Asia - Audio Commentaries

Afghanistan

Sam Zarifi, Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Life for the average Afghan remains short, miserable, and brutal. Average lifespan for men and women hovers at around 45 years. According to the United Nations, nearly a third of all Afghans, some 6.5 million people, suffer from chronic food insecurity. Read more [+]

Burma

David Mathieson, Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Burma’s deplorable human rights record received widespread international attention in 2007 as anti-government protests in August and September were met with a brutal crackdown by security forces of the authoritarian military government, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). Denial of basic freedoms in Burma continues, and restrictions on the internet, telecommunications, and freedom of expression and assembly sharply increased in 2007. Abuses against civilians in ethnic areas are widespread, involving forced labor, summary executions, sexual violence, and expropriation of land and property. Read more [+]

China

Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Despite China’s official assurances that hosting the 2008 Olympic Games will help to strengthen the development of human rights in the country, the Chinese government continues to deny or restrict its citizens’ fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, freedom of association, and freedom of religion.Read more [+]

India

Meenakshi Ganguly, Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

India claims an abiding commitment to human rights, but its record is marred by continuing violations by security forces in counterinsurgency operations and by government failure to rigorously implement laws and policies to protect marginalized communities. A vibrant media and civil society continue to press for improvements, but without tangible signs of success in 2007. Read more [+]

Malaysia

Mickey Spiegel, Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Malaysia continues to confound hopes that human rights progress will parallel the country’s strong economic growth. Basic rights such as freedom of expression, assembly, and association are subject to burdensome and unjustified restrictions. Read more [+]

North Korea

Kay Seok, Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Human rights conditions in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) remain abysmal. Authorities continue to prohibit organized political opposition, independent news media, and civil society activities. Arbitrary arrests, lack of due process, and executionsremain of grave concern.
Read more [+]

Philippines

Kay Seok, Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

The Philippines is a multiparty democracy with an elected president and legislature, yet several key institutions, such as the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, remain weak. The legacy of the “people power” movement that helped end martial law in 1986 continues to bolster a thriving civil society sector and a vibrant media. Read more [+]

Sri Lanka

Charu Hogg, Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

In the continuing conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), both sides show little regard for the safety and well-being of civilians—and violate international humanitarian law—by indiscriminately firing on civilian areas and unnecessarily preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid. Since the breakdown of the ceasefire and the resumption of major military operations in mid-2006, hundreds of civilians have been killed and over 208,000 persons remain displaced as of October 31. Read more [+]