Asia
This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on Asia. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.
Standard Notes
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 10.05.2012 | Armenia 2012 |
| Armenia has recently held a parliamentary election that appeared to show that the country's political culture is making some progress. There remain two big problems in Armenia's relations with other countries: its occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh, which observers fear may spark another war, and the argument over whether the 1915 massacres amounted to genocide. | |
| 03.05.2012 | Bangladesh: the International Crimes Tribunal |
| The Government of Bangladesh has re-established a long dormant International Crimes Tribunal to try people for alleged 'international crimes' committed during the 1971 war of independence. Eight men, all senior figures in opposition parties, currently face trial. While steps have been taken to strengthen the rules of procedure of the Tribunal, there are criticisms that the process still falls short of interntional standards. | |
| 02.05.2012 | In brief: China's succession process in disarray? |
| What does Bo Xilai's recent downfall tell us about China's political trajectory as the Communist Party prepares for the handover to a 'fifth generation' of leaders in autumn 2012? Is there a danger of political paralysis at the top or has order been restored? In the longer-term, can the leadership navigate the many challenges that China faces? Will muddling through be enough? | |
| 04.04.2012 | In brief: Burma - the beginning of a new era? |
| Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy achieved a stunning victory in recent by-elections, leading some to argue that Burma's democratic transition is no sham after all. This note briefly surveys the debate about what has been achieved so far, what remains to be done and whether the time has come to scrap Western sanctions. | |
| 29.02.2012 | India: A chronology of events since January 2011 |
| This note provides a chronological guide to events in India since January 2011. It should not be considered comprehensive or definitive. |
Research Papers
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.12.2011 | Military balance in Southeast Asia |
| This paper examines the military balance of power in Southeast Asia and specifically at the military capabilities and priorities of six regional actors: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore. | |
| 14.12.2011 | Southeast Asia: A political and economic introduction |
| This paper provides a broad introduction to Southeast Asia. It offers key facts and figures about the region, followed by country studies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It then looks more analytically at two key issues for the region: democratisation and Islamist terrorism. It ends with a select bibliography. | |
| 22.06.2010 | The 'AfPak policy' and the Pashtuns |
| The first part of this paper focuses on the Pashtuns, beginning with a survey of the geographic, historical and cultural factors which have shaped Pashtun identities in Afghanistan and Pakistan before going on to describe the political and security arrangements under which they currently live. The paper then reviews the Pashtun armed militant groups currently operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The second part of the paper then looks at the US AfPak policy, setting out its origins and evolution before assessing the prospects for success over the coming year and beyond. | |
| 05.06.2009 | War and peace in Sri Lanka |
| This paper provides a brief historical and social survey of Sri Lanka, including the origins of the conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE. It then gives an account of developments since 2002, when a ceasefire was agreed and hopes were raised - rapidly to be dashed - that there might be a peaceful negotiated resolution of the conflict. The paper also surveys the stance taken by the international community on the conflict, the military capabilities of the Sri Lankan military, and aid and development issues. It concludes by considering Sri Lanka's future prospects, including assessing how real the Government's military victory is and whether genuine political and constitutional reforms are likely to be introduced. | |
| 05.12.2008 | Turkey Today |
| Turkey Today: An overview of the main issues affecting Turkey today |
Select Committee Reports
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 19.07.2011 | Trade and investment: China. |
| Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee report [Commons] | |
| 12.07.2011 | Humanitarian response to the Pakistan floods.International |
| Government response. International Development Select Committee; Department for International Development report [Commons] | |
| 27.04.2011 | Humanitarian response to the Pakistan floods. |
| International Development Select Committee report [Commons] | |
| 06.07.2010 | DFID's Programme in Nepal. |
| Government response. Department for International Development report [Commons] | |
| 09.03.2010 | Stars and dragons: the EU and China. |
| European Union Select Committee (HL) report [Lords] |
Early Day Motions
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 08.02.2012 | AID TO VICTIMS OF CONFLICT IN BURMA |
| That this House welcomes the continued increase in UK aid to Burma and the visit to Burma in 2011 by the Secretary of State for International Development; further welcomes political ... | |
| 08.02.2012 | BANGLADESH, DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW |
| That this House supports democracy and the rule of law; condemns the attempts by fringe elements in Bangladesh to undermine democracy and the rule of law through the use of violence; ... | |
| 08.02.2012 | DETERIORATING HUMAN RIGHTS IN TIBET |
| That this House strongly condemns the Chinese security forces' unwarranted use of force including opening fire on unarmed demonstrators to quash peaceful protests in Tibet; is greatly ... | |
| 08.02.2012 | UK RELATIONS WITH INDIA |
| That this House is deeply concerned by recent events which have served to undermine the excellent relationship between India and the UK; notes that the Top Gear India Christmas Special, ... | |
| 08.02.2012 | BURMA |
| That this House welcomes the steps taken by President Thein Sein to release some political prisoners, enter into ceasefire negotiations with armed ethnic groups and allow more political ... |
Lords Library Notes
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 28.11.2011 | Debate on 1 December: International Development Policy and the Situation of Dalits |
| This Library Note provides an overview of the situation of Dalits in South Asia and looks at the issue of caste-based discrimination in India. It also examines the Government's international development policy for India, currently the largest recipient of UK development aid. | |
| 07.01.2011 | Debate on 13 January: Economic and Strategic Role of Turkey |
| This Library Note provides background reading for the debate on the economic and strategic role of Turkey in Europe and the Middle East. |
