(Bangkok, 20 October 2015) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned about the unofficial blockade imposed by India on Nepal. The blockade follows the promulgation of a new constitution on 20 September 2015 despite India’s reservation on some issues internal to Nepal. “Constitution making is purely an internal affair [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 10 October 2015) – Today marks the 13th World Day against the Death Penalty. Only a few weeks ago the international community celebrated the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly (UN GA) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On 27 September 2015, leaders of 193 countries formally agreed to put all efforts together [ Read more ]

30th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 2: Annual Report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Reports of the OHCHR and the Secretary‐General (OHCHR Report on Sri Lanka) ‐ General Debate Oral Statement Delivered by R. Iniyan Ilango On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development [ Read more ]

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the failed coup in Indonesia that sparked the mass-killings of 1965-1966. Over the course of a few months an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people lost their lives. In the following years millions more disappeared, were killed, arrested and imprisoned, while gross violations of human rights were rampant. The [ Read more ]

30th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 10: Interactive Dialogue with the 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) Tuesday, 29 September 2015 Mr. President, FORUM-ASIA, along [ Read more ]

Statement issued by the 8th Regional Consultation on ASEAN and Human Rights: Migration and Human Rights in ASEAN Kuala Lumpur, 17 & 18 August 2015 In Malaysia’s term as the chair of ASEAN, civil society organizations in the ASEAN region met for the 8th Regional Consultation on ASEAN and Human Rights, in Kuala Lumpur on [ Read more ]

30th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 6: Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Plenary on the Maldives Oral Statement Delivered by R. Iniyan Ilango On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Thursday, 24 September 2015 Mr. President. FORUM-ASIA makes this statement together with our member Maldivian Democracy Network [ Read more ]

30th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 6: Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Plenary on Mongolia Oral Statement Delivered by Khishigsaikhan Batchuluun On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Thursday, 24 September 2015 Mr. President. FORUM-ASIA makes this statement in association with 32 human rights NGOs from Mongolia.[1] [ Read more ]

30th 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 R. Iniyan Ilango On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Tuesday, 22 September 2015 Mr. Vice President. FORUM-ASIA draws the Council’s attention to the [ Read more ]

Today, 21 September, is the UN International Day of Peace. This day was established by the United Nations (UN) not just to celebrate and commemorate the significance of peace, but also to promote temporary ceasefires to allow for humanitarian aid to reach communities isolated by violence. The latter is a stark reminder of the correlation [ Read more ]