Asia

A large number of police officials across Pakistan have been booked for rape and human rights violations in the last three years, says an official report submitted to the interior ministry.

The report submitted by the National Police Bureau to the ministry of interior said that 78 police officials in Sindh province were involved in 91 cases - 61 in 2008, 22 in 2009 and eight till mid 2010.

An international human rights group expressed support Tuesday for Filipino women demanding an official apology from Tokyo for the sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of the Japanese military during World War II.

Championing the emancipation of Afghan women is emerging as a possible nonmilitary, post-combat role for Canada as politicians and activists debate the future of the costly mission in Afghanistan.

IN ISRAEL, MURDER OF WOMEN IN WHAT ARE REFERRED to as “killings to protect the family's honor” account for the majority of homicides among Arab citizens. These murders are carried out by relatives of the victims, or their proxies, because of some perceived transgression by the women of gendered social norms.

Championing the emancipation of Afghan women is emerging as a possible non-military, post-combat role for Canada as politicians and activists debate the future of the costly mission in Afghanistan.

More than 100 women and men gathered on 11 and 12 November 2010 in Tallinn, Estonia, to discuss the implications of United Nations Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325) for Afghanistan. Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet opened the conference that his ministry co-organized with the Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association, stressing the importance his government attaches to UNSCR 1325.

A regional workshop on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the protection of civilians was held in Jakarta on 8-9 November 2010, co-hosted by the Foreign Ministries of Indonesia and Norway. The workshop was well attended, with participants from 12 countries in the region, the International Commitee of the Redd Cross (ICRC), military, academics, NGOs and national human rights institutions.

Last week's election victory by the junta-backed party in Burma is a setback for Charm Tong's work against military rape in the country, also known as Myanmar. Tong says that like her idol Aung San Suu Kyi, she will keep working.

NEW DELHI, India (WOMENSENEWS)-- The victory of the junta-backed party in the Nov. 7 elections for Burma--which the military government calls Myanmar--comes as no surprise to Charm Tong.

Ministers and parliamentarians from 19 countries in Asia-Pacific have agreed on 'Whole-of-Government Approaches' for the promotion and advancement of actions and legislation on the elimination of violence against women.

Switzerland is taking further steps to implement an international resolution that aims to increase the participation of women in the peace process.

A revised national action plan was discussed at a conference in Bern this week organised by the Swiss foreign ministry. The plan sets out how Switzerland can apply United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, unanimously adopted ten years ago.