Land rights

The integrity of a republic and the determination of its people depend upon the legitimacy of their government. Since declaring the Union of India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic that assures its citizens justice, equality, and liberty and to be a nation that endeavours to promote among them all fraternity, 61 years […]

Sofie Rordam Sri Lankan citizens are protected against torture and arbitrary arrest in sections 11, 12 and 13 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka. In addition Sri Lanka has ratified the United Nations Convention against Torture and Cruel and Inhuman Treatment in 1994. While the legislation is there, the effectuation is not. The gap between […]

We hope that wishing for a happy new year in Sri Lanka is not just mere wishful thinking. We wish: 1. That Rizana Nafeek, facing a death sentence in Saudi Arabia, will be released as soon as possible. This wish can become true only if the Sri Lankan government makes all the diplomatic efforts to […]

Many places nationwide have been designated for redevelopment. The redevelopment plan has been made in order for the government to induce investment from companies. Once a place is designated for redevelopment, residents, including tenants, have to leave their place with appropriate compensation on due process. However, in most case, the evictees receive threats and intimidations […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Samaj Chetna Adhikar Manch regarding eight malnourished children of the Kol tribe in the Rewa district. Since 2009 the AHRC has been reporting on the gravity of child malnutrition and food insecurity in the area (HAC-008-2009 and HAC-007-2009). It was reported that 80 percent of […]

Dear friends, We wish to share with you the following statement from Anjuman Mozareen Punjab. Asian Human Rights Commission Hong Kong ————- A Statement from Anjuman Mozareen Punjab forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission PAKISTAN: Thousands of peasants to attend a protest rally on December 10, the international day of human rights Anjaman Mozareen […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a woman, who received a stay order from court over a dispute on ownership of her house, was picked up by policemen and their informers and taken to a private detention centre where she was gang raped for more than 50 days. The […]

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 […]

Dear friends, We wish to share with you the following joint statement from the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee and others. Asian Human Rights Commission Hong Kong ————- A Joint Statement from the Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission JOINT STATEMENT Phnom Penh, 26 October 2010 We, the civil […]

Dear friends, We wish to share with you the following article from LICADHO The Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights. Asian Human Rights Commission Hong Kong ————- An article from LICADHO the Cambodia League for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission (From Attacks […]

Basil Fernando   Making a person disappear over a land dispute A place where there is no room for justice is not a nation but a madhouse. That is what Sri Lanka has become today. Ask anyone who has sought justice for any problem they have faced. Among the hundreds of thousands of such stories […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a Muslim group attacked on a Hindu community that had been living there for a century during the early hours on 23 August 2010 in order to grab the land occupied by the Hindu community in Sindh Province of Pakistan. The Hindu community, […]

It is reported in the Pakistani media that intentional breaches were made in the protective embankments at Ghospur and Thorhee bands, Sukkur district, Sindh province in order to protect the agriculture lands of President Mr. Asif Ali Zardari Mr. Qaim Ali Shah, the chief minister of Sindh province, Mr. Khursheed Shah, the federal minister and […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the lack of due process in the eviction of fifty families, nineteen of whom were farmer beneficiaries under the land reform program in Davao City. The eviction and demolition of their homes was executed by a sheriff of the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board […]

On May 15, 2010, all but 2 out of one hundred villagers were seriously injured while police were dispersing them. They had been peacefully protesting against the POSCO steel plant project in Orissa, India. According to reports published in India, the police reportedly fired rubber bullets, live ammunition and tear gas and then prevented the […]

Today, the Union Home Ministry, the Chief Ministers of Manipur and Nagaland and a handful of Naga and Meitei nationalists are celebrating the 61st day of their successful enforcement of an indefinite economic blockade organised against the ordinary people living in Manipur state. In tribute to the strenuous effort of the All Naga Students Association […]

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that the administration of Guro District has not sufficiently acted to protect tenants of a registered traditional business market from eviction by the property owner. The tenants, most of them elderly, had to campaign for years to have the market rightfully acknowledged as part of […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Task Force Detainees of the Philippines-Mindanao (TFDP) that the houses and properties, including the farms and trees of 28 families (137 villagers) were illegally demolished from the land they had lived on for more than 50 years in Bukidnon Province, Mindanao. The sheriff […]

Dear friends, The Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh province and his henchmen keep spreading terror among the villagers, grabbing land, stealing crops and abusing them. The Minister interfered in the enquiry against his special assistant by transferring the enquiry officer from his post. He also restored the former investigation officer as station […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AHRC-STM-253-2009 December 18, 2009 A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission SOUTH KOREA: Seoul city fails to respect and protect the right to adequate housing leading a tenant’s suicide On 2 December 2009, 66 year-old man, Mr. Kim committed suicide. He lived in a Yong Gang apartment which was in the […]