Bangladesh: Government must institute an impartial and credible investigation in the cases of ‘disappearances’
(Bangkok, 30 April 2012) The Government of Bangladesh must institute an impartial and credible investigation under the auspices of an independent authority on the cases of the ‘disappearance’, including that of Ilias Ali, a top leader of the opposition party and former Member of the Parliament, said the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development [ Read more ]
Malaysia: Police Brutality at BERSIH 3.0 Rally Condemned; Government Urged to Establish Independent Oversight Body for Police
(Bangkok, 30 April 2012) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) has condemned the Malaysian government for its heavy-handed reaction to the BERSIH 3.0 rally, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 28 April 2012 to demand for electoral reforms in the country, and urged the government to establish an Independent Police Complaints and [ Read more ]
Malaysia: Government Must Stop Threats and Harassment, and Allow BERSIH 3.0 Rally to Proceed without Disruptions
(Bangkok, 27 April 2012) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), a regional human rights group representing 49 non-governmental organisations across Asia, has urged the Malaysian government to respect the fundamental right to peaceful assembly by allowing a rally to demand for electoral reforms in Malaysia, scheduled to be held on 28 April [ Read more ]
Total Reform Is Needed to Make AICHR Independent, Effective and Relevant to the ASEAN Peoples
(Bangkok, 26 April 2012) The performance of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) has been disappointing and wanting, epitomized by the lack of transparency, failure to consult with civil society organizations and no demonstrable progress in protecting and promoting human rights, according to a civil society assessment report on the performance of the [ Read more ]
A Commission Shrouded in Secrecy – Performance Report of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights 2010-2011
This second performance report of the AICHR, produced by the Solidarity for Asian People’s Advocacy Task Force on ASEAN and Human Rights (SAPA TFAHR), a network of civil society organizations in Southeast Asia, assesses the development of AICHR for the period of 2010-2011. This report focuses on the AICHR’s institutional building, activities, engagements with all [ Read more ]
Malaysia: Government must withdraw new Security Bill, repeal the ISA immediately
(12 April 2012, Bangkok) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) renewed its calls for the immediate repeal of Malaysia’s Internal Security Act (ISA), and urged the Malaysian government to withdraw the new Security Offences (Special Measures) Bill 2012, tabled in Parliament on 10 April 2012. The regional human rights group that [ Read more ]
Joint Statement: Calling AICHR to release ASEAN Human Rights Declaration
We, the undersigned civil society organizations and networks from Southeast Asia, express our grave concern and disappointment over the continuing secrecy in the drafting process of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD). The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) is mandated under Article 4.2 of its Terms of Reference to develop an ASEAN Human [ Read more ]
Cambodia: All Talk, Little Action – Two Years After UN Human Rights Review, Cambodia Continues to Ignore Key Recommendations
This week marks the two year anniversary of the UN Human Rights Council’s adoption of Cambodia’s Universal Period Review (UPR) outcome report. Remarkably, during the UPR, Cambodia accepted all 91 recommendations presented by dozens of countries on a wide range of human rights issues. Since then, the government has tasked the Cambodian Human Rights Committee [ Read more ]
Sri Lanka: Stop threats and incitement of violence against human rights defenders who engaged at the UN Human Rights Council
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) received information regarding threats, harassment, intimidation, vilification and incitement to violence against Sri Lankan human rights defenders in connection with their views on accountability issues in Sri Lanka. These threats are part of a hate campaign directed against human rights defenders who have engaged with the 19th regular session of [ Read more ]
Sri Lanka: Appeal to surface two missing human rights defenders
FORUM-ASIA received information that Mr. Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Mr. Kugan Muruganandan have been missing since 9 December 2011. The two HRDs were last seen leaving the house of Mr. Muruganandan in Avarangal, Jaffna, North Sri Lanka. Mr. Lalith Kumar Weeraraj is a prominent human rights defender mainly working on disappearances in the north and [ Read more ]
Malaysia’s ongoing crackdown against campaigners for electoral reform
(UPDATED 12 July) Monitor this page to be kept informed updates on unfolding events regarding the Malaysian government crackdown to stop the 9 July 2011 rally on electoral reform. Learn more about the background of these events by clicking this link to the Asian Defender Alert on this issue. The contents of this webpage are [ Read more ]
