Asia Cast

Asia Cast for Saturday 27th December

In this Bulletin…

- Indonesian police accused of human rights abuses;
- Australia possible destination for Guantanamo inmates; and
- UK proposes international website ratings system.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China
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Petitioners mourning the death of Yang Jia and Chen Xiao-ming in Shanghai on Christmas eve have been beaten by police.

Dozens of petitioners gathered at Longhua Temple to perform religious rituals to remember Yang Jia who was executed last month after killing 6 policemen were surrounded by hundreds of police sent by Shanghai officials. The police began videotaping the petitioners who were at the event, and then began beating the mourners.

Petitioner Zhang Xue-Ying, dressed in a white outfit with the word “wronged”, was mourning her mother who was persecuted to death. She says that she was first videotaped by the public security officers and then taken to a room in the temple and then beaten.

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Fifteen people have been killed and nine were injured in an explosion in Puyan city in Henan Province today, according to Chinese local media.

Puyan authorities say that the explosion occurred at Dongganchen Village just after 1 am this morning. Around a dozen homes collapsed from the explosion.

The cause of the explosion after initial police investigations appears to be illegally stored detonators. These are often used for small explosive operations such as in coal mine explorations.

A similar event occurred in September 2006 when detonators illegally stored by villagers exploded and killed four people.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast
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A mystery fever which struck 81 people last week at a middle school in Hubei province has been diagnosed as typhoid, according to the BBC. 63 people from Bajiao Middle School in Shi-En city have been placed in quarantine and are receiving treatment.

The 81 people first presented with symptoms including fever, and Shi-En City Hospital believes it to be a case of typhoid outbreak. The local government says laboratory tests are yet to be published, and the cause of the illness is unconfirmed.

Residents aged between 5 and 55 years old have been given vaccinations following the outbreak.

Typhoid is a bacterial disease which is potentially deadly. It is transmitted between humans through contaminated food and drinks and its symptoms include sustained high fever, headache and gastroenteritis

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Today, the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia has released a report accusing police of committing human rights abuses during a brutal suppression of protesters in a land dispute earlier this month.

The report called for the release of 81 villagers who are being held in custody on charges of inciting violence and destruction of property.

The December 18 police crackdown, in Riau province, killed at least one child and burned around 500 homes to the ground.

The dispute occurred, between pulpwood company PT Arara Abadi and local villagers who claim that the company’s government issued permit is invalid and its use of local land is illegal.

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You’re listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
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Today, The Australian newspaper reports that, the US has approached Australia to host prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay Prison when it is closed down.

It is thought that US President-Elect Barrack Obama will close the prison shortly after he assumes power, but the fate of the detainees held there is yet to be determined.

A spokesperson for Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has expressed that Australia will consider all applications on a case-by-case basis. The spokesperson also said that all applicants must pass through Australia’s rigorous screening and legal processes for any visitor to the country.

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Yesterday, the UK revealed plans for a dialogue with the new US administration for an international solution to better police the internet, limit access to offensive material and protect children.

One proposal is a ratings system for internet sites, much like the ratings systems applied to films and other media across the globe. Service providers would then be asked to restrict content by the ratings systems.

UK Minister for Culture, Andy Burnham, spoke about the plans to develop new rules for English language websites saying that the plans are not an attack on free speech, but a matter of public interest to see access to certain materials limited.

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And now for our Divine Performing Arts quote of the day
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SOH caught up with Ye Xinning and Church Minister Andy Jackson after last night’s Devine Performing Arts show in Jacksonville, Florida. The two spoke about their joy at learning about and experiencing traditional Chinese culture.

“People will love it!” — Xinning
“Very much. [They will] like it very much. . .” — Minister Jackson
“I love the costumes and. . . just being able to learn about the culture.” – Xinning

DPA continues with a performance in Chicago tonight.

Experience true Chinese culture like never before as Divine Performing Arts presents classical Chinese dance and music in gloriously colorful and exhilarating shows.

The Divine Performing Arts world tour is coming to a city near you soon. Don’t miss out, visit www.divineperformingarts.org today.

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“Asia Cast… keeping you across the top headlines from Asia and the World.”