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Zawya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Malawi: Police Look on as Peaceful Protesters Assaulted
On June 26, 2025, about a dozen weapon-wielding men in Malawi attacked demonstrators peacefully protesting the government's handling of upcoming national elections, Human Rights Watch said today. The police's apparent unwillingness to intervene to stop the violence or to arrest those responsible raises grave concerns about the government's ability to conduct the September general election in a fair and impartial manner. The incident occurred when Citizens for Credible Elections, a local nongovernmental organization, held protests calling for an independent audit of the voters' roll and the resignation of top officials of the Malawi Electoral Commission. While people were protesting in Lilongwe, the capital, 10 to 20 men—some wearing masks and carrying sticks, sjamboks (heavy leather whips), and large knives—attacked the demonstrators, injuring several and damaging property as well. Civil society groups and the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party allege that the assailants had links to a youth militia aligned with the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP). The MCP is being accused of using fear and intimidation against citizens expressing themselves in the lead-up to the September election. 'Malawian authorities need to investigate this brutal attack on peaceful demonstrators and ensure that those responsible are appropriately punished,' said Idriss Ali Nassah, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. 'For Malawians to have confidence in the fairness of the upcoming election, they need to be sure the police will respond promptly and impartially to threats or acts violence, no matter who is responsible.' Government and law enforcement agencies are responsible for upholding the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and for ensuring that demonstrators can safely protest in line with Malawi's constitution and international standards. The electoral commission's unwillingness to allow various local organizations access to voter rolls to inspect it for any inconsistencies that can lead to vote rigging has heightened citizens and civil society's concerns about the fairness of the elections. Sylvester Namiwa, head of the Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives and the chief organizer of the protests, told Human Rights Watch that as the protest was about to begin, assailants attacked those who had gathered. He said that while police and other law enforcement officers looked on, the men severely beat him, dragged him toward a Toyota SUV, and attempted to abduct him. He added that he escaped the attempted abduction when police fired tear gas. The attackers then stole a public address system that the protesters were using, damaged several vehicles, and set two cars on fire. Namiwa was treated for his injuries at a local hospital. A member of Citizens for Credible Elections said that as assailants beat her up, she pleaded with the police for protection. They did not intervene, and the attack left her with a cut on her hand and back injuries. Local human rights activists and journalists covering the demonstrations corroborated demonstrators' accounts, saying that they witnessed police officers watching and not doing anything to protect the protesters, even when it was clear that protesters' lives were in danger. No assailants were arrested; additionally, police did not respond to media queries about law enforcement's response to the attacks. In November 2024, opposition parties and civil society organizations alleged that the MCP had organized the violent attack of a demonstration for electoral reforms by masked men with weapons. At that time, witnesses accused law enforcement officers of standing by while the masked men assaulted peaceful protesters, just as they did at the June 26, 2025 protests. Governments have an obligation under international law to respect, facilitate, and protect the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Malawi is party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which sets out these rights. The United Nations Human Rights Committee, the international expert body that monitors compliance with the ICCPR, has stated in a general comment that governments have 'positive duties to facilitate peaceful assemblies and to make it possible for participants to achieve their objectives.' The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly state that 'the rights to freedom of association and assembly are fundamental rights that should underpin all democratic societies in which individuals can freely express their views on all issues concerning their society.' Furthermore, when people express these rights, states are mandated to 'protect associations, including their principal and most visible members, from threats, harassment, interference, intimidation or reprisals by third parties and non-state actors.' 'The Malawian government needs to uphold human rights and the rule of law by investigating, arresting, and appropriately prosecuting both the attackers and those behind the violence,' Nassah said. 'Ahead of a crucial general election in September, authorities need to send a strong message that human rights violations will not be tolerated.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Taiwan pursues homegrown Chinese spies as Beijing's influence grows
