Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Saturday 23rd May

In this bulletin…

- Chinese lawyers unite against torture;
- Former South Korean President commits suicide; and
- American journalist released from Iranian jail.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China
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The torture of two lawyers, Zhang Kai and Li Chunfu, by Chongqing Public Security has infuriated lawyers. On the 16th, nearly 60 legal experts and lawyers collectively held up banners at a Beijing seminar, condemning the conduct.

After the seminar, hundreds of lawyers signed public petitions. On May 20th, Li Xiongbin a legal practitioner said seven lawyers have formed a supporting group, to supply legal aid to Zhang Kai and Li Chunfu.

They still insist on handling their cases in Chongqing. Zhang Lihui pointed out that this case involves very basic legal matters. Zhang believes this issue goes beyond the two lawyers and includes the rights and interests of Chinese lawyers as a whole.

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A recent public uprising took place in Wuchuan City of Guangdong Province. A nearly sixty year-old farmer was beaten to death in a dispute.

The farmer, Deng Yaqing was beaten because he was trying to retrieve his vehicle which had been confiscated by traffic police, and also because of fines imposed by the officers.

After Deng was beaten to death, the traffic police attempted to cremate his body. This outraged family members and the public. In the last few days they have protested outside the Municipal Public Security Bureau. Thousands of people violently clashed with police, at least ten people were injured.

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Former South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun committed suicide amid a corruption investigation where Roh was accused of receiving 6 million dollars in bribes from a business man as reported by the Yonhap news agency.

The 62 year old former President jumped to his death from a hill behind his house.

He was taken to the Busan hospital when he was found on Saturday with head injuries. Hospital staff declined to comment on the situation.

A former presidential aide, acting as the family’s lawyer, said Roh left a suicide note for his family.

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The US has announced that they will give an additional $110 million to Pakistan after a call from the UN refugee agency, stating that more than $450 million is critically needed to assist the government to help the Pakistani people in the Northwest country.

They have had to flee their homes and villages due to military’s confrontations on the Taliban insurgents. It added that almost $86 million has been provided or committed by other sources so far.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said that the refugee crisis could pose a bigger threat to stability in Pakistan than the war itself.

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Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi returned to the United States on Friday after going through a 100-day detention in an Iranian jail. On her arrival at Washington’s Dulles International Airport, a smiling Saberi said she was feeling “very good.”

Saberi thanked those who campaigned for her release and told onlookers and reporters that she would sing the National Anthem to keep her spirits up during her ordeal.

She said that she was just so happy to be back in the land of the free. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly wouldn’t say whether Saberi would be debriefed in the United States by government officials.

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US Vice President Joseph Biden warned Lebanon on Friday, that the United States will reconsider its assistance to the country if its next government strays from certain “fundamental principles”.

He spoke after arriving in Beirut, a visit that comes two weeks before a key vote there that could usher in a Hezbollah-dominated government.

Biden stated that the United States “will evaluate the shape of their assistance programs based on the composition of the new government and the policies it advocates.

Biden urged those Lebanese “who would think about standing with the spoilers of peace not to miss this opportunity to walk away from the spoilers.”

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