Tag: Elections / Democracy
Malaysia: Mass arrest of peaceful protesters shows shrinking space for human rights defenders
Today’s arrest of 19 people involved in a peaceful protest against the demolition of a historical village in Malaysia shows once again how the country’s authorities are taking a hard line against human rights defenders, Amnesty International said.
“If any more evidence was needed that the Malaysian authorities are restricting...
Cambodia: No Progress Reported as Political Parties Meet Over Deadlock
PHNOM PENH & WASHINGTON DC - Cambodia’s ruling and opposition parties returned to the negotiating table on Tuesday, seeking to end a political impasse stemming from an election the opposition says was deeply marred by fraud.
The two sides met for three hours at the National Assembly, the main legislative...
Malaysia: 19 arrested for peacefully protesting against development project
The arrest of 19 people, including human rights defenders, during a peaceful protest against the demolition of a historical village in Malaysia confirm fears recently expressed by UN member States at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) conducted by the UN Human Rights Council, say the Observatory for the Protection...
Malaysia: Bersih and three others withdraw defamation suit after NST apology
The New Straits Times today apologised to electoral reforms coalition Bersih 2.0, human rights watchdog Suaram, the Centre for Independent Journalism and the Merdeka Centre over the publication of a report about them in September last year.
The four non-governmental organisations had sued the newspaper for defamation as the report...
Woman shot dead in Cambodia protest clash
Phnom Penh (AFP) - A woman was shot dead and several people injured as Cambodian riot police used live rounds, rubber bullets and teargas in clashes with protesting garment workers Tuesday, rights groups said, condemning the violence.
Unrest erupted as hundreds of employees from a factory supplying global clothing brands...
ASEAN role in promoting democracy lauded
BALI—The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam said more needs to be done to promote effective political cooperation in the region as Association of Southeast Asean Nations (Asean) approaches its 2015 target to realize the Asean Community.
He was attending the opening session of the Bali Democracy Forum VI...
Cambodia: Vendor Killed as Protesters Clash with Police
PHNOM PENH - One woman was killed and at least five others were wounded when protesters clashed with police outside the home of Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday.
The woman was a rice vendor who was shot in the chest and died later in the hospital, after demonstrating workers...
UN backing aids democratic progress in Vietnam
HA NOI (VNS) — Viet Nam would continue to strengthen its public governance and develop mechanisms to better engage the public and other stakeholders in improving policy making, anti-corruption and citizens' access to justice, especially those from vulnerable groups.
This statement was made yesterday by Deputy Minister of Justice Hoang...
Japan to Assist Cambodia with Election Reform
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged to help Cambodia with electoral reforms, following a request by Prime Minister Hun Sen to send experts to the country ahead of future polls and amid an ongoing dispute over national elections held more than three months ago.
The promise came as the...
Commentary: Culture of impunity thrives in ‘democratic’ Indonesia
Today is International Day to End Impunity, an issue relevant to Indonesia but sadly one the nation appears to be ignoring, at its peril. If Indonesia is struggling in its march toward democracy, perhaps the question of impunity should be explored.
This is not one of those international days launched...
