This International Dateline episode includes three segments: Burma - Generation Change, Indonesia - Pornography and Politics, and The National Interest?
Burma - Generation Change
The Karen people of Burma have been fighting for human rights and independence for over sixty years. Dateline profiles one young Karen activist who has devoted her life to the cause. From humble beginnings in a bamboo shack in a Karen refugee camp, 24 year old K'nyaw Paw has taken her fight for the Karen people all the way to the United Nations, giving evidence to the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva. Since the decision by the Burmese government to build their new capitol in Pyinmana, a fresh offensive has seen whole Karen villages cleared out. The refugees from these villages have been flooding into Thailand in recent months. Dateline hears from these recently arrived Karen refugees who tell of this latest example of Burmese ethnic cleansing.
Indonesia - Pornography and Politics
When radical Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir walked out of his Jakarta jail cell in July 2006, he called for the immediate introduction of Islamic or Sharia law, and he is not alone. Since its foundation, Indonesia has proudly maintained a strongly secular tradition. This appears to be changing rapidly. In the past few years, 20 municipalities have enforced by-laws based on Sharia law, and a new bill - the so-called "anti-pornography bill" - was to be presented to the national parliament; radically altering the nature of Indonesian law and society. Amongst other things, kissing in public, short skirts, or tight clothes could bring a jail term of up to 10 years. Dateline's Bronwyn Adcock has more.
The National Interest?
In Australia, Parliament has introduced some controversial legislation of its own. The new anti-terrorism laws recently introduced by the Howard Government are beginning to bite in the courts. Thom Cookes asks how far do these laws go, and what could they mean for our civil liberties.
About International Dateline
SBS Dateline, which began in 1984, is Australia's longest-running international current affairs program. It has a well-earned reputation for authoritative and incisive reporting. Dateline has taken the traditional way of producing TV current affairs and turned it on its head. Reporters who used to travel with a cameraperson and sound recordist now travel alone and have the responsibility of both filming and reporting their stories. The reporters became video-journalists, gaining access to people and places that the conventional camera crews cannot.
