MAIN HIGHLIGHT

Thai-Cambodian Border Clashes Resume

Fighting resumed along the disputed Thai-Cambodian border, covering Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province and Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province, following the start of gunfire and artillery duels on 4 February 2011. The number of persons killed and injured on both sides continues to rise and the fighting has led to the displacement of more than 20,000 people.

The Preah Vihear temple lies at the centre of the conflict due to its location on the disputed territory. The temple has since sustained damage as a result of the fighting. Its religious symbolism for Buddhists on both sides of the border has contributed to fuelling nationalism within and conflicts between both countries for decades. An International Court of Justice ruling in 1962 had awarded the temple to Cambodia, inciting Thai unhappiness. Further, in 2008, Cambodia had successfully applied for World Heritage status for the temple.

The dispute has provoked comment from fellow ASEAN member states. The Malaysian and Singaporean foreign ministries have expressed that it is in line with the spirit of ASEAN solidarity that the two countries settle the dispute amicably through dialogue and negotiations. The Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, has demanded UN Security Council peacekeeping intervention through the formation of a buffer zone along the border. Indonesia holds the Chair of ASEAN this year and Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has sent Foreign Minister, Marty Natalegawa, to Cambodia and Thailand to speak to the leaders of both countries. The minister stressed that a bilateral approach between the two countries is fundamental to the resolution of the conflict.

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HUMAN TRAFFICKING

News & Commentaries

• ‘IOM Viet Nam-Philippines Study Tour Supports Asia’s Counter-Trafficking Efforts’, International Organization for Migration (IOM), 17 January 2011.
• ‘1,900 Human Trafficking Victims Rescued since 2008’, The Star, 23 January 2011.
• ‘Australian Arrested for Alleged People Smuggling’, The Jakarta Post, 26 January 2011.
• Reformina, Ina, ‘Trafficking Complaint Filed vs NBI Intel Officer’, ABS-CBN News, 28 January 2011.
• Murshideen, B.M., ‘Malaysia-SL to Fight Human Trafficking Together’, Daily Mirror, 28 January 2011.
• ‘10 Year-low in Immigration Offences: ICA’, The Straits Times, 31 January 2011.
• ‘Vietnam: Trafficking Victims Lured by “Friendly” Acquaintances’, IRIN, 1 February 2011.
• Medina, Jun, ‘Philippines Vows to Curb Human Trafficking’, Inquirer, 6 February 2011.

Selected Publications

• Smith, Heather, 2011, ‘Exploring the Impact of Inter-governmental Organizations (IGOs) on Human Trafficking in Haiti’, Paper presented at the International Studies Association Annual Conference on Global Governance: Political Authority in Transition, Quebec, Canada, 16 March.

The paper examines the impact of the presence of international organisations (IOs) such as the UN and the Organization of American States (OAS) on human trafficking rates in Haiti. It also identifies factors which contribute to enhancing the role of IOs in addressing this transborder activity and conducts a comparative analysis of the UN and the OAS.

• Todres, Jonathan, 2011, ‘Moving Upstream: The Merits of a Public Health Law Approach to Human Trafficking’, North Carolina Law Review, Vol. 89, No. 2, p. 447.

Building on the discourse to extend the focus of criminal law enforcement to the prevention of human trafficking, this article examines alternative frameworks for addressing the issue. In particular, it considers the role of a public health approach. This article is relevant for those researching alternative preventative measures for human trafficking.

Events & Announcements

• ‘Enhancing Human Security: Developing Local Government Capacities to Combat Child Trafficking in the Asia-Pacific Region’, 30 March – 1 April 2011, Jeju, South Korea.
• ‘Conference on Religion, Human Trafficking, and Modern Slavery’, 31 March – 2 April 2011, Denver, Colorado, US.

