(Bangkok, 16 February 2016) – Authorities in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh should take immediate steps to stop the repeated incidents of intimidation and harassment of journalists who are working in very trying circumstances in a region torn by armed conflict, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) said today. Since July [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 18 November 2015) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of Mr. Ajimuddin Sarkar. Mr. Sarkar is a human rights defender (HRD) based in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, India. FORUM-ASIA notes with concern that he has repeatedly faced arbitrary detention, police harassment and torture due [ Read more ]

(Kathmandu, 7 November 2015) – We, the undersigned human rights organisations from South Asia who gathered in Kathmandu on 5th of November 2015 to participate in the South Asian Members’ Meeting of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), welcome the new Constitution adopted by Nepal’s Constituent Assembly on 20th of September 2015. [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 5 November 2015) – Authorities in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu must immediately release Dalit folk singer and activist S. Sivadas, also known by his stage name Kovan, who was arrested under India’s archaic and excessive sedition law for singing songs satirizing the chief minister and state government of Tamil Nadu. Kovan was [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 1 November 2015) – Today marks the completion of 15 years of the selfless and unparalleled protest of Irom Sharmila, 42 year old poet and human rights defender from Manipur, India. She has been on hunger strike since 2 November 2000, demanding the repeal of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) which [ Read more ]

On Irom Sharmila’s 15th year of unparalleled protest, FORUM-ASIA will be attending and supporting a series of solidarity events and advocacy activities from 1 to 6 November 2015. Irom Sharmila, a 43 year old poet and human rights defender from Manipur, India, has been on hunger strike since 2 November 2000, protesting the killing of [ Read more ]

(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 ]

Blogging in South Asia can be a dangerous enterprise. In the last year, 4 bloggers have been killed in Bangladesh, while a number of others have been targeted across the region in various ways simply for expressing their views online. Both state and non-state actors share responsibility for this climate of fear and intimidation. A [ Read more ]

The Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition calls on the Indian authorities to end the judicial harassment of Indian woman human rights defender, Teesta Setalvad. Teesta Setalvad is a journalist and founder of Sabrang Trust and Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP). Sabrang Trust works to promote conflict resolution and support peace building. CJP provides [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 24 July 2015) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly urges the Government of India and the Indian judiciary to drop all charges against the social activist Teesta Setalvad and to provide her the full protection she has a right to under national and international law. Teesta, who is accused [ Read more ]