Civil servants found with other identification cards risk losing their Taiwanese citizenship. (EPA Images pic) TAIPEI : Taiwan is vetting hundreds of thousands of military service members, public school teachers and civil servants in a bid to root out potential homegrown Chinese sympathisers, as Beijing intensifies espionage on the island. Alarm is growing in Taiwan over the extent of China's infiltration on the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims is part of its territory and has threatened to seize by force. Prosecutors last week charged four recently expelled members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party – including a former staffer in President Lai Ching-te's office – for sharing state secrets with Beijing. While Taipei and Beijing have spied on each other for decades, analysts warn the threat to Taiwan is more serious given the risk of a Chinese attack. The main targets of Chinese infiltration have been retired and active members of the military, persuaded by money, blackmail or pro-China ideology. Lai, an outspoken defender of Taiwan's sovereignty and loathed by Beijing, has branded China a 'foreign hostile force' and sought to raise public awareness about Chinese actions he says threaten national security. After a sharp rise in the number of people prosecuted for spying for China in recent years, the government is trying to identify people within its own departments, military and public schools with a possible allegiance to Beijing. Anyone on the public service payroll found with Chinese residence or other identification cards risks losing their Taiwanese household registration, effectively their citizenship. 'The reason we started to survey (for Chinese IDs) is because China uses this way to coerce Taiwanese people, to penetrate our system, especially the public service,' DPP lawmaker Wang Ting-yu told AFP. 'The threat is getting worse and worse and we have to deal with that.' In the first round held recently, 371,203 people, or nearly all of those surveyed, signed statements declaring they did not hold any Chinese ID documents prohibited by Taiwanese law. Two people admitted having Chinese ID cards and 75 having residence permits, which were annulled, Taiwan's top policy body on China, the Mainland Affairs Council, said. The second round of vetting is underway, but the government has said the general public will not be targeted. Concern over Taiwanese people holding Chinese ID documents flared after a YouTube video last year alleged there were tens of thousands of cases. A senior Taiwanese security official said recently China was issuing ID papers to a growing number of people from Taiwan, but it was 'difficult to estimate' how many or track down offenders without Beijing's cooperation. 'The idea is to define Taiwanese citizens as Chinese citizens under their legal framework,' the official said. Legal scholar Su Yen-tu said there were limits on the government's 'investigatory power' to find out who held Chinese ID cards in Taiwan. If Taiwanese people did not voluntarily disclose the information, 'there's not much the government can do,' said Su, a research professor at Academia Sinica. Collecting records was still 'potentially useful', Jamestown Foundation president Peter Mattis told AFP, particularly if someone under investigation in the future is found to have lied about their documents. Taiwan has also asked around 10,000 Chinese spouses and their China-born children for proof they have given up their Chinese household registration, a decades-old requirement under Taiwanese law. The notices sparked criticism that the government was being heavy-handed, but Wang said stricter enforcement was needed because some 'new immigrants' from China had spied for Beijing and interfered in Taiwan's elections. 'I personally feel that it's a bit disturbing for the people,' said Li I-ching, a 23-year-old graduate student in Taipei, who was born in China to a Chinese mother and a Taiwanese father. Like many others, Li has to obtain evidence from China that she no longer holds permanent residence status. The Beijing-friendly main opposition Kuomintang party (KMT) has accused the government of conducting 'loyalty' tests. 'At a time when our country is facing so many difficulties… the government is only thinking about how to cleanse the population,' said KMT lawmaker Chen Yu-jen. The dispute between Taiwan and China dates back to 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek's nationalist forces lost the Chinese civil war to Mao Zedong's communist fighters and fled to the island. China has vowed to annex Taiwan and in recent years has ramped up its military pressure on the island. Taiwan says China also uses disinformation, cyberattacks and espionage to weaken its defences. 'It's a fight every day for the Taiwanese against this sort of stuff,' said Mark Harrison, a senior lecturer in Chinese studies at the University of Tasmania. 'I think their democracy has tremendous integrity, but it does have to be defended, and when you defend something, it certainly generates a lot of discourse, a lot of debate.'
