(Bangkok, 15 March 2018) – In the past one and a half years, blatant rejection and undermining of human rights have been the message conveyed by President Durterte’s administration. This anti-human rights rhetoric has resulted in the increase of threats and intimidation against human rights defenders, environmental activists, and political dissenters. His recent claim to [ Read more ]

37th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 4: General debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention Oral statement delivered by Ellecer Carlos on behalf of Amnesty International, ARTICLE 19, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), FIDH – International Federation for Human Rights, Franciscans International, International Service for [ Read more ]

Date: Wednesday, 14 March 2018 Time: 15.30 – 17.00 Venue: Room XXVII, Palais des Nations Moderator: Mr. Johannes Icking, Aktionsbündnis Menschenrechte – Philippinen (AMP) Speakers: Ms. Norma Dollaga, Rise Up for Life and for Rights Mr. Ellecer Carlos, In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND) & Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) Mr. Carlos [ Read more ]

In the period of 2015-2017 Asia has become a dangerous place to promote and protect human rights, as spaces for defenders and civil society organisations across the region are shrinking, violations and harassment are increasing, while perpetrators continue to enjoy impunity. In 2017 alone FORUM-ASIA documented 251 cases of abuses and violations against defenders in [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 9 February 2018) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) welcomes the move of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to proceed with the preliminary examination of complaints in relation to alleged crimes falling within its jurisdiction under the ‘war on drugs’ in the Philippines. It was confirmed by the Prosecutor of [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 16 January 2018) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly denounces the decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Philippines to revoke the Certificate of Incorporation of Rappler, an independent online newspaper on 11 January 2018. While Rappler is still free to continue operating, as the decision [ Read more ]

At the Franco-German Council of Ministers in April 2016, Germany and France announced the launch of an annual international Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law. In 2017 the prize is being awarded for the second time to committed human rights defenders from around the world who have done outstanding work in [ Read more ]

 ASEAN: Be For the People, Work With the People We are people’s organizations, social movements and NGOs of youth, children, women, workers, older people, indigenous groups, persons with disabilities, LGBTIQ and other sectors, including academics from the ten (10) ASEAN countries plus East Timor. We have been engaging the ASEAN and its member states for twelve (12) years now. In conjunction [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Geneva, 28 September 2017) – Through a joint statement delivered by Iceland on Thursday, 39 States[1] said that the human rights situation in the Philippines continues to be of serious concern, particularly in light of the thousands of killings and impunity associated with the ‘war on drugs’. The States called on the Philippines “to cooperate [ Read more ]

36th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 8: General Debate on the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action Oral Statement Delivered by Rosanna Ocampo on behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Monday, 25 September 2017 Mr. President, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA) emphasises on regional [ Read more ]