标签： Asia

In a revealing cultural barometer of public sentiment, Taiwan’s annual character selection for 2025 has delivered a powerful message against political confrontation and division. The character ‘ba’ (罷), meaning ‘dismiss’ or ‘recall,’ emerged victorious with over 15,000 votes from nearly 78,000 cast in the eighteen-year-old poll organized by Taiwan’s United Daily News.

The selection reflects widespread public dissatisfaction with recent recall campaigns initiated by the Democratic Progressive Party authorities targeting opposition figures. These efforts, which targeted 31 Kuomintang legislators and the suspended mayor of Hsinchu during July and August, ultimately failed but exposed deep societal fractures.

Ko Chih-en, a Kuomintang member who nominated the character, characterized the recall movement as having ‘pushed Taiwan into deeper division,’ expressing hope that ‘hatred-driven mobilization will no longer destroy Taiwan’s future.’ The sentiment was echoed by Ou Kuei-chih, a high school teacher who noted the campaigns had ‘torn Taiwan society apart’ while giving voice to those traditionally suppressed by pro-independence forces.

Simultaneously, the cross-strait character of the year, ‘shi’ (勢), meaning ‘trend’ or ‘momentum,’ captured the broader regional perspective. Selected through an online poll organized by Taiwan’s Want Want China Times Media Group and Fujian’s Xiamen Daily, ‘shi’ received an overwhelming 1.28 million votes from 15.82 million total cast.

Professor Xie Qingguo of Xiamen University’s School of Journalism and Communication articulated the significance, stating in a video message that ‘promoting peaceful cross-strait development is an unstoppable trend and the prevailing momentum.’ Organizers noted the character accurately represents both the direction of historical development and the collective consciousness surrounding evolving cross-strait relations.

The character selections coincide with official statements from Beijing emphasizing reunification as the only path forward. Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, reiterated that peace remains the shared aspiration across the strait while criticizing current island leader Lai Ching-te as ‘the instigator of tensions and turbulence in the Taiwan Strait’ and ‘the primary source of division within Taiwan society.’

These parallel character selections, occurring through separate democratic processes on both sides of the strait, collectively signal a public desire for reduced confrontation and recognition of inevitable historical trends toward peaceful development.

In an extraordinary development within Pakistan’s military establishment, Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, former director of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, has been sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment following a controversial military tribunal. The conviction represents the first instance in Pakistani history where a former intelligence chief has faced such severe judicial consequences.

The military court found Hameed guilty on four distinct charges: unlawful engagement in political activities, violation of the Official Secrets Act, misappropriation of government resources, and causing significant financial losses to the state. The sentencing marks a dramatic downfall for the once-powerful military figure who was previously regarded as the second-most influential official within Pakistan’s armed forces hierarchy.

Legal representatives for Hameed have characterized the proceedings as a ‘sham’ trial, alleging numerous procedural irregularities. Defense attorney Ali Ashfaq revealed to international media that his client was denied proper legal representation throughout the judicial process. According to Ashfaq, neither Hameed’s legal team nor family members received advance notification of the December 11th hearing, resulting in the defendant appearing without counsel.

The Pakistani military’s public relations wing (ISPR) confirmed that court-martial proceedings against Hameed commenced on August 12, 2024, under specific provisions of the Pakistani Army Act. While acknowledging Hameed’s right to appeal, the military statement provided limited details regarding the specific evidence presented during the closed-door proceedings.

Political analysts interpret this development as part of broader tensions between Pakistan’s military establishment and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who personally appointed Hameed as ISI chief in 2019. A separate investigation is currently examining allegations that Hameed participated in protests following Khan’s arrest in May 2023.

Khan, who was democratically elected in 2018 but removed through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022, remains imprisoned since August 2023. The former prime minister maintains that his political downfall was orchestrated by military leadership and has faced multiple legal challenges, including charges under the Official Secrets Act.

Recent social media communications from Khan’s family and supporters allege harsh prison conditions, including solitary confinement and restricted access to legal representation despite court orders permitting visits. Khan has publicly accused current military leadership of constitutional violations and systematic erosion of fundamental rights in Pakistan.

The appeal process for Hameed’s case will initially proceed through military channels, with the army chief serving as the first appellate authority. Legal representatives express confidence that higher judicial forums will address what they characterize as fundamental procedural deficiencies in the original trial.

A landmark United Nations investigation into allegations against International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan has reached a critical juncture, with findings now submitted to a specialized judicial panel for evaluation. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) delivered its comprehensive report to the ICC’s governing Assembly of States Parties (ASP) on December 11, initiating a formal review process that could determine Khan’s professional future.

The ASP Presidency confirmed the transfer of the fact-finding document to an ad hoc panel of judicial experts commissioned by the Assembly’s Bureau. These independent jurists will assess whether the evidence substantiates misconduct allegations and determine their severity classification. Their advisory opinion, while non-binding, will inform the ASP leadership’s subsequent decisions regarding potential disciplinary measures.

According to internal ASP documentation reviewed by Middle East Eye, the Bureau possesses authority to suspend Prosecutor Khan pending final determination should the panel identify either serious misconduct or violations of lesser gravity. Any permanent removal would necessitate an absolute majority vote among the ASP’s 125 member states.

The judicial panel will conduct its evaluation within the legal parameters established by the Rome Statute, ICC procedural regulations, and relevant administrative guidelines. ASP officials estimate approximately 30 days for completion, though complexity may extend this timeline.

This prolonged investigation has generated significant operational uncertainty within the court’s leadership structure. Khan voluntarily stepped aside in May pending the investigation’s outcome, with deputy prosecutors assuming interim responsibilities. Multiple diplomatic sources and ICC staff have expressed concerns regarding the institution’s capacity to fulfill its mandate during this period of administrative limbo.

The development follows recent procedural reforms adopted during the ASP’s annual conference in The Hague, where members ratified resolutions enhancing due process protections for both complainants and officials facing misconduct allegations. However, these amendments may not apply retroactively to Khan’s case.

International justice expert Sergey Vasiliev acknowledged the significance of concluding the fact-finding phase while noting persistent challenges: ‘The judicial experts operate under considerable pressure given the investigation’s duration and must address mounting frustration among member states through expeditious yet thorough deliberation.’

The ASP Presidency has emphatically urged all stakeholders to respect confidentiality protocols and maintain the integrity of the ongoing judicial process.