Stefano Vecchia

Arbitrary arrests, humiliating body searches, and denied pre- or post-natal care are the focus of a briefing paper by the International Commission of Jurists, a Geneva-based NGO, with testimonies and complaints from members of a group "targeted" by the military three years since the coup. More than 1,500 women are languishing in Myanmar prisons for political reasons.

With the revision of the electoral roll, operations towards the five-yearly renewal of the city-state's parliament have begun. Already a hundred accounts active on social networks have been blocked by the authorities for ‘hostile information campaigns’. While former premier Lee denounced the existence of fake videos of him produced with artificial intelligence.

In his third State of the Nation address, Philippine President Marcos announced the end of concessions to offshore gaming operators and reiterated the need to boost national defence even after a deal was struck with China over supplying a ship aground in the South China Sea. Despite the government claims, a recent report shows that households feel poorer.

Behind the government's trumpeted figures are many short stays from neighbouring countries, with little economic impact. Despite the 17.5 million tourists recorded in the first six months (mostly Chinese and Indian), Thailand has dropped to 40th place in terms of turnover. Russians in Phuket instead of Americans and Europeans.

Two politicians, Satur Ocampo and France Castro, are sentenced with 12 others to prison terms ranging from four years and nine months to eight years and eight months. Four other defendants were acquitted for lack of evidence. For the defence, the court got it wrong, because the accused acted in defense of tribal students targeted by the paramilitary groups. An appeal is ready.

Protesting are workers who belong to the main union, which associates a quarter of the 125,000 employees. They are demanding wage increases, but also improvements on holidays and leave. No response so far from the company, which plays down the impact. Meanwhile, there is also a clash in Seoul over the minimum wage, which employers would like to see remain firm despite inflation.

Repression continues after Hun Sen relinquished power to his son, with ten environmentalists convicted of lèse-majesté and one of two remaining independent unions targeted by the authorities. The lack of charisma of the young heir seems to have be fuelling corruption and abuse of power.

The 74-year-old founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Church is wanted by the FBI and the Philippine police for fraud, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation. Former President Rodrigo Duterte benefited from the preacher’s support in the 2016 election campaign and now administers the Church’s properties. The investigation is hampered by complicated relations with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Although no longer directly chosen by the military, power groups still dominate the choice of the new members of Thailand's upper house. Among the only 3 civil society representatives elected was the widow of lawyer Neelapaijit, who disappeared into thin air 20 years ago. "We will work for the people, but we are disconcerted by this outcome".

District and provincial delegates voted today in the Thai capital. But the future of the government is uncertain because of lawsuits by outgoing senators against Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra remains a point of reference for the governing party, despite his indictment for lèse-majesté.

Thailand and Malaysia are the latest two nations to express interest in the China-sponsored global forum. According to Premier Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur, the decision to join has already been made. More cautious are the Philippines and Vietnam, which fear a further strengthening of Beijing's political hegemony also in maritime disputes.

Advocates are pushing for legislation following a recent spate of violence against domestic workers. A draft bill was first tabled 20 years ago but never approved. Advocacy groups want the legislation passed because the more liberal President Joko Widodo will be replaced later this year by the more conservative, Retired General Prabowo Subianto.