CALD |
Twenty-one years ago, on December 10 2014, International Human Rights Day, the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) was born. Happy birthday, CALD!
Inaugural conference of the Council/Caucus of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) with President Kim Dae Jung of the Republic of Korea. Bangkok, Thailand | 10 December 1993 (From left to right: Wolfgang Sachsenroeder, Kim Dae Jung, Jules Maaten) |
BURMA |
NLD Drafting Political Framework for Peace Talks
December 18 2014
The National League for Democracy (NLD) plans to draft a political framework for peace and political talks soon, according to the Lower House MP Win Myint. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/NLD-drafting-political-framework-for-peace-talks-30250001.html
NLD Members Urged to Serve People’s Interests December 17 2014
Aung San Suu Kyi, the chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and CALD Honorary member, urged party members to help the party emerge as an organisation on which the people can rely upon and not to be crazy about being the representative of the party. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/NLD-members-urged-to-serve-peoples-interests-30249934.html
2015 Election: NLD vows ‘Campaign Year’ December 16 2014
The National League for Democracy (NLD) concluded its second congress of the year in Rangoon this weekend, announcing its intention to campaign vigorously for the 2015 general election, while maintaining efforts to enact constitutional reform. https://www.dvb.no/news/2015-election-nld-vows-campaign-year-burma-myanmar/46553
Suu Kyi Calls for Real Talks, not ‘Window Dressing’ Talks December 16 2014
The National League for Democracy’s chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi said she does not want ‘window dressing’ talks and called for real talks while assuring that she will continue to hold on to the principle for nation reconciliation. She made the remarks during the fourth session of the NLD’s First Central Committee held in Yangon yesterday. http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8397%3Asuu-kyi-calls-for-real-talks-not-window-dressing-talks&catid=32%3Apolitics&Itemid=354 |
CAMBODIA |
Rainsy Celebrates 1 Million Followers on Facebook
December 18 2014
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy on Tuesday called a press conference and hosted a garden party at the CNRP’s headquarters in Phnom Penh to announce that his Facebook page has received one million “likes” since its creation in April 2013. https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/rainsy-celebrates-1-million-followers-on-facebook-74336/ |
HONGKONG |
End of the Road for Hong Kong Protesters December 12 2014
Hong Kong authorities demolished a protest camp Thursday at the heart of the city’s 2 ½-month pro-democracy movement but scores of activists taken away by police vowed their fight for genuine elections wasn’t over. Hundreds of police officers armed with chain saws and bolt cutters methodically dismantled barricades, tore down canopies and removed banners in a daylong operation to shut the protest site sprawled across a normally busy highway next to the specially administered Chinese city’s business district. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hong-kong-police-start-clearing-main-pro-democracy-protest-camp/
We’re Ready to be Arrested: Martin Lee
“Democratic Party founder, Martin Lee Chu-ming, said he’s prepared to be arrested. He acknowledged that the demonstrations were illegal, but said they had been forced into their action by the government.” http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=55338&icid=3&d_str
Hong Kong Protesters Steadfast in Final hours Before Police Clearance December 10 2014
Bands of determined protesters and hundreds of wet tents pitched near Hong Kong government headquarters were all that remained on Wednesday of months’ long pro-democracy protests in the final hours before police clear the main protest site. ”We’ll Be Back,” proclaimed a large yellow banner painted by a handful of students the night before. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/10/us-hongkong-china-idUSKBN0JN02520141210 |
PHILIPPINES |
China Ignores Deadline to Respond to PH Case
December 16 2014
China missed the deadline to respond to the Philippines’ historic arbitration case on the South China Sea, reaffirming that it rejects the legal process. http://www.rappler.com/world/regions/asia-pacific/78127-china-misses-arbitration-deadline?utm_content=buffer18181&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Moody’s Upgrades Philippines Rating, Peso Strengthens to near 3-month High December 12 2014
Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the rating of the government of Philippines by one notch to Baa2 from Baa3 on 11 December with stable outlook, citing improved fiscal health, growth prospects and limited vulnerability to risks common for comparable peers. The Philippines’ foreign currency as well as the central bank have also been upgraded to Baa2 with stable outlook.
VP Binay No Longer Most Trusted PH Official December 12 2014
For the first time in his presidency, President Benigno Aquino III (Chairperson of Liberal Party of the Philippines) is the only top government official in the country who enjoys majority trust and approval of Filipinos.
Aquino Cancels South Korea Trip for Ruby Aftermath December 10 2014
Instead of attending the ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) 25th Anniversary Summit as originally planned, the President has decided to stay in the country to deal with the aftermath of Typhoon Ruby (international name: Hagupit).
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SINGAPORE |
SDP: PAP Wobbles on its Stance on CPF Minimum Sum
December 17 2014
CALD member party, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has commented that the Singapore government’s recent announcement to be more flexible on the Central Provident Funds (CPF) is in response to the growing resentment towards the national retirement saving. http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2014/12/sdp-pap-wobbles-on-its-stance-on-cpf-minimum-sum/
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SRI LANKA |
Ex-Sri Lanka Leader warns of Election ‘Skullduggery’
December 18 2014
Sri Lanka’s former president warned Tuesday that her successor may resort to “skullduggery” to secure an unprecedented third term, calling for outside observers to monitor the forthcoming election. Chandrika Kumaratunga, who re-entered politics last month to support the main opposition presidential candidate, said she believed the government would seek to intimidate rivals at the January 8 elections. |
TAIWAN |
Taiwan Considers Releasing Jailed Former President Chen Shun-bian for Medical Treatment
December 19 2014
Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice is considering releasing former president Chen Shui-bian from prison for medical treatment. http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/664665/taiwan-considers-releasing-jailed-former-president-medical-treatment
President Keen to Discuss Constitutional Reforms with DPP Chair December 16 2014
President Ma Ying-jeou offered an olive branch again on Sunday, inviting opposition Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen to exchange views on constitutional reforms. http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201412140004.aspx
Taiwan People Satisfied With Election Process December 10 2014
The people of Taiwan are satisfied with the electoral process this year, including the Nov. 29 local government elections, according to a survey on Taiwan’s democracy, freedom and human rights, which was released Monday. |
THAILAND |
Abhisit before the Constitution Drafting Committee
December 19 2014
Abhisit Vejjajiva’s gave his views on political reform and contents of the new constitution before the Constitution Drafting Committee on 24th November 2014 at the invitation of the said committee. http://cald.org/oldsitefiles/site/cald/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Abhisit-before-the-Constitution-Drafting-Committee.pdf
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The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) Secretariat will be closed for the holidays on 22 December 2014 (Monday) – 5 January 2015 (Monday). Work will resume on 6 January 2015.
We wish all of you a blessed holiday season. We look forward to more successes in our continuing struggle for a more democratic and prosperous Asian region in 2015!
The CALD Secretariat
Categorised in: News, Newsletters
This post was written by CALD
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