Grasp the pattern, read the trend
No. 15, April/2022, 2
Brought to you by CPG
Dear Readers,
The AiR team is pleased to present you the Asia in Review issue of the week.
I wish you an informative read and I extend special greetings to everyone who celebrates Syria’s Evacuation Day in this week.
With best regards,
Henning Glaser
Editor in Chief
Webpage: www.cpg-online.de, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CPGTU
Main Sections
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in East Asia
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in South Asia
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in Southeast Asia
International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia
Announcements
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in East Asia
China: Approval of new online games after nine-month freeze
(dql) China’s National Press and Public Administration, the countries gaming regulator, on April 11 approved 45 online games. The first approvals in nine months signals an easing of regulatory tightening of the gaming industry that has been ongoing for the past year.
The last licenses were granted in last July which heavily hit the industry, including giants such as Tencent and Net Ease which declared loss of USD 60 billion of stock value and some 14,000 Chinese gaming firms which were forced to de-register since then. In August gaming time for young gamers under 18 were limited to three hours per week, as part of efforts of the government to combat the threat of addictive habits in society, with online gaming perceived by the party as “spiritual opium,” replacing “religion as the opium of the people.” [Reuters] [Kotaku] [See also AiR No. 35, August/2021, 5]
China: New guidelines to stabilize economic growth released
(dql) Speaking at a forum, attended by local government officials, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang laid out guidelines aimed at stabilizing economic growth as the country’s economy faces uncertainties in the wake of a wave of Covid-19 resurgences in the country as well as geopolitical challenges of the war in Ukraine and fierce tension with the US which deepen concerns over supply chain disruptions.
Li highlighted the need to accelerate the implementation of measures to develop a “unified domestic market”, for production and resource use, directed towards land, labor, capital, technology, data, energy and the environment. Among the measures he pointed at are tax refunds and cuts, financial aid for the real economy, special government bonds, and the construction of key projects.
This “unified domestic market” is in line with the emphasis on achieving growth amid external uncertainties by strengthening China’s 1.4 billion-strong consumer market, officially declared by President Xi Jinping in September 2020 and lastly reiterated in the government work report at the “Two sessions” this March. [South China Morning Post] [China.org.cn] [See also AiR No. 10, March/2022, 2]
China: High-profile corruption case
(dql) Zhou Jiangyong, a former Party chief of the 12-million city of Hangzhou in the eastern Zhejiang Province, is set to stand trial soon, accused of abusing his positions to receive huge amounts of bribes over a period of over twenty years.
Detained in August and under investigation for corruption since then, Zhou was expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) as well as from public office in January [see No. 5, February/2022, 1].
Prior to assuming his post as Hangzhou Party chief in 2018, he held the same post in Zhoushan and then Wenzhou. Hangzhou is home to a vibrant private sector and recognized for its e-commerce and technology businesses. Zhejiang drove China's ascent to its position as the world's second-biggest economy.[South China Morning Post]
For a discussion of Zhou’s case reflecting an purge within the “Zhejiang faction”, the core of the “Xi faction”, see Katsuji Nakazawa in [Nikkei Asia], who argues that Zhou “may have become the first victim of an internal feud” of this faction.
China: Beijing-backed candidate to run for post of Hong Kong Chief Executive post
(dql) John Lee has officially declared on April 9 to run in next month’s the Chief Executive race in the former British colony, vowing to open a new chapter of “result-oriented” leadership in the city. His announcement came after Beijing’s approval of his resignation as the city’s number two official.
Earlier last week, current leader Carrie Lam announced that she would not seek a second term in office.
A former police officer, Lee became the city’s Secretary for Security in 2017 to play a leading role during the anti-government protests in 2019, before he was promoted to the second highest position last year, a move widely seen as reflecting Beijing’s intention to focus on security to tighten its grip on the city.
Lee is expected to succeed Lam as the Executive Chief is elected by a committee of 1,500 members who are almost all Beijing loyalists. [Hong Kong Free Press] [South China Morning Post] [BBC]
Japan: Economic security law enacted amid concerns over Russia and China
(cm) On April 7 Japan’s Lower House passed an economic security bill calling for bolstering supply chains to secure semiconductors and other essential products, as well as prevention of leakage of information related to nuclear power and defense. Concerns over security risks resulting from geopolitical tensions between the country and both Russia and China have grown since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February, as a result of which Japan has sought coordination with the United States and European Unions, as well.
Once the bill is enacted, suppliers of designated goods such as chips, pharmaceutical products and rare minerals will receive financial support and help in their procurement from the government. Aid will also be given to vanguard technologies, including artificial intelligence, through cooperation of the public and private sector in financing and information-sharing.
The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) expressed worries over the excessive involvement by the government in the private economy, thus leading lawmakers to consider adding a nonbinding resolution to the bill to protect the independence of business activities. [The Japan Times]
Japan: Non-resident entry ban lifted for 106 countries
(cm) The Japanese government announced on April 8 that the country plans to lift its entry ban on non-resident arrivals from 106 countries, although it was specified that it will not consist in a full reopening to tourists. Foreigners from the listed countries will not be denied permission to enter, but those travelling with tourist purposes will still not be allowed into Japan.
Strict border controls are still in effect in the country, as the validity of visas issued prior to December 2 will continue to be suspended, with exception for diplomats, spouses of Japanese nationals and permanent residents; visas will only be issued to those entering the country under “exceptional circumstances”. [South China Morning Post]
Japan: IMF cuts growth outlook over damage from Ukraine war
(cm) On April 7 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut Japan’s 2022 economic growth forecast, earlier estimated around 3.3 percent, to 2.4 percent, warning of financial and trade spillovers, supply-chain disruptions and inflation for the country’s economy, affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In a staff report after its Article IV policy consultation with Japan the IMF advised the Bank of Japan to prolongedly maintain an ultra-easy monetary policy in order to hit its 2% inflation target, and suggested policymakers prepare a contingency plan, to be readily implementable in case the Ukraine war escalates. Domestic demand is anticipated to be slow as commodity prices rise and exports are put at risk by geopolitical tensions.
The IMF will release its semiannual World Economic Outlook report on April 19, and it is urging countries to brace for impact from the conflict, as major world commodities producers are both Ukraine and Russia, the latter being one of the largest oil and natural gas exporters, as well. [Japan Today] [Asia Financial]
Japan: Identity of criminal offender disclosed to media in historic first
(dql) In a historic first, prosecutors have revealed the name of a 19-year-old who faces charges of killing a married couple and burning down their home in October 2021 to media at a press conference on the case.
It was the first disclosure of the identity of a criminal offender under 20 years old since the revision of the Japan’s Juvenile Law last May that allowed such a disclosure. The law went into force on April 1. [The Mainichi]
Mongolia: Youth protests
(dql) Last week young Mongolians to the streets in Ulaanbaatar on two days to demand that the government change policies to address the country’s dire economic situation. Their disparate demands voiced during the protest cover, among others, bringing inflation under control, releasing detained protesters, sharpen anti-corruption laws and regulations, and restricting the use of government transportation by officials amid the global energy crunch.
The peaceful protest took place on April 7 and 8, with outcry over police using force to disperse the protesters on the first day going viral on social media.
The protest comes as the country is confronted with souring fuel costs caused by fallout of the war in Ukraine as well as by jammed export channels to China’s “Zero covid” policy. Furthermore, the economy is suffering from rising inflation which stood 14% in January. [Intellinenews] [The Diplomat]
South Korea: Two main political party prepare for the new chairman election
(mpk) South Korea’s two main political parties, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DP) and the People Power Party (PPP) of president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, are stepping up preparations for a change in leadership following the local election sechduled for June 9.
For DP, the two main contenders for the party’s chairman position are Lee Jae-myung, the recently defeated former presidential candidate, and President Moon Jae-in whose term will end in May.
On the other hand, the term of office of the PPP’s party chairman Lee Jun-seok will expire only in 2023, but it is already being discussed within the party who will succeed him. Among those who are speculated to run for the post are Kim Gi-hyeon, member of the House of Representatives and former floor leader of the party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, currently the chairman of the minor opposition People’s Party and head of the transition committee of Yoon. In the recent presidential election, Ahn forsook his candidacy to support Yoon who eventually won the election.
Other candidates named for the PPP chairmanship are former Jeju Island Governor Won Hee-ryong, and Kwon Young-se, who is the vice chairman of the transition committee. Lastly, the current party leader, Lee Jun-seok, may run for re-election. Under his chairmanship the number of party members tripled. [The Korea Herald] [See also AiR No.10, March/2022, 2]
South Korea: Supreme Prosecutors Office calls on ruling party to scrap prosecution reform
(mpk) Ahead of president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol taking office in May, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) is hastening to complete its prosecution reform, of which Yoon has been a vocal opponent while serving as prosecutor general before running for presidency.
The Supreme Prosecutors Office has now openly rejected the reform center piece of which is strip the state prosecution of its investigative power, citing a weakening of the country’s ability to deal with serious crimes. [Yonhap News Agency]
South Korea: OECD Korean Office to set up a mediation committee for a labor union and a French Company
(mpk) The Korean branch of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) decided to launch mediation procedures between Chanel Korea's labor union and management. The decision follows a complaint filed in December by employees accusing the French luxury brand of violating labor acts and human rights, including failing to pay proper wages, forcing them to work during holiday, and changing employees' work schedules without prior consultations. [Yonhap News Agency]
South Korea to boost its defense against North Korean missile threats
(mpk) South Korean state-run Korea Aerospace Research Institute and Agency for Defense Development and the US commercial space firm SpaceX signed a contract that aims to launch South Korea’s first homegrown spy satellite in 2023. Under the contract, South Korea will have four synthetic aperture radars, capable of observing North Korea’s military movements by using radio waves and an electro-optical infrared version.
In 2017, Seoul started an acquisition project to decrease its dependence on foreign intelligence sources and budgeted USD 970 million for it. [The Korea Herald 1]
Meanwhile, a South Korean defense firm introduced the prototype of the multi-function radar (MFR) for the long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) interception system. During the presentation of the new prototype, it was highlighted that since the L-SAM is created to shoot down the incoming missiles at altitudes of around 50-60 kilometers, MFR radar will have a huge capacity to respond against “hundreds” of aircraft and “tens” of ballistic missiles at the same time.
Tthe radar is scheduled to be commissioned by 2026 as part of the country's multi-layered, low-layer missile defense programs. [The Korea Herald 2]
South Korea: State spy agency shares hacking attempts information with crypto exchanges
(mpk) The South Korean State Intelligence Agency announced that it has started to share with the country’s major cryptocurrency exchanges real-time information on hacking attempts, as part of the agency’s efforts to counter threats in both the private and public sector that are directly linked to national security. [Yonhap News Agency]
Taiwan: New clause on economic espionage in National Security Act under way
(dql) Taiwan is set to amend the National Security Act after reform proposal of the Cabinet has been approved by lawmakers in a first reading on April 7.
The amendments foresee sentences from five of 12 years in prison and fines from NT$5 million (US$173,500) to NT$100 million for providing vital technology to other countries China, Hong Kong and Macau. In addition, using such technology overseas can be punished with three to ten-year hail terms and fines from NT$5 million to NT$50 million. [Taiwan News]
Taiwan: F-16 reconnaissance pods to be obtained by 2025
(dql) Taiwanese military officials have revealed that six US MS-110 reconnaissance pods for Taiwan’s F-16 fighter jets will all be delivered by 2025. They are said to be capable of identifying targets from a distance of over 148 kilometers, allowing F-16 pilots to monitor the enemy’s coastal military activities in real-time from a safe distance.
Approved last July, the costs of the reconnaissance equipment are at NTD 9.63 billion (USD 343 million). The US will provide training as well as maintenance from 2026-2029. [Taiwan News 1]
Meanwhile, 12 offshore patrol vessels, along with a new patrol boat, were handed over to Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration on April 8. Produced by local Jong Shyn Shipbuilding Company, the 600-ton ships can reach a maximum speed of 82 kph and are equipped with water cannons with a reach of 120 meters. According to government plans, over 140 ships will be produced between 2018 to 2027. [Taiwan News 2]
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in South Asia
Bangladesh: Chief of Election Commission meets journalists to gain trust
(hg) In early preparation of the country´s 12th national elections that are planned for Dec. 2023, the newly formed Election Commission (EC) held a meeting with the editors of 23 dailies. The meeting was chaired by the Chief Commissioner who was recently appointed by the President for five years in late February this year after a major corruption scandal at the EC.
The Chief Commissioner is a former judge and senior bureaucrat whose latest government position was that of a Secretary of the Ministry of Defense. The EC, he is chairing, consisting of five commissioners including the chief commissioner and a secretary, is charged with planning; administering and managing elections, for which it is for instance also entrusting the armed forces with ancillary duties such as the training of data entry operators, the management of ICT hardware and software, and care of registration centers and Servers. The EC is also responsible to conduct awareness campaigns for which it seeks to cooperate with media, NGOs, religious leaders, representatives of minority groups. [Bangladesh Election Commission]
Since the 1990s, elections in Bangladesh are held under the signs of a sharply divided political landscape whose major parties – the ruling Awami League (AL) and the oppositional Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) – consistently reject the legitimacy of elections if the respective opponent is in government. [The Diplomat]
At the recent meeting, some of the editors hinted at notorious assumptions of many citizens that elections are rigged. [Business Standard] [Protom Alo]
Bangladesh: Oppositional BNP distancing itself from radical Islamists
(hg) The nationalist-conservative BNP, the country´s second largest opposition party with 7 out of 350 seats in the National Assembly, announced that parties of the oppositional 20-party alliance it belongs to will not conduct any joint activities under the same banner but focus to rally independently from now on. [Dhaka Tribune]
The decision is said to primarily aim at distancing the BNP from its former ally Jamaat-e-Islami [(17) Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami | Facebook], the country´s largest Islamist party and social movement that declared illegal by the High Court in 2013 for its radical Islamist agenda. Irrespective of its own loyal support base, Jamaat is considered by many oppositional forces to be a difficult ally. [New Age] [Dhaka Tribune]
Late March, for instance, two former lawmakers of the party that had supported Pakistan in the Liberation War of 1971 were sentenced to death for their role in a pro-Pakistani militia in 1971. [BD News 24]
In the current parliament, the ruling Awami League controls 300 of the 350 seats in the National Assembly, the oppositional conservative Jatiya party 26 and the BNP seven.
Bangladesh: Rights groups urge end to threats against victims of rights abuses, rights defenders
(hg) After the US government had imposed sanctions on members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a special inter-service security unit under the purview of the police, twelve rights organizations alleged that security services, including the National Security Intelligence, would threatening victims and human rights defenders by summoning them to their local offices, phone calls, and visiting their workplaces and homes in the middle of night. Right defenders would be accused of being involved in ‘anti-state activities’ by supporting the families of victims of enforced disappearance or being interrogated about the source of funding for their work for families of victims of enforced disappearance.
