Statement

While a high-level delegation from the Nepalese Government has been busy defending Nepal’s record on torture before the United Nation’s Committee Against Torture during its 35th session, developments concerning a case illustrate the brutal nature of torture and the widespread impunity in the country that the delegation in Geneva have been at pains to deny. […]

The issue of attempted arson to one of the buildings of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) of Sri Lanka came to be discussed at the 35th Session of the UN Committee against Torture (the Committee) during 10 and 11 of November 2005, in Geneva, Switzerland.  The Sri Lankan Government Delegation (the Delegation) stated to the […]

An estimated 25,000 people are being evicted from their homes in Gobindpur Railway Colony, West Bengal, India beginning today, November 10. The eviction follows a court order passed on 9 September 2005 by the Calcutta High Court, in response to a petition filed by the Ganatantrik Nagrik Committee, a local organization ostensibly working for the […]

A code of conduct for non-governmental organizations is currently being discussed in Nepal. Such a code, if put in place, will serve to drastically curtail the freedom of civil groups to engage in independent activities. It will add further to the repressive practices already imposed in all areas of life, particularly detrimental to the freedoms […]

The way that justice is administered by the courts in any country directly affects the national spirit. Whether or not the spirit of enthusiasm, energy and cooperation prevails in a particular society depends, among other factors, on the role played by the courts. In fact, it can be said that courts are among the most […]

One of the most important legal challenges to the impunity of Thailand’s police in recent years is rapidly degenerating into a farce, thanks in large part to the inept and pathetic role played by the public prosecution.  On Thursday, November 3, the case against five police officers in the Bangkok Criminal Court in connection with […]

That the practice of law is a devastated profession within the country is something all Sri Lankan lawyers will lament about. In fact, lawyers have very little impact when representing their clients, particularly in criminal and public law cases, such as fundamental rights applications. Lawyers are an integral part of justice administration; the denigration of […]

The life of an average citizen in the Philippines these days is beset with fear. Even the expression “rule of law” evokes cynical reactions among ordinary folk, as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo uses the very same expression to justify blatant and brutal repression.  Sloganeering about anti-terrorism and anti-crime drives is used as a weapon to subdue […]

A rather disturbing situation has arisen Sri Lanka in recent weeks. The Inspector General of Police has begun to openly challenge the National Police Commission (NPC), which is a constitutional body created by the 17th Amendment to the Constitution. The NPC has powers of appointment, promotion, and disciplinary control over the police in Sri Lanka. […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission welcomes the resolution adopted by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) to introduce a . BASL appointed a committee comprising a former chief justice and two former Supreme Court judges to draft this code of conduct.  This move by BASL answers a dire need in the country. It deserves […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission’s (AHRC) inquiries reveal that no progress has thus far been made by officials investigating the attempted arson of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) of Sri Lanka headquarters on October 12, 2005. Eight days have now passed and immediate and effective action is required as a matter of urgency. AHRC has […]

A Sri Lankan lawyer who has appeared for the complainants in many well-known human rights cases is facing grave threats to his security. Rasika Sanjeewa Weerawickrama has been receiving telephone calls and other forms of pressure to withdraw from some of these cases. In recent weeks the pressures have increased, giving reasonable grounds to believe […]

The AHRC is holding its advanced human rights study programme from October 9-14, 2005 in Hong Kong, at which participants from 10 nationalities will participate. To mark this occasion, the AHRC is launching a series of discussions aimed at drafting an Asian Charter  With a view to drafting an Asian Charter , the Asian Human […]

Forty years have passed since the occurrence of one of the largest and least known crimes against humanity of the twentieth century: the 1965-66 massacre of some half a million to a million unarmed civilians in Indonesia, who were alleged to be communists. In addition to those killed, hundreds of thousands more were tortured and […]

In reference to the interdiction of 106 policemen who have been charged for serious criminal offenses before Sri Lanka’s high courts, a daily newspaper Divayina reported the country’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) as saying that the officers should be allowed to continue at their posts until they are proven guilty. This statement in fact […]

The deputy permanent secretary to the Justice Ministry in Thailand noted on September 27 that the country has been asked by the UN Human Rights Committee to submit further information on the executive decree granting emergency powers to security forces in the south. Tongthong Chandransu was reported as having said that it would benefit Thailand […]

There is public concern in Nepal about the possible abolition of the 1990 Constitution–which historically established democracy in the country–by King Gyanendra. Such an act would be a realization of his absolute power, initiated by the February coup and would end the legal foundation for democracy, which was established after a long struggle and a […]

Last week, the Auditor General published a report concerning the numerous irregularities in tsunami reconstruction, rehabilitation and fund management. Covering the period from December 2004 to June 2005, the document is an interim report on post-tsunami activities and was presented to the Sri Lankan parliament.   The media has commented on the tough stance taken […]

Simon Wiesenthal, one of the most important contributors to the modern human rights movement, passed away on September 20, 2005. Although known mainly for his work in exposing perpetrators of the Nazi holocaust, he and his colleagues developed working methods–and from these theoretical understandings–which had a significant effect on how human rights are perceived and […]

Seven doctors from the Negombo Hospital threatened to go on strike if they were not provided with free legal aid in a case before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court, where they had been summoned to appear. Prior to this, the doctors had been on strike to protest against a police inquiry into allegations of medical negligence […]