The 6th Session of Human Rights Council has created a new Forum on Minority Issues. The Forum has the potential to promote minority rights, and sustain discussions on this important aspect of human rights. On 28 September 2007, the 6th Session of the Human Rights Council established a new Forum on Minority Issues. This Forum [ Read more ]

While UN Rights Council’s Special Session on Burma was a welcome development, the resolution fell short of expectations. Nonetheless, no effort should be spared in ensuring its full implementation. This week the United Nations Human Rights Council, or HRC, held a special session, the fifth since its establishment in March 2007, to consider the human [ Read more ]

On 3 Oct 2007, FORUM-ASIA addressed a letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar/Burma asking him to visit the country “with the urgency and diligence that the current situation demands.” The letter also points out that the resolution of the special session on the country lacks of provision [ Read more ]

At its special session on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, on 2 October 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution by consensus urging the Government of Burma/Myanmar to allow the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar to visit the country. FORUM-ASIA welcomes the consensual nature of the outcome, but regrets [ Read more ]

In an attempt to curb the flow of Hmong asylum seekers leaving Laos, the Thai government has announced plans to deport the almost 8000 Hmong-Lao living in Petchabun who have yet to be assessed by the UNHCR. This planned mass deportation violates international human rights standards and will not stop more Hmong-Lao from coming in [ Read more ]

Mahatma Gandhi showed the world the role that peaceful protest can play in bringing about change for the better. The people of Burma simply ask for the same opportunity; an opportunity that is currently denied them by a military with access to such vast resources, enabling it to suppress the demands of the people who [ Read more ]

Contrary to the Chinese government’s stance of non-interference, this open letter states that China is already interfering in Burma’s internal affairs through its economic relations with Burma’s generals. These economic relations have enabled the generals to build up an army capable of suppressing the will of the 53 million people of Burma. The letter therefore [ Read more ]

In a letter dated 2 October, 2007, FORUM-ASIA urged the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to make every effort to ensure that the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar is able to carry out an urgent visit. The establishment of the whereabouts of arrested demonstrators is a priority issue. FORUM-ASIA Open letter for UNHCHR Louise Arbour [ Read more ]

On 2 October 2007, in a letter FORUM-ASIA urged the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to ensure that the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar will carry out all his duty. His visit to the country is “a matter of urgency” and establishment of whereabouts of the arrested demonstrators is one of the [ Read more ]

In a letter dated 2 October, 2007, FORUM-ASIA urged the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to make every effort to ensure that the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar is able to carry out an urgent visit. The establishment of the whereabouts of arrested demonstrators is a priority issue. FORUM-ASIA Open letter for UNHCHR Louise Arbour [ Read more ]