Among the rights organizations signing the joint declaration are Amnesty International, Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network, Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances, Asia Forum for Human Rights and Development, Asian Network for Free Elections, Capital Punishment Justice Project, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Eleos Justice, Human Rights Watch, International Federation for Human Rights, Robert F Kennedy Human Rights, and World Organisation Against Torture. [New Age]
Bangladesh: Securing Rohingya refugee camps; planned birth control measures in camps
(hg) According to the Home Minister the work of surrounding Rohingya refugee camps with barbed wire fences would be completed to 80 %, while law enforcement agencies together with the armed forces would strengthen joint patrol and vigilance activities around the camps to maintain law and order. Camps on islands would be better controlled by naval patrol activities to prevent escape, while intelligence surveillance would also be increased as much as joint operations to clear the camps of illegal shops.
As the birth rate in the camps would be “alarmingly high” with about 35,000 births reported each year, the government together with the Islamic Foundation would be asked to take steps to control the birth rate among the refugees.
Moreover, food rations should be redefined as it would be current practice to allocate the same ration to children as to elderly people which should be changed in favor of a more differentiated, age-wise ration system. [The Business Standard]
Bangladesh: Science teacher arrested for blasphemy
(hg) Amnesty International urged Bangladeshi authorities to immediately release a Hindu science teacher who is in prison on charges of “hurting religious sentiment” according to section 295A of the Bangladesh Penal Code after having discussed the distinction between religion and science in the classroom. [Dhaka Tribune]
The arrest has been made after students protested against the teacher accusing him of defaming Prophet Muhammed and insulting Islam in his science classes. Allegedly, the science teacher also said that the Prophet was a prudent person, who wrote the Koran himself.
The students had refused an attempted settlement offered by the school and staged a public protest on March 22 before the police eventually took action against the teacher.
He is said to have denied the allegations, saying, “I have said something to explain about science. However, I did not say anything about the Prophet of Islam.”
Meanwhile, the teacher´s family alleges to be subject of communal ostracism and harassment. [OpIndia]
Sect. 295A reads: „Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of the citizens of Bangladesh, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations insults or attempts to insult the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.” [Laws of Bangladesh]
India: Parliament passes bill allowing collection of prisoners’ biometrics passes
(rk/hg) Both Houses of the Indian Parliament passed a bill allowing the collection of biometric and behavioral information of prisoners by “law enforcement agencies” for the purpose of identification and investigation in criminal matters, including to “widen the scope of evidence for conviction.” [The Wire]
Obtained data can be preserved for 75 years and comprise for instance iris scans, physical and biological samples, fingerprints, palm prints and footprints as well as behavioral indicators such as signatures and handwriting.
Currently, the collection of fingerprints and footprints is allowed only for limited categories of inmates.
The oppositional Congress heavily criticized the bill for privacy concerns, its vague and breadth language, for blurring “old distinction between” investigative detention detainees and a convict, for failing of providing an appeal mechanism, and, generally, the possible misuse of the bill against minorities and dissenters.
The debate of the bill provides some interesting insights in the opposition´s assessment of what the Congress sees as a constant deterioration of civil liberties in India. The [The Indian Express] [Live Law] and [The Wire] provide various extracts with sometime not only eloquent speech but also differentiated legal analysis.
One oppositional law maker concluded: “If this Bill becomes law, India will enter a dark and dangerous phase, a full-fledged police state – and any ‘irksome’ opposition will simply be brutalised into silence with laws such as the one we are debating today”. [The Wire]
India: Supreme Court to hear plea against political funding scheme on lack of transparency
(rk) The Supreme Court decided to hear a petition challenging the Electoral Bond Scheme supposed to reform electoral funding. The scheme provides for donations to political parties in form of bonds released by a public sector bank to record significant transactions and restrict the flow of black money in party funding.
Some NGOs, who criticize a lack of transparency, sought a judicial review alleging that the public cannot obtain information who funded whom as according to the scheme as far it is allowing secrecy of benefiter and beneficiary, while the government can get the details due to the fact that a state-owned bank is involved in the process.
After the hearing was delayed according the Chief Justice due to COVID-19 restrictions, the court has not yet set a conclusive timeline for proceeding with the case. [The Indian Express]
India: Supreme Court upholds tightening changes to Foreign Contribution Regulation Act
(rk) The Supreme Court cleared government-initiated changes to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which is regulating foreign donations to associations and NGOs, stating that accepting foreign contributions was not an absolute right of an organization. In November 2020, the government had amended the law that was released in 1976 during the State imposed internal emergency on the pretext of curbing foreign interference in domestic politics.
The latest amendments put limit on organizations in transferring received foreign-funds to any other entity. Usage of funds for administrative purposes is decreased from 50% to 20% while empowering the government is entitled to restrict an organization using foreign funds if it may affect the “public interests” or “economic interests” of the state. However, no definition of “public interests” had been provided.
Considering the amendments “in the interest of public order” as the government had an intention “to prevent misuse of donations coming from foreign sources”, the apex court upheld the changes made. [The Print]
The current government has already been criticized for using the FCRA as a tool against NGOs. In a notable case, Amnesty International had to shut its operations in India in September 2020 after its accounts were frozen over alleged violation of the FCRA. In December 2021, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had cancelled FCRA registrations of various NGOs for allegedly taking part in illegal conversion of Hindus, for funding protests against the divisive Citizenship Amendment Act and for criminal activities to strengthen Islam. [The Wire] [The Hindu]
India: Communal clashes, hate speech, and violence amid Hindu festivals
(rk/hg) On several occasions communal violence emerged across the country in context of Ram Navi celebrations, often with radical Hindu nationalism turning against Muslims. Ram Navi is a major Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Rama, the seventh avatar of the major Hindu deity Vishnu. During the outbursts of communal violence in the wake of Ram Navi processions, two persons were killed and several injured, including some police officers.
Violent incidents were reported, inter alia, from Indian states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkand and West Bengal. [The Indian Express]
In Hyderabad, a state MP claimed that the anti-Muslim violence was “state-sponsored,” [The Hindu] while the governing BJP, a nationalist Hindu party, accused leading oppositional figures such as Rahul Gandhi and their allegedly inciting remarks for the violence. [The Tribune India]
In West Bengal, the son of a Congress politician was arrested for the alleged gang-rape and killing of a 14-year old Hindu girl in the wake of Ram Navi violence. [News X] The state´s Chief Minister, however, sparked heavy criticism by hinting at other possible scenarios leading to the dead of the girl, calling also into question that she was raped. [Zee News]
In New Delhi, Hindu students clashed with members of Left-wing student organizations and the National Students Union of India (NSUI) at the Jawaharlal Nehru University´s campus mutually accusing each other of provoking the tensions. [The Indian Express]
Moreover, the Delhi Police lodged a complaint against Hindu priest Yati Narsinghanand for allegedly “promoting disharmony, feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will between two communities” at a Hindu mahapanchayat (grand congregation of Hindus) event that was attended by several Hindu supremacist leaders although city authorities had refused to permit the event. The priest, who is known for hate-mongering against Muslims, was priory arrested in January and granted bail the next month for similar allegations at an event in India’s northern city of Haridwar. There, he allegedly asked Hindus to have more children, teach them to fight and take up arms to protect their religion. [The Wire] [AiR No. 3, January/2022,3] [The Indian Express]
After some journalists alleged to have been attacked at the event, no arrests seem to have been made on these allegations, while a Muslim journalist who had tweeted that he was attacked for his ‘Muslim identity’ was indicted for “spreading rumours/misinformation using various platforms including social media.” [Newslaundry]
While the Committee to Protect Journalists issued a statement calling to drop the investigation against the Muslim journalist, the Parliament debated the developments in a heated atmosphere with Rahul Ghandi, the leader of the oppositional Indian National Congress expressing concern about communal “hate, violence and exclusion […] weakening [the] country”. [Committee to Protect Journalists] [The Wire]
India: Court martial proceedings against army officer for killing of youths in Kashmir
(rk) The Indian Army started court martial proceedings against a Captain for killing three Kashmiri youths in a fake encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district in July 2020. A Court of Inquiry found that the Captain exceeded his powers vested under the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) that allows Army personnel to shoot people on suspicion of violating public law and order in areas declared as “disturbed” in the Act.
Questions were raised on the encounter after families of the slain youths - aged 16, 20 and 25 - claimed they were mere laborers and not “terrorists”, leading the Army to constitute the Court of Inquiry. Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. The SIT eventually had alleged that the encounter was conspired by the Captain along with two civilians “with the motive to grab” cash rewards. The Army refuted these allegations saying there were no such policy of cash rewards in combat situations or otherwise in the line of duty. [The Week] [The Hindu]
The Kashmir region of the Muslim majority Union Territory (UT) was brought under AFSPA jurisdiction in 1990 with the rise of armed secessionist activities, which suspects to be supported and fueled by its arch enemy Pakistan. In 2001, the Jammu region was also declared as “disturbed” under the Act. As the Union Home Ministry data revealed in 2017, Kashmir is the Indian state with the highest rate of complaints against the Armed forces for violations of human rights committed under the AFSPA in the country. [Mint]
Recently, the government has lifted the AFSPA regime from various regions of the northeastern States of the country. A visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the region of the UT might lead to some more areas to be declared free from the emergency rule by AFSSPA. [India Today] [AiR No. 14, April/2022, 1]
India: Volatility might return to Union Territory of J&K amid Prime Minister’s planned visit
(rk) Amid the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, volatility in the region seems to rise to a certain degree. At one occasion members of the Hindu minority community in Jammu and Kashmir were attacked, albeit the recent attacks were not lethal unlike in attacks last year that left 11 Hindus dead. Attacks like these are supposed to aim at driving out non-Muslim migrant workers from other parts of India out of the valley. [The Indian Express] [The Tribune] [Aljazeera]
In another incident, however, a member of the Indian paramilitary was allegedly killed by local insurgents. [ABC News]
Volatility in the region might further increase over land purchases to “outsiders” and in regard of the soon to hold elections in the Union Territory (UT). In the latter case, the related delimitation of the election constituencies has led to criticism and protests during public consultations in the Jammu region with political parties and other stakeholders alleging to have not received proper invitations or left without sufficient time to effectively participate. [The Hindu]
According to Indian security forces, a member of the Indian paramilitary was killed by local insurgents, while four laborers were injured in two separate attacks elsewhere in J&K on Monday. [ABC News]
Nepal: Economic crisis looming, ex finance ministers warn
(dql) Three former finance ministers and members of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML) have warned that the Nepal’s economy was heading towards crisis and called for “positive interference” to bring it back on the right track.
The warning comes as the country as Nepal has witnessed a decline in foreign exchange reserves caused by high imports, declining inflows of remittance and meagre revenue from tourism and exports. According the data of the central bank, the country’s gross forex reserves in February 2022 had fallen by 17 percent to USD 9.75 billion, compared with USD 11.75 billion in mid-July 2021. [The Week]
Meanwhile, Nepal’s central bank has decided to restrict imports of cars, gold and cosmetics and other non-essential goods. The measure foresees that, importers would be issued letters of credit to import 50 “luxurious goods” only with 100 percent upfront payments with the bank. [Reuters]
Pakistan: Shehbaz Sharif elected as new PM after Imran Khan’s ouster in no-confidence vote
(tj/ha/fq) On April 11, Pakistan’s National Assembly elected the opposition’s joint candidate and Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) President Shahbaz Sharif as new prime minister.
His election came after – for the first time in the country’s history – Imran Khan was ousted as prime minister in a no-confidence motion a day earlier. [Associated Press 1]
Khan’s ouster was preluded by the Supreme Court’s ruling on April 7, in which it declared Imran Khan’s move to dissolve the parliament and call for early elections unconstitutional and ordered the parliament to convene. The dissolution of the parliament on April 3, which Khan justified with the opposition’s collusion with the United States to unseat him, was an attempt to block the no-confidence motion against him that was looming after he lost support of military leaders late last year and that was eventually tabled on March 28 in a special session of the National Assembly by an increasingly united opposition. [Reuters] [Associated Press 2] [See also AiR No. 14, April/2022, 1].
Sharif secured 174 votes, two more than the required simple majority, to become Pakistan’s 23rd prime minister. Khan’s own party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI, Pakistan Movement for Justice), boycotted the vote, and over 100 of its lawmakers resigned in show of loyalty to Khan. The mass resignation will pose a major political challenge for Sharif as by-elections will have to be held within two months on the vacant seats. [Reuters 2]
Shehbaz Sharif is the younger brother of three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He has previously served as Chief Minister ofPunjab, the most populous and industrialized province of the country. He assumes power at time when the Pakistan is politically deeply divided and the economy is suffering from double-digit inflation and huge national debt. [The News] [NewYork Times]
Indicating the political turmoil the new prime minister might face, tens of thousands of people joined protest rallies in several cities across Pakistan against the ouster of Khan organized by PTI on Sunday. [Al Jazeera]
Pakistan: Terrorists killed in counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan
(fq) According to the reports of local media, Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) killed at least five terrorists on Sunday in crossfire police and terrorists in Bannu district located in the north-west province of Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa (KPK).
The crossfire occurred during a joint operation with the CTD and police that was conducted on reports of terrorist’s presence in the Falak Sher Town of Bannu district in KPK province.
According to the CTD, large amounts of ammunition and weapons was recovered during the operation. The group of terrorists were believed to be involved in bombing, targeting killing and attacks on security officials. [Xinhua][Geo]
The Police reported that terrorists belonged to Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). TTP is a banned terrorist organization in Pakistan that has been very active since the Taliban takeover of Kabul in August 2021 and the collapse of ceasefire agreement between TTP and Pakistan in December 2022.
A day earlier on Saturday, the media wing of Pakistan Army Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also reported that security forces killed two terrorists in an operation in Awaran district of southern province Balochistan. [Dawn]
Pakistan: Anti-India militant chief sentenced to 32 years in prison
(ha) An anti-terrorism court on April 8 sentenced anti-India militant leader, Hafiz Saeed, to 32 years in prison after finding him guilty of terror financing in two cases. He had already been convicted for 36 years imprisonment earlier in five such cases. However, the total sentence of 68 years imprisonment will run concurrently. The court also imposed a fine of PKR340,000 on him. [Khaleej Times]
Hafiz Saeed, who has been designated as terrorist by UN and the U.S. Department of Justice, was arrested in 2019. He is the founder of the outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba group, which was accused for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed more than 166 people. [Associated Press][Washington Post]
Pakistan: Ballistic missile successfully tested
(dql) Pakistan’s military have confirmed that a test flight of the Shaheen-III surface-to-surface ballistic missile has been successfully tested. The aim was to revalidate various designs and technical parameters of the weapon system.