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INTERNAL AND CROSS-BORDER CONFLICT

News & Commentaries

• ‘Filipino Govt, Rebels Confirm Peace Talks’, The Strait Times, 19 January 2011.
• Davis, Anthony, ‘Thai Insurgents Flex Their Muscles’, Asia Times, 26 January 2011.
• ‘Myanmar Parliament to Open, but Army in Control’, AP, 30 January 2011.
• ‘Senior Khmer Rouge Leaders Appear in Cambodian Court’, BBC, 31 January 2011.
• Spencer, Richard, Colin Freeman and Alex Spillius, ‘Egypt Crisis: Cairo Braced for Conflict after Friday Prayers’, The Telegraph, 3 February 2011.
• ‘Pakistanis Flee Army Offensive near Afghan Border’, BBC, 4 February 2011.
• International Monetary Fund (IMF), ‘Post-conflict, Brighter Economic Prospects for Sri Lanka’, IMF Survey Magazine, 4 February 2011.
• ‘Thai, Cambodian Forces Exchange Gunfire near Ancient Temple’, CNN, 5 February 2011.
• Ali, Imtiaz, ‘UN Intervention Sought for Conflict Resolution’, The News International, 6 February 2011.
• ‘India, Pakistan Agree to Continue Constructive Dialogue’, Voice of America, 6 February 2011.

Selected Publications

• Rajan, S. Irudaya (ed.), 2010, Migration, Identity and Conflict: India Migration Report 2011, New Delhi: Routledge.

The book examines the relationship between identities, violence and conflict in the context of internal migration within India. It reviews the existing institutional framework through analysis of the implications of internal migration, livelihood strategies, recruitment processes, and development and policy concerns, with a focus on employment networks, gender dimensions and migration-development linkages. It also puts forward policy recommendations on improving the living and working conditions of migrant workers.

• Subedi, Surya P., 2011, ‘The UN Human Rights Mandate in Cambodia: The Challenge of a Country in Transition and the Experience of the Special Rapporteur for the Country’, The International Journal of Human Rights, Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 249–64.

This paper examines progress and insufficiency in promoting and protecting human rights in Cambodia based on the experiences of UN human rights special rapporteurs working in the country. Despite encouraging progress, the country has yet to meet the international benchmark, thus the UN human rights mandate in Cambodia remains very much relevant. In particular, the paper emphasises the importance of the government’s support for the rapporteur’s approach in the promotion of human rights in the country.

• Prantl, Jochen and Ryoko Nakano, 2011, Global Norm Diffusion in East Asia: How China and Japan Implement the Responsibility to Protect, NTS Working Paper No. 5, Singapore: RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies.

The paper highlights that the Responsibility to Protect (RtoP) norm has evolved through a feedback loop mechanism rather than via a linear top-down process. In establishing this, the paper considers the processes and causal mechanisms that contribute to the evolution of the RtoP principle, the challenges faced in diffusing the norm and the variation of norm effects across states. The paper gives particular focus to RtoP in China and Japan.

• Caballero-Anthony, Mely, 2011, ‘Developing a “Protection of Civilians” Agenda for Southeast Asia’, NTS Perspectives, No. 5, Singapore: RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies.

This paper discusses the operationalisation of the Protection of Civilians (POC) norm in Southeast Asia. Whilst noting that the norm may need to be enhanced through a broad-based human security framework, the paper suggests that the implementation of civilian protection needs also to adopt a multi-level and multi-actor approach.

Events & Announcements

• ‘3rd Annual International Conference on Religion, Conflict, and Peace: Walking the Talk to Compassion and Harmony’, 8–10 April 2011, Michigan, US.

