Statements

New human rights body snubs NGOs, activists call for transparency and consultations
2 April 2010 10:00 am

Civil society groups who met in Jakarta were rejected by the newly formed Asean Intergovernmental Commission for Human Rights.  They called for the Draft Rules of Procedure to be made public and wider consulation with various stakeholders be organised. Please read their press statement below, issued on 29 March 2010. Civil society groups who met [ Read more ]

AICHR must ensure effective Rules of Procedure in dealing with human rights violations
9:58 am

Civil society groups launched their own version of the Rules of Procedure (RoP) for the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) on 22 March 2010. Please read below for documents relating to the proposal for a RoP that is effective to deal with human rights violations. Civil society groups launched their own version of [ Read more ]

Favourable conditions at all levels needed for the protection of HRD
9:43 am

This Joint Oral statement on the Draft Resolution on Protection of Human Rights Defenders by Al Haq Law in the Service of Man , Amnesty International, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Cairo Institute of Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) [ Read more ]

World Cup can boost fight against racism, says UN human rights chief
9:29 am

The following statement has been issued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 March 2010) : The following statement has been issued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of [ Read more ]

BANGLADESH: Ratification of Rome Statute befitting tribute to victims of 1971
3:15 am

Odhikar has congratulated the government for Ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 22 March 2010. Below is their statement, jointly signed by its President Dr. C.R. Abrar and secretary Adilur Rahman Khan. has congratulated the government for Ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 22 March [ Read more ]

BURMA – Movement for Democracy and Ethnic Rights launches Global Campaign on 2010 Elections
3:08 am

In response to the military regime's new election laws, Burma's movement for democracy and rights of ethnic nationalities launched a global campaign today condemning the upcoming elections as shutting the door to any prospects for genuine democracy and national reconciliation. In response to the military regime's new election laws, Burma's movement for democracy and rights [ Read more ]

INDONESIA – NGOs argue defamation and religion laws contravenes freedom of expression
2:59 am

Indonesia's laws prohibiting and punishing the "abuse or defamation of religions" are contrary to international human rights law, according to the amicus curiae brief submitted by ARTICLE 19, Amnesty International, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies and the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights to the Indonesian Constitutional Court on 11 March 2010. Indonesia's laws [ Read more ]

PHILIPPINES – Please resume selection process for ACWC representatives
2:47 am

This statement was issued on 23 March 2010 by representatives from child rights organisations across Asia. It was address to Philippines Foreign Affairs secretary Alberto Romulo, acting secretary Celia C Yangco and several other government bodies including the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN, Alicia Bala. The groups have requested for the resumption of the selection process [ Read more ]

New human rights body snubs NGOs, activists call for transparency and consultations
28 March 2010 12:00 pm

Civil society groups who met in Jakarta were rejected by the newly formed Asean Intergovernmental Commission for Human Rights. They called for the for Draft Rules of Procedure to be made public and wider consulation with various stakeholders be organised. Please read their press statement inside, issued on 29 March 2010. Civil society groups who [ Read more ]

ASEAN human rights body must not turn a blind eye on human rights violations in the region
27 March 2010 12:00 pm

Today, in Jakarta, non-governmental organizations in Southeast Asia call on the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) to address severe violations of human rights in the South East Asia region. "AICHR has to protect us, the peoples in ASEAN", said Khin Ohmar of Burma. "For instance, crimes against humanity and war crimes such as [ Read more ]