The extension of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) prolongs decades of state-sponsored oppression in the north-east of India. While a total repeal of the Act has been rejected by the central government, the international community is paying more attention to this isolated region as a result of strong civil society campaigns. Despite the [ Read more ]

The UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture extends solidarity to victims and revitalises the fight against torture. Many countries in Asia have still not ratified the Convention Against Torture and its Optional Protocol, a crucial instrument against this inhumane practice. 26 June 2007, the UN International Day in Support of Victims of [ Read more ]

Thailand’s new draft constitution is unacceptable to human rights groups in the country. While the draft considers Thailand’s international obligations as a means to protect human rights, it makes amendments that firmly contradict the aforementioned efforts. Despite the continued demonstrations against the Council for National Security (CNS) by the protestors in Thailand that highlight the [ Read more ]

In collaboration with other civil society organisations, INFORM and Law and Society Trust submitted a document outlining human rights issues of immediate concern to be considered in the meeting between the Sri Lankan President and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN ISUES On June 9, 2007, a broad group of [ Read more ]

Drafters of ASEAN’s Charter must include references to human rights and a human rights mechanism. For too long, ASEAN has wavered and evaded the issue of human rights, failing the people of South-East Asia who continue to suffer appalling and intolerable human rights violations and abuses on a daily basis. FORUM-ASIA and its forty national [ Read more ]

Human Rights NGOs demand a total end to preventive detention by army-led joint forces in Bangladesh. The government has asked officials to be cautious about civilian harassment during the anti-crime drive, but incidents of preventive detention continue to increase. JOINT PRESS STATEMENT FORUM-ASIA, Resource Integration Center (RIC), Madaripur Legal Aid Association (MLAA), Ain O Salish [ Read more ]

As the 10 year anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule approaches, civil society plans its annual pro-democracy march. Despite the promise of the “one country- two systems” policy, freedom of assembly and expression is continuously being denied in Hong Kong. According to the Civil Human Rights Front, the organiser of the annual Hong [ Read more ]

ILO’s Committee on Freedom of Association issued its latest report criticising Cambodia, the Philippines and South Korea, among many others around the world, for their poor performance in the area of labour rights. As developing countries increase investment and grow economically, they must uphold respect for human rights, including labour rights. ILO’s Committee on Freedom [ Read more ]

Part III: With the two-day ‘silence election campaign’ coming into effect, the Timorese are ready to cast their votes for a better future. The election will definitely be a ‘litmus test’ for political leaders to ensure peace and security for the impoverished country. FORUM-ASIA wishes Timor Leste good luck and a luta continua… Part III: [ Read more ]

The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) concluded its year long negotiations on institution-building issues with the adoption of a consensus document on key issues on 20 June 2007. Asian human rights defenders now need to take advantage of the opportunities offered by these reforms, and help to ensure that the HRC becomes more effective and [ Read more ]