(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 12 October 2023) –  The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the reprehensible attack on the home of Babloo Loitongbam, a prominent human rights defender and lawyer from Manipur, India. On 5 October 2023, Babloo’s residence was attacked by members affiliated with the militant groups Meitei Leepun and Arambai Tenggol. [ Read more ]

  54th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 2: General Debate on the oral update by the High Commissioner Oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) 13 September 2023   Mr. President, We welcome the High Commissioner’s update. We share the High [ Read more ]

21 August 2023 ATTN: Representative of G20 member countries, guest countries and invited international organizations Joint Open Letter: Call for an end to human rights violations in Kashmir and release of jailed human rights defenders and political prisoners We, the undersigned organizations, would like to bring to your attention serious concerns regarding human rights violations [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 25 August 2023) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) expresses deep concern over the recent introduction of three draft legislations that are set to replace major criminal laws in India. On 11 August 2023, the Union Home Minister of India introduced three bills in the Parliament, namely Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita; [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 22 August 2023) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) condemns the Indian Government’s recent arbitrary blocking of the independent news outlet, The Kashmir Walla (TKW). On 19 August 2023, TKW’s website became inaccessible in India as it was blocked by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the Information [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 5 August 2023) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) expresses its serious concerns over India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Bill (DPDPB) 2023, citing lapses in parliamentary procedures and the lack of public consultation, alongside potential threats to freedom of expression and press freedom. The absence of transparent public consultations and [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 5 August 2023) – The Asian Forum for Development and Human Rights (FORUM-ASIA) expresses its deep concern over the Indian State’s intensified repression against human rights defenders and journalists as well as its continued human rights violations in Indian-Administered Kashmir. 5 August 2023 marks the fourth year since the abrogation of Article 370, a [ Read more ]

Today, 26th June 2023, we are commemorating the 25th International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. On this occasion we want to draw the attention of the global citizens to the exceptionally grim picture of torture in India and call for effective programs to counter the situation. As early as 1981, the Supreme Court [ Read more ]

 (Bangkok/Kathmandu – 19 May 2023) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) expresses serious concerns regarding the eruption of violence in the State of Manipur in India, reports of excessive use of force by paramilitary troops, imposition of a curfew and an arbitrary internet shutdown. Simmering ethnic tensions between groups in Manipur – [ Read more ]

Sixteen human rights organisations today called on the Indian authorities to immediately stop the reprisals against human rights defenders and organizations in Jammu and Kashmir, especially Khurram Parvez, Irfan Mehraj, and the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS). Khurram Parvez[1] has been arbitrarily detained since 22 November 2021 as a reprisal for his [ Read more ]