(Bangkok, 22 December 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) gravely condemns Indian Immigration authorities’ decision to refuse entry to Mukunda Raj Kattel, Director of FORUM-ASIA in the country. He was denied entry by the Immigration Department at Tiruchirappalli International Airport, Tamil Nadu, India. On 19 December 2017, Mukunda arrived at [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA member from India, Banglar Manabadhikar Surakksha Mancha (MASUM) published its monthly human rights report for November 2017. In November 2017, MASUM filed 13 complaints before the National Human Rights Commission. During the month, eight replies and one update was made to National Human Rights Commission. Out of 13 regular fact findings and subsequent complaints; [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 10 October, 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns arbitrary charges and ensuing judicial harassment of farmers’ rights and right-to-information activist Akhil Gogoi who is the President of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) – a peasant rights organisation based in Assam. On 12 September, 2017, Akhil addressed a [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 27 September 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the killing of 28-year-old journalist Shantanu Bhowmik on 21 September 2017. At the time of his murder, he was working for Din Raat, a local television channel in Tripura. He was covering a protest and roadblock by the Indigenous [ Read more ]

36th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 6: Adoption of the UPR Outcomes – India Oral Statement Delivered by Henri Tiphagne on behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Thursday, 21 September 2017 FORUM-ASIA and the Working Group on Human Rights in India and the UN (WGHR), welcome the [ Read more ]

36th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 2 General Debate: Oral Update by the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Oral Statement Delivered by R. Iniyan Ilango on behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Tuesday, 12 September 2017 Mr. President, FORUM-ASIA welcomes the Oral Update by the UN [ Read more ]

(Kathmandu/Bangkok: 6 September, 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) condemns the assassination of Gauri Lankesh, a senior journalist, writer and human rights defender, in Bangalore on 5 September 2017. Lankesh, aged 55, was the editor of the weekly Kannada tabloid ‘Gauri Lankesh Patrike’. She was known for her stance against [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 24 August 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the position taken by the Government of India to deport 40,000 Rohingyas back to Burma/Myanmar. In the face of allegations of gross human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims in Burma/Myanmar, this decision is not only a serious violation of [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 11 August 2017) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-Asia) strongly condemns the detention and police harassment of Valarmathi, a journalism and mass-communication student of the Periyar University, and Jayanthi, the mother of Valarmathi’s friend, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release. The two women were arrested in Salem, district of [ Read more ]

(Kathmandu/Bangkok, 10 August 2017) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the arrest of Indian woman human rights defender Medha Patkar, who has been sent to jail yesterday evening after being discharged from the Bombay Hospital, and the current illegal detention of nine other activists at the Dhar District Hospital. [ Read more ]