FORUM-ASIA is concerned about the recent arrest of political dissidents for offences against former premier Lee Kuan Yew and court proceedings in Singapore; and has communicated with the Special Rapporteur on the protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression regarding this incident. The impact of the biased judgments and defamation suits has [ Read more ]

At the 8th United Nation Human Rights Council, FORUM-ASIA urged the international community to develop a comprehensive, thorough and specific plan to establish an effective international mechanism for the protection of human rights of IDPs, marked with accountability and responsibility, such as a new UN convention on the protection of IDPs. View the the webcast where our [ Read more ]

On behalf of several human rights NGOs in Asia, FORUM-ASIA urge Myanmar (Burma) State, Peace and Development Council  to release a public report on the conduct of the referendum in the context of international human rights standards.  View the webcast of our representative Ms. Yuyun Wahyuningrum present the statement on behalf of the NGOs at the 8th United [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA mourns the death of a prominent Women Human Rights defender, Zaitun ‘Toni’ Kasim, who passed away on 4 June 2008. She was a staunch supporter of justice and equality without any kind of distinction of gender, sexuality, religion, race or disabilities. Her work is great inspiration to all those who bear witness to her [ Read more ]

Twenty-five women participated in a regional training workshop on CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) for Indigenous and Ethnic Minority Women in Bangkok, from 26 -30 May 2008. The five-day workshop saw women share their experiences and challenges on how Indigenous women can tackle multiple discrimination,both as women and [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA congratulates Pakistani human rights lawyer, Muneer A. Malik for the award of the 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. Muneer received the honorable award at this year's Gwangju International Peace Forum on 18 May 2008 in Gwangju, South Korea. He was chosen for his work in promoting and protecting human rights, preservation of Pakistan's [ Read more ]

12, 000 people in various parts of Bangladesh have been arrested or detained in prison since 31 May under the Emergency Power Rules. These mass arrests clearly shows that the authorities are trying to prevent political protests and oppress the views of civil society. Political activists and human rights defenders are crying foul, saying that [ Read more ]

Human Rights activists are up in arms over the recent incident of police brutality on National University of Jakarta students. Police barged into the campus ground, chased and attacked students who were rallying against the government’s decision to raise the prices of fuel. The groups want action to be taken on the police force for [ Read more ]

(Bangkok) FORUM-ASIA member in Cambodia, LICADHO, has issued a statement to highlight the people’s grievances towards land issues, such as land grabbing and eviction by state officials. Recently, five groups, comprising about 200 people representing 1,000 families from five provinces, have come to the country’s capital, Phnom Penh, to seek justice, but were rejected by [ Read more ]

(Bangkok) In conjunction with International Week of the Disappeared, from 26 May to 1 June, FORUM-ASIA’s partner The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) joins all families of disappeared persons around the world to say ‘NO to Untold Sufferings’ because Enforced Disappearance is ‘Anti-Life’. In the same breath, AFAD, founded in 1998, seven members to-date, [ Read more ]