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Reuters-Asia less tolerant after cr



Subject: Reuters-Asia less tolerant after crisis - rights group 

Asia less tolerant after crisis - rights group
07:15 a.m. Mar 22, 1999 Eastern
BANGKOK, March 22 (Reuters) - An Asian human rights group accused some
governments in the region on Monday of stepping up suppression since
economic crisis struck over the past two years.

Bangkok-based Forum-Asia said in its first report on human rights in the
region that far from embracing democratic rule, some governments in
Southeast and East Asia had tightened up.

``Violations of civil and political rights continue under authoritarian and
military regimes or in situations of conflict, internal or otherwise,'' the
report said.

``Opposition parties, government critics or minorities, ethnic or religious,
are the main targets,'' it added. ``Some observers say the 'rule by law' is
replacing the rule of law.''

The report contrasts with comments by some leaders in politics and the
investment community who say Asia's crisis has encouraged democratisation
and greater financial transparency.

It cited Malaysia, Indonesia and military-ruled Myanmar -- members of the
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- as countries where
authorities had cracked down on dissent.

``ASEAN must seize the opportunity to achieve greater political and economic
democratisation in order to forge peace and stability within the region,''
Forum-Asia said.

The group also criticised the role of the International Monetary Fund in
insisting on painful economic reforms in return for extending financial aid
to the hardest-hit countries.

``One observation is that the economic crisis... deepened and widened into
social crisis as governments implemented IMF policies,'' it said.