(Jakarta, 22 October 2020) ‒ We, 72 organisations across Asia, stand in solidarity with the peaceful democracy movement in Thailand as it continues to push for fundamental freedoms and democratic reforms, in the midst of government repression. The Government of Thailand should abide by its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [ Read more ]

  (Bangkok/Kathmandu, 22 October 2020) ‒ A recent report[1] published by the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal (NHRCN), where it has made public the details of human rights violations committed by 286 violators in the last two decades is a step towards ensuring accountability and combating impunity in cases of human rights abuses in [ Read more ]

  (Bangkok/Ulaanbaatar, 21 October 2020) – Mongolia’s increase of designated protected land that includes forest and water sources previously under threat is a welcome move to addressing environmental degradation, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and the Centre for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) said today. ‘The Government of Mongolia must now [ Read more ]

(Jakarta, 15 October 2020) ‒ The state of ‘severe’ emergency in Thailand declared in the wee hours of the morning is aimed at centralising the Thai government’s power and preventing the legitimate expression of dissent, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) said today. The rights group said the ‘severe’ emergency, which bans [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 13 October 2020) – The recent Thai Ministry of Justice’s decision to grant a human rights award to a company currently facing trial for human rights abuses casts serious concerns on the government’s commitment to upholding human rights especially in the context of business, said the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 13 October 2020) – Civic space in India is at risk of shrinking even further with the recent amendment to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) – a regressive step in the world’s largest democracy, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and eight of its member organisations in India said in a [ Read more ]

A PDF version of this joint statement is available in Bahasa Indonesia below. Pernyataan pers ini boleh didapati dalam versi Bahasa Indonesia, sila rujuk PDF di bawah. (Bangkok/Jakarta, 8 October 2020) ‒ The Government of Indonesia should ensure the protection of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression and halt law enforcement from using excessive force [ Read more ]

(Jakarta, 6 October 2020) – The Indonesian Government should immediately repeal the Omnibus Law on Job Creation (also known as UU Cipta Kerja) as it severely curtails the country’s human rights obligations, said rights groups. The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and its Indonesian members, Indonesia Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Commission for [ Read more ]

45th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 10: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia Oral Statement Delivered by Joy Anne Icayan On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Thursday, 1 October 2020 Madam President, The government of Cambodia continues [ Read more ]

Human Rights Council 45th Session Joint Oral Statement for the adoption of the UPR outcomes of Lao PDR Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Manushya Foundation and CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation Delivered by Lisa Majumdar 28 September 2020 Thank you, Mr. Vice President. We note that the government of Lao PDR [ Read more ]