Amnesty is watching

Asiaweek Oct 31, 1997

AMNESTY International is the best-known of the many organisations monitoring human rights abuses worldwide. It was Amnesty that coined the now widely used term "prisoner of conscience," referring to an individual jailed for his or her beliefs. The London-based non-governmental organization has grown beyond its activist roots to become a largely credible source of information on human rights. Not everyone agrees with what Amnesty asserts. A lot of people couldn't care less. And even Amnesty would not claim to be right 100 percent of the time. But few doubt the good intentions and impartiality of a group ready to criticise any nation. Its detailed and uncompromising reports are a small but necessary attempt at keeping those in authority honest.

Mostly in vain, though, if the 1997 report is anything to go by. In country after country, the document relentlessly -- and depressingly -- exposes unfair trials, torture, executions, the use of flogging and amputation as judicial punishments, "disappearances," extrajudicial killings, ill-treatment and deaths in police custody, mass killings and ethnic cleansing. Unsurprisingly, central and north Africa, central and south America and West Asia are among the worst perpetrators. Central and eastern Europe, especially the former Yugoslavia, also figure prominently. And many Western democracies come under fire too. In Germany, it's for ill-treatment of foreigners by police. In the UK, deaths in custody. In the U.S., the introduction of chain gangs for women, as well as 45 executions and the handing down of some 3000 death sentences.

Asia does not get off free, of course. China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea and Vietnam are cited for holding political prisoners or prisoners of conscience. China is also taken to task for carrying out executions -- at least 3500 in the past year -- as is Singapore (38). Thailand is rapped for the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug traffickers and the forced repatriation of Mon refugees. Extrajudicial killings before and after Cambodian strongman Hun Sen's seizure of sole power merit a mention. Both government and separatists in Sri Lanka are accused of abuses. Even normally placid Malaysia is not left out. An NGO leader faces prison for spotlighting brutality against migrant workers, while an oppositionist is tried for sedition. Looks like Amnesty will stay busy for years to come.