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
China denies Taiwan VP car-ramming plot, defends diplomats after Prague incident claims
BEIJING, June 30 — China defended its diplomats on Monday after Taiwan accused Beijing's embassy staff of planning to ram its vice president's car during an official visit to Europe. 'Chinese diplomats overseas always respect their host country's laws and regulations,' Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said. Taiwan's top China policy body, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), said on Friday that Hsiao Bi-khim's motorcade was surveilled and followed in a ploy to be rammed during a visit to the Czech Republic in March 2024. Czech military intelligence spokesman Jan Pejsek told AFP on Sunday that Hsiao was targeted by 'persons legalised in diplomatic positions at the Chinese Embassy in Prague'. He said they tailed her and sought information about Hsiao's programme and meetings with Czech officials. China claims Taiwan as its territory and has ramped up the deployment of fighter jets and warships around the self-ruled island in recent years. In response to the Czech claims, Beijing insisted on Monday that 'Taiwan is a part of China and has no so-called vice president'. 'No matter how the DPP authorities try to change things up and seek independence from the outside, and drive a wedge in China's diplomatic relationships, they will not be able to cover up their sinister plot and their attempt will not succeed,' Mao said, referring to Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party. — AFP
Arab News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
China defends diplomats after Taiwan VP car ramming claims
BEIJING: China defended its diplomats on Monday after Taiwan accused Beijing's embassy staff of planning to ram its vice president's car during an official visit to Europe. 'Chinese diplomats overseas always respect their host country's laws and regulations,' Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said. Taiwan's top China policy body, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), said on Friday that Hsiao Bi-khim's motorcade was surveilled and followed in a ploy to be rammed during a visit to the Czech Republic in March 2024. Czech military intelligence spokesman Jan Pejsek told AFP on Sunday that Hsiao was targeted by 'persons legalized in diplomatic positions at the Chinese Embassy in Prague.' He said they tailed her and sought information about Hsiao's program and meetings with Czech officials. China claims Taiwan as its territory and has ramped up the deployment of fighter jets and warships around the self-ruled island in recent years. In response to the Czech claims, Beijing insisted on Monday that 'Taiwan is a part of China and has no so-called vice president.' 'No matter how the DPP authorities try to change things up and seek independence from the outside, and drive a wedge in China's diplomatic relationships, they will not be able to cover up their sinister plot and their attempt will not succeed,' Mao said, referring to Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Chinese agents plotted ramming attack on Taiwan vice-president in Europe
Chinese agents plotted to ram Taiwan 's vice president's car when she was in the Czech Republic last year, it has been alleged. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council [MAC], which oversees the country's China policy, claimed Hsiao Bi-khim's motorcade was followed, surveilled and nearly hit by another vehicle during a trip to Prague in March 2024. The 53-year-old, who was then vice president-elect, has an American mother and is a member of the ruling centre-Left Democratic Progressive Party. She vowed that the incident would not stop her from advocating for Taiwan's interests. 'I had a great visit to Prague and thank the Czech authorities for their hospitality and ensuring my safety,' Ms Hsiao said on Saturday. She added: 'The CCP's [Chinese Communist Party] unlawful activities will NOT intimidate me from voicing Taiwan's interests in the international community. 'Taiwan will not be isolated by intimidation.' Citing a Czech intelligence report, the MAC said China's embassy staff in Prague were behind the alleged ramming attempt. Czech media reported last year that a Chinese diplomat had run a red light while following Ms Hsiao's car. Taipei said on Friday that 'the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic followed, conducted surveillance on, and even attempted to ram the motorcade, seriously threatening the personal safety of Vice President Hsiao and her entourage'. It added that the alleged incident exposed the Chinese Communist Party's 'violent nature' and lack of 'sincerity' during communications with Taiwan. 'Legal grey' A Taiwanese security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was a 'typical case' of China's 'transnational repression' against dissidents or critics of China. ' China uses legal grey areas to harass, threaten or oppress their targets,' they added. The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international group that has challenged Beijing's human rights record, spoke out in support of Ms Hsiao. In a statement signed by 51 lawmakers from nearly 30 countries, it expressed its backing for 'Taiwanese citizens who may be subject to coercion by the Chinese state while travelling abroad'. Prague does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, as not formally recognising the country is a requirement for any nation wanting diplomatic relations with Beijing. However, it has strengthened its unofficial ties with the island in the face of mounting Chinese pressure. Beijing's foreign ministry on Friday claimed that the Czech Republic had violated its political commitments to China by allowing Ms Hsiao to visit. Branding her a die-hard 'Taiwan independence' activist, Guo Jiakun, Beijing's ministry spokesman, said Prague had violated the 'one-China principle'. He added: 'Chinese diplomats always abide by the laws and regulations of host countries,' before urging other nations not to undermine relations with Beijing by allowing Taiwanese separatists to 'stir up troubles'. Beijing continues to ramp up military pressure on Taiwan and hold large-scale exercises around the island in what many view as preparations for a blockade or invasion. In May, Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, warned that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan 'could be imminent', claiming Beijing was preparing to use military force and upend the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. He called on US allies and partners in Asia to upgrade their defences and said Washington was 'reorienting toward deterring aggression by Communist China'. As part of an ongoing campaign to isolate Taiwan, China has sought to stop the island making inroads on the international stage by courting its diplomatic allies and blocking its global forums. This latest row comes after Mark Rutte, the Nato chief, warned world leaders last week that Russia could help China invade Taiwan and urged them to 'stand ready'. He told a Nato summit press conference in Amsterdam that the 'Chinese will try anything with Taiwan', adding: 'No doubt he will call his junior partner, Mr Putin, and make sure that [he].. will keep [Europe] busy.' The remarks came after Nato members agreed to increase their defence spending target to 5 per cent of GDP, in line with the demands of Donald Trump.