With a range of 2,750 kilometers, the Shaheen-III missile can reach the farthest point in India’s northeast and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. [Dawn]
Sri Lanka: Protestors demand president’s resignation over economic crisis
(dql) Continuing the recent demonstrations, thousands of Sri Lankans took to streets on April 9 to demand the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa accused of being responsible for the economic crises the country is currently going through.
Reflecting the gravity of the crisis and the scope of the discontent in the population, the protest for the first time in the country’s political history brings together people with all kinds of political and social beliefs to non-negotiable demands for the president to step down. [The Guardian] [Aljazeera]
Rajapaksa, for this part, has announced that he will not bow to the resignation demands. However, pressured by the protests and following the resignation of entire cabinet, a string of lawmakers aligned with the coalition government, and the central bank governor, the president lifted the state of emergency measures which he invoked on April 1 to allow arresting suspects without warrants. [BBC] [AiR No. 14, April/2022, 1]
Observers see the South Asian country on the brink of a collapse in the wake on a deepening economic crisis that has led to shortages of food and fuel, which is accompanied by record inflation and regular blackouts. Meanwhile, ratings agencies have issued warning of a potential default on the country’s USD 51 billion foreign debt, with authorities unable to secure more commercial loans because of credit downgrades. [news.com.au] [The Telegrapgh]
On April 12, Sri Lanka's central bank declared to suspend external debt payment, as the country’s dwindling foreign exchange reserves are needed for imports of essentials like fuel. Over the past two years the reserves of the island nation have slumped over two-thirds, with tax cuts and the pandemic gravely hurting the tourism-dependent economy exposing the government's debt-fuelled spending. [Reuters]
Meanwhile, a meeting between Rajapaksa and the parliamentary group of the rival Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), held on April to discuss the formation of an interim government to suppress the current political unrest and find ways out of the economic crisis ended inconclusive. Both sides, however, agreed to continue the discussion. [Daily Mirror]
Rejecting Rajapaksa’s proposal of forming a unity government, the main opposition party SJB announced on April 8 to move a no-confidence motion against the Rajapaksa administration, adding that it was ready to launch a move to impeach the president in case he fails to address the concerns of the people.
Furthermore, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa also demanded that Sri Lanka’s political system of an Executive Presidency to be abolished, suggesting instead that power to be divided between the Executive. [News On Air]
Constitutional Law and –Politics, Human Rights and National Security in Southeast Asia
Cambodia: Prime Minister’s early campaigning might violate election laws, election monitoring body alleges
(pw) The Cambodian Committee for Free and Fair Elections, a national electoral watchdog, has alleged that Prime Minister Hun Sen is breaching Cambodian election law by using his official appearances to campaign for votes ahead of the beginning of the electoral campaign.
The two-week official campaign season for the upcoming communal elections, scheduled to begin on May 21 and commence with the elections on June 5, according to the Committee, electoral laws prohibit government officials from using their positions to promote their parties’ interests or to utilize state assets for campaigning. Such behavior would allegedly violate the rights of minor parties whose members do not hold high government positions.
In response, the National Election Committee (NEC) stated that no sanctions can apply to Hun Sen’s call for votes until the beginning of the 14-day campaign period. [Radio Free Asia]
Meanwhile, over 78,400 party agents and reserves from 17 political parties have been approved as observers for the communal elections in June by the NEC. Among those, 56.25 percent are from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, the Committee reported.
The Law on the Election of Commune Councils states that political parties must register their observers within seven days from the release of the official candidate list for the party’s candidacy in communal elections. Commune councilors, political candidates, village chiefs, village secretaries, village guards, and members of the armed forces are not admitted as election observation agents. [Khmer Times]
Cambodia: Prime Minister urged to intervene in labor disputes
(pw/bs) The Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union (CCAWDU) called for urgent action by Prime Minister Hun Sen in resolving the disputes between 1,408 of its union’s workers and the government’s labor institutions. The workers have been attempting to establish labor organizations in their companies and demanding compensation while being repeatedly dismissed and prevented from exercising their rights, according to the CCAWDU.
The Union also requested Prime Minister Hun Sen to assign special committees or institutions to solve such disputes, reported human rights violations and illegal exploitation of workers in Cambodia, and announced a protest at the Labor Ministry on May 1 if no agreement is reached.
The Labor Ministry suggested that the disputing parties take their disputes to court. [The Phnom Penh Post]
Worth mentioning is another ongoing dispute in the labor sector at the Hong Kong-based NagaWorld Casino. Hundreds of people gave been arrested since December 2021 for striking for better labor conditions and requesting the reinstatement of 365 former employees who were unfairly laid off. In late March, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) reported an escalation in the use of violence, intimidation, and mass detention of strikers by the government. The rights group also alleged sexual assaults and harassment against women workers during the protest and while in detention by the authorities. [AiR No. 13, March/2022, 5]
Cambodia: Government officials on trial
(pw) On April 5, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court resumed the trial of Sam Rainsy, founder of the dissolved opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), who is charged with incitement for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in 2018/2019. The trial also involves 41 other CNRP activists charged with “plotting and incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest.” [Khmer Times 1]
Also, a former CNRP member and activist convicted for treason during the trial, after being arrested following her return from Thailand, requested that she be granted bail for health reasons. The court will deliberate on the request on April 12. [Khmer Times 2]
Rainsy and other 20 former politicians and activists were convicted to up to 10 years in jail on March 17 while more than 100 opposition supporters have been charged with treason by Cambodian courts over the past years. Among those convicted politicians there is also Kem Sokha, former opposition leader, who, with Rainsy and another dozen people, fled the country between 2015 and 2018. [Reuters]
The trial of Kem Sokha over treason charges resumed on April 6. The former CNRP leader, admitted that the party condemned the 2013 national election results for allegedly being held in violation of election laws. However, he denied that the party had any intentions to attempt a coup by raising concerns over the alleged irregularities.
In September 2017, Sokha was arrested by the authorities for purportedly attempting to topple Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government in cooperation with the United States. Sokha was then charged with “conspiracy with foreign powers” under Article 443 of the Criminal Code. In early April, Sokha’s defense team requested that Americans and Australians with whom Sokha had previously worked be called to testify as witnesses. [Aljazeera] [Khmer Times 3]
The next hearing will be held on April 20. [AiR No.14, April/2022, 1]
Meanwhile, amid these trials against former opposition politicians, the leader of the current opposition Candlelight Party (CP), was summoned by a provincial court to defend himself over defamation and incitement accusations. The court will begin the trial between April 8 and April 20. According to the CP leader, he was summoned due to an election dispute with an official from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).
A rights group coordinator called it a politically motivated case as the CP is believed to be the reincarnation of the now-defunct opposition CNRP. After the Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in 2017, several ex-CNRP members joined the CP. [Radio Free Asia]
Lastly, in late March, a Municipal Court charged the Revenue Management Department deputy director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy with embezzlement for allegedly stealing over USD 500,000 from a government office.
The woman was charged with Theft of Energy under Article 354 of the Criminal Code with aggravating circumstances under Article 357. If found guilty she could face imprisonment for at least three years. [Khmer Times 4]
Cambodia: Opposition party founder on the run after arrest warrant issued
(pw) After the Phnom Penh municipal court sent out an arrest warrant for Seam Pluk, the founder of the opposition Cambodia National Heart Party (CNHP), for failing to be present at the court on March 22, Pluk was reported to be in hiding. He was charged with “forgery of public documents and the use of public documents.” If convicted, he could be imprisoned for six months to three years.
One of his lawyers, Sam Sokong, stated that Pluk is currently in an undisclosed safe location and said that the court did not comply with arrest warrant procedures by issuing the arrest warrant after sending Pluk’s summon to an incorrect address. Sokong added that the court has to give out a new summons before issuing the arrest warrant. Also, he viewed his client’s case as a politically-motivated case to prevent the CNHP from joining in the upcoming commune elections. The Interior Ministry has denied accusations that Pluk’s case is politically-motivated.
Previously, in June 2021, the Interior Ministry took legal action against Pluk, who also wanted to join the opposition Candlelight Party, for forming the CNHP by using forged fingerprints. Later on, it also removed the CNHP from the list of political parties. [Khmer Times 1] [Khmer Times 2]
Cambodia: Official report says trafficking in persons almost doubled in 2021
(pw) According to a report published by Cambodia’s National Committee for Counter-Trafficking, human trafficking in 2021 nearly doubled compared to 2020 due to the government focusing on the Covid-19 pandemic. The Interior Minister said criminals exploited the Covid-19 pandemic to conduct human trafficking and asked the authorities to remain alert.
In an interview, the vice-chairperson of the committee stated that Cambodia is becoming a favorite trafficking destination as the traffickers can lure victims into Cambodia due to the country’s development and stability. Also, she mentioned that surrogate trafficking from Cambodia to other countries is also becoming an emerging issue.
On the other hand, a local rights group said that the authorities had neglected to address human trafficking before the Covid-19 pandemic and requested the government to implement additional measures to combat human trafficking, especially among underage persons, who are often trafficked into the sex industry.
Furthermore, the United States State Department placed Cambodia on its Tier Two Watchlist for the third year in its 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report for failing to meet the minimum standards to eliminate human trafficking but is also taking concrete actions to meet those requirements. It noted that endemic corruption and the lack of political will in Cambodia severely hampered efforts to combat traffickers and assist the victims. [Radio Free Asia]
Cambodia: Rights groups urged government to release information on missing Thai activist
(pw/kc) Rights groups urged the Cambodian government to disclose information on the missing Thai political activist Wanchalearm Satsakit. His elder sister, along with other activists, has also delivered an appeal to a United Nations representative requesting an investigation of her brother’s alleged abduction.
According to local reports, Wanchalearm was abducted while in exile in the Cambodian capital city, Phnom Penh, where he sought refuge from the Thai authorities that could hand him over to a court for a criminal trial. Thai courts could convict him with criminal charges for criticizing the monarchy under Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, better known as lèse-majesté law against royal defamation.
In response, after the Cambodian Interior Ministry and National Police initially dismissed the case as “fake” and for not receiving formal complaints, the authorities claimed to not have any information on Wanchalearm’s whereabouts. [Khmer Times]
Indonesia: Authorities fired tear gas in protest crackdown
(bs) Indonesian authorities fired water cannons and tear gas on university students protesting in front of the parliament. The students were holding a demonstration in protest of high cooking oil prices and a potential constitutional amendment that allows an extension of the presidential term.
The students voiced two more demands in the protest including calling for political representatives to “convey demands of the people, not the party” and to submit 18 demands of students to President Joko Widodo. These demands have not yet been responded to. [Tempo]
Several other protests were held on April 11, following the attempt by President Joko Widodo to end the speculations on his alleged intention to support the plan to postpone the presidential elections or extend his mandate to another term. [Channel News Asia]
In early 2022, a group of senior members of the parliament, key supporters of Indonesia President Joko Widodo, proposed the possibility of amending the Constitution to extend the constitutionally possible maximum presidential terms to three from the current maximum of two terms. President Widodo is currently concluding his second and supposedly final five-year term which will officially end in 2024.
Article 7 of Indonesia's Constitution rules that “the President and Vice President shall hold office for a term of five years and may subsequently be reelected to the same office for one further term only.” In Indonesia, any constitutional change would require a majority vote in a joint session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (Indonesia´s National Assembly).
While the Indonesian president has not made his stance clear on the issue, critics shared concerns over a potential threat to the country’s democratic principles in case such constitutional amendments will be passed. They specifically referred to the case of President Suharto, who ran an authoritarian regime for three decades, from 1967 to 1998. [AiR No. 12, March/2022, 4] [Reuters]
Indonesia: Coal mining firms filed lawsuit against government for revocation of mining use permits
(bs) Five subsidiaries of a coal mining firm filed a lawsuit against the ministry of investment in Indonesia after it amended the company’s mining permits in line with Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s announcement in January that the government had revoked thousands of mining use permits.
The move came after a report, released on April 8, foresaw major earning growth in the coal export industry in Indonesia throughout 2022. According to the report, China is expected to be a major contributor to the said growth as it is scheduled to resume coal imports in 2022. However, analysts reported that Indonesia’s coal production will likely increase in the second quarter of the year. [Business Times]
Indonesia: Online piracy activity decreased by 75 percent within three years
(bs) Since 2019, the Indonesian government has blocked around 3,500 websites containing illegal content, so-called pirate sites. According to the Association’s Coalition Against Piracy (CAP), a national body that oversees traffic to blocked sites, as of January 2022, the percentage of traffic to pirate sites in Indonesia decreased by 75 percent compared to the traffic reported in September 2019. [Advanced Television]
Laos: Official report says thousands of ruling party members punished for corruption since 2016
(pw) A government report on corruption revealed that 3,690 members of the ruling Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) have been punished for corruption and other forms of misconduct since 2016.
This report came after the State Investigation Authority and provincial authorities investigated infrastructure projects, mining and timber processing businesses, and land use and management. During this process, it was discovered that more than USD 755 million have been lost to corruption since 2016. The authorities have recovered USD 153 million and promised to reclaim the remaining amounts. Additionally, the inspection of 2,000 state investment projects revealed that 1,119 people were involved in misappropriating funds.
In the past few years, prosecutions have been filed in 846 corruption cases, where at least 360 officials and 364 state enterprise staff members were involved.
Responding to this report, Vice-President Bounthong Chitmany urged the State Inspection Authority and other sectors to improve their roles and increase their responsibilities in uncovering corruption. He also stated that inspections in the future should concentrate on finance, planning, and project approvals to seal loopholes potentially leading to financial leaks. [Vientiane Times]
Malaysia: Anti-Hopping Law to be tabled in parliament in July
(bs/dvr) The draft anti-party-hopping law will be tabled in parliament in July, according to Malaysia Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
On March 31, the Senate passed a new Constitution Amendment Bill that, among others, governs three criteria to define the practice of “party hopping” – voting contrary to one’s party – in parliament. The criteria aimed at clarifying the implementation details of the Anti-Hopping Law. The constitutional amendment is scheduled for a special House sitting on April 11 to review the constitutionality of the Anti-Hopping Law. [AiR No. 14, April/2022, 1] [Free Malaysia Today]
Malaysia: Suspected criminal group leader surrendered after a year on the run
(bs) Nicky Liow, a Malaysian businessman known for his alleged links to a Macau criminal group, surrendered in Malaysia after one year on the run. Liow pleaded not guilty to all the 26 charges under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.
The request for bail by the defense was granted by the court, which set bail at USD 236,211 and ordered Liow to release his passport to the court and present himself to the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) every two weeks. The prosecution immediately objected to the petition for bail. The trial is set to begin on May 26.
