FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (18 November 2011, Bangkok) The recent arrest of 13 Malaysians and foreigners under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) casts serious doubts on the credibility of the Malaysian government who promised last September to abolish the ISA and to respect human rights. The Malaysian government must immediately release or charge these detainees [ Read more ]

(16 September 2011, Bangkok) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) welcomes the announcement of the Malaysian Prime Minister to repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA) and three emergency declarations. We would like to congratulate people of Malaysia and civil society for achieving this important milestone in their continuing struggle for freedom and [ Read more ]

The Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) is deeply disappointed by the Australian government’s announcement that it intends to seek passage of legislation overturning the ruling by the High Court of Australia in the case of Plaintiff M70/2011 v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. The High Court held that it is unlawful under Australia’s existing [ Read more ]

Tuesday, 13 September 2011 – Thank you, Madam President. FORUM‐ASIA welcomes the holding of this important panel discussion which reaffirms the rights of individuals and peoples to publicly express their grievances and aspirations for change. It is our deep concern, however, that many States including those in Asia have often responded to such assemblies through [ Read more ]

Bangkok, 23 July 2011) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), a membership-based regional human rights organization, expresses its disappointment over the adjournment of a habeas corpus hearing of six leading members of the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)[1].

The Malaysian government should release immediately and unconditionally the six supporters of Bersih rally who are still being detained under the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance since July 2. Detention without trial under the Emergency Ordinance goes against every precept of human rights and justice and should be abolished as recommended by [ Read more ]

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development strongly condemns the brutal crackdown today on the peaceful rally of Bersih 2.0, a coalition of 62 civil society organizations that is campaigning for electoral reform in Malaysia. More than 1,500 have been arrested, including 16 minors. Among those detained are Maria Chin Abdullah, committee member of [ Read more ]

Three organisations write to the Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand to express solidarity and relay an appeal to the government to allow the Bersih 2.0 rally to proceed. 9 July 2011 H.E. Amb. Dato’ Nazirah Hussain Ambassador of Malaysia 33-35 South Sathorn Road, Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120. Tel: +66 2 679 2190 – 0  Fax: +66 [ Read more ]

On 4 July, FORUM-ASIA, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) sent a joint open letter to the Prime Minister of Malaysia regarding human rights violations against Bersih 2.0.   July 4, 2011 Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohammed Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak Office [ Read more ]

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), a membership-based regional human rights organization, writes to you regarding the on-going threats and intimidation by the Malaysian government against the electoral reform campaigners and supporters. On 28 June, the National Human rights commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) called “on the authorities to allow the planned peaceful [ Read more ]