangkok-based 1st Infantry Regiment for three years. Gen Prayuth was not confident Col Natthawat could carry out his work any longer. Also, he was connected to Gen Chavalit.

"Gen Prayuth is still concerned about soldiers who are close to the red shirts," the source said."

Response wonders whether, to the officer affected, it feels like a promotion.

And in the lower ranks of a top heavy army, after the thought criminals have been cleared out, how many would be left?

"The latest transfers are viewed as a move to ensure Gen Prayuth has reliable subordinates who can follow his orders to the letter."

Gulp.

It was reported some military units did not deal with the red shirt protesters as he wanted.



http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/202058/army-chief-takes-aim-at-red-officers

The Thai Army Stands Up

Thais have backed strong military action before. In 2003, the Thaksin administration launched a "war on drugs" that saw the security forces kill more than 2,000 people, many in extrajudicial police shootings. The international media, the United Nations and foreign governments severely criticized the campaign. However, polls showed that 90% of Thais, weary of a tsunami of illegal drugs from Burma, were heartily supportive. The crackdown worked: Thailand saw an unprecedented drop in narcotics trafficking for a considerable period of time and permanently dismantled several longstanding narcotics trafficking networks.
That may be the kind of leadership that General Prayuth aims to provide, although his personal political views are unclear. He has not discussed elections or the government's plans for political "reconciliation" with disaffected pro-democracy supporters. But if Thai history teaches one thing, it's that Thais should be wary of anyone who promises to restore order. Democratic reform, governance transparency and public accountability could be the casualties.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304410504575559654154085706.html

Intelligence unit to return to Khin Nyunt days

"Under Khin Nyunt, who headed DDSI for 20 years and became prime minister in August 2003, Burma’s dissident community was placed under lock and key. It is thought that the work undercover reporters do now and the amount of information leaving the country would not have been possible in Khin Nyunt’s day, when surveillance was all-seeing and communication among intelligence circles proficient."

http://www.dvb.no/news/intelligence-unit-to-return-to-khin-nyunt-days/12265

Thai PM testifies in crucial case - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English

The Democrat Party - Thailand's oldest party - could be dissolved if found guilty while Abhisit, who was its deputy leader at the time the grant was allegedly misused, could be handed a five-year ban from politics, along with other executives.

Thai PM testifies in crucial case - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English

Chiang Rai student arrested for selling Abhisit flip-flops

"After the arrest she [the boy's mother] tried to talk to the police officer who made the arrest and who was the same person who had searched her house after the first arrest in July, but she was told that he had to follow orders."

Those brave defenders of the people.

"According to the police record, the police investigator considered that the selling of flip-flops printed with the face of the PM was improper and against the good morals of the public.  He warned the suspects to refrain from this action.  The police will conduct an investigation, and if their action is found to be against the law, the suspects will be prosecuted."

How ironic that the Thai Police would take it upon themselves to defend the public's morals.

http://www.prachatai3.info/english/node/2092

Burma junta snubs UN chief's call for democracy

Ban met the Group of Friends on Myanmar (Burma) in late September. During the meeting, the members called for the release of political prisoners including detained opposition leader Suu Kyi.

After a closed-door meeting in New York, Ban said that the ministers expressed again and again the need for the election process "to be more inclusive, participatory and transparent". However, there was no representative from Burma at the assembly and no immediate response from the government.

The November elections will be part of the junta's protracted ‘seven-step road map’ to disciplined democracy, which critics scorn as a deception planned to strengthen military rule.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/uzinlinn/burmese-junta-s-negative-response-bring-shame-on-ban-ki-moon

Burmese Election Campaigning

Live Ammunition for Indonesian Riot Police

Police in Indonesia are now allowed to use live ammunition for riot control, with a new regulation intended for use against uncooperative and violent protesters.

Clare Atkinson spoke with SBS' Indonesia correspondent Rebecca Henschke about the new rules.

http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/Podcasts/world-view/episode/117912/Live-ammunition-for-Indonesian-riot-police

Indonesia Urged to Back War Crimes Probe

The Indonesian government must add its voice to growing calls for a UN probe into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma, Human Rights Watch has said.
“Indonesia should show leadership among Asian nations in supporting accountability efforts for serious human rights abuses committed by all parties in Burma,” said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director of HRW.