Liow’s title of Datuk Seri was revoked in April 2021 following his flight from a police operation in March of the same year. The man is allegedly the leader of an organized criminal organization that scammed over a hundred people in Malaysia and is believed to be involved in money laundering, illegal money lending, investment scams, and drug trafficking activities. Moreover, Liow was reportedly linked to Macau-based crime boss Wan Kuok Koi, also known as "Broken Tooth", a gang leader who spent 14 months in prison for his alleged involvement in illicit gambling projects in Myanmar, drug production, and transnational crime groups.
The Liow case has seen over 100 people arrested and more than 16 of them charged with criminal offenses in Malaysian courts. [The Straits Times] [South China Morning Post]
Malaysia: Former Goldman Sachs banker found guilty in 1MDB corruption case
(bs/dvr) A United States (US) court found Roger Ng, former executive of the multinational investment group Goldman Sachs, guilty of all charges in the corruption case involving the alleged stealing USD 4.5 billion from One Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a strategic development company owned by the Malaysian Minister of Finance, between 2009 and 2013.
The court convicted Ng for conspiring to launder money and violating an anti-corruption law.
The scandal allegedly involved over 30 high-level officials, including Malaysia’s then-Prime Minister Najib Razak, and several institutions, including banks and financial entities, such as Goldman Sachs in the United States.
Goldman had allegedly been involved in helping to raise USD 6.5 billion for the 1MDB fund’s public development projects between 2012 and 2013. However, after Malaysian authorities reported that part of that sum was supposedly stolen and allocated to personal uses, Goldman Sachs bankers were accused of arranging the laundering of some of the money which was used partially for bribing officials in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi for the benefit of Goldman Sachs. These actions caused Ng to be charged by the US court with conspiring to violate the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
Since Mr. Ng was accused of receiving USD 35 million in kickbacks for his role in the 1MDB scandal during his time with Goldman from 2005 to 2014. Ng has denied the accusations. [AiR No. 19, May/2021, 2] [BBC] [Bernar News]
Myanmar: Military government arrests journalists and opposition supporters on terrorism charges
(cmsk/ny) A former news correspondent was sentenced to five years in jail on terrorism charges after being denied amnesty. The journalist was charged under Section 52a of the Counterterrorism Law.
The man and his wife were arrested on August 31, 2021. His wife was released a week later, while the journalist was charged with incitement under Section 505a of the Penal Code. He was originally included among those political prisoners waiting for amnesty, but the State Administration Council, Myanmar´s institutionalized military junta comprising senior officers and civilians, retracted the bail and charged him with terrorism in mid-January.
Three other people were also arrested on terrorism charges and incitement. No information has been released regarding a potential link between the journalist and the three men arrested.
Since the 2021 military coup that overthrew the civilian government in Myanmar, the military has arrested 135 journalists, according to local rights groups. Most of the media workers were charged with defamation and obstruction of the military, which carry sentences from one and a half year to 11 years in prison. From mid-2021, the military courts began charging journalists under anti-terrorism laws which carry sentences up to 20 years in jail. [Radio Free Asia 1] [Myanmar Now 1] [AiR No. 14, April/2022, 1] [AiR No. 13, March/2022, 5]
More arrests have come under the military regime’s Counterterrorism Law. Reports say that at least seven people received long prison terms for allegedly making minor financial donations to opponents of the military junta. In Tanintharyi Region, in the Southernmost part of Myanmar, a 19-year-old was sentenced to 10 years in prison for supporting an opposition group while two students were sentenced to seven years each for donating to the local People’s Defense Force (PDF) militia, the armed wing of the ousted National Unity Government. Three women and a man in Rakhine State, in the western part of the country, were also handed 10-year prison sentences for funding the PDF and the shadow government. [Radio Free Asia 2] [Myanmar Now 2]
Moreover, nine activists who were allegedly members of an anti-coup protest group were detained by the military authorities. [The Irrawaddy]
Myanmar: Fire and health workers to be recruited in the fight against opposition forces
(cmsk) A leaked directive from the Military Council’s Planning and Finance Ministry allegedly plans to use fire workers and health workers members of the Red Cross to fight against armed resistance groups across the country. The new members will be incorporated into the “public security force” which already comprises retired junta officers and police, and members of the pro-junta militias.
This follows the State Administration issuing, without parliamentary approval, a new Police Force Law in early April which allows the junta to use the police to fight against resistance forces. The new law requires that future police reforms will have to be first approved by the military.
According to a former officer, Myanmar has an excessive number of armed force members but insufficient infantrymen. Thousands of officers are also reported to have defected since the coup. In fact, in 2021, the Myanmar Defense Services Academy only received 22 applications from the central Mandalay Region, which typically reports 500 cadets annually. [Myanmar Now 1] [Myanmar Now 2] [AiR No. 14, April/2022, 1]
Moreover, in an announcement released on March 31, Myanmar’s regime revised the retirement age for civil servants from 60 to 62 years. Whilst the Civil Service Personnel Law does not include military personnel and police, the new rule will apply to the two groups as well. [The Irrawaddy]
Myanmar: Amidst growing international sanctions, all foreign currencies to be converted into local currency, Central Bank ordered
(cmsk) In anticipation of further international sanctions and growing economic pressures, the military-controlled Central Bank of Myanmar issued a notice requiring all foreign currency holdings to be deposited into licensed banks and be immediately converted to the domestic kyat currency.
Following the directive, Japan’s embassy in Myanmar sought for an exemption from the order as it says that many Japanese companies operating in the country could face serious challenges and difficulties in continuing business in Myanmar.
The international community has been imposing increasingly harsh sanctions on Myanmar’s military regime since the 2021 coup, when the junta began a deadly crackdown on its opposers killing roughly 1,700 people. Several companies also withdrew their activities and investment in Myanmar since then. Among those are an Australian fossil fuel giant, France’s Total Energies group, and United-States-based Chevron. [AiR No. 5, February/2022, 1] [Free Press Journal] [The Irrawaddy 1] [The Irrawaddy 2]
In the same light, on April 6, the United States (US) House of Representatives passed a bill that expands targeted sanctions and import restrictions on Myanmar and blacklists high Myanmar’s military officials.
The new regulation, Bill H.R 5497, also known as the Burma Act of 2021, enables, within 30 days of its enactment, the imposition of additional sanctions on Myanmar military-appointed officials and individuals and their adult family members. Within 60 days of its enactment, the bill allows for discretionary sanctions to be imposed on state-owned Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise. The Bill also aims at establishing a new institution within the US Department of State that will oversee promoting international response to the situation in Myanmar and to enforce sanctions. The Burma Act will also authorize humanitarian aid and support for the victims of the military junta repression. The Bill now awaits Senate approval. [UPI] [Jurist]
Myanmar: Military authorities take four-year-old boy into custody
(cmsk/ny) Eyewitnesses reported that the military has arrested a four-year-old boy to obtain information about anti-junta forces from his mother. The boy’s mother was hit by a car, shot, and detained two days after the boy was arrested. Other family members have since reportedly fled.
The authorities denied allegations of the abduction but acknowledged that children were detained in raids. Since the 2021 coup, 255 children between the ages of nine months and 18 years have been arrested according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). Further, of those arrested 62 have been released, 191 remain imprisoned and two have been sentenced to death. The child’s arrest is in violation of Myanmar’s Penal Code and the Protection of the Rights of the Child Act, according to a legal expert. The shadow national unity government said it was working on securing the boy’s release. [Radio Free Asia]
Myanmar: Armed fighting claim more deaths
(cmsk/ny) Armed clashes between Myanmar military and opposition militias continue to kill people and wipe out villages.
A member of a militant anti-regime group claimed the death of the vice governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar, who was shot at her house in Yangon. However, according to a junta general, she survived the attack and is currently under treatment for minor injuries. [The Irrawaddy 1] [Eleven Myanmar]
Meanwhile, the Karen National Union (KNU) has reported that the Myanmar army reclaimed a military base in Myawaddy Township Karen State, eastern Myanmar. On April 5, the military allegedly sent over 200 soldiers. Since the Karen National Liberation Army (KLNA), the armed wing of a local anti-military regime group, has taken over the base in late March, the military junta has reportedly lost more than 20 soldiers while fighting to regain control over the area.
Furthermore, amid intensifying clashes between the KLNA and military along the country’s southeastern road network, the military set on fire multiple civilian cars traveling on the highway and launched an airstrike in Kyainseikgyi Township in Karen State, also known as Kayin State. [Myanmar Now 1] [Myanmar Now 2]
Concurrently, the military junta resumed attacks in the northern Shan State launching an offensive against the ethnic Kokang Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). The attack comes shortly after the junta sent its condolences for the death of MNDAA’s founder. [Myanmar Now 3]
In western Chin State, the local militia, Chinland Defense Force (CDF), claimed to have killed 16 junta soldiers and lost two of its own fighters during an armed clash. Also, according to another CDF source, a village was torched by junta troops who were providing security for the advancing convoy. The village is home to 300 Chin people who have reportedly fled into the forest. [The Irrawaddy][Myanmar Now 4]
Fighting also continued in the southernmost Dawei District between the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and the Myanmar army. The clashes killed one villager and one junta soldier. Moreover, nearly 100 houses were torched by the military while several villagers were arrested. The fighting has caused 7,000 people to flee from nine villages in the attacked township, according to local sources. [Mizzima]
In Rakhine State, western Myanmar, the Arakan Army (AA), a local ethnic armed organization, warned that if Myanmar’s regime continues its attempts to interfere in the administration of the state, fighting could break out. With tensions rising, the AA spokesperson said intermediaries were in talks to help avoid confrontation. The AA’s increased presence in the state resulted in fierce fighting with the junta in late 2018. The party, however, agreed on a ceasefire in 2020. [The Irrawaddy 3]
The Philippines: Marcos Jr. favorite presidential candidate among voters while Robredo gains support, survey finds
(bs/dvr) A Pulse Asia survey taken a few days ahead of the April 10 start of the overseas voting period reported that presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., senator and son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, remains the top choice of Filipino voters. He was followed by Leni Robredo, who gained more support among the youngest and oldest citizens. [Rappler 1]
Meanwhile, the vice-presidential race is seeing Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as its frontrunner. Sara Duterte is also the running mate of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the daughter of the current Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
The survey reported data from March. [Rappler 2] [Rappler 3] [Rappler 4]
The findings sparked concerns among Marcos Jr.’s opponents who believe that his eventual victory would resume the atrocities that happened during his father’s dictatorship under Martial Law from 1965 to 1986. Under Ferdinand Marcos Sr., thousands of people were imprisoned, tortured, killed, and forcibly disappeared. National and international rights groups also acknowledged severe human rights violations under Marcos Sr.’s regime. [AiR No. 6, February/2022, 2]
The Philippines: Social media platform, Commission on Elections to crackdown hate speech and misinformation ahead of presidential polls
(bs/dvr) On April 6, Meta Platforms Inc., which includes Facebook among other online social media, suspended more than 400 accounts, pages, and groups in an attempt to remove from the platform activities of hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation ahead of the May 9 presidential election in the Philippines.
Meta also removed several other accounts for allegedly being linked to the New People’s Army, a banned group that is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. [Reuters]
With the same objective, the Commission on Election (Comelec) in the Philippines has approved the establishment of a special task force to halt the propagation of disinformation in the upcoming elections. The new entity will primarily focus on preventing the spreading of any false information regarding the Comelec and its activities. According to the commission, such action might result in a violation of Republic Act No. 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. [Rappler]
The Philippines: Presidential candidates urged to include protection of human rights in their agenda
(bs/dvr) Amnesty International drafted an eight-point agenda urging presidential candidates in the Philippines to make sure they include the protection of human rights as a key project in their political plan.
The human rights organization called for the country to implement international human rights law and advised the candidates to include in their campaign their action plans to effectively tackle human rights issues in the country.
Since the beginning of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration in 2016, the Philippine authorities have killed between 12,000 and 30,000 people as part of the “war on drugs,” according to civil society organizations. The practice was condemned by the international community, especially by the European Parliament in a resolution released on February 16, where the drafters alleged that President Duterte had “explicitly encouraged the police to commit extrajudicial executions and promised them immunity.” The resolution also urged the immediate cessation of the practice of “red-tagging” which allows the use of violence and extrajudicial killings against those who are believed to be linked to communist groups. [AiR No. 8, February/2022, 4]
The Philippines will hold presidential elections on May 9. The candidates have been publicly sharing their plans in the three-month presidential campaign that began in mid-February. During the last debate, on April 3, all the candidates present agreed on the importance of the Commission on Human Rights in the country and on increasing the budget allocated to its projects. [Amnesty International]
The Philippines: Coast guard to cooperate with armed forces in maritime protection
(bs/dvr) Representatives of the Philippines Coast Guard and the National Armed Forces agreed to enhance cooperation to ensure peace and stability in Western Mindanao, located in the southern Philippines. The parties have committed to enforcing maritime law while ensuring environmental protection.
The area has long been facing security issues related to the high rate of terrorism, piracy, clashes with communist groups, and transnational crimes. [Manila Bulletin]
Singapore: Major maritime shipping lane harshly affected by piracy and sea robberies
(bs) Singapore saw a drastic increase in cases of piracy and sea robberies in the Singapore Strait, one of the world’s major shipping lanes, since early 2021.
17 cases of sea robbery were reported between January and March 2022, double compared to the same period in 2021. A total of 49 cases were reported for the entire year in 2021, which made it the highest number of piracy attacks in international waters in the Singapore Strait since 2016.
Since August 2021, Southeast Asia has witnessed a surge in transnational crime in the region. International events, such as the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, are believed to have sparked security uncertainties in the Indo-Pacific region, especially with regard to the contested territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Following the report, the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) assistant director of research urged Singapore and its neighboring countries to strengthen patrol control and surveillance over the area. [The Straits Times] [The Interpreter]
Thailand: Supreme court banned politician from parliament for life for severe ethical misconduct
(kc/aph) Pareena Kraikupt, a member of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), lost her status as a Member of the Parliament (MP), received a 10-year suspension of her political and election rights, and was handed a lifetime ban from running in elections after the Supreme Court found her guilty of severe ethical misconduct. The public prosecutor is now expected to decide whether to open a criminal case against Pareena. [Thai PBS World]
The court’s ruling came after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) found Pareena guilty of land encroachment in February 2021. She and her father, a former politician, had encroached on acreage distributed by the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) and used land allocated to landless farmers to construct a poultry farm in Ratchaburi, central Thailand, since 2003.
In 2021, following the NACC accusation, the Supreme Court was petitioned by the Commission and suspended Pareena from parliament. [Bangkok Post]
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 2017, section 235, provides the supreme court with the authority to consider and verdict any cases of moral standards violations by politicians. [2017 Thai Constitution, section 235]
In addition to Pareena's case, five other politicians have now been charged by the NACC for severe breaches of ethical standards, including Pannika Wanich, a key Progressive Movement leader, regarding two ten-year-old Facebook posts claimed to be potentially inappropriate relating to the monarchy. [Bangkok Biz News, in Thai] [Bangkok Post]
Thailand: Airline’s staff might face criminal charges for royal defamation over April Fool's Day joke
(kc) Employers at VietJet Air, a budget airline, might face criminal charges in Thailand for posting an April Fool’s joke on Twitter allegedly offending Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn, mostly known as King Rama X.
