Kirk Smith: Asia-Pacific

Huge Rally in Hong Kong Against Anti-subversion Laws

Tue, 08 Jul 2003 14:50:38 GMT

by John Chan

08 Jul 03

Up to half a million people marched in Hong Kong on July 1 - the sixth anniversary of Britain’s handover to China - to protest against new 'anti-subversion' legislation being enacted by the Beijing-installed administration of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa. The National Security Bill, legislated under Article 23 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law, would effectively extend China’s police-state methods into the former British colony.

The rally was the largest since one million people took to the streets of Hong Kong on June 4, 1989, to protest against the Stalinist regime’s massacre of workers and youth in Tiananmen Square. Most of the marchers were dressed in black T-shirts to symbolise the death of democratic rights in Hong Kong. They marched through the city from Victoria Park to the downtown government buildings, bringing the city’s public transportation system to a temporarily standstill. [World Socialist Web Site]

The Civilian Toll Is Rising in Aceh

Sat, 05 Jul 2003 01:04:04 GMT

by Step Vaessen

03 Jul 03

The Indonesian military is claiming it now has control over the whole of Aceh province - six weeks after the battle started to crush the rebels. But Jakarta insists the war on the GAM separatists will continue. With many of the rebels now hiding in the hills, more and more civilians are getting caught up in the violence. [Radio Netherlands]

Aung San Suu Kyi: Senators Told of May 30 Clash

Fri, 04 Jul 2003 22:28:33 GMT

by Rungrawee C Pinyorat

05 Jul 03

National League for Democracy (NLD) 'witnesses' describe 'inhumane' attack, seek asylum with UN office.

Two members of the NLD who claim to have witnessed the May 30 clash that led to Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's detention shared their stories yesterday and sought political asylum through the UN. [The Nation/Thailand]