It has been two years since the adoption of the UN Human Rights Council resolution 22/6 in which the Council unanimously called upon governments to create a safe and enabling domestic environment for human rights defenders (HRDs). In this context the Council called upon states to keep legislation that affects HRDs in line with international [ Read more ]

The Glocal Advocacy Leadership in Asia (GALA) Academy is a joint initiative by three leading regional civil society networks working in the field of human rights, development and democracy in Asia – namely, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Asia Development Alliance (ADA) and Asia Democracy Network (ADA)- with the aim to [ Read more ]

Click here to download the flyer  Human Rights Defenders in Cambodia: A Call for Support The work of human rights defenders is invaluable for the overall realisation of human rights protection and promotion in Cambodia. For many human rights defenders this includes defending the rights of vulnerable groups such as evicted persons and factory workers. [ Read more ]

Download the Flyer The Role of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Human Rights Organised by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) new Charter of 2008 and the establishment of an Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) have been seen as expressions of the body’s desire [ Read more ]

The UN Human Rights Council will hold its 27th regular session from 8 to 26 September 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland. FORUM-ASIA interventions, statements and events during this session will appear on this page. Oral Statements Joint Statement at the Annual Discussion on Integration of a Gender Perspective (15 September 2014) Item 2&3 General Debate: Introduction [ Read more ]

Concept Note Side event at the 26th session of UN Human Rights Council Geneva, 16 June 2014   Towards an Effective and Independent ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism: The Role of the International Community in the AICHR ToR Review Process   Background Five years since its establishment, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) is [ Read more ]

Download the flyer Freedoms of Expression, Assembly and Association in the Context of Elections: The Situation in Asia    Organised by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)       Introduction This panel discussion aims to provide an assessment of the situation of freedoms of expression, assembly and association in Asian electoral [ Read more ]

The “Regional Consultation on Model National Law on the Recognition and Protection of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Asia” organised by FORUM-ASIA and the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) was held on 29-30 April 2014. The event brought together over 20 HRDs from across the region as well as regional and international observers to [ Read more ]

                         National Workshop on Building Consensus for a South Asia Human Rights Mechanism (9-10 June 2014, Lahore, Pakistan) Given the common human rights challenges faced by all South Asian States, there is an urging need for a South Asian Human Rights Mechanism. The Regional Initiative is a platform [ Read more ]

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Asian Development Alliance (ADA)  and Asian Democracy Network (ADN) gladly announce the call for applications for the 2nd Glocal Advocacy Leadership in Asia Academy (GALA Academy) to be held in Bangkok, Thailand on 27 July- 2 August 2014. FORUM-ASIA will be the local host. The aim of [ Read more ]