Corruption

SRI LANKA: A whistle-blower who exposed the leakage of a question paper at Sri Lanka Law College forced into hiding

A law student at the Sri Lanka Law College learned that one of the question papers for the final exams had been leaked. He learned this when one of his fellow students came to another and explained the question that would come up in the exam to be held that day. The student who knew […]

ASIA: Christmas and New Year Wishes from the Asian Human Rights Commission

The Asian Human Rights Commission wishes everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year. In all countries of Asia, this Christmas and new year will be celebrated in very difficult conditions. We extend our wishes to all families who are struggling in the midst of these difficulties to fight for their rights. We particularly […]

INDIA: Police refuse to investigate a rape case after accepting bribes

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Navsarjan, a human rights organisation based in Gujarat, concerning the case of a rape victim, who has been repeatedly refused assistance by the local police to register her complaint. It is reported that Meena (name changed) is aged about 20 years and is […]

INDIA: 10 questions to Chidambaram on Manipur

Statement | India | 14-12-2010

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) appreciates the effort taken by the Home Minister of India in undertaking a visit to Manipur. Manipur is one of the states in India with a poor human rights record. During the past three years the number of encounter killings reported from the state has steadily increased, until the […]

INDIA: Five children of Mawasi tribe currently suffering from malnutrition in the village where seven children died of malnutrition in 2008-09

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been informed from the villagers that the administration neglects the fact that the children in Kirahaipukhri village belonging to Mawasi tribe have been starving since 2008. The village currently has five malnourished children whereas seven children reportedly died of malnutrition in 2008. Despite several recommendations of […]

BANGLADESH: Police tortured a man to death in custody and authorities cover it up as suicide to provide impunity to perpetrators

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that the Gosairhat Police of Shariatpur district, around 120 kilometers far from Dhaka, have brutally tortured a man to death. The relatives and witnesses allege that the body of the torture victim, Mr. Mokles Matbor, bore several marks from the injuries sustained. The police had […]

SRI LANKA: TISL summoned before CID — the abuse of the criminal justice process to suppress discussions relating to corruption

The Sri Lankan branch of Transparency International (TISL) has been summoned to appear before the Financial Investigation Unit of Criminal Investigation Division who is conducting an investigation into a complaint on suspicions transactions of Transparency International Sri Lanka under chapter xi of Criminal Court Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979. The notice of the order […]

INDIA: Test of honesty for the country’s judiciary or an ode on its demise

Statement | India | 28-09-2010

The contempt of court proceedings initiated against Advocate Prashant Bushan in the Supreme Court of India for the allegations he made against some of the former Chief Justices of the country will test the maturity of India’s judicial system and that of its democratic framework. Indeed the Court has a statutory right to initiate proceedings […]

INDIA: Home Minister’s relative torture a student in custody

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that the local police in Thrissur district, Kerala state has illegally detained and tortured a student, for refusing to admit a charge of theft alleged against him. It is reported that the police officers detained the student in custody for more than 44 hours […]

UPDATE (Bangladesh): Police manipulate investigation of custodial murder

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding the custodial death of Mr. Mizanur Rahman, who was extrajudicially killed by the Gulshan Police in Dhaka after having been kept in arbitrary detention for two days (For further details, please see our original appeal here: AHRC-UAC-107-2010). The AHRC has received the statement […]

BANGLADESH: Gulshan Police kill a detainee for failing to pay bribe

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that a businessman was shot dead by the Gulshan Police in Dhaka after having been kept in arbitrary detention for two days. The incident reportedly took place shortly after the victim’s relatives had refused to pay bribes. The man was brought to a hospital with […]

SRI LANKA: A man is badly beaten by Saliyawewa police during an illegal arrest and is denied medical treatment

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned of the illegal arrest, detention and assault of a man by police from Saliyawewa Police Station. The victim was badly beaten by police on his arrest, was transported between police stations by bicycle, and was denied sufficient medical treatment. The charges against him appear to […]

BANGLADESH: A man dies in police custody after refusing to pay bribes; his relatives are warned not to pursue the case

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that a mechanic died violently in the custody of Ramna Police in Dhaka, shortly after he refused to continue paying bribes. The police reportedly started extorting money from the victim after the Rapid Action Battalion seized the auto-rickshaw that he operated and the two men […]

SRI LANKA: Stop the torture of detainees at Rajangana Police Station

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received reports that police officers at Rajangana police station are using torture; four incidents have taken place at the police station in the last number of months. The police officers responsible have also broken the law and violated their code of conduct on various other levels, […]

UPDATE (Sri Lanka): A magistrate neglects an exhumation request for six months in a case of suspicious death

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission is extremely concerned that, more than eight months since the mysterious death of a 24-year-old woman, no investigation has been opened, and requests to exhume the body for a post mortem have not been entertained. The young woman’s underprivileged mother has repeatedly appealed to the authorities to have […]

UPDATE (Sri Lanka): Progress is made in a case of judicial and police corruption

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission is pleased to report strong progress in the complaint of a road accident victim, whose case was wilfully mishandled by police and a judge. The judge allowed himself to be misled by police officers and when the victim complained, he closed the case. This is now being thoroughly […]

INDIA: Father shot to prevent prosecution of police officers

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that on 10 June 2010, Mr. Thokchom Nimai Singh, father of Thokchom Inao was shot in front of his house at about 10.30 at night. Nimai Singh was pursuing a case against Manipur State Police Commando Officers who had shot dead his son Inao […]

INDIA: Call for immediate compensation for the victims as well as a thorough investigation with punishment for the alleged perpetrators

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to inform you that action has been taken against officials found guilty of corruption and misappropriation of government funds intended for the poor in Orissa. However, to date the victims have not been granted compensation. Some village officials have been suspended or discharged from their duties but no […]

BANGLADESH: Corruption promotes food and health insecurity for elderly widows in Northern Bangladesh

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding elderly widows suffering from food and health insecurity. There has been no assistance from the government despite them being entitled to be beneficiaries of the social security programs. The corrupt public representatives, and servants in charge of implementation of the programs have deprived […]

SRI LANKA: The murder of a witness by police must be independently investigated

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has gathered detailed information on the escalating harassment of criminal witness Saman Thialakasir by police before his murder in February. He was found dead the morning after he was picked up by officers. Saman had reported a case of illegal logging in his neighbourhood with suspected connections […]