Human rights defenders

BURMA: Two sharply contrasting reports on the struggle for land at Letpadaung

The Asian Human Rights Commission has since mid-2012 closely followed, documented and reported on the struggle of farmers in the Letpadaung Hills of central Burma against the expansion of a copper mining operation under a military-owned holding company and a partner compay from China. After repeatedly being refused permission to demonstrate against the operation under the […]

PAKISTAN: Who is the best judge of a righteous person – the judiciary or the people?

Pakistan will hold its general elections on May 11, only the second to be held in a civilian environment in 35 years of this new Pakistan. It is, however, the first time in the history of the country that the power would be handed over from one civilian government to another. Under the supervision of […]

PHILIPPINES: Court records, military asset and military documents were used as evidence to affirm fabrication of charges on activists

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is writing with deep concern that the investigation conducted by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) after our appeals concerning the fabrication of charges on two urban poor leaders was ineffective. It appears that CHR investigators did not investigate adequately and thoroughly. Rather than conducting a serious […]

Hong Kong: Press Release from The Law Society of Hong Kong concerning the Vallejos Evangeline case

The Law Society of Hong Kong notes the Court of Final Appeal (“CFA”) published its judgment (“Judgment”) in the case of Vallejos Evangeline Banao and Domingo Daniel L. v. Commissioner of Registration and Registration of Persons Tribunal (“Vallejos”) and has the following observations: 1.  Foreign Domestic Workers – Right of Abode We note the CFA […]

PAKISTAN: The thirst for honour cannot be quenched unless blood is spilt

Although there is a law in Pakistan against honour killings known as the ‘Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2004’ these inhuman acts of revenge against innocent people continue to increase. The fact that the law has been amended to include honour killings shows the very real need for this inclusion, however, amending the law alone is […]

INDIA: मनरेगा के हक आधारित प्रावधानों को किनारे किया जाना (मनरेगा 4)

Article | India | 22-03-2013

बेरोज़गारी भत्ता – न्याय का तकाजा यह है कि जब राज्य नागरिकों को उनके हक़ उपलब्ध न करवा पाए तब इसके अंगों (न्यायपालिका, कार्यपालिका और विधायिका) की जवाबदेहिता तय होना चाहिए. एक तरफ तो जिम्मेदार को दंड मिले और दूसरी तरफ प्रभावित व्यक्ति तो उसका मुआवजा मिलना चाहिए. आठ साल पहले लागू हुए राष्ट्रीय ग्रामीण […]

ประเทศไทย: บทเรียนจากการหายตัวไปของ Sombath Somphone และสมชายนีละไพจิตร

19 มีนาคม 2556 เรื่อง ขอเชิญเข้าร่วมเวทีเสวนา เรียน สื่อมวลชน และผู้ที่สนใจ กองทุนรางวัลสมชาย นีละไพจิตร มูลนิธิยุติธรรมเพื่อสันติภาพ โครงการฟื้นฟูนิเวศในภูมิภาคแม่นน้ำโขง (TERRA) และ แอมเนสตี้ อินเตอร์เนชั่นแนล ประเทศไทย ขอเชิญสื่อมวลชน และผู้ที่สนใจ เข้าร่วมเวทีเสวนา หัวข้อ “สิทธิมนุษยชนในอาเซียน: กรณีศึกษา การสูญหายของ สมบัด สมพอน และ สมชาย นีละไพจิตร” ในวันพุธที่ 27 มีนาคม 2556 เวลา 09.30 – 12.00 น. ณ ห้องประชุมจิตติ ติงศภัทิย์ ชั้น 1 คณะนิติศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ ท่าพระจันทร์ โดยมี อังคณา นีละไพจิตร, ศรีประภา เพชรมีศรี และ วิฑูรย์ เพิ่มพงศาเจริญ ร่วมเสวนา […]

THAILAND: Lessons Learned from the Disappearance of Sombath Somphone and Somchai Neelapaijit

Somchai Neelapaijit Memorial Fund, Justice for Peace Foundation, Towards Ecological Recovery and Regional Alliances (TERRA), Amnesty International Thailand will host a panel discussion entitled “Human Rights in ASEAN: Lessons Learned from the Disappearance of Sombath Somphone and Somchai Neelapaijit.” The event takes place on March 27, 2013, from 9.30-12.00, at Jitti Tingsapat Meeting Room, 1st […]

