Democracy

NEPAL: The struggle to establish democracy

Article | Nepal | 18-01-2021

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari on December 20 sent shockwaves across the country as she approved the Cabinet’s recommendation for the dissolution of the Lower House of Parliament. The president’s move has pushed the Himalayan country deeper into the quagmire of instability even as it had been attempting to find its footing in democratic politics. […]

SRI LANKA: Four years prison term for contempt of court violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

On 12 January 2021, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka found S. V. R. P. P. A. R. L. S. Alphonsu, known also as Ranjan Ramanayake, as guilty of having committed the offence of contempt of court and sentenced him to four years of rigorous imprisonment. The accused is presently a […]

INDIA: Farmers’ movement challenges the increasing authoritarianism

Article | India | 12-01-2021

Enraged Indian farmers are camping at the borders of national Capital Delhi for months in freezing cold after the Central Government passed three new farm bills ushering major agricultural reforms on 27th September 2020. Agrarian Community’s insecurities are aptly reflected in phased demonstrations to show collective disapproval by sloganeering such as,’Kisan Bacchao, Mandi Bacchao’ (Save the […]

INDONESIA: Two Ministers arrested in anti-graft cases, Has Law-enforcement improved?

When the Pandemic COVID 19 hit Indonesia in May 2020, Law-enforcement in Indonesia recorded a unique phenomenon. The Minister of Law and Human Rights, Mr. Yasona Laoly, released 30,000 prisoners! 1 On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, the Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights, Mr. Yasonna, issued Ministerial Decree Number M.HH-19.PK.01.04.04 of 2020, concerning the Release […]

SRI LANKA: A submission on the making of a new constitution

The Minster of Justice  Room No.32 {Block 02} BMICH,  Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07 expertscommpublic@yahoo.com A submission on the making of a new constitution 1.This submission is made on the assumption that the attempt to make a new constitution is an act done in good faith, motivated solely by the attempt to address what has gone […]

Vulnerability and Religious Minorities in Nepal – In the Context of Covid-19 Pandemic

The Asian Human Rights Commission wishes to inform you about a research report which was conducted and promoted by the Asian Human Rights Commission/Asian Legal Resource Centre and Samari Utthan Sewa (SUS). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the organizational views of the organizations. Please click here to download the Full Report In Nepali RESEARCH […]

ASIA: Extremist religious groups create dangerous fault-lines within communities in Asia, observe panellists of CCA’s virtual conference

A Statement from the Christian Conference of Asia forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission CHIANG MAI: A virtual conference on ‘The Impact of Growing Religious Extremism on Women in Asia’ organised by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) observed, “The menace of religious extremism and intolerance has once again reared its ugly head as […]

INDONESIA: Focus Discussion and Sharing with all Commissioners of the Aceh TRC

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to inform you about focus discussion and sharing with all Commissioners of the Aceh Truth and Reconciliation (Aceh TRC). Since the Aceh TRC established four years ago, the Commission has achieved some important points. They can be described as follows: 5200 victims have been interviewed and statements have […]

INDIA: Democracy detained even as COVID is on a free run

Statement | India | 10-12-2020

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission on the occasion of Human Rights Day Covid has been a tragedy for 7 billion people, for the entire world. Or, perhaps, it has not been for a few. It has rather been a godsend for illiberal governments around the world. A study by Freedom House found, the condition […]

International Community: Stand against Authoritarian Rule in Bangladesh

A Joint Statement on International Human Rights Day, 2020 The international community should take a strong stand for the protection of human rights in Bangladesh, seven human rights groups said on International Human Rights Day. As Bangladeshis grapple with the impact of Covid-19, the ruling Awami League has used the pandemic to tighten the screws on critics and the […]

NEPAL: The Government of Nepal has been using the Covid-19 Pandemic to Exercise Control, to Commit Human Rights Violations and to Deny Justice to Victims of Human Rights Abuses

Statement | Nepal | 09-12-2020

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission on the occasion of the international human rights day The Khadga Prasad (K.P.) Sharma Oli led Government has long been criticized for its response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Nepal. Despite the blanket lockdown imposed on the entire country since 24 March 2020 and the end of […]

INDONESIA: Pretrial Detention under the Criminal Law Procedure Needs Serious Reform

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission on the occasion of Human Rights Day In commemorating International Human Rights Day, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), a regional human rights organization, wishes to convey a strong message to Indonesia concerning pre-trial detention, unfair trial, and torture. The AHRC notes that pre-trial detention under the […]

INDIA: अनुच्छेद 32, सुप्रीम कोर्ट के कुछ फैसले और हालिया विवाद

Article | India | 24-11-2020

विजय शंकर सिंह आजकल न्यायिक क्षेत्र में संविधान के अनुच्छेद 32 और उस पर सुप्रीम कोर्ट द्वारा एक ही सप्ताह में दो अलग अलग पीठों द्वारा की गयी व्याख्या के कारण एक बहस छिड़ गयी है। लगभग सभी बड़े अखबारों ने अपने सम्पादकीय में इस बहस पर चर्चा चलाई है और कानून के जानकारों ने […]

INDONESIA: Interview Regarding Progress of Local TRC in Aceh

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to inform you about an interview with the Commissioner of Aceh Truth and Reconciliation (Aceh TRC), Mr. Muhammad Daud Beureuh. Mr. Daud is also a former intern at the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) in 2012. During the internship, he worked with the Indonesian Desk, he got experiences […]

INDONESIA: How serious is the Government in implementing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Number 16?

On 25 September 2015, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) adopted a Resolution entitled “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” Two years later, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia issued Presidential Decree, Number 59, of 2017, concerning the Implementation of Achieving the Sustainable Development Goal. “No one left behind” is […]

ශ්‍රී ලංකා: නව ව්‍යවස්ථාවක් සඳහාවූ ජාතික ව්‍යාපාරය

සාධාරණ සමාජයක් සදහා  වන  ජාතික ව්‍යාපාරය විසින් නව  ආණ්ඩුක්‍රම ව්‍යවස්ථාවක්  කෙටුම්පත්  කිරීමේ   විශේෂඥ කමිටුව වෙත යවන ලද ලිපිය මෙම ස්ථානයෙන් ලබාගන්න.

SRI LANKA: End of an Era

By Victor Ivan This is not an issue which has received adequate attention. Yet, I am of the view that one era of the history of Sri Lanka which commenced since independence in 1948 has come to an end in 2020.It simply means that the State and its associated socio- political system that was bequeathed […]

INDIA: Morning knock at Anchor’s door exposes the rot in justice system

Article | India | 09-11-2020

By Avinash Pandey A morning knock at the door of one of the most popular and powerful anchors of India. A 40-member strong police team armed to teeth including AK 47 rifles. An Encounter Specialist present with the team. For the uninitiated, encounter specialists are the cops known for extrajudicial executions of criminals, mostly in […]

INDONESIA: Relationship Between Investigator And Prosecutor In Draft of Indonesian Criminal Procedure Law (RKUHAP)

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), a regional human rights organization in Asia and the Indonesian Court Monitoring Society/MaPPI-FHUI, a civil society organization based in Indonesia, wishes to inform you about a journal (essasy) written by Mr. Andi Hamzah, Head of RKUHAP Drafting Team Period 1999-2009, the journal concerning Relationship Between Investigator And Prosecutor In […]

SRI LANKA: Proposed Constitution will enhance existing lawlessness

By Basil Fernando Why is there a need for a constitutional change? Is it to make the already bad situation worse? Or is it to undo, the state of disorder brought about by the 1978 constitution. Judging by the passing of the 20th Amendment to the constitution, it is clear that the proposed constitution is […]