On April 4, a group of extremist royalists gathered at Suvarnabhumi Airport to hold the executives of Thai VietJet Air responsible. [CNN]
On April 1, Thai Vietjet's official account tweeted that the company was launching a new international route between Nan province in Thailand and Munich in Germany. The tweet immediately sparked protests among Thai royalist groups which claimed that the post intended to slight King Rama X for spending much of his time in his residence in Munich with his royal consort, Sineenat Wongvajiraphakdi, who was born in Nan province.
The airline staff might be charged with Royal Defamation under Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, the lèse-majesté law, which punishes insult or defamation of the royal family with up to 15 years in prison.
The airline executive later apologized and said he did not endorse or encourage the marketing of such content, as they deleted the post as soon as it been reported. He also stated certain staff will be suspended from their duties until the examination is complete. [BBC, in Thai]
Thailand: Citizens gathered to mark 12th anniversary of violent protest crackdown
(kc) On April 10, hundreds of people gathered to join a memorial event to mark the 12th anniversary of the 2010 Thai military crackdown against opposition protesters, known as members of the “red-shirt movement.” The movement comprises followers of Thailand’s United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). The clashes between the authorities and the protesters killed 90 people and injured over 2,000, according to Human Rights Watch. The military shelled many protesters with high-velocity ammunition before an "armed squad dressed in black" appeared to fire back at soldiers. The UDD rallies continued, and the protest crackdown became more and more forceful until the dissolution on May 13-19, which resulted in thousands of arrests. [Thai PBS World] [Prachatai 1, in Thai] Human Rights Watch 1]
Lawsuits were filed against the military and government leaders involved in the military crackdowns before the Supreme Court dismissed the criminal charges in 2017. [Human Rights Watch 2]
Timor-Leste: Election commission banned presidential debates on public television while candidates are urged to address gender equality issues
(bs) The National Election Commission (CNE) banned all public television channels from hosting election debates just days ahead of the second round of presidential elections in Timor-Leste scheduled for April 19. The move sparked controversies across the country. The CNE responded to critics by saying that it is the commission's responsibility to organize the debate, and by accusing the public television RTTL of alleged discriminatory behavior for having contacted only one of the two presidential candidates to speak publicly. However, RTTL promptly denied the accusations claiming that the company had contacted both candidates, current President Francisco (Lú-Olo) Guterres and José Ramos-Horta. [RTP Notìcias, in Portuguese]
Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) warned Timor-Leste of the absence of gender equality discussions in the presidential election campaign despite the high female participation rate, amounting to 77.91 percent compared to 76.65 percent of male participation. UN Women called for presidential candidates to address the gender equality issues regardless of the high rates of female participation in the national elections. Moreover, UN officials reported that Timor-Leste has “one of the highest proportions of women in parliament globally and the highest in Asia and the Pacific.”
In the first round of the elections, 16 people ran as presidential candidates, among which four were women. [AiR No. 12, March/2022, 4] [Observador, in Portuguese]
Vietnam: Vietnam approves religious books for prisoners
(kc) The Vietnamese government approved 17 religious textbooks—including theology books, history of religions, and religious law—for inmates' use in the prison. The allowance includes the allocation of 4,400 copies among 54 prisons across the country.
There are consistent reports that prisoners in Vietnam are prohibited from practicing their religious activities in prisons. The Vietnamese authorities have long perceived religions as a potential security threat to their communist beliefs. There have been reports of punishing prisoners for smuggling in bibles and or saying prayers. [Radio Free Asia]
International Relations, Geopolitics and Security in Asia
India, Russia, and the West: The tightrope goes on
(hg) Amid major movements that are likely to reshape global order, many observers keep their eyes on India which consistently refuses to take sides in the pivotal Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The Indian stance is clear, based on India´s non-alignment tradition, focused on the Indian national interest, and, causing the West considerable headaches.
Indian External Affair Minister Jaishankar put his stance crystal clear, saying "India's approach should be guided by our national beliefs and values, by our national interest and by our national strategy," to continue: "So what should India do in these circumstances? At the time when energy costs have spiked, clearly, we need to ensure that the common person in India is not subject to an additional and unavoidable burden. Similarly, fertilizer prices have a direct implication for the livelihoods of the majority of our population,", and fertilizer, like oil, India receives from Russia. [Wion]
As the only member of the Quad – the grouping formed by the United States, Japan, Australia, and India to counter Chinese influence -, India defines its interest in not joining anti-Russian measures and, in the contrary stabilizing its relation to Russia with which the West is in an economic war of attrition as only the most evident facet of a new Cold War that bears all potential to evolve in an all-out nuclear war.
Until last week, India has fended off all attempts by Western powers and the United States in particular, to be brought in in the anti-Russia camp.
After having voted eleven times at the United Nations on measures against Russia, India´s twelfth vote on the removal of Russia from the UN´s Human Rights Council last week, had a slightly different impact than previous votes that rather favored Russia. [The Indian Express]
This time, to remove Russia from the HRC, a two-third majority was required, whereas abstentions did not count. This means that, different to the other votes, an abstention was to exert negative effects for the Russian interest.
The Indian abstention and its different legal circumstances and political effect should, however, not be interpreted as a present redefinition of Indian foreign relations. Rather it affirms New Delhi’s claim of an independent foreign policy that, until now, has favored Russia with which Delhi insists on continuing to trade in commodities and even arms of which India is Russia´s biggest buyer.
Regarding crude oil, Russia reportedly even offered India a USD 35 per barrel discount, “a fabulous deal given the [current] spike in crude” prices. [Bloomberg 1]
In this context it is noteworthy that India not only consistently abstained from voting against Russia, - like its rival and Moscow´s de-facto ally China -, but also joined China in cautiously avoiding to blame Russia for being responsible for Ukrainian Bucha killings, although denouncing them as very disturbing and calling for an independent inquiry in the matter. [Business Insider]
Against this background, after US President Biden had called India a “shaky ally” in March, the leaders of India and the United States exchanged views in a virtual meeting complemented by their foreign and defense ministers holding 2+2 talks in Washington. See a clip on the joint briefing here [Youtube].
Much seems not to have changed with these talks, in which the protagonists appeared eager to maintain their respective strategic interest in ongoing stable relations between the countries but also in talks whose atmosphere seemed not free of tension.
While President Biden’s top economic adviser the director of the White House National Economic Council, Brian Deese, clarified that Washington was “disappointed” with some of New Delhi’s reaction to the Russian invasion in Ukraine, Press Secretary Jen Psaki reiterated earlier this week on the recent trip of the US Deputy National Security Advisor Daleep Singh to India, that “we don’t believe it’s in India’s interest to accelerate or increase imports of Russian energy and other commodities”. [Business Standard]
Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told members of the influential House Foreign Affairs Committee during a Congressional hearing that America shares a very critical relationship with India being the world´s largest democracy, a strong defense partner and part of the Quad. However, she also reiterated that “[w]e, obviously, would prefer that India move away from their long-term history of non-alignment G77 partnership with Russia.” [The Wire]
In other words, not much has changed despite the emergence of a slightly tensioned new normalcy that, however, might soon have to way to an adjustment. What remains to be seen is, however, in how far Delhi can resist the gravitational pull of the global order´s geopolitical fault lines, while Washington needs to consider of how to use (or not to use) carrots and sticks and everything between when engaging a country as geopolitically crucial as India.
As much as Washington needs India to counter an expanding Eurasian influence of the Russian-Chinese (almost) de-facto alliance, as much does India need a strong partner vis-à-vis China. While Moscow can hardly be such a partner, India is also in urgent need
of Western support to secure its technological development considering chips, semi-conductors etc. [Bloomberg 1] [Bloomberg 2]
China calls for investigation on civilian deaths in Ukraine, refuses to blame Russia
(jw) After reports of dead civilians left in the streets of the Ukrainian city Bucha prompted international outrage and condemnation, China's ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun called the images made in the suburb of Kyiv “deeply disturbing”. However, unlike Ukraine and its allies who denounced the killings as war crimes, Zhang refused to connect the committed atrocities to Russian soldiers who had just retreated from the area. Instead, he stated before the Security Council that “the relevant circumstances and specific causes of the incident should be verified and established,” urging
the international community to “avoid unfounded accusations” before the relevant facts are on the table and calling for an independent investigation into the incident. The Chinese foreign ministry echoed his remarks, coining the killings a humanitarian issue and warning that it “should not be politicized.” [CBS News] [Global Times]
The Chinese response to the civilian deaths in Bucha is indicative of China’s vacillation as Chinese officials neither join western countries in blaming Russia for the killings nor support Russian claims that the deaths were staged by Ukrainian forces. However, Russian assertions that the killings were staged circulated on Chinese state media. [CNN] [Wall Street Journal]
Chances that the deaths can change China’s attitude towards Russia are low as China continues claiming to be an impartial observer that condemns western sanctions against Russia [see AiR No. 14, April/2022, 1]. China has abstained from voting on two U.N. General Assembly resolutions that blame Russia for the war and instead portrays the US and NATO as responsible for escalating in Ukraine. China also belonged to the minority that opposed a proposal to suspend Russia from its seat on the Human Rights Council with United Nations ambassador Zhang stating that “such a hasty move […] which forces countries to choose sides, will aggravate the division among member
states”. Despite China’s opposition, the UN General Assembly passed the proposal on April 7. [Al Jazeera] [Associated Press] [Reuters]
China continues balancing act between respecting western sanctions and engaging Russia economically
(jw) With the threat of western secondary sanctions looming, Chinese companies continue to display caution when dealing with Russian firms [see AiR No. 13, March/2022, 5].
Chinese state oil refiners are only importing oil as arranged by long-term contracts but shy away from agreeing to new deals as they fear being perceived as supporters of Russia who undermine western sanctions by buying more oil than usual. State-owned companies are also wary of being seen as representative of the Chinese government and its attitude toward Russia.
As Russian oil companies have been hit by sanctions of the EU and a complete import ban by the US, Chinese companies could purchase Russian oil with heavy discounts. Russian companies also allow Chinese companies to use yuan to pay for shipments of oil and coal. Although dollars were previously used to trade oil, coal and other resources the switch to yuan is necessary because several Russian banks have been cut off from the global financial system. Despite Russian efforts to facilitate exports and incentivize countries to buy their goods, Chinese companies are apparently told to
prioritize compliance and risk control over profit. [Bloomberg] [Reuters]
Because the US continuously reiterates its threats to punish China if it undermines western sanctions on Russia, Chinese economists voice their concerns that China might be holding too many US government bonds that could be frozen just like the Russian currency reserves at the beginning of the war in Ukraine. However, observers point at the lack of alternative investment opportunities that could serve as foreign exchange reserves. Due to its trade surplus, China holds large currency reserves including about USD 1 trillion which makes it vulnerable to financial sanctions. [South China Morning Post]
China sends out threats in response to speculations about visit of US House Speaker Pelosi to Taiwan
(jw) After reports of Japanese and Taiwanese media stated that US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi – who as House Speaker is second in the line of presidential succession behind the vice president – might visit Taiwan on April 10 after a stop in Japan, Chinese government officials sent out stern warnings. Neither Pelosi’s office nor the Taiwanese government verified claims of the planned visit. However, there have been considerable official interactions between Taiwan and the US recently, as the Biden administration wants to show its support after parallels were drawn between the Taiwan dispute and the Ukraine war. Nevertheless, Pelosi's office announced on April 7 that the whole Asia trip needs to be postponed due to Pelosi testing positive for COVID-19.
Despite that, the possibility of a visit of a high-profile US politician to Taiwan prompted outrage in China, with the Chinese foreign ministry warning that the visit would cross a red line and would cause China to “take strong measures in response to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” adding that “[a]ll possible consequences that arise from this will completely be borne by the U.S. side.”
The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council also issued a direct warning to Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) saying that “all crimes that it has made will be punished eventually” and pressing the DPP to “stop any collusion with foreign forces to seek secessionism.”
Chinese observers, meanwhile, proposed retaliatory measures ranging from sanctions on US officials to declaring a no-fly zone over Taiwan as deterrence against and possible punishments for closer cooperation between the US and Taiwan.
Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan would be the first of a sitting US House Speaker since 1997 when Newt Gingrich came to Taiwan. However, Gingrich, a Republican, was at that time a member of the opposition against Democratic President Clinton so his visit could not be directly linked to the US administration. This would not be the case with Pelosi. Furthermore, it is critical that Pelosi reportedly planned to arrive in Taiwan on April 10, because this date marks the 43rd anniversary of the Taiwan Relation Act which is the legal foundation of the US commitment to defend Taiwan while not establishing formal diplomatic relations. [CNN] [Reuters] [The Global Times] [Xinhua]
Economic ties between mainland China and Taiwan might facilitate mainland’s naval military buildup
(jw) According to a report released by the US based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the economic relations between the leading Taiwanese shipping company and the biggest shipbuilding company on the mainland are likely to decrease costs for China’s naval military buildup. Since 2018, Taiwan's Evergreen Marine Corp ordered 44 vessels from China with many of them being manufactured by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation that is responsible for the production of many Chinese warships. According to the
CSIS, the possible “direct sharing of resources between military and civilian operations at China's key shipyards” allows for an easier upgrade of Chinese naval capabilities. Furthermore, international capital that reaches the China Stat Shipbuilding Corporation from customers like France, even though the US put the company on an investment blacklist. This marks another indirect way of supporting the Chinese naval forces and contributing to increasing the regional threat level, according to the CSIS. [Center for Strategic and International Studies] [Reuters]
China, Philippines try to ease tensions in South China Sea
(jw) In a phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterpart from the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte, both sides emphasized their ambitions to maintain peace in the South China Sea. Despite territorial disputes repeatedly aggravating tensions between the two countries [see AiR No. 13, March/2022, 5], Xi stated that both sides “have adhered to the
important consensus reached, adhered to good-neighborly and friendly cooperation, insisted on properly handling differences, and insisted on working together for common development”. According to Xi, China “is willing to work with the Philippines to promote the continuous and sound development of China-Philippines relations and continuously advance to a new level”.
Under Duterte, the Philippines and China came closer despite the traditional alliance between Philippines and the US and the dispute over the South China Sea, where China continues to ignore an international ruling that invalidated its territorial claims. As Duterte was more open towards China, his country became the recipient of Chinese financial support, including aid, loans and investment pledges summing up to billions of dollars.
