Bangkok, 23 July 2011) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), a membership-based regional human rights organization, expresses its disappointment over the adjournment of a habeas corpus hearing of six leading members of the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)[1].

The Malaysian government should release immediately and unconditionally the six supporters of Bersih rally who are still being detained under the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance since July 2. Detention without trial under the Emergency Ordinance goes against every precept of human rights and justice and should be abolished as recommended by [ Read more ]

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development strongly condemns the brutal crackdown today on the peaceful rally of Bersih 2.0, a coalition of 62 civil society organizations that is campaigning for electoral reform in Malaysia. More than 1,500 have been arrested, including 16 minors. Among those detained are Maria Chin Abdullah, committee member of [ Read more ]

Three organisations write to the Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand to express solidarity and relay an appeal to the government to allow the Bersih 2.0 rally to proceed. 9 July 2011 H.E. Amb. Dato’ Nazirah Hussain Ambassador of Malaysia 33-35 South Sathorn Road, Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120. Tel: +66 2 679 2190 – 0  Fax: +66 [ Read more ]

On 4 July, FORUM-ASIA, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) sent a joint open letter to the Prime Minister of Malaysia regarding human rights violations against Bersih 2.0.   July 4, 2011 Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohammed Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak Office [ Read more ]

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), a membership-based regional human rights organization, writes to you regarding the on-going threats and intimidation by the Malaysian government against the electoral reform campaigners and supporters. On 28 June, the National Human rights commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) called “on the authorities to allow the planned peaceful [ Read more ]

Five regional NGOs write to the chairperson of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)  to draw the body’s attention to the ongoing crackdown on the 9 July electoral reform rally in Malaysia.   H.E. Rafendi Djamin Chairperson of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat [ Read more ]

(UPDATED 12 July) Monitor this page to be kept informed updates on unfolding events regarding the Malaysian government crackdown to stop the 9 July 2011 rally on electoral reform. Learn more about the background of these events by clicking this link to the Asian Defender Alert on this issue. The contents of this webpage are [ Read more ]

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) received information regarding the arrest of at least 90 campaigners nationwide since 24 June 2011 in relation to the planned mass rally called “Walk for Democracy” on 9 July 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) is comprised of [ Read more ]

(29 June 2011, Bangkok) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and the Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA) strongly condemn the on-going threats and intimidation by the Malaysian government against the electoral reform campaigners. The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) is comprised of Malaysian civic and human rights organisations [ Read more ]