FORUM-ASIA member from Bangladesh, Odhikar, in collaboration with the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and Bangladesh Alliance against Torture, organised a two-day National Consultation on the Implementation of the UN Convention Against Torture on January 25 and 26, 2017 at the CCDB-HOPE Foundation in Savar, Dhaka, to mobilise civil society and create a platform for [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA member from Bangladesh, Odhikar, published its monthly human rights monitor report. The March 2017 report focuses on the following: extrajudicial killings; torture and inhuman treatment; enforced disappearances; public lynching; political violence; local government elections held with irregularities; hindrance to freedom of assembly; hindrance to freedom of expression and the media; situation of workers’ rights; [ Read more ]

34th 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 John Samuel On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Wednesday, 15 March 2017 Mr President, FORUM-ASIA draws the Council’s attention to several deteriorating human rights [ Read more ]

Date: Tuesday 7 March 2017 Time: 12:00 – 13:00 Venue: Room XXVII, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) along with Front Line Defenders, Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and the Centre for Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) have organised a side-event on which will focus on human rights [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 8 February 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the killing of Mr. Abdul Hakim Shimul, a prominent journalist of the Bangladeshi daily newspaper, Samakal, and human rights defender. Mr. Shimul was hit by a bullet allegedly fired by Shahzadpur Municipality Mayor Halimul Haque Miru, while he was [ 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 ]

Odhikar has been diligently working to protect and promote the civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights of the people since its inception in 1994. Odhikar consistently monitors the human rights situation of Bangladesh and releases a status report every month, based on Odhikar’s own fact finding, information collection and reports sent by associated local [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 27 October 2016) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) expresses its concern over the enactment of another restrictive law in Bangladesh, the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Bill (FDRB) (2016) that aims to impose restrictions on the activities and the ability of foreign funded non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to access resources. [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 10 September 2016) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the recent series of detentions under Section 57 of the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Act that criminalises online dissent and criticism of public affairs in Bangladesh. FORUM-ASIA urges the Government of Bangladesh to repeal this Act and release [ Read more ]

Bangkok/Kathmandu, 26 August 2016: The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned over the approval by the Cabinet of Bangladesh of the proposed legislation, ‘Digital Security Act’ with provisions that restrict online freedom of expression. The proposed legislation[1] was adopted by the Cabinet on 22 August 2016. The proposed legislation provides [ Read more ]