Press Statement 16 October 2016, New Delhi A group of Human Rights organizations and activists from South Asia, expressing disappointment at the decision of the Maldives to leave the Commonwealth, says this could lead to greater authoritarianism in the island nation. We, the undersigned, regard the decision of the Maldives government to leave the Commonwealth [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 3 October 2016) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned over the continuous and prolonged shut-down of mobile network and Internet services in Jammu and Kashmir. Since the death of Burhan Wani, a Hizbul Mujahedeen leader in July, violent unrest has flared up across the valley. To quell [ Read more ]

Time for a Paris-Principles Compliant National Human Rights Commission in Myanmar (30 September 2016, Bangkok) – The Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI), together with its member, Burma Partnership (BP) deplores recent actions taken by the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) in urging the victims in a high-profile child torture case [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 29 September 2016) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) condemns the sentence passed on Ny Chakrya, the Deputy Secretary General of the National Election Committee (NEC) and former Head of Human Rights and Legal Aid Section of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), by the Phnom Penh Municipal [ Read more ]

33rd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 10: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Ms. Rhona Smith Oral Statement Delivered by R. Iniyan Ilango On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Wednesday, 28 September 2016 Mr. President, We make this [ Read more ]

33rd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 8: Follow up to and implementation of Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action – General Debate Oral Statement Delivered by Ahmed Adam On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Monday, 26 September 2016   Mr. President, we note the two [ Read more ]

33rd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 6: Universal Periodic Review Plenary on Thailand Oral Statement Delivered by Chalida Tajaroensuk On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Friday, 23 September 2016 Mr. President. FORUM-ASIA makes this statement in solidarity with People’s Empowerment Foundation (PEF), Community Resources Centre [ Read more ]

33rd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 5: General Debate Oral Statement Delivered by Rosanna Ocampo On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Friday, 23 September 2016 Mr. President, FORUM-ASIA welcomes the Secretary-General’s report on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field [ Read more ]

33rd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention – General Debate Oral Statement Delivered by Ahmed Adam On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Monday, 19 September 2016 Mr President, we draw the Council’s attention to deteriorating human rights [ Read more ]

33rd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 3: Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances and the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery Oral Statement Delivered by Arulvathana Stephen Sunthararaj (Wife of disappeared Sri Lankan human rights defender Stephen Sunthararaj) On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human [ Read more ]