FORUM-ASIA’s member from Bangladesh, Odhikar, together with FIDH and Asian Human Rights Commission published a joint report entitled “Slap on the Wrist: Impunity for Human Rights Violations against Santal Community Members in Bangladesh”, based on a fact-finding mission conducted by Odhikar from 19-22 November 2016. The report focuses on a series of attacks against members of [ Read more ]

(Bangkok 20 July 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) expresses deep concern about the restriction of the freedom of movement of Adilur Rahman Khan by the Malaysian authorities today. FORUM-ASIA calls upon the Government of Malaysia, and all Governments in the Asian region to ensure the right to movement, assembly [ Read more ]

[UPDATE] Several colleagues in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who have been struggling since early morning to have Adilur Rahman Khan be released, have been told that he will be deported back to Dhaka this evening. — Today, at around 4:00 am local time, Adilur Rahman Khan, Secretary of Odhikar and Vice Chair of FORUM-ASIA was detained [ Read more ]

35th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 4: General Debate on the human rights situations that require the Council’s attention Oral Statement Delivered by R. Iniyan Ilango on behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Friday, 16 June 2017 Mr President, FORUM-ASIA draws the Council’s attention to declining human [ Read more ]

Date: Wednesday, 14 June 2017 Time: 11:00-12:00 Venue: Room XXVII, Palais des Nations, Geneva Freedom of expression continues to be under threat in South Asia. Restrictive legislation, criminal defamation, abduction, digital surveillance, killings and threats from rising extremism are some of the trends that plagued have freedom of expression in South Asia. The side event will [ Read more ]

We, several international and regional civil society organisations express deep concern over violent threats received by Sultana Kamal, a prominent lawyer and women human rights defender in Bangladesh. Sultana received these threats from the radical Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam (Hefazat), a coalition of teachers and students of quami Madrasas[1], after expressing her opinion on a news [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA member from Bangladesh, Odhikar, published its monthly human rights monitor report. The May 2017 report focused on the following: Extrajudicial killings Death in jail Torture and inhuman treatment Enforced disappearances Public lynching Political violence Police raid BNP Chairperson’s party office Hindrance to freedom of assembly Hindrance to freedom of expression and the media Situation [ Read more ]

A Joint Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances, and Odhikar, on the International Week of the Disappeared. Hong Kong/Dhaka/Manila; 25 May 2017: Enforced disappearance is universally recognized as a ‘crime against humanity’ under International Law. This crime is widespread across the world. Every year, on the last week of [ Read more ]

Bangkok/Kathmandu/Hong Kong/Dhaka: The World Press Freedom Day, on 3 May, is celebrated as an occasion to revisit the essence of fundamental principles of the freedom of press. The state of press freedom is analysed throughout the world. The day is marked by highlighting sacrifices of journalists – in various forms – for their professional dedication, [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA member from Bangladesh, Odhikar, published its monthly human rights monitor report. The April 2017 report focused on the following: extrajudicial killings; torture and inhuman treatment; enforced disappearances; public lynching; political violence; Collecting information of leaders of the opposition parties by Special Branch of Police Electoral system and local government Hindrance to freedom of assembly [ Read more ]