The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, a FORUM-ASIA member, has branded the Philippines Government’s commitment to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OCPAT) a sham and a public relations stunt after the Department of Foreign Affairs allegedly asked the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to freeze its ratification. Press release Malacanang announcement of [ Read more ]

In a report released on 12 May entitled “16 Months of Emergency” documenting the human rights situation in Bangladesh under Emergency Power Rules in force since January 2007, Odhikar, a FORUM-ASIA member, has expressed concern about the lack of participatory democratic processes and the ongoing extrajudicial killings that have been taking place. In a report [ Read more ]

Human rights NGOs have criticised the South Korean Government for neglecting to address the aim of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) to review the overall fulfillment of their human rights obligations and commitments. They have urged the government to acknowledge the seriousness of a range of key human rights issues and to provide concrete policy [ Read more ]

Human rights NGOs have criticised the South Korean Government for neglecting to address the aim of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) to review the overall fulfillment of their human rights obligations and commitments. They have urged the government to acknowledge the seriousness of a range of key human rights issues and to provide concrete policy [ Read more ]

NGOs, civil society organisations and human rights defenders have called on the Government of Pakistan to stop denying human rights abuses and to repeal all forms of discriminatory clauses from the Constitution and its laws to ensure the country is fully complying with international human rights treaties. Press release Pakistani Civil Society Organizations Observing the [ Read more ]

NGOs, civil society organisations and human rights defenders have called on the Government of Pakistan to stop denying human rights abuses and to repeal all forms of discriminatory clauses from the Constitution and its laws to ensure the country is fully complying with international human rights treaties. Press release Pakistani Civil Society Organizations Observing the [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA and member organisation People’s Watch are urging the government of Tamil Nadu in India to conduct a proper investigation into the hundreds of human rights violations committed by the Joint Special Task Force which was set up to capture forest bandit Veerappan. The abuses were documented in a report submitted to the State Assembly [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA and member organisation the Philippines Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) have expressed deep disappointment over the selection process of the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson, which has become highly politicised and lacks transparency, and which the Philippines government has used to salvage its poor reputation and track record.   Joint press statement Human [ Read more ]

There is a fear that Indonesia’s multi-ethnic social fabric is being threatened by intolerance and violations towards the religious freedoms of minority groups. The National Alliance for Freedom of Religion and Belief (AKKBB), which includes FORUM-ASIA member Yayasan Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Indonesia (YLBHI), have called upon the government to re-examine and cancel the publication of [ Read more ]

The Abolish ISA Movement (GMI), a coalition of 83 non-governmental organisations, trade unions and political parties, including FORUM-ASIA member Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), has called on the Malaysian government to hold an open fair and trial for a man detained for almost two years under the Internal Security Act over his alleged involvement in an [ Read more ]