FORUM-ASIA expresses our deepest condolences to the victims of and our solidarity with the survivors of the 27 May 2006 earthquake that struck the city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. So far the earthquake has claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people, with more than 15,000 injured and an estimated 200,000 people displaced – most of [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA strongly condemns the high-handedness of the police who acted violently and aggressively to stop a peaceful protest against fuel and electricity price hikes at the famous Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur yesterday (28 May). These acts were totally unnecessary and constitutes a gross violation of the right to peaceful assembly of the people as [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA expresses deep concern about the recent appointment of Commissioners to the National Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (NHRC), which has bypassed the constitutional process, and severely undermines the credibility and independence of the NHRC. It notes that the appointment was made a mere nine days after Sri Lanka’s election to the UN Human [ Read more ]

While FORUM-ASIA welcomed the positive recognition made by Prime Minister Hun Sen to Ms. Louise Arbour, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, following her official visit to Cambodia from 15-19 May 2006, the Cambodian government was urged to  recognise its shortcomings, acknowledge constructive criticisms and invite the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA has requested United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Louise Arbour, who is on official visit to Cambodia from 15-19 May 2006, to take swift actions to address the urgent human rights issues in the country, in particular ongoing forced eviction in Tonle Bassac commune and the selection of Cambodian judges and prosecutors [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA welcomes the election that took place yesterday in New York to bring the new United Nations Human Rights Council to life. Despite the generally disappointing results of the 47 members who were elected, FORUM-ASIA looks forward to constructive engagement with all of the newly elected members and calls upon them to translate pledges into [ Read more ]

The United Nations Human Rights Council elections will be held tomorrow in New York, Tuesday, 9 May 2006, at 10am (GST – 5.00). FORUM-ASIA is urging all Member States of the UN to consider the specificity of the pledges issued by the Asian candidates, to see if they are qualified to be in the Council. [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA released updates on the ratification record of key international human rights instruments of Asian governments on 10 December, Human Rights Day. The updates this year show that the ratification record of Asian governments remains dismal. Today, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) released updates on the ratification record of key international [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA strongly condemns the use of excessive force unleashed by Korean riot police and military troops on more than 700 farmers, human rights and peace activists protesting against US military bases expansion in Daeuchuri Village, Pyungtaek, 40 miles South of Seoul, on 4 May 2006. The incident has left more than 130 farmers and human [ Read more ]

Peasant leaders have been demanding for genuine agrarian reform from successive Philippine governments, but instead of addressing these grievances, the peasant leaders are being murdered, and the perpetrators are still free. Since 15 April, another three peasant leadershad been killed. FORUM-ASIA has condemned the killings and impunity and demand that the perpetrators be held responsible.FORUM-ASIA [ Read more ]