AHRC News

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INDONESIA: Rehabilitation and redress for massacre victims essential for true commemoration

Forty years have passed since the occurrence of one of the largest and least known crimes against humanity of the twentieth century: the 1965-66 massacre of some half a million to a million unarmed ci...

SRI LANKA: Officers charged with criminal offenses protected by the Inspector General of Police

In reference to the interdiction of 106 policemen who have been charged for serious criminal offenses before Sri Lanka’s high courts, a daily newspaper Divayina reported the country’s Insp...

THAILAND: What the UN Human Rights Committee has asked of Thailand, and what it means

The deputy permanent secretary to the Justice Ministry in Thailand noted on September 27 that the country has been asked by the UN Human Rights Committee to submit further information on the executive...

NEPAL: Nepal’s democratic constitution in danger; international intervention needed

There is public concern in Nepal about the possible abolition of the 1990 Constitution–which historically established democracy in the country–by King Gyanendra. Such an act would be a rea...

SRI LANKA: The Auditor General’s report on tsunami mismanagement should not be ignored

Last week, the Auditor General published a report concerning the numerous irregularities in tsunami reconstruction, rehabilitation and fund management. Covering the period from December 2004 to June 2...

In memory of Simon Wiesenthal, human rights pioneer

Simon Wiesenthal, one of the most important contributors to the modern human rights movement, passed away on September 20, 2005. Although known mainly for his work in exposing perpetrators of the Nazi...

SRI LANKA: Threatened strike by doctors exposes an ugly face of the Sri Lankan medical profession

Seven doctors from the Negombo Hospital threatened to go on strike if they were not provided with free legal aid in a case before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court, where they had been summoned to appea...

INDIA: Announcement of people’s tribunal on hunger in Jalangi, West Bengal

A people’s tribunal hearing on starvation and government neglect will be held at Bankim Niwas in Jalangi, Murshidabad, West Bengal on September 23 and 24, organized by the Howrah-based Banglar M...

SRI LANKA: Scandal at the Inland Revenue Department needs to be investigated and brought under criminal investigation promptly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 15, 2005 AS-95-2005 A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Scandal at the Inland Revenue Department needs to be investigated and brought under criminal...

SRI LANKA: Meningitis caused by neglect and the responsibility of Sri Lanka’s religious leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 2, 2005 AS-94-2005 A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Meningitis caused by neglect and the responsibility of Sri Lanka’s religious leaders Me...

PAKISTAN: EARLY WARNING–Pakistan approaching catastrophe; UN Security Council intervention needed now

The killing of a renowned politician and some 37 of his supporters in a mountain hideout by the Pakistan military on August 26 has thrown the country headlong towards a catastrophe that can only be av...

SRI LANKA: A message for the coming election period in Sri Lanka

Public pressure and the courageous stand taken by Sri Lanka’s Commissioner of Elections have made certain that the next presidential elections will be held this year; President Kumaratunga’...

MALDIVES: Opposition party leader in Maldives must be released and democratic reform expedited

The recent assault and detention of the Maldives’ opposition party leader is indicative of the disturbing use of authoritarian powers by the government to suppress calls for democratic reform. M...

THAILAND: Latest attack on human rights defender in Thailand underscores need for fast and effective intervention

The latest in a growing number of open threats and attacks directed at human rights defenders and social activists in Thailand occurred in the early hours of last Thursday, August 18, when a grenade w...

INDIA: Indians still to receive true independence

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) welcomes the call by the President of India, Mr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam to the nation that the country should be self-sustaining within a period of 25 years in r...

SRI LANKA: Foreign Minister’s Assassination and The Law and Order Situation

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) expresses shock and condemns the killing of Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar on 12 August 2005. In direct and indirect terms the Gov...

CAMBODIA: International community must vigorously oppose imprisonment of Cambodian MP

The Asian Human Rights Commission joins with others in condemning the seven-years’ imprisonment handed without fair and credible trial to Cambodian opposition member of parliament Cheam Channy o...

SRI LANKA: The failure to investigate cases of severe medical negligence, including the abduction of a newborn baby, at Negombo Base Hospital

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned of the abduction of a newborn baby at Negombo Base Hospital during the last week. This hospital has over recent months been plagued by a series of ...

SRI LANKA: Sri Lankan IGP shows double standards in speeding up trial

According to the latest media reports, the Sri Lankan Inspector General of Police (IGP), Chandra Fernando, has said that the police will apply to the Attorney General’s department to have a tria...

PHILIPPINES: Starvation in all parts of Philippines requires immediate government action

Farmers in parts of Mindanao, southern Philippines, have for the last three years suffered terrible crop losses due to drought and rats. Deep poverty, severe hunger and starvation have followed. Altho...