This week AHRC TV’s Just Asia begins with Burma, where four protesters already sentenced by a court in May 2015, are now facing additional charges for the same incident. Burma’s first democratic election of November 2015 has done little to curb rights violations in the country.
Next, the crisis at New Delhi’s Jawarhalal Nehru University (JNU) continues. Five students accused of sedition surrendered to the police in the early hours of Wednesday. To learn more about the situation there, Just Asia talks to JNU student Ms. Anamika Yadav.
Moving to Nepal, Just Asia presents excerpts of the speech shared by Devi Sunuwar on her daughter’s 12th death anniversary. Although Nepal’s civil conflict ended in 2006, the plight of conflict victims remains unresolved.
Indonesia is facing severe restrictions on freedom of opinion and assembly, with a recent police regulation on hate speech negatively impacting activists and others. Additionally, at least six political parties have proposed a controversial new bill weakening the existing Corruption Eradication Commission.
From Thailand, Just Asia reports that activists involved in compiling a key torture report were intimidated by the army. A group of uniformed men visited the home of activist Anchana Heemmina, while her elderly mother was home alone. Earlier, a military spokesperson questioned the activists’ investigation of state officers.
Finally, Just Asia covers three cases of human rights violations in its Urgent Appeals Weekly. In Indonesia, 27 persons were arrested and charged for involvement in a peaceful protest. In the Philippines, an indigenous man was killed by members of a paramilitary group in Bukidnon. Separately, the 73rd Infantry Battalion harassed and assaulted indigenous villagers in several incidents. In Nepal, 12 human rights defenders and conflict victims were arrested for demanding justice for Ganga Maya Adhikari.
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