Arbitrary arrest & detention

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Mr. Aandige Charuka Malinda Peiris, a resident of Kantale Police Division. Malinda was illegally arrested by Police Officers of the Kantale Police Division on 21 June 2017. He was not given any reason for his arrest. He was detained in a cell, accused […]

This week Just Asia begins with the death of 60 Rohingya in a boat capsize off Bangladesh on September 28, as they were fleeing violence in Burma. A UN spokesman said 23 people were confirmed dead and 40 more were “missing and presumed drowned”. Dozens of Rohingya have already died trying to cross into Bangladesh […]

A strong resentment from the people of Pakistani held Kashmir against the enforced disappearances, torture, and other criminal activities of Pakistani intelligence agencies, have led to a series of protests throughout the territory known as Azad Kashmir. On September 26, a big demonstration and rally was held in Neelam valley, which divides Indian and Pakistani […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is very disappointed at the Indonesian government’s irresponsible denial of human rights violations in Papua and West Papua province. Far from taking steps to improve the human rights condition there, the government consistently denies the existence of any problem. At the recent 72nd session of the United Nations General […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Mrs. Kariyawasam Aarachchilage Ramani Kusumalatha (46), a resident of the Kantale Police Division. She was well reputed as a human rights defender in the area. On 13 June, Kusumalatha assisted three torture victims at the Kantale Base Hospital. Then she asked the Police […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Mr. Kariyawasam Wickramaarachchilage Nimal Wickramasinghe, a permanent resident of Kantale Police Division. Nimal is the father of torture victim, Mr. Milan Saman Wickramasinghe (21). On 13 June 2017, Milan was tortured by Police Officers attached to the Kantale Police Station. After being treated […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Mrs. Jaysekara Mudiyanselage Ramani Kumari permanent resident of Kantale Police Division. Kumari is a mother of Milan Saman Wickramasinghe (21). On 13 June 2017, Milan was tortured by the police officers attached to the Kantale Police Station. After taking treatment, the victim’s son […]

Despite being the host country of the highest number of refugees of the world, Pakistan is still not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or to its 1967 Protocol. The result is that the issues associated with hosting refugees are being addressed arbitrarily and inequitably. Social decency and hospitality demands that a country treats […]

This week Just Asia begins with two shocking judgments in India, in two different cases of sexual assault. In the first, the Punjab and Haryana High Court suspended the sentences of three law students convicted of raping and blackmailing their female classmate, on the basis of unrelated and irrelevant aspects of the survivor’s lifestyle. In […]

Twenty years ago, when the Asian Human Rights Commission’s (AHRC) Urgent Appeals Programme started, we embarked on a new venture to demonstrate the potential of the Urgent Appeals in creating a culture that respects the sufferings of the victims, and to create a counter culture of concern and protest. It is time now to assess […]

Asian Human Rights Commission is proud to announce that it is today celebrating the twentieth anniversary of its Urgent Appeals Programme. The first urgent appeal was issued on 17 September 1997. Ever since Asian Human Rights Commission’s Urgent Appeal Programme has continuously issued urgent appeals relating to human rights violations, reported from many countries of […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Mr. Morawatthegedara Nuwan Vijitha (26) of Kantale Police Division. On 15 June 2017, 3 Police Officers of the Kantale Police Station illegally arrested Nuwan and detained him at the station. The next day he was produced before the Kantale Magistrate charged with participating […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Kodithuwakku Kankanamage Chaminda Kumara (24) resident of Kantale Police Division. On 19 June 2017, five Kantale Police Station Officers illegally arrested Kumara and detained him at the station. The next day he was produced before the Kantale Magistrate charged with participating in a […]

By: Javeria Younes In the face of the world pointing accusatory fingers at the State for harbouring terrorists and militants, plus US President Trump’s threat of sanctions against Pakistan, State Officials are denying the existence of militancy in the country. The timing of the world’s most dangerous militant organization ISIS to announce its presence in […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information regarding Mr. Gregory Benedict Selvaraj in the Kandy Headquarters Police Division. On 26 July 2017, he was illegally arrested, detained, tortured and produced before the Courts by Police attached to the Kandy Police Station. There was nothing to show his involvement in any crime. He […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information regarding the case of Sanath Kumara Wijethilaka (34) of Dambulla Headquarters Police Division, who was killed in the early hours of 5 September 2017. Sanath was a transgender man. His dead body was lying on the ground of a private van park in front of the Dambulla […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding Mr. Warnasooriya Patabandige Lakshan (21), permanent resident of the Trincomalee District. On 15 June 2017, Lakshan was illegally arrested by Police of the Kantale Police Division. He was not given any reason for his arrest. After detaining him at the Police Station, he […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information regarding Sudath Darmapriya (40) of Kalawana, Minuwangoda in Gampaha District. Sudath has been missing since 12 July 2017. He is a permanent resident of Minuwangoda and a technician by profession. He was managing a Pandal, in Anuradhapura from 26 June 2017. He telephoned his wife […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information that Mr. Mahinda Dammika Manawadu was illegally arrested and severely tortured by police officers attached to the Padukka Police Station. After Dammika got into a dispute with the owner of the garage where his three-wheeler was under repair, the owner requested the intervention of the […]

Dear Friends, Asian Human Rights Commission has received information regarding Mr. Wasala Munidewage Ruwan Dharshana Premarathne (35) of No: 48/4, Opalgala watte, Pussella, Gammaduwa in the Matale District. He was illegally arrested, detained, tortured and produced before the Courts by Police Officers attached to the Paliyagoda Police Station. There was no evidence to show any […]