(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 8 December, 2017): The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned over the disappearance of Muhammed Maroof Zaman, a former Bangladeshi diplomat, who has been missing since 4 December. According to information received by FORUM-ASIA from its members, Zaman was on his way to the Dhaka International Airport on the [ Read more ]

27th Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the human rights situation of the minority Rohingya Muslim population and other minorities in the Rakhine State of Myanmar Joint-Oral Statement Delivered by R. Iniyan Ilango on behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Conectas Direitos Humanos and International Movement Against All [ Read more ]

(17 November 2017, Bangkok) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM‐ASIA) deplores the dissolution of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) by the Supreme Court of Cambodia yesterday. The judiciary in Cambodia is closely controlled by the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and has been increasingly used to stifle the fundamental freedoms of the [ Read more ]

Joint statement by the International Dalit Solidarity Network, Pakistan Dalit Solidarity Network, International Movement Against All Forms of Racism and Discrimination (IMADR), Minority Rights Group International, Anti-Slavery International and FORUM-ASIA. 13 November 2017 As the UN review Pakistan’s human rights record on 13 November, we urge the Government to commit with time bound action plans [ Read more ]

Brussels, November 9th, 2017 – In the past year, the situation of democracy and human rights around the world continue to deteriorate at an alarming rate. Political and civil space is increasingly shrinking in numerous countries, and economic, social and cultural development often is uneven and does not include vulnerable groups. In a growing number [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 10 October, 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns arbitrary charges and ensuing judicial harassment of farmers’ rights and right-to-information activist Akhil Gogoi who is the President of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) – a peasant rights organisation based in Assam. On 12 September, 2017, Akhil addressed a [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Geneva, 28 September 2017) – Through a joint statement delivered by Iceland on Thursday, 39 States[1] said that the human rights situation in the Philippines continues to be of serious concern, particularly in light of the thousands of killings and impunity associated with the ‘war on drugs’. The States called on the Philippines “to cooperate [ Read more ]

36th 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 Ahmed Adam on behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Wednesday, 27 September 2017 Mr. President, FORUM-ASIA notes the report of the Special [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 27 September 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the killing of 28-year-old journalist Shantanu Bhowmik on 21 September 2017. At the time of his murder, he was working for Din Raat, a local television channel in Tripura. He was covering a protest and roadblock by the Indigenous [ Read more ]

36th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 8: General Debate on the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action Oral Statement Delivered by Rosanna Ocampo on behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Monday, 25 September 2017 Mr. President, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA) emphasises on regional [ Read more ]