The phone talk between the two presidents comes as Duterte prepares to finish his term in office next month, raising uncertainties about the future of ties between the two countries. [Associated
Press] [Reuters]
China voices concern over hypersonic weapons deal between US, UK and Australia
(jw) On April 5, the US, UK and Australia announced that they will cooperate on the development of hypersonic missiles, using the recently created security pact AUKUS. This decision is meant to strengthen coordination and enhance military capabilities as Russia has used hypersonic weapons in the Ukraine war and China tested them last October, prompting concerns in the US. Due to their speed, none of the current missile defense systems are capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles.
In a reaction to the announcement, Chinese ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun expressed his reservations, stating that “anyone who do not want to see the Ukrainian crisis should refrain from doing things which may lead the other parts of the world into a crisis like this”. [ABC News] [Reuters]
China reportedly providing Serbia with missiles
(jw) On April 9, six Chinese transport planes were observed at Belgrade’s civilian airport. They reportedly carried sophisticated HQ-22 surface-to-air missile systems and flew over the NATO territories of Turkey and Bulgaria to reach Serbia.
Analysts presume that the landing of six planes at once was purposeful and meant as a demonstration of power and reach into the European continent. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, just reelected earlier this month, did not unequivocally confirm the delivery but hinted that he would unveil
“the newest pride” of the Serbian military shortly.
Serbia is somewhat of a diplomatic outlier in Europe as it is one of the few countries refusing to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine or join western sanctions against Russia. It is officially a candidate for joining the EU but is not willing to fulfill requirements such as using military equipment that complies with Western standards. Instead, Serbia has purchased weapons from Russia and China, prompting concerns among western countries that Serbia might cause instability in the region and maybe even attack Kosovo, that declared independence but is only recognized by many western countries and not Serbia, Russia or China.
China and Serbia enhanced their diplomatic relationship over the last few years as they share opinions on Kosovo and recently also the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, China provided Serbia with its COVID-19 vaccines and plans multiple infrastructure projects on Serbian soil. On April 8 Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed the friendship between the two countries in a phone call with his Serbian counterpart Nikola Selakovic and expressed his support of Serbia “pursuing an independent foreign policy”. [Associated Press] [Global Times] [Xinhua]
China-New Zealand upgraded free trade agreement comes into effect
(jw) Signed in 2021, a protocol on upgrading the China-New Zealand free trade agreement came into effect on April 7. The first version of the agreement between the two countries dates back to 2008 and was continuously expanded over the following decades.
The current upgrade is meant to further facilitate trade between the two countries by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers. Among others, Chinese tariffs on certain wood and paper products imported from New Zealand will gradually be cut. Furthermore, the trade of services and foreign direct investment will be easier.
Trade between China and New Zealand surged in the previous years with the trade volume growing at an average rate of 14 percent since the free trade agreement was signed. [Al Jazeera] [China Daily] [Xinhua]
Chinese zero-COVID policy causes concerns among diplomats and foreign residents
(jw) As multiple Chinese cities are affected by strict lockdowns that the Chinese government deems necessary to stop the spread of COVID-19, foreigners residing in China voice their discomfort with some especially harsh measures and are backed by several embassies. Especially in Shanghai, the practice of separating children from parents if members of a family tested positive caused outrage and protest among diplomats of more than 30 countries who wrote a letter voicing their concerns. In a separate letter, representatives of the UK and France stated that they are backed by numerous countries and urged
China to treat foreigners humanly after they are tested positive.
The US reportedly also engaged with Chinese authorities to improve the treatment of foreign residents in China. The US State Department allowed most of its employees in China to leave the country due to the surge in cases and the lockdown measures. US citizens are advised to reconsider travelling to China “due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws and COVID-19 restrictions". In a reaction to the US statements, the Chinese foreign ministry expressed its “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the groundless accusations against China's pandemic prevention policy”. French residents in Shanghai also expressed their frustration as they will be unable to cast a vote in the upcoming French presidential election. [France 24] [Reuters 1] [Reuters 2]
Chinese and Israeli foreign ministers vow to deepen cooperation
(jw) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone call with his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid on April 6 to further the countries’ cooperation and to exchange views on current issues.
Both sides expressed their hopes for finding a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine war. Wang emphasized his wish for a stable relationship between Israel and Palestine and stated China’s willingness to act as a mediator. Furthermore, Iran and its nuclear aspirations were discussed. After the call, the countries agreed to speed up negotiations on a free-trade deal.
The call comes as China and Israel celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations 30 years ago with a series of events. [CGTN] [The Times of Israel]
Cases against Chinese espionage progress in the US
(jw) Tao Feng, a researcher at the University of Kansas was found guilty of wire fraud and false statements after being accused of purposefully hiding his employment at a Chinese university. According to the prosecutors in the case, Feng did not mention his employment to the University of Kansas despite being obligated to report conflicts of interest. Moreover, he allegedly misused grants from various agencies. However, the judge is weighing a defense motion to dismiss the case that was part of the US Justice Department’s “China Initiative” aimed at preventing economic espionage and theft of trade secrets. The “China Initiative” was ended in February after public criticism and failed prosecutions. [Associated Press 1]
In a similar case that was also part of the “China Initiative”, Chinese national Xiang Haitao was sentenced to 29 months in prison and a fine on April 7 after being convicted of economic espionage. Xiang worked for Monsanto for almost a decade and plead guilty after prosecutors accused him of trying to transport an algorithm that is part of Monsanto’s intellectual property to China for the benefit of the Chinese government. [Associated Press 2]
US cybersecurity company accuses Chinese hackers of targeting India’s power grid
(jw) According to the report of private US cybersecurity company Recorded Future, a state-sponsored group of Chinese hackers targeted critical infrastructure near an area, that China and India both claim. Specifically, the hackers attacked seven Indian state centers that carry out electrical dispatch and grid control. They used a software that links them directly to China’s Ministry of State Security which allegedly hired contractors to develop the tools used in the attack. The Chinese foreign ministry first reacted reluctantly on April 7 and stated that the report was “noted” while stressing that
China does not condone cyberattacks. On the following day, the foreign ministry ramped up its rhetoric and branded the reports and statements on the cyberattacks as “disinformation”. In turn, the Chinese foreign ministry emphasized alleged cyberattacks by US entities.
India also reacted reluctantly to the report with the Indian External Affairs Ministry claiming that the issue was not raised with China. Furthermore, Indian Minister of Power R.K. Singh asserted that there was no reason for concern because of resilient and robust security mechanisms that ensure the resilience of India’s critical infrastructure. [Associated Press] [Global Times]
China requested permission to send armed security team to Solomon Islands, leaked documents reveal
(dql) According to leaked documents date early December 2021, the Chinese embassy in Solomon Islands requested permission to import weapons – including a sniper rifle, two machine guns and dozens of pistols and rifles – into the capital Honiara when violent riots roiled the city late last November [see AiR No. 49, December/2021, 1]. The embassy, citing the need to protect its citizens and diplomats, furthermore, requested permission to fly in a plainclothes 10-person security detail. [The Guardian]
The leak comes at a time when Solomon Islands has stepped into the geopolitical limelight in recent weeks in the wake of leaked draft security agreement between China and Solomon Islands under which China is allowed to station police, military personnel and other armed forces in the Solomon Islands to support the local authorities in maintaining social order [see AiR No. 14, April/2022, 1]
Japan to widen sanctions on Russia over ‘war crimes’ in Ukraine
(cm/dql) On April 12, additional sanctions against Russia have been approved by Japan’s Cabinet, including the freeze the assets of nearly 400 Russian individuals and 28 more Russian organizations. Among those individuals and entities target are two daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s wife, organizations related to military business, as well as Sberbank and Alfa Bank. Japanese individuals and companies are prohibited from making new investments in Russiam while imports of vodka and other goods are also banned, in Tokyo’s latest move in line with the US and European countries. [The Mainichi]
In an earlier statement last week announcing these sanctions, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called for the first time the killing of innocent civilians “war crimes,” that “should be tolerated.” [Kyodo News]
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda, meanwhile, announced that Japan, the world’s third largest importer of coal, sticks to its plan to phase out Russian coal imports to end reliance on Russian energy. [Aljazeera]
Officials of Kishida’s own party, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, however, have raised concerns about Japan’s latest sanctions on Russia, fearing that the decision to discontinue coal imports from Russia to have a great economic impact in Japan, increasing household costs and potentially causing power outages unless a transitional period is added. The ban, the timing of which has not been specified, could face criticism from the public as frustration from the impact of the measures is expected. [The Japan Times]
Japan seeks cooperation within ASEAN over carbon capture tech
(cm) Japan intends to work with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the development of carbon capture and storage technologies, a project that falls into Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s vision of an “Asia Zero Emissions Community”.
Japan hopes that the surge in crude oil and fuel prices that followed the Russian attack in Ukraine, which prompted countries to become more reliant on carbon-intensive coal, could motivate Asian economies’ interest in reducing emissions, as countries would be decarbonizing while still making use of fossil fuels. As a part of sanctions against Russia, Japan joined other Group of Seven countries in phasing out Russian coal imports, so to reduce the country’s energy dependence on Russia. [Nikkei Asia 1] [Nikkei Asia 2]
Japan and Bahrain to strengthen cooperation
(cm) During a phone talk on April 5 with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain, expressed his intention of consolidating the relationship between the two countries. The leaders agreed to increase collaboration in both the private and the public sector through the agreement for “the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investment”.
This year the countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, and they both reaffirmed a coordinated response to the conflict in Ukraine, especially working towards the stabilization of the oil market. Al Khalifa also acknowledged Tokyo’s role in the launch of the Bahrain-UAE joint nanosatellite “Light-1” from the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” on the International Space Station. [Arab News]
Japan and Turkey seek closer cooperation amid Ukraine war
(cm) During a phone talk on April 5 Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to collaborate on the defense of the international order following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Both leaders also agreed on the need to reform the United Nations Security Council in order to prevent allowing the unilateral use of force by Russia, who is a permanent member of the Council, therefore having veto power.
Kishida praised Turkey’s role as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia, while protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine; two weeks ago, peace talks were held in Istanbul, in occasion of which Russia vowed to reduce military operations near Kyiv. [The Mainichi]
Japan pledges USD 500 million to COVAX Facility
(cm) Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced during an online meeting on providing access to vaccines in developing countries hosted by the Gavi vaccine alliance on April 8 that Japan will provide up to USD 500 million in funds to the COVAX facility, an international initiative aimed at equitable access to vaccines.
Kishida referred to global vaccine inequity as an obstacle to be overcome in order to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, reaffirming Japan’s determination to cooperate towards this goal with other countries and organizations worldwide. [NHK]
Japan sings agreement to decongest Dar es Salaam with Tanzania
(cm) A cooperation deal for a project to decongest Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, was singed by Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Tanzanian government. The “Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) for Dar es Salaam” project, to be implemented from June 2022 to May 2025, will focus on improving urban development as well as the public transport infrastructures and services. [The Citizen]
South Korea: President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's delegation in the US to discuss the security of the Korean Peninsula
(mpk) On April 3, President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s delegation carried out a five-night trip to the US to negotiate a wide range of topics including the bilateral alliance and coordinating policies.
The head of the delegation, Park Jin-of, said it was decided by both sides to raise the level of strategic alliance between the USand South Korea, and both sides also agreed on the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization (CVID) of North Korea.
Last month, the South Korean Defense Ministry submitted a report to Yoon’s transition committee about the reactivation of the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG), created as a high-level consultative mechanism to respond to threats posed by North Korea.
Thus, in the meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in Washington, the South Korean delegation also stressed the crucial role of the EDSCG, established in 2016 by the US and South Korean Foreign and Defense Ministers, and both sides agreed to revive the EDSCG. [See AiR No. 13, March/2022,5] [The Korea Herald 1] [The Korea Times]
On the same day, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Samuel Paparo, said that the US is searching for options to increase deterrence against North Korea, citing that there is more area to maneuver in waters around the Korean Peninsula against North Korea’s provocations. [The Korea Herald 2]
South Korea, US look for new defense tech cooperation
(mpk) The US is seeking to accelerate its defense programs to match technological developments in China for its strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. To this end, President and CEO of the Association of the US Army, General Robert Brown called on Washington to accelerate security cooperation with Seoul Korea and expand industrial and governmental level collaboration.
For South Korea, Minister of Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Kang Eun-ho, highlighted the potential of his country’s technological strides for the US defense industry, adding that the South Korean government is willing to improve technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and autonomous technologies which would meet the US Defense Department’s research and development priorities. In addition, he mentioned that South Korea’s industry can contribute to the US’ supply chain problems in obtaining semiconductors and secondary batteries. [National Defense]
US, Chinese nuclear envoys talk on ways to call North Korea for diplomatic dialogues
(mpk) On April 5, US Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim and his Chinese counterpart Liu Xiaoming held a meeting in Washington to talk about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Both sides sought out ways to bring back North Korea to engagement in meaningful negotiations, with the former insisting at the same time on importance of firm responses to North Korea's escalatory actions, referring the recent rounds of Pyongyang’s missile tests. The meeting was part of Liu’s three-day visit last week to the US to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The meeting came one day after Kim and his South Korean counterpart agreed to push for a new UN Security Council resolution on North Korea, which is believed to further reduce the permitted amount of oil and other energy shipments to North Korea. [The Korea Herald 1]
Reflecting hardening stance in sanctions against North Korea, Liu, for this part, criticized during the meeting the US for using sanctions to hold North Korea responsible for the missile launches, adding that it could be “adding fuel to the fire.” [Asia News Network]
In a separate development, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, highlighted in a written testimony submitted to the House Committee on Armed Services that North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs have developed the “technical capacity” to be a “real danger” not only for the US homeland but also for the Indo-Pacific region. [The Korea Herald 2]
Meanwhile, according to a new report of Vienna-based Open Nuclear Network, North Korea continues to restore its Punggye-ri nuclear test site citing satellite imagery taken between March 24 and April 6, from which observers infer that a new tunnel is possibly being built to provide a shorter distance to the underground launch area and shorten the time Pyongyang needs for the next ballistic missile test. [Open Nuclear Network Report]
This report comes after North Korea’s twelfth round of ballistic missile tests, marking the end of North Korea’s self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile testing of April 2018. In addition, last month, South Korean government sources also claimed that Tunnel 3 and Tunnel 4 of the Punggye2-ri nuclear test area may be being restored. [CNN] [Yonhap News Agency] [See AiR No. 13, March/2022,5, AiR No. 11, March/2022,3]
South Korean foreign minister meets his Swedish and Finnish counterparts
(mpk) While South Korean Foreign Minister, Chung Eui-yong, went to Brussels for a meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), he met with his Swedish and Finnish counterparts to talk about bilateral ties.
On April 6, in accordance with statements of the South Korean Foreign Ministry, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde, and Chung decided to strengthen their cooperation on information and communications technology (ICT) and startups.
