Statement

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is gravely concerned at the apparent lack of action by the prosecutor in two recent serious criminal cases in Cambodia. It wishes to remind the prosecutor that the state is obliged to prosecute all cases where sufficient evidence exists of criminal wrongdoing, without regard to the payment of money […]

The interim prime minister of Thailand, General Surayud Chulanont, on November 7 told the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Bangkok that his government is committed to “restoring the rule of law”. In his speech, he said that there had been a “rapid deterioration” in the rule of law under the preceding government of Pol. Lt. Col. […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) welcomes the agreement reached between the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) political parties and the Maoist insurgents, which paves the way for an end to the decade-long conflict in Nepal and the establishment of peace, security and development, as well as the rule of law, justice, and the enjoyment of […]

The AHRC today to the editor of the Daily Mirror newspaper protesting against an unfair and biased report written by Sushita R. Fernando on a well known torture case.  The writer quotes the police officer who attacks human rights organisations for supporting torture victims claiming that it is an obstruction to police officers inquiring into […]

Ms. Jayanthi Dandeniya, the coordinator of Families of the Disappeared based at Raddoluwa, Seduwa, has announced the launching of a signature campaign by the victims of past disappearances to demand authentic investigations into the present spate of disappearances and to have them stopped. “Our experience regarding the disappearances in the late eighties clearly demonstrates that […]

It was reported in the Island newspaper on November 5th that President Rajapakse is expected to announce the possible appointment of an eight member commission of inquiry to investigate fifteen cases of abduction, disappearance and extrajudicial killings that occurred after 2005 (Eight-member local team to probe abductions, killings – by Namini Wijedasa).  The immediate reaction […]

On 8 November 2004, a 21-year-old philosophy student at the University of Karachi had just finished a radio broadcast on the famous poet Joan Elia when he was abducted from the downtown building. His tortured and mutilated body was found at its boundary wall two days later, November 10. It was taken to the Jinnah […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AS-275-2006 November 06, 2006   A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission   INDONESIA: Refusal to cooperate with United Nations human rights mechanisms in investigation of Munir’s death     The wife of celebrated human rights defender Munir Said Thalib, who was poisoned and died on September 7, 2004 under highly […]

On November 3, the media reported that the Philippines has once again been elected to a seat on one of the main organs of the United Nations–the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Ambassador Lauro Baja Jr., permanent representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, quickly praised the overwhelming number of votes received by the […]

The presence of the Prime Minister calls for additional security and protection. With protection and security being the job of the police, they will be on their toes when it is a matter concerning people like the Prime Minister, Governor and other ministers in India. The reason is simple; because these persons, if they wish, […]

Following the letter sent by Ms. Kim Soo A on behalf of the AHRC to the Director General of UNESCO objecting to the appointment of an article appeared in LANKAWEB.  The AHRC sent its reply today and we reproduce below the text of our letter.  Please refer to this link to see our earlier letter AHRC-OL-059-2006 […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is shocked by the October 30 air attack on a religious school that reportedly killed around 100 persons at Damadola, near Khar in the Bajaur tribal district on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. There are many serious questions arising from the attack. Among them, the two most pressing […]

The presence of the Prime Minister calls for additional security and protection. With protection and security being the job of the police, they will be on their toes when it is a matter concerning people like the Prime Minister, Governor and other ministers in India. The reason is simple; because these persons, if they wish, […]

Following the letter sent by Ms. Kim Soo A on behalf of the AHRC to the Director General of UNESCO objecting to the appointment an editorial and a letter to the editor have appeared in the Island Newspaper and the AHRC sent its reply today.  We reproduce below the text of our letter.  Please refer […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  AS-269-2006 November 1, 2006 A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission THAILAND: Somchai, Tak Bai, secrets & lies The head of the military junta overseeing the interim government in Thailand, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, on October 31 reportedly said that he has information that the mastermind of the 12 March 2004 disappearance […]

In this morning’s edition of the Sunday Times a news item entitled “Acquitted police officer taking case to the HRC” reported that in the famous case filed by a torture victim in Sri Lanka who complained that he was severely beaten and was spat by a tuberculosis patient on the instructions of a police officer, […]

As the delegates prepare for the Geneva peace talks to be held this weekend (28th and 29th October), the usual practice of trading accusations against each other by the government and the LTTE is happening once again. The government has published statistics of over two thousand deaths alleged to be the result of cease fire […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  AS-266-2006 October 25, 2006 A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission THAILAND: Prime minister ignorant of the Philippines & the south The Bangkok Post of October 24 quoted the interim prime minister of Thailand, General Surayud Chulanont, as saying that he will adopt methods used by the Philippine government to deal […]

In March 2005, the then-army commander in Thailand, General Pravit Wongsuwan, was asked what disciplinary action would be taken against three generals found liable for the death of 84 innocent civilians on 25 October 2004, six outside the Tak Bai District Police Station and 78 in army trucks that transported over one thousand demonstrators and […]

Victor Ivan, a reputed Sri Lankan journalist and author has produced a book entitled ‘Choura Regina – the Rogue Queen’, regarding the former Sri Lankan president, Chandrika Bandaranaike. This book makes very serious allegations against events that occurred during the period of the presidency of Mrs. Bandaranaike.  The series of events revealed in the book […]