Columns

Contributors: Kahar Zalmay An article by Kahar Zalmay published by the Asian Human Rights Commission Kahar Zalmay Pakistan is an interesting country and there are certain exciting things that only happen here. For instance, in our land of pure every now and then , a revolution is on its way, khakis keep on believing that […]

Nasir Saeed Pakistani Christians continue to protest against and condemn the killings of dozens of innocent Christians in Peshawar on 22nd September. But as they mourn, it is hardly comprehensible that there are reports that the organs of the victims were stripped from their bodies and trafficked on the black market. These horrendous reports have […]

Contributors: Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth An article by Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth published by the Asian Human Rights Commission Happy Khmer New Year of Chnam M’sanh, Year of the Snake, Buddhist Era 2557 (April 14, 2013), to Khmer compatriots in and outside CAMBODIA! May Buddhist Khmers follow their Lord Gautama Buddha’s teaching that “Each morning we are born again. […]

An article by Amir Murtaza published by the Asian Human Rights Commission Amir Murtaza It is roughly estimated that more than 40 children have died because of measles in Pakistan’s biggest Punjab province.  Media reports further informed that hundreds of children have contracted the disease recently and measles patients continued to approach government hospitals for […]

Contributors: Bishop Duleep de Chickera A Lenten Reflection by Bishop Duleep de Chickera The weeks leading to Independence Day on February 4 were filled with intense debate on the legality and morality of the impeachment of the Chief Justice (CJ). The debate centred on the interpretation of the law and the political motives behind it. The […]

Cambodia is holding a second week-long period of national mourning for the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, from Friday, February 1 to Thursday, February 7.  No “joyful” entertainments will be permitted, flags will fly at half-mast, the Cambodian people are to wear black ribbons on their shirts, and civil servants will receive two holidays, on […]

On the morning of Saturday 9th February 2913, Mohammed Afzal Guru was hanged in Tihar Jail of New Delhi and buried inside the Jail. This undesirable action was carried out only two days before 29th death anniversary of Maqbool Butt, who was also hanged in the same jail on 11 February 1984. It was not […]

Contributors: Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth It was with a deep sense of satisfaction that I muttered to myself “Amen!” after I read an article in the Phnom Post of December 4, 2012 titled, “Shift in CNRP’s political strategy to win elections.” According to the Post report, opposition leaders who merged the Sam Rainsy Party and the […]

Events have made clear that neither Prime Minister Hun Sen and his ruling Cambodian People’s Party, despite their control over state institutions and the national wealth, nor Mr. Sam Rainsy and his opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party, despite increasing popular support, has sufficient leverage to finesse the other. My last article in this space, “A […]

The 1946 Constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO), preamble states that, “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition”.  The WHO further states that the right to health means that governments must […]

Contributors: Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth In my last article I wrote about Cambodians who longed for a Khmer Mahatma Gandhi or a Khmer Aung San Suu Kyi. Some believe the struggle against the violations of rights and justice of the Khmer people is slow because of the absence of a Khmer equivalent to such figures. Yet, […]

Contributors: Amir Murtaza Amir Murtaza The protection of human rights defenders, community and health workers and NGOs staff have become a serious issue in Pakistan as incidents of violence against them has been reported in regular intervals.  Unfortunately, the government officials have so far not devised any mechanism to provide protection to those who are […]

Contributors: Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth Prime Minister Hun Sen swore before the body of the late King Father that he remains a loyal defender of the monarchy. But during the period of national mourning for the late King Father, Hun Sen let a golden opportunity slide by, failing to implement the King Father’s last wish – […]

The year 2013 brings fresh hopes for the children of Pakistan’s Sindh province as Members of the Provincial Assembly have passed into law the “Sindh Protection of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Bill 2013”.  The immensely important law suggests adequate and appropriate nutrition for infants and children by promoting and protecting breastfeeding in the province of […]

Contributors: Interview with Dr. Rajat Mitra by Ms. Malavika Vyawahare the New York Times Dr. Rajat Mitra, a clinical psychologist, is the director of the Swanchetan Society for Mental Health, a nongovernmental organization in India that provides counselling and support services to survivors of violence, abuse and trauma. He is one of the few people […]

An open letter by Hartoyo published by the Asian Human Rights Commission. The Honourable Arief Hidayat Judge of the Indonesian Constitutional Court Term of office 2013-2018 Assalamualaikum wrb. Dear Mr. Arief, I wish to congratulate you on your appointment as a judge of the Constitutional Court for the term of office 2013-2018. According to information […]

Contributors: Mr. Abbas Kassar A Hindu girl, Wijenti Meghwar, 6 years of age and a student of class-1 was raped in Ghulam Nabi Shah town of Sindh province in Pakistan on December 2, 2012 while playing in street. She was admitted in critical condition, first to the Mirpurkhas civil hospital then transferred to the Karachi […]

Happy New Year 2013! The New Year brings each of us a new beginning. What has happened in the past year is behind us; neither the good nor the bad can be erased. Instead, we confront 365 days of opportunity to demonstrate that we have learned from the successes and challenges of the year — […]

Many opposition politicians, NGO personnel, students, researchers, taxi drivers, vendors and city dwellers expected US president Barack Obama, who attended the 21st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, to push the Cambodian government to better respect human rights and democratic principles, especially free and fair elections in the Kingdom. They hoped for a US pressure to […]

Contributors: Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth In my adult life, even as a political scientist conscious of the use petitions as a method of nonviolent action and persuasion, I have signed only three. I signed a first petition a few years ago. The text comprised opposition to land grabbing in Cambodia. In the second and third, I […]