Meanwhile, Chung agreed with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto to expand their partnership in the defense industry and environment sectors. [The Korea Herald]
South Korea to expand aid package for Ukraine
(mpk) In accordance with the statement of the South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, Seoul will provide USD 40 million and an additional package for Ukraine. Chung announced his country’s emergency humanitarian advocating plan for Ukraine during a high-profile North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) meeting. Last month, Seoul already supplied one-million-dollar worth of aid, but it was increased to USD 30 million.
In the meeting, Chung stressed strengthening their partnership and cooperation on the Ukrainian crisis by discussing it with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
By attending such a meeting for the first time, the Foreign Minister also talked with his US counterparts and NATO's three other regional partners, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, to increase partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. [Yonhap News Agency]
Meanwhile, the Korean National Red Cross (KNRC) announced that the third tranche of humanitarian aid worth USD 131,205 thousand was sent to Ukrainian war survivors. The aid, including 9,369 blankets and 4,848 essential hygiene kits, was supplied to Hungary to be used for Ukrainian war survivors, and the organization also provided emergency response teams to Hungary, Romania, and Moldova on April 6.
In the past two months, KNRC provided USD1,179.530 million in aid for Ukrainians. [Yonhap News Agency]
Taiwan bans export of dual-use goods to Russia
(dql) Taiwan announced on April 6 that it is stepping up economic sanctions against Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine, with nearly 60 strategic dual-use high-tech goods banned from export to Russia. Among the listed goods are equipment for making semiconductors, lasers and navigation systems.
Given that trade between Taipei and Moscow in very limited, the move is rather symbolic for Taiwan’s alignment with the US and its allies. [Reuters]
Cross-strait relations: Chinese military aircraft enter Taiwan’s ADIZ amid Taiwanese military exercises
(dql) According to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, on April 10, three Chinese military aircraft, including two People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Chengdu J-10 fighter jets and one electronic warfare Shenyang J-16D, entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). So far this month, 19 Chinese military aircraft have been spotted in the zone. [Taiwan News 1]
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s military conducted its annual Lien Hsiang exercise on April 12, involving F-16 fighters, Indigenous Defense Fighters, Apache helicopters, and other aircraft responding to simulated enemy targets and testing electronic warfare capabilities. Last week, the Taiwanese Navy carried out live-fire drills with ships performing tactical maneuvers and sailors firing cannons, torpedoes, and Phalanx close-in weapons systems. [Taiwan News 2] [Taiwan News 3]
Taiwan-Poland parliamentary group established
(dql) The Taiwan-Poland Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association, a parliamentary friendship group that seeks to deepen relations with Poland in business, law and culture, was launched by Taiwanese lawmakers on April 6.
The move comes echoes a similar move of Polish legislators who last year formed the Formosa Club to promote Taiwan’s right to participate in international organizations. [Taipei Times]
Bangladesh-United States: Security, rights, trade dominating talks to enhance relations
(hg) A meeting between Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen to recognize the 50th anniversary of U.S.-Bangladesh relations was only one recent high-level meeting between the government of Bangladesh and US senior officials. [US Department of State]
Amid the 8th bilateral "Security Dialogue" on Wednesday last week, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen met US Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Denise Jenkins to discuss various defense matters. [Dhaka Tribune 1]
Currently, both sides seem interested in Bangladesh buying advanced military equipment as part of its “Forces Goal 2030” from the US. Earlier, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland and Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said at a joint press briefing that the two sides had passed a draft of a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA). [Dhaka Tribune 2] [The Daily Observer]
Earlier, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen had expressed hope that the Bangladesh-US "economic partnership consultation mechanism" would function as an effective platform to facilitate economic cooperation and people-to-people ties.
A first virtual meeting was held under framework in September, 2020 and is supposed to be followed by a second one on June 2 this year. [Dhaka Tribune 3]
Amid this flurry of constructive diplomatic encounters, the two sides also discussed one of the most contentious issues, human rights concern of the US regarding Bangladesh´s Digital Security Act (DSA). The DSA is seen by domestic and international critics as a tool of suppression [Human Rights Watch], while the government claims to be in urgent need of a legal instrument like the DSA to tackle widespread digitally committed and supported crime. The government is also accepting that the law is not always properly implemented. While disagreement on the actual nature of the DSA regime between critics and proponents is sometimes vast, the Bangladeshi and US side seem to have produced some rapprochement on the issue.
Subject of discussion between US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas and the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Anisul Huq seemingly focusing much on the DSA were areas of mutual cooperation and the importance of ensuring freedom of expression [The Business Post] with Minister Anisul Huq stating that "Bangladesh has recently completed 50 years of friendship with the US. In order to maintain this relationship, in future, both countries will go forward for strengthening the friendship afresh by settling the existing bilateral problems." [Dhaka Tribune 4
Besides, Foreign Minister Momen reiterated at a panel discussion organized by the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies his earlier stance that “there may have been some excesses while enforcing the Digital Security Act, but the government is now very careful to make sure the law is not misused.” [The Daily Star]
Meanwhile, the country’s all-powerful Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina clarifies the need to strengthening digital security, saying: "We have to pay more attention to the security aspect now. In fact, along with creating opportunities for us, technology can also cause problems. From this aspect, we have to think in new ways about our security". [Dhaka Tribune 5]
Another often contentious issue, the participation of the oppositional BNP in national elections in the end of 2023, was not discussed according to Foreign Minister Momen. [Dhaka Tribune 6]
Altogether the talks mark a significant improvement of bilateral ties between the US and the South Asian 160-mio people nation after the US Treasury Department´s decision on December 10, 2021, to impose sanctions on the country´s elite paramilitary police force, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), as well as seven of its current and former officers due to serious human rights violations, has created a stir in the country. [Atlantic Council]
Bangladesh-Russian relations continue to be good despite Dhaka’s UN abstention
(hg) Bangladesh, like its big brother India, has abstained from voting to suspend Russia's membership of the UN Human Rights Council in the wake of alleged human rights violations amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which the press in Dhaka does frequently refer to with the Russian designation as “military operation”. [The Daily Star 1]
Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in Dhaka said there is no need for volunteers from Bangladesh to join the war´, claiming to have received numerous letters from Bangladeshi citizens expressing their willingness to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine and Donbas. [Dhaka Tribune]
Nevertheless, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, referring to the UN vote on Russia´s membership in the Human Rights Council, stated that Bangladesh continues to maintain very close relations with Russia, which, however, were "very difficult" to "adjust" by Dhaka in the current situation. [The Daily Star 2] Besides the "historical relations" with Russia underlined by Momen, many people in the country seem sympathetic to the Russian cause vis-à-vis the West. According to the maintnenace of good relations, Russia continues to deliver uninterrupted equipment shipment for the building of the Rooppur nuclear power plant whose critical infrastructure is built by the Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation, a Russian state corporation. [The Business Post]
Bangladesh-Germany seeking increased climate cooperation
Germany’s State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action Jennifer Morgan, on a visit to Bangladesh, reiterated the German commitment to enhancing climate cooperation with Dhaka, saying, “We’ve a long history of cooperation with Bangladesh. I’ve come here to listen and learn; and to see what we can do together. I think we’ve much to learn from each other”. [Business Post]
Indian trade talks with Western partners, dynamics in Indian-UK relations
(hg) Despite its independent stance on the Ukraine crisis by which India refuses to join its Western partner’s security policy vis-à-vis Russia amid the Ukraine crisis, Delhi unabatedly continues trade talks both with the EU and the UK.
Following the completion of free trade agreements (FTA) with Australia and the UAE and seeking a wider opening for Indian goods in the European market, Commerce Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam visited Brussels and London to the respectively proposed trade agreements off the ground. [The Hindu]
Moreover, with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson likely to visit India in 4th week of April [The Economic Times], the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) was, for the first time, held in India. There, representatives from 53 Commonwealth countries and nine regions gathered, underlining India´s geopolitical importance. Aim of the more than 100-years old CPA, previously known as the Empire Parliamentary Association, is to promote knowledge and understanding about parliamentary democracy, good governance, respect for the rule of law, and individual rights and freedoms. [NDTV]
Bangladesh-Iran talking on Preferential Trade Agreement
(hg) Bangladesh and Iran are in early talks on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to boost bilateral trade. [The Financial Express]
Although Iran is a Shia Muslim dominated country, the majority Sunni Muslim Bangladesh is dominated by a rather tolerant stance towards Shia Islam which also has some roots in the country.
While the nevertheless growing radical Salafi movements in the country can be expected to take up such a rapprochement with Tehran against the government, the move is also interesting as it underlines the geopolitical fault of a Eurasian integration that is increasingly less influenced by Western orientated policies and concerns.
Sri Lanka to receive World Bank grants for emergency drugs
(dql) On April 12, Sri Lankan Finance Minister Ali Sabri confirmed that the World Bank has approved the release of an immediate grant of USD 10 million to purchase emergency drugs. He added that the World Bank would grant additional USD 500 million within two weeks for the purchase of emergency drugs and other essentials including gas. [Daily Mirror]
The grants come as dedical doctors in Sri Lanka warn of a catastrophic number of people who could die as the healthcare system is close to collapse in the face of crippling power cuts and shortages of life-saving medications. [Aljazeera]
Rights group condemns Australia meeting with Myanmar military chief
(bs) Human Rights Watch condemned a meeting between Australia’s ambassador to Myanmar and the Military Regime Chief accusing Australia of indirectly legitimizing the authority of the Myanmar regime that has allegedly been committing war crimes since the 2021 military coup.
The meeting took place on April 6. It was not the first meeting since the coup as Australian officials reported that the country has had seven other meetings with the military junta within the past year. However, they denied any cooperation with the regime. [France 24]
India issues identity cards to Myanmar refugees
(cmsk) India’s Mizoram State is now issuing identity cards to Myanmar refugees which will only be valid within Mizoram. The cards will facilitate speedy and easier identification of Myanmar refugees, and also prevent them from registering on the state’s voter list.
According to sources, since the military coup, a total of 29,532 Myanmar refugees have sought shelter in Mizoram. Most of the refugees are from Myanmar’s Chin state and share ethnic ties with Mizos. Whilst a majority of the refugees live in camps, some reside with their Indian relatives or in rented homes. India has previously come under criticism for the ill-treatment of Muslim Rohingya refugees and for returning some of them to Myanmar. [Business Today] [AiR No. 14, April/2022, 1]
Cambodian, Vietnamese police deepen inter-border cooperation
(pw) Cambodian police officials met with their Vietnamese counterparts to assess the impact of the cooperation between respective police forces on crime prevention and suppression within the border areas during 2020-2021 and to determine the direction of their cooperation.
Cambodian police stated that the Covid-19 pandemic created difficulties for cooperation, and some of the crime prevention cooperation issues in 2020–2021 still linger. The party also discussed the improvement of information exchanges on the security situation, border management, and illegal cross-border activities. [Khmer Times]
Laos receives South Korean funding for immigration development project
(pw) South Korea will be providing Laos USD 8.6 million for a three-part development project on immigration, which will be implemented by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The project involves the construction of an immigration building, the enhancement of capacity-building, and a master plan on the general progress of the immigration sector.
On April 7, the KOICA handed over to the Lao government a new immigration building as part of the first stage of the project. [Vientiane Times]
Cambodia: Malaysian ambassador asked police to help release Malaysian trafficking victims
(pw) The Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia urged Cambodian authorities to cooperate to release Malaysian citizens reported being forcibly held in Sihanoukville, in the southwest of the country. A Cambodian news outlet reported that investigation efforts on this matter are currently ongoing, and it is anticipated that future actions will be taken in various locales.
The public services and complaints department of the Malaysian Chinese Association, a Malaysian political party, has received reports alleging that more than 50 Malaysians have been held in Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam by online scamming networks who tricked them with work offers as telemarketers. Also, he said some victims have made phone calls asking for their rescue. Furthermore, two of the alleged victims who are detained by a criminal group in Cambodia reported having been coerced into scamming the customers and having been abused, locked up, and forced to work 14 hours a day. [Khmer Times]
In early April, the Malaysian Police discovered that Malaysians are being forced to work in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand by trafficking networks. [AiR No.14, April/2022, 1]
The Philippines, Japan increase security ties
(lb) On April 9, defense ministers from Japan and the Philippines held their first “two-plus-two” security talks in which they agreed to forge closer defense ties and expressed concern over the East and South China Sea situation. A new treaty, called the Reciprocal Access Agreement, was concluded between Japan and Philippine defense ministers to facilitate joint reciprocal visits and exercises between the forces due to China’s increasingly assertive pursuit of regional waters. [Reuters]
Two days earlier, on April 7, the parties released a statement noting that they agreed to increase security cooperation and to expand the joint drills between the forces due to concerns over assertive military actions by China. They also discussed the impact of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on the Indo-Pacific Region.
Moreover, the defense ministers agreed to technology transfers as well as increased cooperation on defense equipment.
Japan has previously expanded joint drills with partners including the United States, India, Britain, Australia, and Germany due to concerns over China’s assertion of territorial claims in the region. Japan’s main concern is the Chinese military and coast guard’s activity in the East China Sea which is near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands. China also claims those islands; it calls them Diaoyu Dao. [Kyodo News]
United States concludes largest military exercise ever with the Philippines, plans to expand annual exercise with Indonesia to 14 countries
(lb/bs) On April 8, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States (US) military completed the 37th Balikatan exercise. This was the first major military exercise held by the Philippines and the US since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020 and was the largest Balikatan exercise ever held. The parties aimed at strengthening their commitments to advancing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. [US Embassy in the Philippines]
Furthermore, ahead of the Balikatan exercise, the United States Marine Corps Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) deputy commander met with the Philippine Navy Chief to express an interest in conducting further military exercises to enhance both countries’ militaries' littoral combat operations. [Philippine News Agency]
Meanwhile, the US and Indonesian militaries announced the plan to expand their annual bilateral exercise to 14 countries. The upcoming military exercise, Garuda Shield, is scheduled for August 1 to 14, and armies from the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore, among others, are expected to join. [CNN]
Indonesia to sue Thai company in Australia over oil spill environmental damage
(lb) The Indonesian government is preparing to take legal action against Australasia PTT Exploration and Production, a Thai national state-owned petroleum exploration and production company, for the environmental damage caused to the Indonesian people by the company’s oil spill 250 km southeast of Indonesia’s Rote Island in 2009.
The oil spill, caused by an explosion in the Timor Sea, lasted 74 days. [Energy Voice]
Indonesia rejects proposal of Malay as second ASEAN official language
(lb) Indonesia’s Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology has rejected Malaysia’s proposal to make Bahasa Melayu, ‘the Malay language’, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s second language. The minister said the proposal needs to be studied and discussed further due to the countries’ desire to remain friendly with Malaysia and noted Bahasa Indonesian deserves to be recognized as ASEAN’s second language due to its history and legacy. [The Star]
World Health Organization calls on Southeast Asian countries to effectively tackle environmental and health crises
(bs/dvr) On April 7, World Health Day 2022, the World Health Organization urged all parties to effectively manage current world environmental and health crises. Malaysia’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Office to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore met to discuss various subjects concerning the current world situation, including air quality, clean water, and nutrition, with a special focus on Malaysia.
