It has been less than a month since Matthew Todd Miller was sentenced to 6 years of hard labor in a North Korean prison. The 24-year-old joins two other Americans detained there; Jeffry Fowle and Kenneth Bae both of whom were arrested for proselytizing Christianity. Miller’s crimes, however, seem less conclusive. He was convicted inContinue reading “A Deliberate Crime”
Category Archives: Asia
The Rohingya: A People Without Rights
A few weeks ago the BBC published an article criticising the Thai government’s decision to deport over 1,000 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, where they face almost-certain prosecution. The news comes more than a year after the fact, leading to further criticism of the lack of opacity in the Thai government’s decision. The Rohingya are anContinue reading “The Rohingya: A People Without Rights”
Protocol on the Scene: Hong Kong Fights for Democracy
Tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators have taken to the streets in Hong Kong after the Chinese government ruled that it would continue to limit, vet and pre-approve candidates eligible to stand in the region’s 2017 elections. Protests, organized by activist group “Occupy Central”, were due to commence on October 1st, but were pushed forwardContinue reading “Protocol on the Scene: Hong Kong Fights for Democracy”
Escape from Camp 14: North Korea’s Prison Camps Under Scrutiny
Published in 2012, Escape from Camp 14 tells the story of Shin Dong-Hyuk, the first known person born in a North Korean political prison camp to have escaped. Journalist Blaine Harden chronicles Shin’s journey leading up to his escape and his subsequent adjustment to life in both South Korea and the United States. A NewContinue reading “Escape from Camp 14: North Korea’s Prison Camps Under Scrutiny”
Escape from Camp 14: North Korea's Prison Camps Under Scrutiny
Published in 2012, Escape from Camp 14 tells the story of Shin Dong-Hyuk, the first known person born in a North Korean political prison camp to have escaped. Journalist Blaine Harden chronicles Shin’s journey leading up to his escape and his subsequent adjustment to life in both South Korea and the United States. A NewContinue reading “Escape from Camp 14: North Korea's Prison Camps Under Scrutiny”
Pensioners in Prison: Why are Japan’s geriatrics facing their twilight years behind bars?
As someone whose experience of prisons is limited to a yearlong obsession with “Prison Break”, my knowledge of real prison life is admittedly a little lacking. That said, I think you would forgive me for stereotyping prisoners as individuals who on the whole, have their own set of teeth and still have to pay fullContinue reading “Pensioners in Prison: Why are Japan’s geriatrics facing their twilight years behind bars?”
‘Comfort Women’: The Uncomfortable Truth
During the Second World War, Japan committed countless of war crimes; of this, there is not much room for doubt. However, recent comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, along with other prominent political figures such as Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto make us question whether Japan actually has acknowledged past wrongdoings. Mayor Hashimoto wasContinue reading “‘Comfort Women’: The Uncomfortable Truth”
'Comfort Women': The Uncomfortable Truth
During the Second World War, Japan committed countless of war crimes; of this, there is not much room for doubt. However, recent comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, along with other prominent political figures such as Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto make us question whether Japan actually has acknowledged past wrongdoings. Mayor Hashimoto wasContinue reading “'Comfort Women': The Uncomfortable Truth”
Repatriation in North Korea: The Babies on Death Row
A Pregnant Pause Ask someone for his or her opinion on abortion and you are likely to find they have one. It is a topic that most of us are likely to brush against, if not personally then through TV, films and the media. A recent YouGov poll revealed that only 7% of the UKContinue reading “Repatriation in North Korea: The Babies on Death Row”
Closing the Immigration Gate
‘The Hong Kong of today was created by immigrants. Surely someone must notice the irony.’ South China Morning Post, 30th March 2013 With the majority of new immigrants coming from Mainland China and the Philippines, the Hong Kong government has expressed its fears of over-stretched resources through differential treatment of these two populations. The CourtContinue reading “Closing the Immigration Gate”
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