Freedom of expression

BURMA: A man charged without evidence for sending news abroad

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been closely following and documenting the detentions and trials in Burma following last September’s mass protests. In this appeal we bring you the case of Zaw Min, who was accused of having sent news abroad, although no independent witnesses or evidence have been brought to the […]

SINGAPORE/USA: A blogger sentenced for expressing opinion on the judiciary

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a blogger was sentenced to three months in prison for expressing his opinion on the judiciary of Singapore over the internet on September 17, 2008. CASE DETAILS: According to information received, Gopolan Nair, a US citizen and a former Singaporean lawyer was arrested […]

BURMA: A man charged for having contact with overseas radio station

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received detailed information on the case of a man who has been arrested and charged in Burma for having had contact with an overseas radio station, even though it is not illegal to do this. The man, Win Maw, was arrested following the nationwide protests in Burma one year ago for sending news abroad and has been charged with upsetting public tranquillity. […]

INDONESIA: Eight people in Aceh convicted of disseminating pamphlets

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that eight human rights activists accused of disseminating pamphlets on the allegation of land expropriations were sentenced by the district court on 14 August, 2008 in Aceh, Indonesia. The case is currently pending in the High court after the prosecutor lodged an appeal. It […]

BURMA: Three men charged for harbouring a monk after 2007 protests

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) regrets to inform you that yet another three persons have been charged over the protests of last September 2007 in Burma. The three are charged with harbouring a monk who was involved in leading the protests, but as in other cases like it, the police have come […]

THAILAND: Dismissal of a union leader wearing a protest shirt

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a union leader was dismissed allegedly for wearing a protest T-shirt while outside of work on July 30, 2008. While a protest regarding her dismissal has continued, tens of colleagues who held a protest were threatened with dismissal and suspension. CASE DETAILS: Body […]

BURMA: At least three more rights defenders arrested over cyclone relief work

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) regrets to inform you that at least three more persons have been arrested in recent days apparently because of their work in relief efforts for the victims of Cyclone Nargis. The three are the chairman and members of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters group. Meanwhile, a […]

SRI LANKA: Police allegedly assault and fabricate charges against teachers

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a Head Quarter’s Inspector allegedly assaulted a principal and a teacher on 7 July 2008. It is reported that the teachers were falsely charged and released on bail but have to report to the police station concerned in every Sunday. They were also […]

SOUTH KOREA: Arbitrary detention of a conscientious objector for disobedience

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a conscripted young man who objected to military service based on his conscience on 27 July 2008, received an order four times to join in order to disperse protestors, which he has refused. Based on this fact, the prosecutor who pleaded for an […]

UPDATE (Cambodia): Military police ill -treated and assaulted a journalist during investigation

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding the assault of a journalist by military police on 25 July 2008 at their headquarters in Sihanoukville. An investigation was begun following the journalist’s complaint but military police have ill -treated the journalist during the investigation. UPDATED INFORMATION: (Based on testimony from the […]

BURMA: Three more persons charged without evidence over September protests

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) regrets to inform you of another three cases against three persons who were illegally detained after the protests in Burma last September against the rapid increases in fuel and commodity costs there. The three have been charged with a number of offences for supposedly distributing anti-government literature […]

SOUTH KOREA: Conscripted policeman ill-treated after expressing opinion on the internet

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information about a young conscripted man who has served as a battle policeman. He has been repeatedly ill-treated by way of disciplinary punishment. This started after he expressed his opinion on the internet, and after asking for a change in his position, on 12 June […]

CAMBODIA: A military police officer assaults a journalist for reporting on his corruption in Sihanoukville

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that a military police officer,  Nget Vutha alias Kin, slapped a journalist, Ros Phina in the face for reporting on his facilitating of the transportation of protected timber. This incident happened on 25 July 2008 in the district military police headquarters in Stung Hav district, […]

UPDATE (Philippines): Court to hear case of activists, others falsely charged two years ago

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that the five men, collectively known as the Tagaytay Five, whom we reported to have been missing but were later found in police custody two years ago, will have their petition seeking the dismissal of their case heard tomorrow, July 18. The five […]

SOUTH KOREA: Police allegedly fabricate charges against a man

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that police arrested a man for posting handbills, relating to a candle light vigil,on a wall. They fabricated an investigative report, saying that he hit an officer at the time of his arrest on 5 July 2008, which he has denied. CASE DETAILS: Mr. […]

SOUTH KOREA: Police assault a lawyer providing legal advice during protests

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a lawyer, who provided legal advice at the site of protests, was attacked and severely injured by a shield used by riot police whilst forcibly dispersing protesters on 26 June 2008. CASE DETAILS: (based on the testimony from the victim) Mr. Lee Joon-Hyung is […]

SOUTH KOREA: Three human rights defenders are arrested as instigators of illegal protest

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has obtained information that two activists appealing the illegal arrest of others, and one activist monitoring police violence during recent protests, were arrested on 25 June and 30 June 2008 respectively and later charged with instigating an illegal protest in South Korea. CASE DETAILS: On 25 June […]

CAMBODIA: Police allegedly extort bribes in arrest in Rattanakiri province

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that the police allegedly ordered parents to pay a bribe of 150000 riels (US$37.5) each if their sons were not to be arrested after these youths had damaged a party sign in Soeung commune, Bor Keo district, Rattankiri province. On 2 July 2008, they arrested […]

BURMA: Another person charged with sedition for protesting against price rises

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has obtained detailed information on the case of Ko Htin Kyaw, one of the persons who was illegally detained in Burma since August 2007 for being involved in the first protests against the sudden increases in fuel prices that led to the monk-led nationwide rallies in September. […]

SRI LANKA: Assaults and hate speech

Attacks on journalists continue unabated despite of massive protests from local and international agencies and despite all sorts of talk by the spokesmen for the government about stopping human rights violations. Empty rhetoric assuring respect for human rights only hides the cynical disregard for the rights of the citizens. Silencing all is the actual policy […]