Jakarta, Indonesia — The Indonesian police force’s success in fighting terrorism was the highlight of public interest last year, until a case exposing police corruption caused a loss of public confidence in the police. The real issues that shame the police, however, are the practice of violence and the abuse of authority.

Hong Kong, China — During the past week three women in Sri Lanka have tried to speak to the nation about the tragedies they face. The women, including the wife of former army commander and opposition presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka, are all seeking justice for their disappeared or unlawfully detained husbands.

Hong Kong, China — U.S. President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Indonesia, the place of his childhood, in March. It is important that Obama does not waste the opportunity and uses his good relations with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to raise the issue of religious tolerance in Indonesia.

Hong Kong, China — When the U.N. Human Rights Council meets in Geneva from March 1 to 26 member states, including India, will use this international platform for intense lobbying, often to claim false achievements in protecting, promoting and fulfilling human rights. Civil society must stand up to counter such falsehoods.

Hong Kong, China — The disappearance of Sri Lankan political analyst Pregeeth Ekanaliyagoda, along with the arrest and assassination of other government critics, shows the sad suppression of voices that try to develop a discourse on politics in the country. Violence continues to be used against the voices of reason.

Jakarta, Indonesia — Three of the “Bali Nine” convicted in Indonesia of drug trafficking in 2005 filed a constitutional review after being sentenced to death, saying the sentence was inconsistent with the Constitution’s guarantee of the right to life. But the court rejected their request because they were not Indonesian citizens.

Manila, Philippines — The acquittal of five men who were arrested, tortured and detained in connection with bomb blasts in the Philippines in 2003 was made public last Friday. It took the court seven years to determine their innocence. During that time the police did not hesitate to treat them as guilty.

Hong Kong, China — A group of religious leaders in India submitted a memorandum to the president on Sunday, signed by some 8 million people, demanding a statutory prohibition on slaughtering cows. But the media, politicians and people have failed to respond to the extrajudicial executions going on in the state of Manipur.

West Lafayette, IN, United States — Unable to find gainful employment in their own country, many Nepalese workers are being lured to Afghanistan by the chance to make big bucks working for international agencies that need security guards and laborers. But when they get there it’s a different story.

Hong Kong, China — Sri Lanka’s election commissioner declared incumbent President Mahinda Rajapakse the winner of the Jan. 26 election for executive president. However, both opposition candidate General Sarath Fonseka and the election commissioner complained of violence, electoral fraud and tampering with the counting process.