Statement

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) congratulates Indians on their 65th Independence Day. The world’s largest democracy, has come a long way from what it was in 1947 – an impoverished and underdeveloped nation – to become the third largest economy in the world in terms of purchase power parity. While in the immediate neighbourhood […]

The Rev. Rudge Pereira and his family have been living in Ward Place in their ancestral property for over 51 years. Since 2008 a group of people have been harassing the family during the day and night in an attempt to force them to leave the premises. This harassment, the family believes, is aimed to […]

A court in Bangkok on 10 August 2011 sentenced a torture victim to two years in prison for having spoken out against his alleged torturers. Police Major General Chakthip Chaijinda brought the criminal complaint (Black Case No. 2161/2552) against Mr Suderueman Malae, one of the clients of forcibly abducted and disappeared human rights lawyer Somchai […]

For a government, when its law enforcement agencies are accused of housing criminals in uniform, it is an embarrassment, to the say the least. When the accusation, that the state police have become a roost for criminals, is made by a superior court, it must carry certain credence. That the court makes such worrying observation, […]

About 36 years ago two brothers were illegally arrested and tortured to confess to spying by the investigating authorities. Due to this false confession, they were convicted and imprisoned for 10 years. This case was recently reviewed by a court that found them not guilty in February last year. Based on this decision, their relatives […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been made aware of an email hoax that has been circulating in the recent weeks. The scam email alleges that the AHRC would assist persons to claim a lottery prize through communications with the Chinese authorities. This circulating letter is false. Please do not respond to the email […]

Mr. Pattini Razeek, a well known human rights activist and a member of the executive committee of Forum Asia disappeared on February 11, 2010, yesterday (July 28) his body was exhumed before the Valachchenai Magistrate. The body had been buried within a half built private house in a remote village in Uddamaveli, Valachchanair and the […]

An interview with Basil Fernando, director for Policy and Programme Development of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) SPECIAL REPORT Torture in the Philippines & the unfulfilled promise of the 1987 Constitution OVERVIEW: In this eighth interview in the series, Basil Fernando, a Sri Lankan human rights lawyer and director for Policy and Program Development […]

In response to the HKSAR’s attempted arrest and subsequent obstruction of a human rights observer of the Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor (HKHRM) in his execution of observation duties and journalists were interrupted and arrested when exercising their duties on the 14th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of […]

The Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) and the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) urge the military to make open to the public the upcoming trial in a case of military torture that was committed against Charles Mali and others in East Nusa Tenggara. Closed military tribunals have in the past contributed […]

The following is a review of Sri Lanka’s compliance with the obligations under the CAT. The Asian Human Rights Commission receives complaints relating to the practice of torture and ill-treatment by the police in Sri Lanka on an almost daily basis. After verification these reports are published by the Urgent Appeals programme of the AHRC […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) takes exception to the information that the government of Nepal has asked the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in writing to halt investigations it had undertaken into allegations of gross human rights violations dating back to the time of the conflict. The AHRC is seriously concerned by this additional […]

The long struggle of a female worker has drawn the attention of both the local and international community. Ms. Kim Jin-suk, a member of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) has been occupying the cabin of Crane No. 85, which is 35 metres high, in the shipyard of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission is seriously concerned about the recent arrests and intimidation by the Malaysian government against the leaders and supporters of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) in Malaysia. Bersih 2.0, a coalition of over 60 NGOs, planned to hold a rally on July 9 to demand electoral reforms […]

On April 19, 2011, a 14-year-old tribal girl was gang-raped by four alleged security force officers in Narayanpatna of Koraput district, where there is an ongoing conflict between the government and Naxalites over land and power. Additionally, Operation Green Hunt has increased hardship for the villagers following greater incidents of police violence. In November 2009 […]

The recent statement by the Human Resource Development Minister, Mr. Kapil Sibal, expressing concern over the process of wider consultation in the drafting of the anti-corruption law, the Lokpal Bill, calls for reflection and debate. The Minister has said that the government would not in the future consider involving the civil society for drafting legislations. The Minister’s […]

A Joint Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission and other Thai NGOs “Torture is a crime” Statement on International Day Against Torture For Immediate Release on June 26, 2011 “Human Rights Organizations urge Thai Government to prevent and eliminate the use of torture by law enforcement officials in Thailand by implementing its obligation under […]

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission on the Occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, June 26, 2011 Every year, 26 June marks the day to remember and renew our support to those who have been victims of torture worldwide. A day in support of victims of torture mandates […]

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission on the Occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, June 26, 2011 Has the video showing military torture in Indonesia in October last year created any serious concern for torture in that country? In the video, members of the Indonesian military tortured two […]

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission on the Occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, June 26, 2011 Three years have elapsed since the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh promised the country that India would ratify the United Nations’ Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment […]