Civil society organisations gathered in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 7-8 May 2009, to discuss the draft of Terms of Reference of ASEAN Human Rights Body and establishment of ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC). Taking note that establishment of the commission would promote and protect child rights [ Read more ]

Kachins around the world recently raised their strong voices against the claim of Burma's military junta to transform Kachin revolutionary forces into national border guards. They also urged all Kachin armed groups to join hands with general public to resist junta's instruction. (Source: Burma Partnership Secretariat) Kachins around the world recently raised their strong voices against [ Read more ]

The newly appointed members of Thailand's National Human Rights Commission, whose selection process violated constitutional requirements and international standards, should resign to restore the commission's credibility, Human Rights Watch said on 13 May 2009. Upcoming constitutional reforms should include a new selection process that will ensure independence, transparency, public scrutiny, and broad-based participation. (Source: Human [ Read more ]

Binayak Sen, a well-known human rights defender and paediatrician, who was detained for two years since 2007, has finally been granted bail. Many human rights organisations, including FORUM-ASIA members, expressed concerns over the case. The Release Binayak Campaign launched on 26 March 2009 expressed that this is the "first sweet victory in a much bitter [ Read more ]

More than 110 organisations called on the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) to "immediately commence a public inquiry" into the case of two Burmese migrants who died in detention centre from leptospirosis. The disease, coming from water contaminated by infected animals' urine, highlights the absence of sanitation in the centre. More than 110 organisations called [ Read more ]

On 21 May 1987, 22 people in Singapore were detained without trial under the internal security act (ISA). To commemorate the anniversary people gathered calling for the end of the act. On 21 May 1987, 22 people in Singapore were detained without trial under the internal security act (ISA). To commemorate the anniversary people gathered [ Read more ]

Condemning the "ongoing cases of impunity", FORUM-ASIA organised a "Peace Vigil" on 25 May 2009 in frong of the Sri Lankan embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. About 30 people participated in the event, in remembrance of the lost lives during the conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA condemned the "ongoing cases of impunity" in Sri Lanka on 25 May 2009. In a statement during a vigil on the same day, the organisation expressed its concerns over the Sri Lankan president speech denying presence of minority communities, saying "Minority rights are human rights". As the UN Human Rights Council was to hold [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA condemns the charges leveled against Burmese democracy leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, by the military authorities. FORUM-ASIA calls for an unconditional and immediate release of Suu Kyi, her two aides and around 2,100 political prisoners and urges ASEAN to demand the military authorities to end Suu Kyi's 13-year detention. (Bangkok, 16 May 2009) [ Read more ]

Thousands of people are displaced in northwest frontier province of Pakistan, because of fighting between Taliban militants and the Pakistan army. Many in Lower Dir District, west of the province, began leaving their homes last week as a result of the conflict. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)'s report, there are 462,912 internally displaced [ Read more ]