Human Rights Issues in AsiaHuman Rights Issues in Asia

Nicholas BarberNovember 18,1999

IssuesIssues

Political Issues Rights of Minorities

Political IssuesPolitical Issues 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.Political Issues Conti. Detention occurred primarily with political

personalities in southern and eastern Afghanistan

Taleban is in control Arrested for their activities in support of

peace and a broad-based government Accusation of plotting a coup against the

Taleban

Political Issues Conti. Political Issues Conti. Taleban will not make public any evidence Many fled to other countries once word

got out Boys were held until father came forward

to the Taleban China is even arresting citizens fighting for

democracy

Political PrisonersPolitical Prisoners

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 Boys Prisoners for Fathers

Boys as young as 9 held for father’s so called crime

Two sons of Noor Agha Rooyeen held until he hands himself over to the Taleban

KillingsKillings

Many of the detainees were killed because of high political profile

All killings were politically motivated Even attempted assassinations and

killing of family members

BurmaBurma Pro-democracy activists are being

arrested Not only is long prison sentences and

harsh conditions enough AIDS, by way of using same needles in

the prison Becoming one of the worst AIDS epidemic

Minority RightsMinority Rights Face the same problem as people of the

land– Killing– brutally treated– disappeared– flea– based on ethnicity

Have to conform to the way of the land

What can we do?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

ConclusionConclusion

Any Questions?