(Bangkok, 23 August 2019) – We, the undersigned civil society organisations, express grave concerns on the recent escalating violence and human rights violations against people of Papua conducted by Indonesian security forces and fundamentalist groups. We call on the Government of Indonesia to side with the victims and fully protect the human rights of people [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 16 August 2019) – We, the undersigned civil society organisations, express our deep concerns on the escalating violence in Hong Kong, and urge the authorities to ensure conditions for peaceful assembly and association are present, and the protestors to exercise their rights to protest peacefully. We call on the Hong Kong Government to take [ Read more ]

Global, 14 August 2019: – Following serious concerns expressed by the UN Committee against Torture (CAT) about torture in Bangladesh, seven human rights organizations call on the Bangladeshi government to recognize the magnitude of the problem and address and implement the nearly 90 recommendations made by the UN body. On 9 August 2019, the CAT, [ Read more ]

India: Government must immediately lift communication restrictions and protect human rights in Jammu and Kashmir (Kathmandu/ Bangkok, 13 August 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned over the severe and prolonged communication restrictions in Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir since 5 August 2019. The blackout on the Internet [ Read more ]

5 August 2019, Bangkok – Manushya Foundation, CIVICUS and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) call on the Government of Lao PDR to remove all unwarranted restrictions on civic space in the country ahead of its human rights review to be held at the United Nations (UN) in January-February 2020. The review [ Read more ]

(Kathmandu/Bangkok, 6 August 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and its members are deeply concerned over the developments in India administered Jammu and Kashmir, where, over the last few days, fundamental human rights have been severely curtailed. We also condemn the outright revocation of Article 370 and its allied Bills, [ Read more ]

Philippines: Take Concrete Steps to Protect Land and Environmental Defenders (Bangkok, 31 July 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) expresses its utmost concern regarding recent findings by Global Witness, an international human rights organisation, proclaiming the Philippines as the deadliest country for land and environmental defenders. The Government of the Philippines [ Read more ]

(Kathmandu/ Bangkok, 31 July 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is concerned over the mass escalation of Bangladeshis seeking political asylum overseas in the last few years. Asylum seekers often quote the repressive political environment and violations of basic civil and political rights in the country as reasons that have [ Read more ]

HRC41: End of session statement By renewing the mandate of the Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), the Council has sent a clear message that violence and discrimination against people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities cannot be tolerated. It reaffirmed that specific, sustained and systematic attention is needed to address [ Read more ]

 41st Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s update on the situation of human rights of Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar Oral Statement Delivered by Rosanna Ocampo On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Wednesday, 10 July 2019 Mr. President, [ Read more ]