Part II: Focuses on Political Parties background and status, including information about individual parties and figures behind the party. Part II: Emerging from the ashes of dictatorship, the Timorese people won the independence of the country formerly known as East Timor or the 27th province among Indonesian military ranks and files. Timor Leste is treading [ Read more ]

Vietnam’s President arrived in New York City on 19 June 2007 for a six-day visit to facilitate enhanced trade between the two countries. Back home, the Vietnam government continues with its policy of releasing individual political prisoners in an attempt to feign progress on human rights. On 10 June 2007, President Nguyen Minh Triet granted [ Read more ]

The celebration of the 62nd birthday of the Burmese pro-democracy leader raises the question of whether or not the situation in Burma has improved over the 20-year struggle for democracy by the Burmese and international human rights defenders. The 19 June 2007 once again brings the celebration of Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday. On this [ Read more ]

One month after assuming the Palace of the Ashes, Jose Ramos-Horta, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate says he is ready to tackle pending issues surrounding the country's judicial and security sectors. Whether he fulfills his promises to the people or fails them remains to be seen. (Bangkok) FORUM-ASIA, writes  to Jose Ramos-Horta, the new president of Timor Leste, [ Read more ]

One month after assuming the Palace of the Ashes, Jose Ramos-Horta, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate says he is ready to tackle pending issues surrounding the country's judicial and security sectors. Whether he fulfills his promises to the people or fails them remains to be seen. (Bangkok) FORUM-ASIA, writes to Jose Ramos-Horta, the new president [ Read more ]

As the world marks the UN's 6th annual World Day for Refugees, we are solemnly reminded of 8.4 million persons of concern originating from Asia living without dignity, in miserable and impoverished refugee camps, dependent on handouts and unable to work. Wednesday, 20 June 2007 As the world marks the UN’s 6th annual World Day [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA submitted an open letter to the Government of Nepal demanding immediate steps to provide security to the Bhutanese Refugees and find a durable solution for the escalating Bhutanese refugee crisis. To: Rt. Honorable Girija Prasad Koirala Prime Minister of Nepal Office of The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Singh Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: [ Read more ]

Prior to the 2008 Olympics, many Chinese are becoming aware that forced displacement is a consequence not solely of natural disasters and wars. Increasing numbers of Chinese civilians are losing their homes to development projects and the Chinese government’s objective to “control” certain ethnic minorities in preparation for the 2008 Olympics. Prior to the 2008 [ Read more ]

A recent Washington Post advertisement posted by 63 high ranking Japanese politicians denying the forced prostitution of 200,000 women during WWII remind the international community that the issue of comfort women remain as one of the oldest impunity issues in Asia. On June 14th, 63 high ranking Japanese politicians placed a full page advertisement in [ Read more ]

On May 28, 2007 a coalition named National Front for Democracy (UFD) in Bhutan, launched a peaceful mass movement with the support of the eight political parties in Nepal, member of civil society and media people demanding equal rights in the process of democratization in Bhutan. Nearly 15,000 refugees gathered at Kakarvitta marched towards Mechi [ Read more ]