(Bangkok, 5 June 2020) – The UN Human Rights Council should take a stronger stance by adopting a resolution mandating an international investigative mechanism into the human rights situation in the Philippines, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) said today. Following the release of a UNOHCHR’s report on the human rights situation [ Read more ]

Philippines: Proposed Anti-Terrorism Law will solidify abuse of State power (Bangkok, 2 June 2020) – The railroading of the Anti-Terrorism Bill in the Philippines will further erode human rights in the country, rights groups said today. The Asian Forum of Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and its member organisations Balaod Mindanaw, Dakila, Karapatan, LILAK (Purple [ Read more ]

To: THE HONORABLE MENARDO GUEVARRA, Secretary, Department of Justice Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila 1000 The Philippines 6 May 2020 Re: Decongest jails in the Philippines to contain the COVID-19 pandemic Dear Hon. Secretary Guevarra We, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), an Asia-based human rights network, and its member organisations in [ Read more ]

For this month’s e-newsletter, FORUM-ASIA talked with Judy A. Pasimio, a founder and Coordinator of Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Right (LILAK), FORUM-ASIA associate member in the Philippines. In this interview, Judy shared with us her human rights journey from her childhood, experiences of working with the indigenous women in the region, and the importance [ Read more ]

Reacting to threats of arrests by the Philippine State officials towards individuals joining the Anti-Terrorism Law protests tomorrow, Shamini Darshni Kaliemuthu, FORUM-ASIA’s Executive Director said: Threats of arrests by the police and the Interior Secretary only serve to illustrate the increasing authoritarianism by the Philippine Government. Its arrests and detention of peaceful protesters in recent [ Read more ]

States’ reaction to COVID-19 will shape the discourse on human rights for years to come (Bangkok, 8 May 2020) – As COVID-19 intensifies inequalities, the way Governments respond to the pandemic now will alter and shape the human rights discourse for the years to come, experts and civil society leaders said in a webinar today. [ Read more ]

On the issuance of a cease and desist order by the Philippines National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) against media network ABS-CBN on 5 May, FORUM-ASIA’s Executive Director Shamini Darshni Kaliemuthu said: The cease and desist order is another attack against press freedom in the Philippines, at a time when access to information is most vital. The Government of the Philippines [ Read more ]

In response to the warrantless arrest of writer and artist Maria Victoria ‘Bambi’ Beltran for her Facebook post concerning the rising COVID-19 cases in Cebu City, the Philippines, FORUM-ASIA Executive Director Shamini Darshni Kaliemuthu said: The Government of the Philippines should immediately release Dakila member Maria Victoria ‘Bambi’ Beltran, drop all charges against her and [ Read more ]

Statement of solidarity and condemnation of the violent dispersal of an indigenous community barricade of a suspended mine site in Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines In solidarity with the people of Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya in asserting their right to a balanced and healthful ecology, ATM, Kalikasan PNE, LRC-KsK/FoE Philippines, and MiningWatch Canada, as well as other national [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 16 March 2020) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) urges the Government of the Philippines to respect the fundamental rights of its people in the ‘community quarantine’ enforced in Metro Manila, and in other cities and provinces in the country. FORUM-ASIA expresses alarm at the disproportionate response to Coronavirus disease [ Read more ]