On 11 July 2006, the long awaited Law on the Governance of Aceh (LoGA) was finally approved by the parliament of the Republic of Indonesia. The final law retained much of the original proposed text but falls short in expressing the aspiration of the Acehnese people on making provisions on justice and human rights for [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 19 July 2006) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), a membership-based regional human rights organisation, writes to seek your urgent intervention to immediately release human rights defender, Mr Park Raegoon. Park was arrested during a peaceful march against expansion of the US military base to Daechu-ri, Pyungtaek in Kyungki-do, Republic of [ Read more ]

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) has released an analysis paper entitled, "Consolidating Power in Cambodia: Corruption and Abuse Abounds", and the feature article, "Khmer Rouge Tribunal, After Over a Quarter Century" (to be published in its quarterly publication, Asian Human Rights Defender). The Bangkok-based NGO highlights the increasing risk to human [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA strongly condemns Tuesday's (11 July) bomb attacks in Mumbai which killed up to 190 persons and injured hundreds of others. We also express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. In a country as diverse and large as India, where many armed conflicts are simultaneously taking place, the identity of the group [ Read more ]

On Wednesday, 12 July 2006, the President of the United Nations General Assembly will host Informal Interactive Hearings with representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations and the private sector. These interactive hearings will take place at the UN headquarters in New York. The Interactive Hearings will be on issues related to international migration [ Read more ]

On Wednesday, 12 July 2006, the President of the United Nations General Assembly will host Informal Interactive Hearings with representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations and the private sector. These interactive hearings will take place at the UN headquarters in New York. The Interactive Hearings will be on issues related to international migration [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA, Asian Legal Resource Centre, International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development, and Ain o Salish Kendra welcome the birth of the new Human Rights Council, which is intended to be “results-oriented” and stronger in the implementation of universal human rights standards. They suggest three core elements that must underline whatever shape of the Universal Periodic [ Read more ]

Today is the day the world must reaffirm its commitment to the elimination of torture. The invariable demands of human dignity must not be ignored and must be protected regardless of gender, race, and nationality. On this day, the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, FORUM-ASIA attests once again that freedom [ Read more ]

Today, 20 June, is World Refugee Day. This day is a chance for people around the world to remember the plight of refugees and other displaced persons, and to join together in solidarity to promote, protect and respect the human rights of these people. It should also be a day when States are reminded of [ Read more ]

Today, a historic moment will take place as the newly created United Nations Human Rights Council convenes its first-ever session in Geneva, Switzerland, from 19- 30 June. On this occasion, the Cambodian Human Rights and Development (ADHOC), the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO), and the Asian Forum for Human [ Read more ]