Showing 1 - 4 of 4
Hong Kong violence has to end
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 29/07/2019
» It all began with hundreds of thousands of people marching through the streets of Hong Kong against a proposed extradition law. It was a sight to behold because it was a non-violent protest against a repressive law that would have allowed the Communist Party of China to pursue its political opponents in the self-ruled city, dare I say, country. Then it turned ugly.
Denial spells irrelevance for Asean
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 24/06/2019
» One big reason why members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) get along so splendidly is that they avoid talking about uncomfortable subjects, such as stunted democratic development or human rights abuses.
Lese majeste law and reality
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 26/03/2018
» The lese majeste law in Thailand is a sensitive subject that most people prefer to avoid talking about. Under Article 112 of the criminal code, anyone can file a lese majeste complaint against anyone else and the police are obligated to investigate every single complaint. The courts can sentence anyone who "defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent or the regent" to jail terms of between three and 15 years.
Thailand plays the China card again
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 10/10/2016
» Thailand is losing its formerly admirable reputation as an Asean diplomatic leader and a helpful neutral voice in the South China Sea conflict, as the military government moves more clearly into the orbit of China.