The Asian Forum for Human Rights (FORUM-ASIA), jointly with its national members and partners, is officially launching today a new website for the Asian Campaign on the Human Rights Council, available at hrc.forum-asia.org. The campaign will monitor and assess the Asian candidates’ suitability as potential members of the Human Rights Council. The website currently provides [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA expresses deep concern about the escalating violence in Sri Lanka, including the recent suicide bombing in Colombo and retaliatory aerial bombings in the East. War inevitably violates human rights and destroys human lives and this must be avoided at all costs. FORUM-ASIA callS on the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil [ Read more ]

The announcement by King Gyanendra of Nepal to reinstate the dissolved House of Representatives is a significant victory for the Nepalese people’s struggle for the restoration of democracy and human rights, and signals a crucial leap towards the end of the monarchy’s autocratic and repressive rule in Nepal. FORUM-ASIA salutes the Nepalese people for their [ Read more ]

The Nepalese Security Agencies have gone beyond their jurisdiction and opened fire on peaceful demonstrators, killing some and injuring many, who demanded the king to return power to the people. FORUM-ASIA executive committee has condemned the atrocities committed by the agencies, calling for the perpetrators of the violence “not to obey” orders of the government [ Read more ]

The police and local authorities in Bangladesh are taking “violent” actions against peaceful protesters demanding for the right to uninterrupted power supply as their rice cultivation (Boro) season is around the corner. They are also protesting against the corruption and mismanagement of the Rural Electricity Board in their District – Kansat area of the Chapai [ Read more ]

There is another major crackdown on human rights in Nepal today, following a peaceful assembly by the people on the streets of Kathmandu. In view of this latest incident, FORUM-ASIA demands immediate release of all the political activists, students, and professionals, including journalists, lawyers, doctors, litterateurs, artists and social activists in Nepal; and lift all [ Read more ]

On 27 March 2006, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights will end its 60 years of existence with a procedural session of a mere three hours (1500hrs to 1800hrs Geneva time). NGOs have been permitted only 15 minutes of speaking time to present a single statement. In response to this disappointing decision, a joint [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA wrote to the Korean authorities calling for the immediate release of two Korean human rights defenders, detained during peaceful protests against the expansion of US military bases in South Korea. Expressing concern about peaceful protests being labeled "Interference with Government Officials in Execution of their Duties", FORUM-ASIA urged the Koreanauthorities to respect the right [ Read more ]

The Asian Forum Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned about Singapore's use of defamation laws to silence political critics such as Opposition Leader Dr Chee Soon Juan.  This is a persistent problem in Singapore's judicialprocess that needs to be addressed urgently.The Asian Forum Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is deeply concerned about Singapore’s [ Read more ]

As the world commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on the theme of "Fighting Everyday Racism", FORUM-ASIA calls on all relevant stakeholders, particularly states, to bring an end to "everyday discrimination" based on work and descent, particularly against the Dalit community in Asia.As the world commemorates the International Day for the [ Read more ]