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MIGRATION

News & Commentaries

• ‘Southeast Asia’, Migration News, January 2011.
• ‘Over 600 Families Evacuated in N. Catobato’, Sun Star, 22 January 2011.
• Allchin, Joseph, ‘Thai, Burma Ministers Talk Migrants’, Democratic Voice of Burma, 27 January 2011.
• ‘IOM Launches Study on Impact of Remittances on Pakistan’s Development’, International Organization for Migration (IOM), 28 January 2011.
• ‘Thailand: Give UN Access to Rohingya “Boat People”’, Human Rights Watch, 2 February 2011.
• Asher, Allan, ‘Christmas Island Immigration Detention Facilities’, Australian Policy Online, 3 February 2011.
• Abbugao, Martin, ‘Asia Faces Climate-Induced Migration “Crisis”’, AFP, 6 February 2011.

Selected Publications

• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 2011, UNHCR Global Appeal 2011 Update – Asia and the Pacific, Geneva.

In conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees and the 50th anniversary of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, the UNHCR provides, through this report, an update on the status of the world’s forcibly displaced populations. Referenced here is the section on Asia and the Pacific, where the complex state of mixed migration in Southeast Asia, in particular, is discussed. It illustrates that the security concerns of states continue to constrain refugee protection and asylum space. The report also highlights the UNHCR’s efforts in addressing some of the challenges and its recommendations for the way forward.

• Abebe, Allehone Mulugeta, 2011, ‘Special Rapporteurs as Law Makers: The Developments and Evolution of the Normative Framework for Protecting and Assisting Internally Displaced Persons’, The International Journal of Human Rights, Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 286–98.

Through an examination of the development and evolution of the UN Guiding Principles on internal displacement and other relevant supplementary soft laws on the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), the article analyses how the guiding principles exemplified the role of the special procedures of the Human Rights Council in the development of international human rights law with respect to emerging and challenging human rights issues. The article specifically identifies how the mandate-holder or rapporteur has developed a successful and unique relationship with the UN and regional organisations to further augment the relevance and influence of the guiding principles.

Events & Announcements

• ‘Indo-China Study Group – Pho, Migration and the Impact of Regionalism on the Vietnam War’, 21 March 2011, Singapore.
• ‘International Conference on Migration, Development and Human Security’, 29–31 March 2011, Bangkok, Thailand.

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TRANSNATIONAL CRIME

News & Commentaries

• Spykerman, Kimberly, ‘Drug Arrests Dip to 4-year Low’, The Straits Times, 25 January 2011.
• Carvajal, Doreen, ‘Tadic Assails Organized Crime in Balkans’, The New York Times, 26 January 2011.
• Krukowska, Ewa and Matthew Carr, ‘Organized Crime Blamed for Roiling $110 Billion Carbon Market’, Bloomberg, 1 February 2011.
• Miller, John W., ‘European Emissions Markets to Reopen Gradually’, The Wall Street Journal, 2 February 2011.
• Wilson, Dean, ‘Tensions High among UK MPs over EU Cybercrime Directive’, TechEye.Net, 4 February 2011.
• Bradley, Matt and Joshua Mitnick, ‘Bedouin Arms Smugglers See Opening in Sinai’, The Wall Street Journal, 5 February 2011.
• Bowers, Simon, ‘Tobacco Taxes Set to Boost Smuggling’, Guardian, 6 February 2011.
• Bradley, Tony, ‘Cybercrime: A Recession-Proof Growth Industry’, PCWorld, 6 February 2011.

Selected Publications

• van Dijk, Jan, 2011, ‘Transnational Organized Crime, Civil Society and Victim Empowerment’, in R. Letschert and J. van Dijk (eds), The New Faces of Vicitimhood, Studies in Global Justice, Vol. 8, pp. 99–126.

In this article, the author reflects on the slow implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and explores key political factors preventing member states from following up on the UNTOC. In his view, implementation has failed because the fight against transnational organised crime has been framed as a national security concern.

• von Lampe, Klaus, 2011, ‘The Illegal Cigarette Trade’, in Natarajan, Mangai (ed.), International Criminal Justice, New York: Cambridge University Press, pp. 148–54.

