Honour Killing in Indonesia

Published on Jun 21, 2020 by Luke Hunt

The tragic murder of a 16-year-old schoolgirl will sorely test the judiciary in Indonesia, where Islamic hardliners are increasing their grip on a moderate society deeply upset by what has been described as the country’s first honor killing. Brothers Rahman and Surianto are facing the death penalty for hacking and beating to death their sister Rosmini binte Darwis on May 9 with a log and a machete as her family watched the murder in their home. Their case is expected to be heard early next month. Read more click here. .

Reclaiming Angkor

Published on Jun 15, 2020 by Luke Hunt

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA – The new coronavirus has left its mark on Angkor Wat, the world’s top tourist attraction. Foreign visitors are rare, the elephants are being rehoused and local businesses have gone bankrupt, but for Cambodians it’s a chance to reclaim their heritage. Authorities say the number of paying visitors have been measured by the dozens on any given day and all are among those who remained in the country after the coronavirus began crossing borders in late January, forcing lockdowns around the world and ending international travel. Read more from VoA. .

COVID Wildlife

Published on Jun 13, 2020 by Luke Hunt

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA – Illegal wildlife markets could be consigned to the dustbins of history within five years amid a public outcry over their capacity to spread disease, and a widespread belief that the trade at least contributed to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s a sentiment that has been backed by a survey by the World Wildlife Fund and strategic consultants GlobeScan, covering five key markets in East Asia, where consumption from illegal wildlife markets remains prevalent. Read more from VoA. .

Abducted Thais

Published on Jun 8, 2020 by Luke Hunt

Cambodian authorities are being urged to investigate the abduction of a prominent Thai pro-democracy activist living in exile in Phnom Penh after he criticized Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a Facebook post. Wanchalearm Satsaksit was taken from outside his home on June 4 evening while shopping for food and talking to a colleague on the phone. His last words were “Argh, I can’t breathe” before being whisked away in a black car.Read more from UCAN.

Deep Sea Mining

Published on Jun 8, 2020 by Luke Hunt

Scientists and environmentalists are urging an international moratorium on deep-sea mining after releasing a report indicating its impact on the Pacific Ocean and island states would be severe, extensive and last for generations.The report also said mining for polymetallic nodules, potato-sized lumps found in the seabed that contain metals used in battery manufacturing and high-tech industries, would cause “essentially irreversible damage” to the region, including Kiribati the Cook Islands, Nauru, Tonga, Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu.Read more from Voice of America..