The 40th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council took place from 25 February to 22 March 2019. Over the four-week session, FORUM-ASIA delivered or supported nine oral statements. Its advocacy focused on Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and human rights defenders, which were on the Council’s agenda, as well as calling for increased attention on [ Read more ]
FORUM-ASIA’s member Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) together with Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) publishes its quarterly brief on human rights situation in Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir. From January to March 2019, the area witnessed continued violence and hightened tensions between India and Pakistan, where Kashmir yet again appeared to [ Read more ]
Press release ‘Inclusive democracy key to Pakistan’s integrity’ HRCP Lahore, 7 April 2019. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has issued the following statement on the conclusion of its 33rd Annual General Meeting: ‘HRCP notes with concern the state’s amendment of the requisites of participatory democracy and reversal to the concept of a majoritarian [ Read more ]
For this month’s e-newsletter, FORUM-ASIA talked with Lubha Raj Neupane, Executive Director of Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC), a movement-based organisation from Nepal and new member of FORUM-ASIA. Lubha has been an advocate for the rights of women and children for a long time, and believes that women’s rights and social justice are prerequisites for peace and sustainable development in [ Read more ]
(Bangkok, 29 March 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) urges Myanmar to end reprisals against journalists Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone, for their investigations into what the United Nations has referred to as ‘gravest crimes under international law’ against Rohingya.[1] The journalists were convicted of violating Myanmar’s Official Secrets [ Read more ]
For a PDF version of this statement, click here
Myanmar must be referred to International Criminal Court (Geneva/Bangkok, 22 March 2019) Following the adoption of the resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar today at the 40th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and Progressive Voice call for Myanmar to be [ Read more ]
(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 22 March 2019) – Maroof Zaman, a former Bangladeshi diplomat, returned home on Saturday, 16 March 2019, after having been held in detention for 465 days, allegedly by the government military agency, the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence.[1] He was found wandering in his neighbourhood. Zaman went missing in the evening of 4 December [ Read more ]
