Human Rights Issues in Asia Nicholas Barber November 18,1999

Issues tPtPolitical Issues tRtRights of Minorities

Political Issues t March of 1999 Amnesty International reported up to 200 political personalities have been arrested –because of peaceful opposition of war –intellectuals, community leaders, former army officers –Reportedly severely tortured, dozens killed –Children held in place of fathers

Political Issues Conti. t Detention occurred primarily with political personalities in southern and eastern Afghanistan t Taleban is in control t Arrested for their activities in support of peace and a broad-based government t Accusation of plotting a coup against the Taleban

Political Issues Conti. t Taleban will not make public any evidence t Many fled to other countries once word got out t Boys were held until father came forward to the Taleban t China is even arresting citizens fighting for democracy

Political Prisoners t People now held as prisoners –Kuhat Khan, retired military officer, parliament member time of president Najibullah –Basir Mahmood, senior politician –and many more…

Boys Prisoners for Fathers t Boys as young as 9 held for father’s so called crime t Two sons of Noor Agha Rooyeen held until he hands himself over to the Taleban

Killings t Many of the detainees were killed because of high political profile t All killings were politically motivated t Even attempted assassinations and killing of family members

Burma n Pro-democracy activists are being arrested n Not only is long prison sentences and harsh conditions enough n AIDS, by way of using same needles in the prison n Becoming one of the worst AIDS epidemic

Minority Rights s Face the same problem as people of the land –Killing –brutally treated –disappeared –flea –based on ethnicity s Have to conform to the way of the land

What can we do?  Put pressure on the Governments  Write to the Countries violating rights  Join Amnesty International  Support initiatives to promote and protect human rights

Conclusion vAvAny Questions?