Open letter!

FORUM-ASIA has issued an open letter to the South Korean President, condemning the police brutality and raid on NGO offices in Seoul. The police action occurred following a series of demonstrations by civil society groups to protest the import of US beef which they say would be harmful to public health. The Seoul government has warned of tougher treatments against the protestors but FORUM-ASIA reminded the President that South Korea is a signatory to various International conventions that supports freedom of expression and assembly.

Open letter!

FORUM-ASIA has issued an open letter to the Prime Minister of Mongolia, urging the government to end the current state of emergency, refrain from any use of violence and torture against detainees, allow them legal representation and let the media operate freely to promote free access to information and no cover up in the handling of detainees involved in the recent demonstration. Read the open letter here.

On 4 July 2008, the World Organization Against Torture and International Federation of Human Rights produced an annual monitoring report on the condition of human rights defenders. Jointly published by Informal Sector Service Centre and Advocacy Forum, the report details the persistence of human rights violations against human rights defenders.

FORUM ASIA's member organization in Bangladesh, Odhikar, has monitored the human rights situation in Bangladesh.

Covering the months from January to June 2008, the report revealed that the ongoing impunity of security forces throughout the country is one of the gravest concerns.

The ratification of the Rome Statute in Nepal has been stalled due to the current political upheaval. Human rights activists are pushing for the government to accede to the Statute without delay.

They have launched a month long campaign on the ratification of the statute and to hold the authorities accountable for its human rights record, including its international commitments and obligations.