Date: Tuesday, 8 March 2022 Time: 13:00 – 14:30 (CET, Geneva) / 19:00 – 20:30 (ICT, Bangkok) Register here: l.forum-asia.org/HRC48.HRD.Register Live via: Zoom, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Youtube Human rights defenders (HRDs) play a key role in upholding and advancing human rights. In response to their bold and tireless work, HRDs become targets of harassment and attacks by [ Read more ]

The Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and other resources A booklet for defenders FORUM-ASIA recognises the need to address the ongoing trends of violations against human rights defenders (HRDs) in Asia, and their key role in ensuring that everyone’s human rights are protected and fulfilled. To this end, FORUM-ASIA has produced a booklet explanatory of [ Read more ]

(Geneva, January 18, 2021) – The Indian government should immediately stop harassing the Centre for Promotion of Social Concerns and its program unit People’s Watch, ten human rights groups said today. The government should stop using the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act and other abusive laws to silence civil society in India. The groups are Amnesty [ Read more ]

(15 December 2021) On the ninth anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Lao civil society leader Sombath Somphone, we, the undersigned organizations, reiterate our calls on the Lao government to determine his fate and whereabouts, and deliver justice to him and his family. We condemn the Lao government’s ongoing failure to solve Sombath’s disappearance, and [ Read more ]

(December 14, 2021) – Bangladesh authorities must end the harassment of Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan, respectively Secretary and Director of the human rights group Odhikar, who have been targeted through the misuse of the criminal justice system, eleven rights groups said today. On December 15, 2021, the Cyber Tribunal of Dhaka will [ Read more ]

(Bangkok/Kathmandu, 23 November 2021) ‒ The arrest of prominent human rights defender Khurram Parvez by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and sedition charges highlights an alarming trend of harassment against defenders, particularly those in Kashmir, said the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA). In the [ Read more ]

Four separate bills on anti-discrimination have been filed since June 2020 at the National Assembly of South Korea. However, these bills remain pending for discussion at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. We, the undersigned human rights organizations, call on the National Assembly to immediately move forward with discussions on these bills and pass a comprehensive, [ Read more ]

Over the past two years, human rights defenders (HRDs) have faced unprecedented challenges in Asia, where existing risks were exacerbated, while new threats have emerged. Governments enacted and used repressive laws, online harassment became widespread, and Asian HRDs have seen their families and loved ones increasingly subjected to harassment and threats. The COVID-19 pandemic has [ Read more ]

48th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 10: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia Delivered by Ahmed Adam On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) 6 October 2021      Madam President, Special Rapporteur, Human rights situation in Cambodia [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA is proud to present its new publication, “Summary Report: 9th Asian Human Rights Defenders Forum”, an abridgement from an event that facilitates human rights defenders (HRDs) and women human rights defenders (WHRDs) to discuss work and advocacy efforts, and share the experiences and challenges they face. From 2019 to date, the situation of defenders [ Read more ]