The WHO, while mentioning the importance of tackling the increased frequency and severity of natural disasters in the region, urged the governments to draft effective mechanisms to reduce carbon emissions on a national level. It also urged the parties to strengthen national legislations and increase awareness regarding plastic recycling and reducing its production. [World Health Organization]
Indonesia to phase out sending domestic workers to Malaysia
(lb) Indonesia’s ambassador to Malaysia has reportedly said that the country is phasing out sending domestic workers to Malaysia and other countries claiming that they are vulnerable to abuse and forced labor.
Indonesia will instead be encouraging workers to focus on the formal sectors of employment. [Malaymail]
The decision comes just over a week after the countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the protection of migrant workers, on April 1. The agreement outlined the placement and protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia and ensures the implementation of designed mechanisms for the recruitment process.
Indonesia and Malaysia have been holding negotiations to conclude a labor deal since 2017 when Indonesia passed the Migrant Worker Protection Law. Indonesia pushed towards the abolishment of the Malaysia Maid Online System that could bypass the 2017 law by allowing migrant workers to work in the country without following appropriate procedures. [AiR No. 14, April/2022, 1] [Channel News Asia]
UN food representative had a meeting with Cambodian Environment Minister
(pw) On April 9, Cambodian Environment Minister Say Samal had a meeting with Rebekah Bell, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations’ representative in Cambodia, to talk about choices to maintain sustainable development for the residents in the Community Protected Areas (CPAs) and the present and future efforts addressing climate change and ecosystem protection.
Samal mentioned that his ministry wants to work with the FAO in supporting farmers in CPAs with the objectives of sustainably attaining their food and encouraging ecosystem restoration, ecotourism, home gardening, and sustainable forestry. Bell responded by saying that the FAO is willing to help the Environment Ministry to reach those goals. She also noted that this cooperation would give alternative sustenance and income opportunities for the rural communities, who primarily relied on the land and natural resources for their livelihoods
Around 92 percent of Cambodia’s rural poor depend on natural resources to live, which are dwindling due to climate change and unsustainable livestock practices. Hence, it is necessary to manage the usage of such resources sustainably. [Khmer Times]
Announcements
Upcoming Online Events
13 April 2022 @11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Freeman Spogli Institute for International Students, Stanford University, USA
Models of Bilateral Clean Energy Cooperation with China: A Tale of Three Clean Energy Research Centers with Professor Joanna Lewis
As worldwide interest in sustainable energy technologies grows, various countries have formed partnerships with China. Three fresh case studies of the major bilateral renewable energy research institutions built in collaboration with China during the last two decades will be presented in the webinar. The event will also evaluate the political and technological importance of a global technology partnership with China, as well as the significant barriers.
For more details of the event, see [FSI].
13 April 2022 @ 10:00 a.m. (GMT-5), Atlantic Council, USA
Special Address by US Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen
In this online session, Janet L. Yellen, Treasury Secretary, will make a special lecture on the future of the world economy and the United States’ economic leadership.
Visit [Atlantic Council] to learn more about the event.
13 April 2022 @ 9:00-10:30 p.m. (GMT-5), Wilson Center, USA
Dark Horse Contender for Decarbonization: Nuclear Power in China
President Xi Jinping committed in 2021 to phasing out Beijing’s foreign investment in polluting fossil fuels. China is now a world leader in nuclear energy and has committed to building over 150 nuclear power plants within the next 15 years. This webinar will discuss how China has expanded nuclear power both domestically and internationally.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [Wilson Center].
13 April 2022 @ 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Wilson Center, USA
System Shock: Russia’s War and Global Food, Energy, and Mineral Supply Chains
While Ukrainians and Russians will continue to bear the brunt of the damage, secondary impacts might be significant. This online panel discussion will talk about how policymakers can avert worst-case scenarios.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [Wilson Center].
13 April 2022 @ 2:00-3:30 p.m. (GMT-5), Brookings Institution, USA
Wall Street Comes to Washington health care roundtable
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on American society, particularly in the health care system. This month's Wall Street Comes to Washington healthcare roundtable will address market developments affecting the health care system and the effect of federal policy on health care providers.
For more details, see [BROOKINGS].
13 April 2022 @ 1:30-2:15 p.m. (GMT-5), Carneige Endowment for International Peace, USA
Carnegie Connects: Russia, Ukraine, and Great Power Conflict with Robert M. Gates
The West has responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with unprecedented sanctions and assistance to the country. This webinar will explore a potential diplomatic way out of this crisis and address domestic consequences for Putin’s Russia as well as for NATO, China, and U.S. foreign affairs.
To find more about the event, click on [CARNEGIE].
14 April 2022 @ 10:00-11:00 a.m. (GMT-5), Brookings Institution, USA
100% Democracy: The case for universal voting
This online session will feature a discussion based on "100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting," where Brookings Senior Fellow EJ Dionne, Jr. and former Connecticut Secretary of the State Miles Rapoport suggest that ensuring everyone’s opportunity to vote should be a foundation of the democratic system.
For more details, see [BROOKINGS].
14 April 2022 @ 12:15-1:15 p.m. (GMT-5), Brookings Institution, USA
The state of international cooperation and multilateralism: A conversation with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, representative of the United States to the United Nations
This webinar will feature a conversation between Brahima S. Coulibaly, vice president of the Global Economy and Development program, and Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, representative of the United States to the United Nations, who will address a range of relevant subjects and concerns, including multilateral cooperation opportunities, the Ukraine crisis ramifications for the new world order, U.S.-China relations, and the United Nations reform agenda.
For more details, see [BROOKINGS].
14 April 2022 @ 9:00-10:30 a.m. (GMT-5), Wilson Center, USA
Refugee Women’s Inclusion in Peace Agreements and Peacebuilding in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities
The importance of refugee women in peacebuilding has gotten less emphasis. This online session will discuss the difficulties and opportunities inherent in including refugee women. It will focus on insights from certain case studies, including South Sudanese refugees in Uganda. Lessons gained about how policymakers and practitioners may effectively incorporate refugee women into the peacebuilding process will also be recommended and shared.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [Wilson Center].
14 April 2022 @ 9:00 a.m. (GMT-5), Atlantic Council, USA
Financing Regional Security: An Update on the Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund
Russia's invasion of Ukraine demonstrates the Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund’s critical role. This webinar will discuss Washington’s position on the Fund, as well as the possibility of cooperation between the U.S. and Central Europe.
Visit [Atlantic Council] to learn more about the event.
14 April 2022 @ 6:00-7:15 p.m. (GMT-8), World Affairs, USA
Exploring Immigration Reform: Public Forum
Immigration policies have shifted dramatically during the last decade in response to changes in the Oval Office. From DACA to the ‘Border Wall’, different policies have been adapted, repealed, and reinstated in the absence of congressional agreement. World Affairs, in collaboration with Voice of the People (VOP) and the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy’s Program for Public Engagement (PPC), will present an engaging session of citizen participation and in-person conversation on U.S. immigration policy.
For more details, see [World Affairs].
14 April 2022 @11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. (GMT-5), Freeman Spogli Institute for International Students, Stanford University, USA
Cultivating Democracy in India
This webinar will feature Mukulika Banerjee, who will give an anthropological examination of India’s democracy. The session will focus on 15 years of ethnographic involvement with the people and social life in two villages in India, during and between elections, to investigate the role of various social institutions of kinship, economy, and religion in being vital sites for the ongoing cultivation of democracy.
For more details of the event, see [FSI].
14 April 2022 @1:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Freeman Spogli Institute for International Students, Stanford University, USA
The Rule of Law in The EU: Commission Enforcement and Democratic Backsliding in Poland and Hungary
This virtual conference will explore Poland’s and Hungary’s current democratic regression and the lack of the EU’s reaction. Special emphasis will be devoted to the Hungarian elections on April 3 and the consequences of the Ukraine war.
For more details of the event, see [FSI].
14 April 2022 @5:30-7:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Freeman Spogli Institute for International Students, Stanford University, USA
China’s Changing Demography
This online panel will feature three eminent demographers who will debate on China’s demographic transformation in light of the results of the country’s seventh national census.
For more details of the event, see [FSI].
18 April 2022 @5:00-6:30 p.m. (GMT-5), Freeman Spogli Institute for International Students, Stanford University, USA
Japan’s Foreign Policy in the Aftermath of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has altered the course of numerous countries’ foreign policies. This webinar will examine how Japan should respond to an aggressive China and a resurgent North Korea, investigate the situation in Ukraine, and address its implications for the Indo-Pacific region's battle between liberal and totalitarian powers.
For more details of the event, see [FSI].
18 April 2022 @ 4:00-5:30 p.m. (GMT-5), Wilson Center, USA
Counterterrorism between the Wars: An International History, 1919-1937
This webinar will present Mary S. Barton’s book, "Counterterrorism Between the Wars." The book claims that the Great Powers’ failure to acquire weapons throughout the 1920s and 1930s contributed to the growth of state-sponsored terrorism and offers a global story of empires collapsing, communism rising, and the United Kingdom and the United States cooperating.
If you wish you attend this event, register at [Wilson Center].
19 April 2022 @10:00-11:15 a.m. (GMT-5), Freeman Spogli Institute for International Students, Stanford University, USA
Marketing Democracy: The Political Economy of Democracy Aid in the Middle East
This webinar will delve into the design and implementation of democracy assistance in Washington, D.C., Egypt, and Morocco, two of the region’s recipients of U.S. democracy assistance. Rin A. Snide will present her research, which demonstrates how democracy support might be used to bolster rather than undermine totalitarian regimes and compel scholars to reconsider their approach to studying democracy aid.
For more details of the event, see [FSI].
19 April 2022 @11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Freeman Spogli Institute for International Students, Stanford University, USA
Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century
This webinar will present Spin Dictators by Sergei Guriev and Daniel Treisman, a book that delves at the emergence of "spin dictators." Based on the book, the session will discuss how authoritarians create support by distorting facts and simulating democratic methods, as well as why the majority of totalitarians are spin dictators, as opposed to dread dictators like Kim Jong-un.
For more details of the event, see [FSI].
19 April 2022 @5:00-6:30 p.m. (GMT-5), Freeman Spogli Institute for International Students, Stanford University, USA
Myanmar’s Future: What Should Be Done?
Myanmar’s junta has been in power for more than a year. The overwhelming majority of the country’s population is opposed to the junta and advocates for democracy. However, degrees of conflict and mistrust among diverse populations obstruct the development of a single vision. This webinar will analyze the opportunities and barriers confronting regime opponents as they seek to unify these groups of opposition to the regime in the interest of a better future of the country.
For more details of the event, see [FSI].
18 April 2022 @ 3:30-5:00 p.m. (GMT-5), Brookings Institution, USA
What comes after the IPCC’s sixth assessment report?
As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) launched its Working Group 3 report on Mitigation on April 4, in this webinar, two of the report’s contributing authors will reflect on the important findings and debate the next steps for climate policymaking in light of what is now known about how climate change will affect the world.
For more details, see [BROOKINGS].
19 April 2022 @ 5:30-7:00 p.m. (GMT+10), Australian Institute of International Affairs, Australia
War and Memory in Putin’s Russia
The instrumentalization of war memory laid the groundwork for Russia’s barbaric assault on Ukraine. The current wartime mass murder of Ukrainian citizens follows years of relentless dehumanization of Ukraine by Russian official propaganda. This webinar will examine Putin’s promotion of a war-related narrative of Russian history and identity.
To find more about the event, click on [AIIAATAS].
19 April 2022 @ 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (GMT-5), Brookings Institution, USA
Who will care for aging baby boomers? Immigrants.
The Brooking Center on Children and Families will convene leading experts to discuss the role of immigration in caregiving. Following the presentations, the session will feature a panel of immigration and healthcare experts who will examine the country’s caregiving requirements and potential solutions.
For more details, see [BROOKINGS].
Recent Book Releases
Sumi Madhok, Vernacular Rights Cultures: The Politics of Origins, Human Rights and Gendered Struggles for Justice, Cambridge University Press, 224 pages, published on April 7, 2022, reviewed in [LSE].
Graham Smith and Tim Hughes (eds.), Democracy in a Pandemic: Participation in Response to Crisis, University of Westminster Press, 200 pages, published on July 12, 2021. For a review, see [LSE].
Gary Gerstle, The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order: America and the World in the Free Market Era, Oxford University Press, 432 pages, published on April 5, 2022, with a review in [The New York Times].
Shreeman Chaulia, Crunch Time: Narendra Modi’s National Security Crises, Rupa Publications India, 288 pages, published on March 10, 2022, reviewed in [News 18].
Calls for Papers
The Global Institute for Research Education & Scholarship (GIRES) invite paper proposals for the international conference “Black Lives Matter: Lessons from a Global Movement” to be held on May 21-22, 2022. Abstract submission deadline is may 10, 2022. For more information, see [GIRES].
The Libertas International University welcomes paper proposals for its 2022 State (In)Stability conference scheduled for November 11, 2022. The conference theme is “Migrations and State (in)Stability”. Closing date for submission of abstracts is August 31, 2022. Visit [Stateinstability] to find more details.
Jobs and Positions
The United Nations (UN) is looking for an Assistant Secretary-General for Programme and Assistant Secretary-General for Policy, Advocacy and Knowledge. The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland. Closing date for applications is April 30, 2022. For further details, visit [UN].
FHI 360 is seeking an Associate Director, Business Planning and Strategy. If you are interested, more information are available at [FHI].
The World Bank Group is hiring a Senior External Affairs Officer. The Position is based in Pretoria, South Africa. Application deadline is April 27, 2022. Find more details at [World Bank Group].
The Institute of Political Science of Leiden University’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is offering the position of Assistant Professor of Comparative Politics. Closing date for application is April 30, 2022. For further information, see [Universiteit Leiden].
Team:
Andrew Pathomphop Heinz (aph), Beatrice Siviero (bs), Charisma M. S. Kundan (cmsk), Chiara Mohammadvalizadeh (cm), Dominique van Rossum (dvr), Duc Quang Ly (dql), Faryal Qazi (fq), Henning Glaser (hg), Hira Akram (ha), Jidapa Eagark, Julian Wendt (jw), Kevin Downey (kd), Kittikun Chumworathayee (kc), Lois Barker (lb), Lucas Meier (lm), Melis Pektaş Kim (mpk), Peeranat Wongbandit (pw), Poonam Behura (pb), Rakshit Kumar (rk), Sally Dobie, Sebastian Gräff (sg), Tomwit Jarnson (tj), Ulrike Immler, Venus Phuangkom, Yin Nyein Myat (ny)
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