Administration of justice

AHRC TV: Rohingya crisis could spark regional conflict says UN chief and other stories in JUST ASIA, Episode 207

This week Just Asia begins with Burma, with the UN’s human rights chief warning that the government’s persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority has the potential to spark regional conflict. “It is sometimes said that today’s human rights violations will become tomorrow’s conflicts,” Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said on Monday. Also this week, the Associated Press […]

INDONESIA: Environment activists in Tumpang Pitu sentenced to 10-month imprisonment

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding the Banyuwangi district court’s sentence of Mr. Heri Budiawan alias Budi Pego, an environment activist, to 10-months imprisonment. In addition, three other activists as well as community members also have been named as suspects, and an investigation is still going on. Budi […]

INDONESIA: The Visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Should Bring Changes

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply appreciates the visit to the Republic of Indonesia of Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. It took place between 4 to 7 February 2018. As a regional human rights organization in Asia, we work closely with our partners and various civil society […]

INDONESIA: Opening remarks by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein at a press conference during his mission to Indonesia

A Press Release from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Bahasa I would like to begin by thanking President Joko Widodo and the Government of Indonesia for inviting us to visit this remarkable, diverse country. Inviting us is, in itself, a testament to how seriously a […]

PHILIPPINES: Debate on constitutional change ignores protection of rights

As widely reported, the Philippines House of Representatives (Congress), the country’s legislative body, is lobbying to change the political system by amending the 1987 Constitution. President Rodrigo Duterte’s political allies in Congress are proposing to change from a presidential form of government, to a federal one. The main reasons given for this are twofold: first, to devolve power to local government; second, a federal […]

INDONESIA: Army Personnel Tortured Indigenous Papuan Man to Death

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received the following information. It comes from the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), a prominent national human rights organization. It is regarding the case of torture to death of Mr. Isak Dewayekua (23), an indigenous Papuan. Three army personnel of Yonif 755/Yalet […]

WORLD: The truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32). Fake news and journalism for peace, MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY

A Message from His Holiness Pope Francis on the occasion of the World Communications Day on 24th January 2018, titled “The truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32).Fake news and journalism for peace, forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission 24 January 2018 “The truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32). Fake news and journalism for peace Dear […]

AHRC TV: Thai activists charged for walking and other stories in JUST ASIA, Episode 206

This week Just Asia begins with Thailand, where seven members of the People Go Network and a sociology professor presented themselves at a police station inPathum Thani Province on Wednesday. The activists were accused of breaching Article 12 of NCPO Order No. 3/2015, which prohibits the gathering of five or more people for political purposes, after they organized and participated in a peaceful […]

INDONESIA: Criminal justice reforms and human rights accountability urgently needed

An Open Letter from the Asian Human Rights Commission to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)  Palais Wilson  52 Rue Des Pâquis  CH-1201 Geneva SWITZERLAND Fax : +41 22 917 9012/0213 […]

AHRC TV: Pakistani police shoot fourth victim in Karachi and other stories in JUST ASIA, Episode 205

This week Just Asia begins with Pakistan, where police shot dead a 24-year-old rickshaw driver while allegedly chasing terrorists. The driver was later found to have nothing to do with any terrorists or gangs. Although the police officers have been arrested, no charges have been filed yet. This is the fourth police killing seen in […]

PAKISTAN: Crucial human rights review

By Reema Omer THE European Commission is due to issue a status report this month on Pakistan`s compliance with the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus conditions, which also include an assessment of the human rights situation in the country. The GSP Plus trading status is an instrument of the EU`s trade policy that aims […]

PAKISTAN: INGOs are not the problem

An article from Daily Times forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission One month ago, the government of Pakistan sparked concern both here and abroad when it expelled some 29 international non-governmental organisations. No concrete explanation was provided beyond the rather vague allegations that these had been both working in unauthorised areas and beyond their […]

INDIA: Dark days for the Judiciary

Statement | India | 12-01-2018

In a first for India, the 4 senior-most judges of the Supreme Court called for a press meet. Justices Chelameshwar, Gogoi, Lokur and Kurian Joseph held a press meet at the residence of Justice Chelameswar, the second in line after the Chief Justice of India, Justice Dipak Misra. There was a flurry of speculation on […]

AHRC TV: Abusive remarks hurled at Hong Kong judge and other stories in JUST ASIA, Episode 203

This week Just Asia begins with Hong Kong, where abusive and racist remarks were hurled last week at Principal Magistrate Bina Chainrai after she sentenced police officer Frankly Chu to three months in prison. In response, human rights lawyer Philip Dykes, legal scholar Johannes Chan and four other barristers made a statement saying such “racial […]

PAKISTAN: Has the country abandoned its children?

Seven-year-old Zainab from Punjab Province’s Kasur District could not have foreseen her life cut short, but the Punjab Government and law enforcement were aware of the statistics; 11 children abused every day. During the past 12 months, 12 girls between the ages of five and eight have been killed in the area where Zainab’s dead […]

NEPAL: Dalit woman beaten after rejecting illicit sexual relationship

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from the Terai Human Rights Defenders Alliance (THRDA) that a Dalit woman was beaten after she rejected a demand to have an illicit sexual relationship with a non-Dalit man in Siraha District of Nepal. The woman has been receiving treatment at the local hospital […]

INDONESIA: Resident of Taliabu Island tortured to death in military post

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), a national human rights organization, and Maromoi Legal Aid, regarding an alleged torture to death against Mr. La Gode, a resident of Taliabu Island, North Moluccas province, Indonesia. After arrested by police officer […]

PAKISTAN: Peasant leader and lawyer disappeared from jail by the intelligence agency

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding a unique type of disappearance of a peasant leader and lawyer who was disappeared from inside the jail after his bail was granted by the sessions court. When the peasants submitted surety bonds for Mr. Nabi’s release, the police and jail authorities […]

AHRC TV: Police shot patient being taken to hospital in the Philippines and other stories in JUST ASIA, Episode 202

This week Just Asia begins with the Philippines, where the police killed two people, including a woman on her way to hospital, after mistaking them for gunmen. The incident occurred on December 28, when police were called to a Manila suburb following an earlier shooting during an argument between residents. The nine policemen involved in the […]

PAKISTAN: Call to arrest Provincial Minister for abduction and torture of Fishermen’s leaders

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding the abduction and torture of a human rights defender and the Chairperson of the Pakistan Fisher Folk Forum (PFF). He along with three colleagues were held hostage by subordinates of the Sindh Provincial Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Muhammad Ali Malkani. As […]