Enforced disappearances and abductions

UPDATE (Thailand): Human rights lawyer still missing after nearly one year; Action needed today to have case transferred

[RE: FA-06-2004: THAILAND: A human rights lawyer Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit missing; UP-14-2004: THAILAND: Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit is still missing and the police may be involved in his disappearance; UP-26-2004: THAILAND: 5 suspects in the alleged abduction of missing human rights lawyer Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit bailed out] Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is […]

NEPAL: UN Secretary General’s statement a vital opportunity to end the misery of Nepalese People

Statement | Nepal | 24-12-2004

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) shares the concerns expressed by the Secretary General of the United Nations in his statement on the human rights situation in Nepal. Time and again the AHRC has stressed that regional governments such as India, international governments and bodies such as European Union, national political parties and the King […]

NEPAL: Another illegal arrest and disappearance of a man by the Joint-Security Forces

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned by another illegal arrest and forced disappearance of a young man named Mr Naniram Kafle (23) by around 50 personnel of the Joint-Security Force, which took place in the Naubise Village Development Committee-1, Dharke, Dhading, Nepal on 21 September 2004. His whereabouts are currently […]

NEPAL: Nepalese exodus from impending disaster cannot be ignored

Statement | Nepal | 12-12-2004

Around two hundred Nepalese are now have been witnessed to be crossing the border into India every hour, escaping the atrocities of both government and Maoist troops. Clearly, the violence in Nepal is intensifying. Recent reports speak of highly deliberate and aggressive strategies on both sides to harass and intimidate civilians. Others reveal deeply worrying […]

UPDATE (Nepal): New ways to legitimize massive disappearance, enforcement of draconian law — TADO

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that in Nepal the situation is under extreme conditions where loss of life is the rule of the day. A large number of cases have been reported on disappearances. People – women, men and children are reported to be disappearing within the country, especially […]

UPDATE (Thailand): Justice Minister responds over case of disappeared lawyer

Dear friends, In response to the previous update on the case of disappeared human rights lawyer Mr Somchai Neelaphaijit, the Thai Minister of Justice, Mr Pongthep Thepkanchana, has defended himself and insists that progress has been made in the inquiry.  The Minister has said that although the Special Investigation Department had not taken over the […]

NEPAL: New TADO the latest instrument to facilitate disappearances and other gross abuses

With the expiry of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Punishment and Control) Act — 2058 this 12 October 2004, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal has introduced a more severe and draconian version of the same law in its stead: the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Control and Punishment) Ordinance — 2061. Clause 9 of the latest […]

Nepal: Massive disappearances / impunity

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that in Nepal the situation is under extreme conditions where loss of life is the rule of the day. A large number of cases have been reported on disappearances. People – women, men and children are reported to be disappearing within the country, especially […]

SRI LANKA: A man tortured and prosecuted with false charges by the Samanalaweva Police Post

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a man named Heeralu Mohottalalage Punchi Banda (39) was illegally arrested and tortured by the Sub Inspector (S.I.) Dhammika Bandara of Samanalaweva Police Post in Balangoda on 26 August 2004. Due to brutal torture, the victim still suffers from severe pain on his […]

SRI LANKA: A young prisoner is missing from Open Prison Camp at Pallekele

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a young prisoner named Lewadeni Parirannehelage Senake Weerasinghe has been disappeared from open prison camp at Pallekele since 19 August 2004. The prison authorities claimed that he had escaped from the prison while he was taken for a bath. However, the prison authorities […]

THAILAND: Severe torture victims still in custody while police torturers remain in posts

SUMMARY The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned that four out of five torture victims represented by missing Thai lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit remain in custody, while the police officers allegedly responsible for their torture continue in their posts. The five men, who were accused of involvement in terrorist activities, were allegedly heinously tortured […]

NEPAL: Re-arrest of four people by the police in the court yard in the presence of the lawyers

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information of another re-arrest of four people by security personnel in violation of court orders in Morang, Nepal on 14 July 2004. More seriously, it was reported that the security forces arrested these four persons as soon as they stepped out from the judge’s chamber […]

THAILAND: Disappearance of a human rights defender and disappearance of justice in Thailand

The authorities in Thailand have abandoned any pretence that they are trying to resolve the disappearance of well-known human rights defender and lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit. After initially reacting to domestic and international outcry (see AHRC statement AS-07-2004, 18 March 2004), they seem now to be concerned only with deflecting criticism, obscuring the truth and discouraging […]

THAILAND: Disappearance of Thai human rights defender cause for grave concern

Disappearance of Thai human rights defender cause for grave concern What has happened to Somchai Neelaphaijit, and why hasn’t the government of Thailand so far been able to reveal the circumstances of his disappearance? Reports indicate that Mr Somchai, who is a prominent lawyer and human rights defender from the south of the country, was […]

THAILAND: A human rights lawyer Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit missing

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Forum-Asia that a prominent human rights lawyer Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit is missing since 12 March 2004. We are forwarding the statement of Forum-Asia regarding this matter. It is reported that Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit’s human rights activities in Southern Thailand have created tension within […]

PAKISTAN: A young woman killed by her husband on the pretext of honour killing

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a 30-year-old woman named Ms. Hidayat was allegedly killed by her husband, Mr. Momin Ali Mahar in Dal village, Lakhi Ghulam Shah Town, Shikarpur District, Sindh Province, Pakistan on 29 February 2004. The case was registered at the Chak Police Station. However, a human […]

NEPAL: Three young persons shot dead by security personnel and a girl among the victims were gang-raped before being killed in Pokahari Chauri-4, Kavre District

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from a reliable source of extra-judicial killings of two young girls and one young boy, Reena Rasaili (18), Subhadra Chaulagain (17) and Tasi Lama, by security personnel in Pokahari Chauri-4, Kavre District in Nepal on 13 February 2004. It is alleged that Reena Rasaili […]

SRI LANKA: Disappearance of 26 year old man after arrest and torture by Watthegama Police officers in Kandy District

Dear friends, Disappearance of 26 year old man after arrest and torture by Watthegama Police officers in Kandy District Victim: Saliya Padma Udaya Kumara (26 years old) Date of incident: from 26 August to 28 August 2003 Alleged Perpetrators: Police officers at Watthegama Police Station in Kandy District DETAILD INFORMATION: (based on the statement from the victim’s […]

INDONESIA: Human Rights Activists Abducted and Killed

Dear Friends The two cases below are viewed in the larger context of the deterioration of the situation for human rights activists, humanitarian workers and civil society at large. PBI (Peace Brigades International) is an international non partisan volunteer organisation dedicated to making space for peace in various conflict areas, and is particularly concerned about […]

A Campaigner Against Disappearances in Sri Lanka Wins Prestigious Kwangju Human Rights Award

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission Since 2000, the Kwangju Human Rights Award is presented yearly in honor of the 1980 Kwangju Uprising, where the Kwangju people fought against the military take over of their country and 240 Kwangju citizens were martyred for the cause.  The award  ris presented to a person who […]