Administration of justice

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you about the lack of protection provided to an indigenous man struggling for his land rights, who survived two attempts on his life. The victim has been targeted by the security guards of a landlord because of his refusal to vacate from his ancestral land. The […]

by Basil Fernando Problem There has been much discussion on violence as a result of cultural, ethnic, religious, social, and economic factors, but hardly any on violence caused by failures of the justice sector. Why there is such an absence is hard to grasp. Everyone knows that competent and efficient functioning of policing, prosecution, and […]

An article from the Kathmandu Post, written by Ram Bhandari forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission by Ram Bhandari Four months after the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the Commission for the Investigation of Enforced Disappearance, little progress has been made towards addressing conflict era violations. Now, amidst the ongoing […]

( June 16, 2015 – Hong Kong ) We are sharing with you, the most recent publication of the AHRC, entitled: Deterioration of the Legal Intellect in Sri Lanka – A Miraculous Cure is Possible. It is a collection of recently published articles written by Basil Fernando, on problems of the Sri Lankan Justice System-i.e. Police, prosecutors […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to inform you that Ganga Maya Adhikari, wife of late Nanda Prasad Adhikari, has filed a Right to Information (RTI) application. Ganga Maya, who has resumed her hunger strike in Bir Hospital, seeking justice for the murder of her son Krishna Prasad Adhikari who was allegedly murdered by […]

Amidst claims and counter claims related to the recent militant attack on the Indian Army, as well as a retaliatory strike against militant groups by the Indian Army, lives have been lost in Manipur. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) condemns the use of force with impunity by state and non-state actors in Manipur that […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is dismayed by the attempt of the government of Nepal to outsource policing functions to a paramilitary organization. Rather than reform the police, something the nation and its people sorely need, the attempt to allow the Armed Police Force (APF) to take over policing functions and issue arrest warrants […]

A Statement by Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights at the Human Rights Council 29th Session forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission Mr. President, Excellencies, Colleagues, Seventy years after the founding of the United Nations, what can we conclude about our achievements in the protection and promotion of human […]

In this week’s special Roundup, AHRC TV joins a panel discussion from last week’s Folk School Meeting held in Hong Kong. Human rights defenders from several Asian countries joined a weeklong conference to discuss solutions to human rights impediments in the region. Participants of this panel discussion were Adilur Rahman Khan from ODHIKAR in Bangladesh, Bushra […]

Poor and unhygienic conditions in Tharawaddy Prison has resulted in students and their supporters detained there for over 3 months to be afflicted by diseases and ailments. During the brutal crackdown on 10 May 2015, students and their supporters protesting against the National Education Bill were injured, but no medical treatment has been provided to […]

By Basil Fernando In this series of short essays I have attempted to demonstrate the terrible situation of institutions of justice- police, prosecutors and the judiciary- through some samples. I have also tried to show how intricately linked are the political and societal crisis plaguing the country and the sad state of justice institutions. In […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the deteriorating health of Asia Bibi, who is on death row for allegedly committing blasphemy. The 50-year-old mother of five is suffering from intestinal bleeding and is being denied medical treatment by the jail authorities. She urgently needs medical care and her family members […]

An Open Letter from the Asian Human Rights Commission to Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury of Ban I am writing this short letter to express my appreciation with regard to the statement reported in the media; you have been quoted to have said, “you [referring to tribunal judges] misused your power”. We, in South Asia as well […]

A Press Release from International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is a network composed of 60 judges and lawyers from all regions of the world dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights through the rule of law. Using its unique legal expertise, […]

A Press Release from Karapatan Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Press Statement June 3, 2015 Reference:     Cristina “Tinay” Palabay, Secretary General, 0917-3162831 Angge Santos, Media Liaison, 0918-9790580 On the eve of the submission of the joint statement of the Asian Legal Resource Center (ALRC) and […]

Aftab Bahadur Masih is expected to be executed tomorrow, 10 June 2015. He has now been on death row for over 22 years. The Asian Human Rights Commission is reproducing a translation of a letter Aftab wrote recently from his prison cell in Kot Lakhpat, Lahore. The letter has been translated from Urdu by Reprieve, an […]

Ganga Maya Adhikari, who staged a 360-day hunger strike last year demanding action against the murderers of her son Krishna Prasad, has given a new 10-day ultimatum to the government to address her demands. Since Friday, 5 June 2015, she has only been taking juice and water, heightening her protest against the continuing injustice. Speaking […]

by Basil Fernando In this article, the “justice system” refers to the police, the prosecution (Attorney General’s Department), and the judicial institutions, as separate entities and as a collective in their interactions with each other. That these institutions suffered a great set back due to the operation of 1972 and 1978 Constitutions is unanimously acknowledged. […]

by Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena On the 9th of January 2015, the people of Sri Lanka astounded themselves and many others in the world. An authoritarian ruling family cabal which had ruthlessly stripped the country’s democratic institutions and systems of their basic integrity and legitimacy, subordinated the highest Court in the land and unforgivably repressed and alienated Sri […]

by Nasir Saeed Pakistani Christians are now regularly making nation and international headlines, not because they have achieved something, but because of their suffering for being Christians. Thus Pakistan is being maligned by the international community, which is de facto because of the government’s poor policies and obliviousness to Christians’ growing issues. They have been […]