PHILIPPINES: Reprisals against illegally dismissed workers after they were reinstated

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been informed that the workers who were illegally dismissed whom the Department of Labour and Employment (DoLE) allowed to return to work are now being subjected to repressive and inhumane policies by the employing company. The policies are a clear violation of the DoLE order; however, […]

THAILAND: Nine years without justice for Somchai Neelaphaijit

On March 12, 2013, the ninth anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Somchai Neelaphaijit passed. The Asian Human Rights Commission chooses to note this anniversary with continued sorrow for the enforced disappearance of Somchai Neelaphaijit and deep concern for the persistent failure to secure justice in this case. This is nine years in which the […]

WORLD: Asia’s Unknown Uprisings by George Katsiaficas

Asia’s Unknown Uprisings by George Katsiaficas ISBN: 978-1-60486-488-5 (Published by PM Press 2013) (Hong Kong, March 19, 2013) The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to announce the release of the book: Asia’s Unknown Uprisings People power in the Philippines, Burma, Tibet, China, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand and Indonesia, 1947-2009 Asia’s Unknown Uprisings by George […]

PAKISTAN: Peoples Caravan in Islamabad on the eve of International Rivers Day

A 14-day caravan launched on March 1 at the Al-Manzar downstream Kotri, Jamshoro located at the bank of River Indus culminated at its last destination in Islamabad on March 14, 2013 to mark the  International Day of Action for Rivers and Against Dams. Led by PFF chairperson Mohammed Ali Shah, Executive Director Pakistan Institute of […]

PHILIPPINES: MPC Statement on the 45th Anniversary of the Jabidah Massacre

On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Jabidah massacre, the Mindanao Peoples Caucus calls upon the Bangsamoro people to unite  and close ranks at this most critical stage of their political struggle as a distinct people with a proud history in Mindanao.  More than ever, it is time to set aside ideological and […]

SRI LANKA: The problem it faces before the Human Rights Council

In mythology we always hear about transformations; that a frog became a prince, or a beautiful princess became an ugly hag, and the like. These stories reflect the phenomenon of transformation, which happens in the lives of individuals as well as societies. When we talk about Sri Lanka, we also see many similar transformations. Some […]

WORLD: International Day to Defend Apostates and Blasphemers

Countless individuals accused of apostasy and blasphemy face threats, imprisonment, and execution. Blasphemy laws in over 30 countries and apostasy laws in over 20 aim primarily to restrict thought, expression and the rights of Muslims, ex-Muslims and non-Muslims alike. On 14 March 2013, we, the undersigned, call for an international day of action to defend […]

PHILIPPINES: Notes on the trial observation of falsely charged activist

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is sharing with you the notes taken during the trial observation of falsely charged activist, Temogen ‘Cocoy’ Tulawie. As mentioned earlier, the trial of Tulawie’s case had already been transferred to Manila and he is presently now detained in that city. After his trial was moved to […]

PHILIPPINES: Police and soldiers violently assault student protestors while they were sleeping to disperse them

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is requesting your intervention to demand that an investigation be conducted into allegations of the violent dispersal of protesting students. The students, who were opposing the appointment of the new head of a State university due to allegation of corruption, were attacked by joint forces of the […]

SRI LANKA: A senior lawyer misleads the Supreme Court regarding a case of torture

When the case regarding the torture of Chamila Bandara Jayaratne came before the Supreme Court yesterday (March 11) the lawyer appearing for the respondent police officers, Mr. Manohara de Silva, mislead the court by stating that leave to proceed had not been granted by the Supreme Court in this case. In fact, leave to proceed […]

PAKISTAN: When will cases of Blasphemy be filed against the Muslim attackers?

Sections 295 and 295A of the Pakistan Penal Code do not differentiate between Islam and Christianity These are just two of the photos, among many, taken during the attack on Joseph Colony, a Christian residential area in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province. The pictures tell the real story of the attack by Muslims extremists […]

INDIA: Ensure safety of Human Rights Defenders and punish those threatening them

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received disturbing information from Samaj Chetna Adhikar Manch, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh regarding local goons threatening to kill its activists. The organisation, working in Java block of the district, has been in the forefront of the struggle against malnutrition and the widespread corruption in welfare schemes that […]