After forcing to close the Bengali daily Amar Desh on 1 June 2010, the government of Bangladesh arrested its editor. Below is the report by FORUM-ASIA member Odhikar. After forcing to close the Bengali daily Amar Desh on 1 June 2010, the government of Bangladesh arrested its editor. Below is the report by FORUM-ASIA member [ Read more ]

(10 June 2010) The Asian NGOs Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI) expresses grave concern over the failure of certain governments in Asia to appoint members of their national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in accordance with the Paris Principles. The ANNI believes that this illustrates the lack of political will by these governments to strengthen their NHRIs so that these institutions [ Read more ]

Fourteenth session of UN Human Rights Council has started! Bringing up human rights issues from Asia, FORUM-ASIA voiced on 4 June 2010 that "if the Council has the political will, it can do vastly more to prevent unlawful killings around the world". Fourteenth session of UN Human Rights Council has started! Bringing up human rights [ Read more ]

Concluding the ASEAN Labour Ministerial Meeting in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, eleven ministers expressed that they will "foster closer cooperation" with civil society organisations. Their communique below, issued on 24 May 2010, further noted such cooperation will promote "decent work providing the foundation of sustained economic growth, shared prosperity and social progress in ASEAN." Concluding [ Read more ]

Ten alliances of Burma’s democracy and ethnic rights movement have launched the Global Campaign Against Burma’s 2010 Military Elections. It has been endorsed by over 160 organizations worldwide. The campaign calls on the international community to “denounce the military’s sham elections and call for real democratic change.” After almost five decades of military rule, the [ Read more ]

Ten alliances of Burma's democracy and ethnic rights movement have launched the Global Campaign Against Burma's 2010 Military Elections. It has been endorsed by over 160 organisations worldwide. The campaign calls on the international community to "denounce the military's sham elections and call for real democratic change." Ten alliances of Burma's democracy and ethnic rights [ Read more ]

On the morning of May 21, an estimated 500 residents from across Beijing gathered outside of the Supreme People's Court to protest against what they believed to be unjust rulings by district courts in the city. The protestors called for better oversight of the lower courts and the protection of citizens' rights by the judicial [ Read more ]

Arakan Rohingya Refugee Committee (ARRC) in Malaysia issued the press release below on 24 May 2010, expressing concerns over the crises the Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia are facing. They are not receiving enough health care and many are passing lives in critical situation. Arakan Rohingya Refugee Committee (ARRC) in Malaysia issued the [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA member Globe International and other organisations issued "Media Freedom Report 2009" in May 2010. It remarks that 81 percent of journalists in Mongolia have been threatened and/or by public authorities. FORUM-ASIA member Globe International and other organisations issued "Media Freedom Report 2009" in May 2010. It remarks that 81 percent of journalists in Mongolia [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 26 May 2010) – Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM ASIA), a regional network of 46 human rights organizations working across Asia, has expressed its deep concern over the ongoing uncertainty over the term of the Constituent Assembly which is set to expire on May 28. Following the signing of the historic [ Read more ]