Human Rights Council Thirty-fourth session Agenda item 3 Submitted on 21 February 2017 Although freedoms of expression, association and assembly are guaranteed in the Constitution of India, human rights defenders (HRDs) have faced incidents of killings, disappearances, harassments, arrests, and threats for exercising these freedoms. The government’s efforts to end this has been inadequate. A [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 22 February 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) expresses serious concern over the passage of amendments to the Law on Political Parties by the National Assembly on Monday. The amendments, if approved by the Senate, would allow the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Interior to dissolve any political [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 2 February 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) condemns the assassination of U Ko Ni, a prominent Muslim lawyer and legal advisor to the National League for Democracy (NLD), on 29 January 2017. We extend our condolences to the family of U Ko Ni and the people of Burma/Myanmar [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 18 January 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned over the continuous judicial harassment faced by its member Odhikar and its staff members, particularly Secretary Mr. Adilur Rahman Khan, who is also the Vice-Chairman of FORUM-ASIA, and Director Mr. A.S.M Nasiruddin Elan, were charged under Section 57 [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 12 January 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned over the sudden disappearances of human rights activists in Pakistan. Pakistan is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists and human rights activists.1 In the past two weeks, at least five activists who are known for expressing [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 11 January 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the systematic crackdown on civil society organisations by abusing provisions of the Foreign Contributions Regulations Act (FCRA, 2010) by the Ministry of Home Affairs of India (MHA), and calls for the immediate withdrawal of all the cancellation orders. A [ Read more ]

The new year begins with new challenges and new hopes for the human rights community in Asia. With the rise of authoritarian tendencies and neo-conservative forces in many countries, these are indeed challenging times for human rights, democracy and development. In many countries, human rights defenders and human rights practitioners are facing multiple challenges from [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 13 December 2016) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the permanent cancellation of the license of the Lawyers’ Collective by means of the Foreign Contributions Regulations Act (FCRA, 2010) by the Ministry of Home Affairs of India, and calls for the immediate withdrawal of the cancellation order. The [ Read more ]

Today the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) joins the international community in celebrating the 68th International Human Rights Day. On this important day, FORUM-ASIA reaffirms its commitment to stand up for solidarity and human rights for all, and expresses its gratitude and support to all activists and groups advocating for human rights [ Read more ]

Brussels, November 29, 2016 – “Human rights defenders worldwide are regularly subjected to harassment and trumped-up criminal charges aiming at paralysing, intimidating and delegitimising their human rights activities. They face difficulties carrying out their work in increasingly restrictive legislative and administrative environments denying the right to freedoms of association, expression and peaceful assembly. Licences of [ Read more ]