This week Just Asia begins with the killing of six Pakistani Shias in two cities under military control. In Quetta city, the capital of Balochistan, four women were shot dead in a bus on their way home on October 4. On the same evening, two Shias were killed returning from their mosque in the military controlled Wah Cantonment. The Asian Human Rights Commission condemns the killings of Shia men and women during their mourning month of Muhharam.
Next, South Korea saw a court warrant issued on September 28 for an autopsy on Baek Nam-ki. A farmer who had been in a coma after being hit by police water cannon in 2015, Baek passed away on 25 September 2016. Baek’s family and concerned citizens are opposing calls for an autopsy, with protesters standing guard at the funeral home to prevent the police from taking Baek’s body. Some 30 000 farmers gathered for a memorial on October 1.
In Thailand, human rights lawyer Ms. Sirikan Charoensiri has been summoned to report to the Bangkok police for sedition and other offences on 27 September 2016. As Ms. Sirikan was attending the 33rd regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva from 17-25 September 2016, she submitted a letter to postpone the reporting. While the summons fail to provide any implicit details of her illegal actions, it is likely that Ms. Sirikan is being charged for providing legal support to 14 students at their peaceful demonstration on 25 June 2015.
Also in Thailand, the Khon Kaen police issued summons for five more people on September 26 for attending a public discussion in July on the Draft Constitution at Khon Kaen University in the country’s northeast. The five summoned people include a former Member of Parliament from Pheu Thai Party, a lecturer at Khon Kaen University, one anonymous activist, and two New Democracy Movement (NDM) members. For more information, JUST ASIA interviews Mr. Panupong Srithananuwat, a member of the Dao Din group.
Moving to Indonesia, six Pacific countries called for West Papua’s right to self determination to be respected, raising human rights violations occurring in the province during the General Debate of the UN General Assembly’s 71st Session. The Indonesian delegation strongly rejected and denied the allegations of abuse.
Next, in Nepal, a trauma counseling workshop for human rights defenders was held in Kathmandu from October 1-3. The 17 participants included human rights defenders, advocates, journalists, and civil society members. The sessions were led by senior psychologist Dr. Rajat Mitra.
Finally, the Urgent Appeals Weekly features two cases from India and Indonesia.
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