Five human rights organizations strongly condemned the brutal attack against unarmed peaceful protesters by Sri Lankan forces in Colombo on in the early hours of 22 July 2022 . Since March 2022, thousands of people including human rights defenders, journalists, and members of civil society have been protesting peacefully across the country against the government’s [ Read more ]

(Kathmandu/Bangkok, 22 July 2022) – ‘We welcome the special message of the Prime Minister of Nepal to fully implement the Kamaya Labour (Prohibition) Act of 2001 and call on government agencies to implement inclusive and non-discriminatory social protection programmes to ensure the rehabilitation of the Harawa-Charawa,’ said the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 15 July 2022) – ‘The arrest and judicial harassment of human rights defender Teesta Setalvad is a clear reprisal for seeking justice and accountability for 2002 Gujarat riots,’ said the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and 5 of its member organisations in India. Teesta Setalvad is an outspoken journalist and the [ Read more ]

We, the undersigned organizations, are alarmed by provisions in the draft amendments of the Indonesian Criminal Code, recently made public, that will negatively impact civic space and fundamental freedoms in the country. We call for these provisions to be repealed and for the Indonesian government and parliament to conduct public consultations before adopting the draft [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 7 July 2022) – ‘The recent selection and appointment of new commissioners to Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia (SUHAKAM), Malaysia’s national human rights institution, was shrouded in secrecy and marks a regression in the country’s international commitments to strengthen the mandate of SUHAKAM,’ said the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), as the [ Read more ]

50th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 4: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar   Delivered by Ahmed Adam On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)  29 June 2022     Mr. President, We welcome the Special Rapporteur’s update. The [ Read more ]

50th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights Delivered by Rabina G. Rasaily On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)  24 June 2022   Mr. President, We welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur’s official visit [ Read more ]

Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Timor-Leste Delivered by Marta da Silva, La’o Hamutuk Thank you, Mr President. La’o Hamutuk, JSMP, HAK, FORUM-ASIA and CIVICUS welcome the government of Timor-Leste’s engagement with the UPR process. Civil society played a critical role in achieving Timor-Leste’s sovereignty and strengthening democracy, and human rights defenders, journalists [ Read more ]

 50th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association   Delivered by Ahmed Adam On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), CIVICUS – World Alliance for Citizen Participation and World Organisation Against [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Jakarta, 29 June 2022) – ‘We urge the new Philippine government to repeal the repressive laws imposed by its predecessors and set a worthy example towards the protection and promotion of human rights,’ said the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) ahead of Philippines presidential inauguration. ‘The incoming administration of President Ferdinand Marcos [ Read more ]