Asia

The first of February this year was a historic day in the Chinese village of Wukan. Several thousand villagers, who had chased out their corrupt old leaders, went to the polls to democratically elect new representatives. A few months later, on 27 May, there was another equally historic democratic election in a factory in nearby Shenzhen…

Almost half a million people were on the streets in protest July 1, 2012, marking the day this territory was handed back to Chinese sovereignly by the British 15 years ago. It’s not that people are displeased at that changeover, it’s what ‘one does’ these days to show the power-holders that everything is not quite in order, with the insistent demand, let’s get it right!

Unlike India, China has by and large steered clear of day-to-day politics in Nepal, focussing on trade and investment. Looking to expand its role after the 2008 Tibetan protests in Kathmandu got out of hand, Beijing has started a massive investment drive. building hydropower microgrids for free, investing $1.8 billion in a 750 MW hydro project (continued below)

Our manifesto offers Humanist Party candidates and activists a useful and adaptable platform that challenges the status quo where-ever, bringing into play a Greening and a Humanizing relevant today. Our proposals are are alternatives to what those of the old mentality propose, with their vague and empty promises as they shuffle for prestigious, high paid jobs.

Reporters Without Borders condemns journalist Jamal Uddin’s murder in Sharsha, a subdistrict of the southwestern district of Jessore, on 15 June. A reporter for the Jessore-based Bengali-language newspaper Gramer Kagoj, he was stabbed and hacked to death by a group of men in a market.

Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Nayef Al-Saud, died aged 78. Nayef was the Interior Minister known for his “efficient” crackdown on dissent and thus was praised by US administrators for dealing with “terrorism” (the same administrators who tortured and “rendered” subjects to be tortured). I will briefly write information that is maybe new to some you about this ruling family.

In the last few months, some conciliatory efforts have been initiated by the governments of India and Pakistan. These steps have received enthusiastic support from many domestic as well as foreign sources… This writing from Dr. Rohila’s – the Executive Director of the Association for Communal Harmony in Asia – regular newsletter.

Two weeks before the start of the Rio+20 Summit Mr. Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima and President of Mayors for Peace has added his signature to the [Rio+20 Appeal](http://www.inesglobal.com/Disarmament-for-Sustainable-Development.phtml) calling on governments to cut military spending in favor of sustainable development.

Political commentator Sai Latt says human rights abuses and violence are committed not only by the state but also by different ethno-religious groups against each other. Racism and racial profiling in the media deserve careful attention, and the transnational nature of fostering ethno-religious intolerance as part of the new dynamic of human rights need to be addressed.

Protesters marched Sunday 10 June (2012) as the first official account of labour activist Li Wangyang’s suspicious hospital death arrived in the territory accompanied by news of statements of local authorities claiming that relatives requested cremation. The spontaneity of the protest march took many locals by surprise and surely much more so the authorities!