North Korean Defectors Find Little Joy in Laos

Published on Jun 11, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — With a healthy dose of Cold War-intrigue the government of Prime Minister Thongsing Thamavong has ignored mounting pressure over its human rights record and forcibly repatriated nine North Koreans who face lengthy prison terms, and possibly execution, for leaving their country illegally. Read more from Luke Hunt in The Edge Review. . .

Edward Snowden: NSA Whistleblower

Published on Jun 10, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — The individual responsible for one of the most significant leaks in US political history is Edward Snowden, a 29-year-old former technical assistant for the CIA and current employee of the defence contractor Booz Allen Hamilton. Snowden has been working at the National Security Agency for the last four years as an employee of various outside contractors, including Booz Allen and Dell. Read more from The Guardian. The National Security Agency has obtained direct access to the systems of Google, Facebook, Apple and other US internet giants, according to a top secret document obtained by the Guardian. Read more .

Let the People Talk: ASEAN, China Seek to Increase Human Ties

Published on Jun 7, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — “If governments can’t do it then perhaps the people should.” That seemed to be the message out of China this week from a conference that offered a refreshing insight into the thinking of regional leaders and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat. .

Indonesian Journalist Wins Kate Webb Prize

Published on Jun 5, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Indonesian journalist Stefanus Teguh Edi Pramono has won the Agence France-Presse Kate Webb Prize for his reporting on Syria’s bloody civil war and the Jakarta drugs trade, the AFP Foundation announced. Read more from AFP. .

Denial of Khmer Rouge Atrocities to Become a Crime

Published on Jun 5, 2013 by Luke Hunt

FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — Cambodia’s political parties are pushing boundaries in their quest for votes during the lead-up to the July 28 elections. Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned of war if his Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) fails to win at the polls, monks are being gagged after making political comments. There is even talk about Facebook being shut down ahead of election day. The opposition has not fared much better with Kem Sokha, acting president of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), claiming that S-21, the torture and extermination camp from where at least 12,000 people were sent to their mass, unmarked graves, was a Vietnamese conspiracy. Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat. .