Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Sunday 18th October

In this Bulletin …

- Blind lawyer denied medical treatment in Chinese prison;
- People smuggling on Rudd’s Indonesia agenda; and
- Canada detains Sri-Lankan asylum seekers.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China

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Blind human rights lawyer Chen Guangcheng, who was imprisoned after exposing government violence in forced abortions in 2005, has been physically abused in prison, according to his wife Yuan Weijing.

Speaking in an interview with Radio Free Asia on October 14, Ms Yuan said that Chen, who also provided legal assistance to local peasants and disabled persons, was sentenced to four years and three months in Linyi Prison for purposely damaging property and gathering the public to disturb traffic order.

Yuan said the prison has not provided any medical exam or treatment and has denied his family’s request for a medical release.

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One of China’s largest internet phone service providers suspended its services and apparently shut its website down on October 7, after being accused of harbouring users who were spreading ‘Xinjiang independence’ messages through its network.

A notice claiming to be from UUCall, a voice over IP Company was later posted on the Internet, indicating that an official body had instructed the company to make changes to its service. VoIP is a protocol that allows calls to be made through the internet.

With over 30 million registered users in mainland China, the company promises to assume responsibility for all its customers.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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The Pakistani military says it has killed up to 60 militants in an offensive in the volatile region of South Waziristan.

More than 90,000 civilians have fled their homes, but aid agencies believe many others could still be trapped by the fighting as Pakistani troops move deep into Taliban territory.

Pakistani air and ground forces are engaged in heavy exchanges of fire with Taliban fighters in South Waziristan.

More than 30,000 troops are advancing towards suspected militant hideouts along the border with Afghanistan.

The operation has been launched after a series of deadly terrorist attacks by the Taliban.

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You’re listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network

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Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is expected to discuss Australia’s policy on asylum seekers with Indonesian officials when he visits Jakarta on Tuesday.

Mr Rudd is making the trip to attend the inauguration of the Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The Opposition has criticised Mr Rudd’s decision to ask Indonesian authorities to stop a boatload of Sri Lankans reaching Australia last week.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard has told Channel Nine that Australia and Indonesia are cooperating well on people smuggling.

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Japan’s new government is set to bail out troubled Japan Airlines (JAL) after creditor banks rejected a restructuring plan submitted by Asia’s biggest carrier, according to reports.

A task force of corporate rescue experts overseen by transport minister Seiji Maehara wants a new quasi-public agency to take a majority stake in JAL, daily newspaper Sankei Shimbun said.

Mr Maehara’s task force also wants creditor banks to forgive debts of more than 250 billion yen, three billion U.S. dollars, racked up by the airline.

But the banks reportedly say that would be too big a burden for them to carry.

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Canadian authorities are dealing with a shipload of would-be migrants claiming to be from Sri Lanka.

Police and the Canadian Navy boarded and took control of the vessel off the coast of British Columbia.

An intelligence tip-off that a vessel had entered Canadian waters off Vancouver Island led to the two-day police and military operation.

Seventy-six men, who told police they wanted to go to Canada, were taken off the ship and are being held in a detention centre.

Officials in Ottawa say they will determine what to do with the group in the coming days.

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“Asia Cast … Keeping you across the top headlines from Asia and the world.”