TOKYO: Exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer claimed yesterday the Chinese government used military force in the latest episode of what she calls “ethnic cleansing” in the troubled region of Xinjiang. Her remarks came after Chinese state media said a court in the region jailed 19 people for promoting racial hatred and “illegal religious activity” online. Twenty-one people, including police officers, were killed in violent clashes in the ethnically divided region on April 23.
Nepal jails 13 rhino poachers
KATHMANDU: Thirteen poachers of the endangered one-horn rhino have been sentenced to jail in Nepal, an official at the Chitwan National Park, home to most of rhinos, said. He said six poachers were arrested three years ago while the others were convicted in absentia. “All thirteen were convicted of poaching a rhino in a community forest in Nawalparasi district in March 2009,” Tikaram Paudel said.
Forces on trial over murder
JAKARTA: Eight members of Indonesia’s special forces faced a military tribunal yesterday, accused of storming a jail and shooting dead four inmates to avenge the death of an officer. The members of the elite Special Forces Command appeared for the first time before the tribunal accused of killing the men on March 23 at a jail near the city of Yogyakarta, Central Java province. Twelve soldiers went on trial, with eight facing the charge of premeditated murder, which carries the death penalty, military prosecutor Lieutenant-Colonel Budi Harto said.
Media code
condemned
COLOMBO: International rights groups yesterday condemned moves by Sri Lanka’s government to introduce a code of ethics for journalists, saying it would further undermine press freedom. Journalists have criticised the code to be adopted shortly by MPs, as being too sweeping. “Sri Lankan journalists are under enormous pressure not to be critical of the government, and the vagueness of this code will likely lead to greater self-censorship to avoid government retaliation,” said Brad Adams, the Asia Director of Human Rights Watch.
Ma seeks re-election
TAIPEI: Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday kicked off his re-election campaign for the ruling party leadership vowing to continue internal reforms following recent corruption scandals. “We cannot stop reforming and we have to shoulder our responsibilites,” he said as he registered his candidacy at the Kuomintang party headquarters in Taipei.
Landslides and floods kill 39
KATHMANDU: At least 39 people have been killed in landslides and floods triggered by heavy monsoon rain in mainly remote parts of Nepal, said Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, Chief of National Emergency Operation Centre, which monitors natural disasters. The toll is likely to rise, with some 18 people still missing, after floods hit mostly farming communities in the southern plains and remote western hills. “The areas affected are remote and we are still gathering information,” he said. Agencies
