In this month’s e-newsletter, FORUM-ASIA talked with Ritz Lee B. Santos III, Executive Director of BALAOD Mindanaw, FORUM-ASIA’s member in the Philippines. In the interview, Ritz shared with us how ordinary people doing extraordinary work keeps him going, a defining moment that completely changed his thoughts on solidarity and how upholding human rights is a duty. How did you [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 18 March 2021) ‒ The Philippine Government must face international accountability for its widespread killing of activists and human rights defenders, and the grave human rights violations it has committed, seven human rights groups said in a statement today. On 7 March 2021, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the military killed nine [ Read more ]

On SOJ’s statement at HRC46 Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra in his speech before the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council missed a very important point regarding “working domestic accountability mechanisms” in the Philippines — that the killings continue. What’s worse is that the domestic mechanisms have allowed such to continue with impunity, with [ Read more ]

Persisting Greed Amidst Tragedy: OceanaGold Philippines Inc by Shar Balagtas   Earlier one of our Tuwali women leaders called us – her voice shaking as she said, “Nakapasok na naman sila”. “Lima po sila.” On November 26, 2020, five oil tankers forced their way inside Barangay Didipio, a mining-affected community in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. The [ Read more ]

45th session of the Human Rights Council Item 10: General Debate Oral statement delivered by Stella Anastasia, Human Rights Advisor and Network Coordinator at World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) on behalf of 14 organisations, including FORUM-ASIA 5th October 2020 Thank you, Madam President. On behalf of 14 organisations, including colleagues in the Philippines, we are [ Read more ]

45th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 5: Interactive Dialogue with the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights on the report of the Secretary-General on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights Oral Statement Delivered by Benny Agus Prima On behalf of the Asian Forum [ Read more ]

Arrest of alleged child traffickers Human trafficking and online sexual exploitation have greatly advanced in making human beings as a commodity especially in this rapidly globalized world. This monstrosity is an organized crime of the perpetrators and its customers. They must pay the price from gaining profit of the victims. KASO commends the arrest of two alleged human traffickers — [ Read more ]

Online Policy Dialogue and Book Launch Stay-behind Children in Myanmar, Indonesia and the Philippines: Implementing ASEAN Declaration on the Protection of Children in the Context of Migration Tuesday, 29 September 2020 2-5 PM (GMT+7) R.S.V.P.  Click here to register by 12 PM 29 September 2020 Migration trends have been on the rise, particularly in Southeast [ Read more ]

Human Rights Crisis in the Philippines: The HRC and its responsibility to ensure accountability Since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in June 2016, the human rights situation in the Philippines has undergone a dramatic decline. In July 2019, Human Rights Council resolution 41/2 mandated the High Commissioner to prepare a comprehensive written report on the [ Read more ]

The Nightcrawlers is an unflinching exposé of Philippines President Duterte’s war on drugs, in which some claim over 20,000 people have been killed. Join ‘War on Drugs’ in the Philippines: Eyewitnesses, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭crawlers… Accountability?, a live online debate on the documentary, extrajudicial killings in the Philippines and the ‘war on drugs’. Date: 23 September 2020 Time: [ Read more ]