SUARAM has received disturbing information that personnel from the Sri Lankan Embassy were at Pekan Nenas Immigration Detention Centre in Johor today. Four representatives from the Sri Lankan Embassy, including the Deputy High Commissioner, arrived at the detention centre at around 11.30am and they were forcing a group of Sri Lankan refugees to sign agreements [ Read more ]

Six non-governmental organisations urged the new Foreign Minister of Japan Katsuya Okada to address human rights issues in Sri Lanka. Japan is Sri Lanka's largest donor, and their letter on 22 October called on the minister to "take strong action" to end illegal detention in the country. Six non-governmental organisations urged the new Foreign Minister of [ Read more ]

115 civil society organisations and political parties from 20 countries today submitted an open letter to China's President Hu Jintao calling for the suspension of oil and gas pipelines through Burma in order to prevent rights abuses and regional instability, avoiding financial and image risks to China. (Source: Shwe Gas Movement, 28 October 2009) 115 [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA member LICADHO presented the human rights issues of Cambodia to the US government's "Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission" on 10 September 2009. The LICADHO President Chhiv Kek Pung addressed issues of freedom of expression, administration for justice and housing rights. FORUM-ASIA member LICADHO presented the human rights issues of Cambodia to the US government's [ Read more ]

According to "2009 Global Hunger Index" by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) , South Asia has the highest regional Global Hunger Index (GHI) in the world. At an average index of 23, South Asia ranks higher than Sub-Saharan Africa which has an average index of 22. The institute highlighted 29 countries in the [ Read more ]

November 2, 2009 Re: UNGA Resolution on Goldstone Report Your Excellency, We, the undersigned civil society organizations, are writing to urge your government to support recommendations in the Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict (Goldstone Report) and work with others in the General Assembly to secure adoption of a [ Read more ]

On the occasion of the inauguration of the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), Solidarity for Asian Peoples Advocacy Task Force on ASEAN and Human Rights reiterated its expectation that the Commission will be accountable, independent and effective in protecting and promoting human rights throughout the region. (Cha-am, Thailand, 25th October 2009) On the [ Read more ]

Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) has requested South Asian states to initiate discussion for establishing regional human rights body in South Asia. (Source: FORUM-ASIA member INSEC, 23 October 2009) Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) has requested South Asian states to initiate discussion for establishing regional human rights body in South Asia. Issuing a press statement [ Read more ]

At 11,30pm, Thurs, Thai foreign Ministry officials informed organizers of APF that 5 out of 10 civil society representatives were rejected from the interface meeting with ASEAN heads of government. The remaining representatives were told to be ready for pick up at 7.A.M., nearly 5 hours before the scheduled meeting. (Source: APF media team) At [ Read more ]

Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) has requested South Asian states to initiate discussion for establishing regional human rights body in South Asia. (Source: FORUM-ASIA member INSEC, 23 October 2009) Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) has requested South Asian states to initiate discussion for establishing regional human rights body in South Asia. Issuing a press statement [ Read more ]