Bangladesh: Government must institute an impartial and credible investigation in the cases of ‘disappearances’
(Bangkok, 30 April 2012) The Government of Bangladesh must institute an impartial and credible investigation under the auspices of an independent authority on the cases of the ‘disappearance’, including that of Ilias Ali, a top leader of the opposition party and former Member of the Parliament, said the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development [ Read more ]
Malaysia: Police Brutality at BERSIH 3.0 Rally Condemned; Government Urged to Establish Independent Oversight Body for Police
(Bangkok, 30 April 2012) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) has condemned the Malaysian government for its heavy-handed reaction to the BERSIH 3.0 rally, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 28 April 2012 to demand for electoral reforms in the country, and urged the government to establish an Independent Police Complaints and [ Read more ]
Malaysia: Government Must Stop Threats and Harassment, and Allow BERSIH 3.0 Rally to Proceed without Disruptions
(Bangkok, 27 April 2012) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), a regional human rights group representing 49 non-governmental organisations across Asia, has urged the Malaysian government to respect the fundamental right to peaceful assembly by allowing a rally to demand for electoral reforms in Malaysia, scheduled to be held on 28 April [ Read more ]
A Commission Shrouded in Secrecy – Performance Report of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights 2010-2011
This second performance report of the AICHR, produced by the Solidarity for Asian People’s Advocacy Task Force on ASEAN and Human Rights (SAPA TFAHR), a network of civil society organizations in Southeast Asia, assesses the development of AICHR for the period of 2010-2011. This report focuses on the AICHR’s institutional building, activities, engagements with all [ Read more ]
SAARC & Human Rights : Looking Back & Ways Forward
The purpose of this publication is to serve as a baseline study of human rights situations in South Asia in relation to the functions of SAARC as a regional grouping. We hope this publication and the subsequent monitoring reports will help track the development of the role of SAARC in the promotion and protection of [ Read more ]
Global Report on the Situation of Women Human Rights Defenders
Coming at a time when WHRDs have received little attention in the human rights arena, the Global Report on the Situation of WHRDs plays a crucial part in advancing the recognition of WHRDs. The Global Report gives a contextual analysis of the environment in which WHRDs work and the violations they face because of their gender and/or [ Read more ]
19th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council 27 February – 23 March 2012
The UN Human Rights Council will hold its 19th regular session (HRC-19) from 27 February until 23 March in Geneva, Switzerland. FORUM-ASIA interventions, statements and events during this session will appear on this page. Oral Statements 5 March – Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, [ Read more ]
Thailand: The Nation ” UN expert studying Thai freedom of speech, lese majeste law “
A senior United Nations expert is on a private visit to Bangkok to discuss and monitor freedom of expression in the Kingdom, especially the controversial lese-majeste law. Frank La Rue, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, issued a statement last year expressing concern [ Read more ]
Thailand: Prachatai ” UN will continue pressure Thai govt to amend 112: UN Special Rapporteur “
January 10, 2012 — UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Frank La Rue, said he will continue to pressure the Thai government to amend the lèse majesté law, as well as provide technical support for the authorities where necessary. During his visit to the Prachatai office in Bangkok on Tuesday (January 10), [ Read more ]
Kathmandu Statement 2011
Outcome Document of the Second Sub-Regional Workshop on a Human Rights Mechanism in South Asia, 25-26 July 2011, Kathmandu, Nepal 1. The Second Sub-Regional Workshop on Human Rights Mechanism in South Asia—organized by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and hosted by the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) with participants from non-governmental [ Read more ]
Malaysia’s ongoing crackdown against campaigners for electoral reform
(UPDATED 12 July) Monitor this page to be kept informed updates on unfolding events regarding the Malaysian government crackdown to stop the 9 July 2011 rally on electoral reform. Learn more about the background of these events by clicking this link to the Asian Defender Alert on this issue. The contents of this webpage are [ Read more ]
Silence is not an option! (Petition for immediate action by the United Nations Human Rights Council)
The undersigned organisations urge the Human Rights Council to act urgently to respond to the violent repression of demonstrations currently underway in the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. The Human Rights Council cannot be a passive bystander of such events, during which the lives of ordinary citizens have been taken or put at risk [ Read more ]
