This week’s Roundup begins in Cambodia, where forty international NGOs are urging for the withdrawal of the draft bill called LANGO, which, if implemented, would severely curtail human rights. The proposed law aims to give government ministries sweeping, arbitrary powers without the possibility of judicial review. Freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, expression and opinion are all in jeopardy. Additionally, the draft bill is not in compliance with international law standards. AHRC TV interviewed John Coughlan, an Amnesty International Researcher, on his views about the proposed law.
Next, the programme moves to events in Nepal. Saraswoti Sunar, a Dalit woman was beaten black and blue as she queued up to receive relief supplies from an organisation called World Vision Nepal after the Great Earthquake. She sustained a broken arm as a result and when AHRC contacted World Vision Nepal, the organization’s spokesperson intentionally sidestepped the issue. AHRC TV interviewed Saraswoti Sunar to hear her story.
The programme then moves to the Philippines where law enforcers attached to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency were suspended for misconduct as well as torture. Torture victim Kamid was unjustly arrested on 10 April 2010. PDEA agents planted illegal drugs on him before forcing him to sign a confession. On 23 December 2014, Kamid was temporarily released on bail. However, the case against him for illegal drug possession is still pending in court. AHRC TV talked to Kamid about what happened.
Lastly, the programme ends in Pakistan where AHRC TV seeks Bushra Khaliq’s views on the Pakistani government’s enactment of new laws and acts that contradict citizens’ fundamental rights. Various issues that are being voiced out include unfair power given to the Armed Forces and the restrictions on freedom of speech and expression of citizens and human rights defenders, including Bushra herself.
The bulletin can be watched online at AHRC TV YouTube. We welcome both human rights feeds to be considered for weekly news bulletin, and your suggestions to improve our news channel. Please write to news@ahrc.asia. You can also watch our Weekly Roundup on Facebook.
