By Yves Dam Van and Jocelyn Gecker Associated Press KOH SAMUI, Thailand (AP) — A Thai court on Dec. 24 sentenced two Myanmar migrants to death for the murder of two British backpackers on a resort island last year, in a case that raised questions about police competence and the judicial system in Thailand. Human […]
Cambodian opposition senator on trial over Facebook comments
By Sopheng Cheang Associated Press PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A Cambodian opposition senator was denied bail and went on trial Friday over comments he posted on Facebook criticizing a 36-year-old border agreement with Vietnam. Hong Sok Hour faces up to 17 years in prison. His arrest on Aug. 15 was one of a series […]
Journalists charged by Thai navy
By Thanyarat Doksone Associated Press PHUKET, Thailand (AP) — Testimony began July 14 in a criminal defamation lawsuit filed by Thailand’s navy against a small news website over a report it posted saying naval forces accepted money to assist or turn a blind eye to the trafficking of refugees from Myanmar by sea. The navy […]
Thai police dig up 26 bodies at suspected trafficking camp
By Sumeth Parnpetch Associated Press PADANG BESAR, Thailand (AP) — Thai police trekked into the mountains and dug up 26 bodies from dozens of shallow graves at an abandoned jungle camp that’s been linked to human trafficking networks, which activists say are “out of control” in the Southeast Asian country. A lone survivor, now hospitalized […]
Scholar and journalist tried in closed hearings
By Erica Kinetz Associated Press BEIJING (AP) — Closed-door court hearings of a prominent journalist and a noted minority scholar held on Friday were sharply criticized for violating due process and chilling freedom of expression as Chinese authorities tighten oversight of public speech.
With martial law, Thai gov’t nearly powerless
By Todd Pitman Associated Press BANGKOK (AP) – The question to Thailand’s army chief was a basic one. After he declared martial law this week, would he be consulting the government? His response encapsulated the increasingly surreal nature of this Southeast Asian country’s political crisis.
Probe urged over ‘Billy,’ missing Thai environment activist
By Thanyarat Doksone Associated Press BANGKOK (AP) – Thai authorities were urged April 21 to investigate the disappearance of an environmental activist who has worked to help ethnic Karen villagers report on illegal activity around Thailand’s largest national park.
Vietnam frees dissident on appeal
By Chris Brummitt Associated Press HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — A Vietnamese appeals court overturned a six-year prison sentence against a dissident and halved the jail term of another in a rare show of leniency by the country’s Communist authorities.
Cambodia passes bill against genocide denial
By Sopheng Cheang The Associated Press PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia’s National Assembly approved a bill on June 7 making it a crime to deny that atrocities were committed by the country’s genocidal 1970s Khmer Rouge regime, a law that critics allege will be used as a weapon against the political opposition.
US, Vietnam far apart on human rights
By Chris Brummitt and Matthew Pennington The Associated Press HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnamese authorities seeking to stop a well-known democracy activist from meeting an American diplomat last weekend deployed an unusual weapon — a group of elderly ladies.