This article offers a good overview of the illegal trade in cigarettes. It highlights the global nature of this form of transnational crime and the numerous problems encountered when combating it. In particular, the article examines the most common schemes used for procurement and distribution of illegal cigarettes. It also looks at both the perpetrators of these crimes and the counter-measures adopted to fight them.

Events & Announcements

• ‘Human Security and Transnational Crime’, 9–23 February 2011, Vancouver, Canada.
• ‘Cyberspace Usages – Challenges and Dispute Resolution’, 19–20 February 2011, Kochi, India.

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WATER SECURITY

News & Commentaries

• ‘Dhaka, Delhi Resume Talks on River Water Sharing’, NewKerala.com, 10 January 2011.
• Walton, Brett, ‘Bottling Wastewater Expands Island’s Oasis – Singapore’s NEWater Path to Independence’, Circle of Blue, 14 January 2011.
• ‘Food-and-Mouth Disease – Are Mass Animal Burials Causing Water Contamination in South Korea?’, Circle of Blue, 14 January 2011.
• Walton, Brett, ‘Prompted by Scarcity, Colorado River Basin States Examine Their Lifeline’, Circle of Blue, 24 January 2011.
• ‘Mekong Countries Agree with Pact to Protect Water Quality’, Media Release, Mekong River Commission (MRC), 25 January 2011.
• ‘Mekong Countries Adopt Basin-wide Directions for Water Development’, Media Release, Mekong River Commission (MRC), 26 January 2011.
• ‘Victory for Kalahari Bushmen as Court Grants Right to Water’, Survival International, 27 January 2011.
• ‘$608b Injection for Water Projects’, Xinhua, 31 January 2011.
• ‘Helping Feed the World without Polluting Its Waters’, ScienceDaily, 4 February 2011.

Selected Publications

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 2010, Blue Harvest: Inland Fisheries as an Ecosystem Service, WorldFish Center, Penang, Malaysia.

This report looks at the pressures on inland fisheries and the drivers of ecosystems degradation that affect them. It reviews opportunities for sustainably managing inland fisheries through ecosystem management approaches. Case studies in the report give examples of the status and the pressures as well as the development of inland fisheries in different parts of the world.

• Martens, Anja Kristina, 2011, Impacts of Global Change on the Nile Basin, IFPRI Discussion Paper, Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

This paper analyses the drivers of global change and their impacts on the current and future availability and accessibility of water resources in the Nile Basin. Drivers include demographic, climate and political changes – all of which are likely to increase the demand for freshwater and thus competition over its use across riparian countries. The paper also assesses the special upstream–downstream relationship in the Nile Basin and the potential for reform as a result of global change and posits that, under global change, not only will water availability in the Nile Basin be affected, but so will the hydropolitical situation in the basin.

Events & Announcements

• ‘Symposium on Inter-State Water Conflicts in Southern Asia’, 18 February 2011, Singapore.
• ‘Blue Planet – Berlin Water Dialogues 2011’, 4–5 May 2011, Berlin, Germany.
• ‘International Conference on Watershed Management’, 9–11 March 2011, Chiangmai, Thailand.
• ‘Water Governance: Meeting the Challenges of Global Change’, 5–10 June 2011, Obergurgl, Austria.

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About the Centre:

The Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies was inaugurated by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan in May 2008. The Centre maintains research in the fields of Food Security, Climate Change, Energy Security, Health Security as well as Internal and Cross-Border Conflict. It produces policy-relevant analyses aimed at furthering awareness and building capacity to address NTS issues and challenges in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. The Centre also provides a platform for scholars and policymakers within and outside Asia to discuss and analyse NTS issues in the region.

In 2009, the Centre was chosen by the MacArthur Foundation as a lead institution for the MacArthur Asia Security Initiative, to develop policy research capacity and recommend policies on the critical security challenges facing the Asia-Pacific.

The Centre is also a founding member and the Secretariat for the Consortium of Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies in Asia (NTS-Asia). More information on the Centre can be found at www.rsis.edu.sg/nts.