HRC40: Joint NGO end of session statement We welcome the positive step the Council has taken in the direction to effectively protect environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs) from the grave reality they face every day. By adopting the resolution by consensus, the Council has collectively and explicitly recognized the vital role of EHRDS, including in [ Read more ]
24 March, 2019 Civil Society Organisations condemning assault and attack on UM students’ by the followers and supporters of Najib Razak We, the undersigned, strongly condemn the violent assault and attack by the followers and supporters of Najib Razak, on the seven University of Malaya (UM) students who staged a peaceful protest on 22nd March [ Read more ]
Press release Bill against forced conversions must be passed Lahore, 22 March 2019. After two minor Hindu girls in Ghotki were allegedly abducted and converted forcibly to Islam, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called on the Sindh Assembly to ‘take swift, serious measures to resurrect and pass the bill criminalising forced conversions.’ [ Read more ]
40th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 2: General Debate on the High Commissioner’s country reports and oral updates Oral Statement Delivered by Ahmed Adam On behalf of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Wednesday, 20 March 2019 Mr President, FORUM-ASIA welcomes the High [ Read more ]
(Bangkok, 18 March 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) regrets the Philippines’ decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute and urges the international community to immediately establish accountability mechanisms to ensure justice for the estimated 27,000 victims of extrajudicial killings of the Government’s ‘war on drugs’.[1] The lack of any [ Read more ]
(Kathmandu/Bangkok, 15 March 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) expresses serious concern over the disappearance of human rights defender Shanmugam Thanasamy, better known as RS Mugilan one month ago. FORUM-ASIA strongly urges the authorities of both Tamil Nadu and of the central Government to immediately take all measures needed to [ Read more ]
(12 March 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), Pusat KOMAS, and the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus express grave concern over the public reaction from conservative groups and government officials to the Women’s March on 9 March 2019. Particularly the backlash received by the Organising Committee of [ Read more ]
(Bangkok, 7 March 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly denounces the arrest of Robertus Robet, academic and human rights defender, last night on 6 March around 23:30. Robet is being accused of criminal defamation under Article 45 (2) and 28 (2) of the Electronic Information and Transaction Law, and of [ Read more ]