On March 10, Beijing police interrogated human rights defender Xie Qiang (谢强) for the second time in as many weeks.  Nine days earlier, on March 1, police raided his home, seizing computers and personal property.   Xie, a signatory to and promoter of Charter 08, is currently under "soft detention" at his home in the [ Read more ]

The Action Committee Against Kaiduan Dam which was set up by communities potentially affected directly by the Kaiduan dam is seeking support from organisations and individuals to write letters to the Sabah government to reconsider the building of this dam. The Action Committee Against Kaiduan Dam which was set up by communities potentially affected directly [ Read more ]

For almost ten years the Judicial System Monitoring Programme (JSMP) has been committed to it's role monitoring the judicial system, advocating for human rights and improving the Timorese public's understanding of international human rights standards, particularly in relation to the right to a fair trial. This year, with support from USAID through The Asia Foundation [ Read more ]

On the World Day of Social Justice on 20 February 2010, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) called for the end of the prevailing model of economic globalisation. In their statement issued on the day, they said that the model has resulted in economic instability and social exclusion. On the World Day of Social Justice [ Read more ]

Fifty-six organisations/groups have sent a letter to the ASEAN and Heads of Government of ASEAN countries, calling on them to pay attention to the struggle of factory workers in Burma. (Source: 22 February 2010, Prachatai) Fifty-six organisations/groups have sent a letter to the ASEAN and Heads of Government of ASEAN countries, calling on them to [ Read more ]

Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI or Abolish the ISA Movement) and FORUM-ASIA member SUARAM condemned the Malaysian government for deciding to extradite nine foreigners who were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). In their statement below, issued on 17 February 2010, they appealed to the government to provide legal assistance for these detainees and stop [ Read more ]

On 22 February 2010, the Asian NGOs Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI), issued an appeal to the Senate of the Philippines regarding Senate Bill 2657, entitled, AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE FUNCTIONAL AND STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. On 22 February 2010, the Asian [ Read more ]

The military in the Philippines arrested 43 workers who were in health outreach project, saying that they have communist ties. The National Union of Peoples' Lawyers released the statement below on 11 February 2010, calling it "gestapo-like raid." The military in the Philippines arrested 43 workers who were in health outreach project, saying that they [ Read more ]

Proposed by the Public Administration and Security Committee, public assembly in South Korea may be prohibited from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. FORUM-ASIA called on the committee not to amend the law to enable such prohibition in a letter on 18 February 2010. Proposed by the Public Administration and Security Committee, public assembly in South [ Read more ]

One of the Managing Trustee of Community Trust Fund (CTF) Mr. Pattani Razeek has been missing since February 11th 2010. He was last seen at Polonnaruwa Town when he got into a white colour van at around 3.00 pm. CTF is deeply concerned about his whereabouts and appeals to the authorities to act speedily to locate Mr Razeek. [ Read more ]