http://www.dvb.no/elections/indonesia-urged-to-back-war-crimes-probe/12242

Hooray for Handwashing Day



Some rights reserved by World Bank Photo Collection



33 Thais in miraculous rescue

When a CNN reporter asked whether the expense of the rescue operation could have been saved by simply enforcing the traffic laws and making drivers stop at pedestrian crossings, Deputy PM Suthep stepped in and claimed that this was another example of foreigners being unable to understand Thai culture.
Police were ordered to escort the reporter to CRES headquarters where he was charged under the Emergency Decree with asking a question that might cause panic or misunderstanding among the public about the emergency situation, affecting national security.
And so the episode ended with mutual self-congratulation all round. The only remaining problem is that half the pedestrians now want to re-cross the road to get back home.

http://prachatai3.info/english/node/2086

Asylum seekers to be released from detention

Mary Crock, a Professor of Public Law at the University of Sydney, has written extensively about the problems associated with detaining asylum seekers and has lobbied the Government to change its policy.
She says this is a turning point for asylum seekers in Australia and a change that is long overdue.
"Detention is very harmful to the mental health and other aspects of the health of the asylum seekers," she said.
"It's also a very inefficient way to deal with the problem. People are being detained in very remote locations; it costs a literal fortune to get the decision-makers out to the asylum seekers."
She says she has been struck by how unaware Australia is of what other countries are doing.

"We are really by ourselves when it comes to keeping asylum seekers in detention for the length of their processing time," she said.
"Every other country around the world has mechanisms for allowing people out if they don't pose any threat to the community.
"The central question should be: do these people pose a flight risk? Do they pose a risk of any other sort to the community? If not, why are we spending a literal fortune locking them up in remote locations? It doesn't help anybody."
She says it is not difficult to determine who poses a threat before asylum claims have been processed.
"Most asylum seekers, most people who come here and claim refugee status in Australia come here by plane and they live quite happily in the community," she said.
"They don't abscond, on the whole. So there's no reason why boat people should be in any different category."
Professor Crock would like to see this move as the beginning of a major policy change away from detention altogether.
"There's no practical reason why we should be doing this," she said.
"It seems to have been really done more as a sop to the domestic population than to any question of efficiency and effectiveness.
"What we need to see happen is we need to see people being processed in a fair and efficient way so as to see what their status is under international law, see whether they really do have claims upon our good nature. We can't do that effectively if people are in remote locations."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/16/3040170.htm

Banning Books in Indonesia

Govt resorts to last-gasp measures to censor books

"University of Indonesia philosophy expert Tommy F. Awuy said, however, that there was no need for the government “to try to look for problems in the books”.
“It is a characteristic of a totalitarian state to try to find out how books are going to cause problems in order to dispute them in courts,” he told the Post.
The Constitutional Court on Wednesday ruled to expunge a 1963 law on book banning. The ruling stripped the government of its authority to ban books deemed controversial, but judges said books could still be banned. They said the decision to remove books from circulation should rest with the courts."

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/10/16/govt-resorts-lastgasp-measures-censor-books.html

Thailand's Mr Condom: Khun Mechai Viravaidya

Burmese Refugees in Thailand: Welcome withdrawn

"If carried out, Thailand’s repatriation of Burmese nationals would top off what has been a less-than-stellar few years in its treatment of refugees. There have been widely corroborated accounts that in December 2008, the Thai navy towed into to deep waters a convoy of un-seaworthy boats carrying hundreds of ethnic Rohingya who had been fleeing Myanmar and Bangladesh. Many on board those vessels are believed to have perished. In December 2009 Bangkok deported thousands of ethnic Hmong back to Laos, where right groups expect them to face harsh retaliation for the Hmong’s historic opposition to the Laotian government. Earlier this year thousands of ethnic Karen who had fled to Thailand to escape fighting in Myanmar returned home across the border; their advocates say they were driven by harassment from the Thai army.

But Thailand’s longer record on Burmese refugees has been admirable, says David Mathieson, the head of research on Myanmar for Human Rights Watch. Thailand has for decades borne the brunt of refugee exoduses from South-East Asian conflicts, including wars in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. “You put that in context and Thailand actually has been very tolerant in its refugee policy towards Burmese.” But Mr Kasit’s recent proposal is deeply dangerous, he says—and vague, too. “It’s unclear who exactly this would apply to and how it would be carried out.” In the meantime, he adds, “it has made hundreds of thousands…if not millions of Burmese in Thailand very nervous.”

http://www.economist.com/blogs/asiaview/2010/10/burmese_refugees_thailand

Training for more doctors, nurses and health professionals

"The Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Minister for Health Nicola Roxon today announced funding for the clinical training of up to 12,000 more medical, nursing and allied health professional students to help deliver better health care to Australians."

http://www.pm.gov.au/node/6954

Jakarta street punks not as scary as they look

“I never steal though. I do feel that I am much better than those people with neat appearances who are corrupt,” Marco said.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/10/14/jakarta-street-punks-not-scary-they-look.html

Another of Thailand's Refugee Problems - an interview

"I applied for political asylum in the U.K. on the basis that if I returned to Thailand, I would be at risk of persecution from non-State and State actors due to my own political activities"

http://asiancorrespondent.com/siamvoices/thailand-s-real-refugee-problem-an-interview

Bali: Kasepekang: Justice by Ostracisation.

"Defenders of kasepekang see it as the sharp end of a system that is essential for maintaining ancient practices in the face of globalization, economic development and mass tourism. Critics say it is the opposite: a modern abuse of tradition that props up local elites, tramples on rights and shapes Balinese culture into a docile mold sellable to tourists [...] “As a humane person, I feel sorry for them. But tradition is more important,” said Ngurah Bagus Putra, the head of the village’s traditional council. “If I took their side, I could be ostracized, too.” "

An orientalist, but nevertheless interesting account of traditional Balinese law being used to stifle dissent and debate and to enforce groupthink. This play between conservative defenders of tradition and those more keen to criticise seems almost ever present in the region and elswhere. Wary of commenting and contributing to the outsiderism of the article I'm saddened by the way fear is used to shackle people and to control them.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/world/asia/13iht-bali.html

Rights Activists Say Thai Media Liberties Slipping as State of Emergency Extended

"Vincent Brossel, Asia Director of Reporters Without Borders, says journalists appeared to be targeted during the Bangkok protest. According to the organization's press freedom index, Thailand was ranked 130th out of 175 countries in 2009.

Brossel says if the environment for media does not improve quickly Thailand's ranking will drop further.

"Thailand has been in the past one of the most open countries for media in the region," Brossel said. "And, it's turning very critical of the press freedom and it's no more an example for the rest of the sub-region in terms of media freedom."
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Rights-Activists-Say-Thailands-Media-Liberties-Slipping-as-State-of-Emergency-Extended-97870059.html

Ahmadiyah followers in Lombok to be relocated

The West Lombok administration has planned to relocate Ahmadiyah followers in the regency to an island in Sekotong district.
"We try to give a protection to them," West Lombok Regent Zaini Arony said as quoted by kompas.com on Monday.
Zaini said he had met leaders from various elements to discuss the issue, but there was no conclusion yet.
There are about 20 Ahmadiyah families in the regency, but their presence was rejected by local people.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/10/11/ahmadiyah-followers-lombok-be-relocated.html

Very Moving Video From Human Rights Watch on Burmese People's Resistance

A must watch video. This is real and it's now.

Hope Floats

A Beautiful Photo Exhibition from Bali (http://www.sacredchildhoods.org/) hosted on photophilanthropy. (photophilanthropy.org/)



http://photophilanthropy.org/blogmedia/gallery-posts/hope-floats/

Myanmar to release 11,000 inmates before polls

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1590331.php/Myanmar-to-release-11-000-inmates-before-polls

"Myanmar authorities will release 11,000 prisoners before the November 7 general election, but it was unclear whether any political prisoners would be among them, reports said Sunday."

Fear rises as Bakun Dam gets ready for flooding

http://hornbillunleashed.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/10441/

“The government must make public the ERP for Bakun Dam before impounding the water. If there is no such plan, then the government must not proceed with its flooding trial run until an ERP has been in place and the people have been adequately informed of the procedures laid down by the plan,” said the group national coordinator, Raymond Abin."

Sydney's Aboriginal ghetto to be bulldozed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11502471


"The area will be renamed The Pemulwuy Project after a celebrated indigenous warrior.

Ray Minniecon, a local pastor, believes the rebuilding will harness the area's unique spirit and provide business opportunities: "It is a delicate balance as to how you maintain your history, your culture, your identity. The ways in which the Block has been redesigned encompasses all those kinds of challenges.
"It gives us for the first time in this country an opportunity to put in place within a city a design that comes from the Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people."

Supreme Court Will Hear Suu Kyi

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19678

“We are appealing on the basis that she is totally innocent,” Nyan Win said. “The fact that she is due to be released soon is irrelevant. We must continue this legal battle due to the fact that she is serving a criminal sentence.”

Global Doors Slam Shut On Immigrants

http://www.truth-out.org/global-doors-slam-shut-on-immigrants64057

Photo From Original Article: Truth Out

"Contrary to popular perception, anti-immigrant sentiment today isn't just about rich nations shunning the mass arrival of migrants from poorer ones. It is poor nations sending their huddled masses to other poor nations. It is rich countries sending people to other rich ones. It is countries acting as transit corridors – switching stations of humanity. According to the UNDP, only about one-third of migrants move from a developing country to a developed one."

A great discussion of the issues and some of the "issues" that are used to conceal them.