Democracy

SRI LANKA: New Year Wish List – 2011

We hope that wishing for a happy new year in Sri Lanka is not just mere wishful thinking. We wish: 1. That Rizana Nafeek, facing a death sentence in Saudi Arabia, will be released as soon as possible. This wish can become true only if the Sri Lankan government makes all the diplomatic efforts to […]

SRI LANKA: A whistle-blower who exposed the leakage of a question paper at Sri Lanka Law College forced into hiding

A law student at the Sri Lanka Law College learned that one of the question papers for the final exams had been leaked. He learned this when one of his fellow students came to another and explained the question that would come up in the exam to be held that day. The student who knew […]

ASIA: Christmas and New Year Wishes from the Asian Human Rights Commission

The Asian Human Rights Commission wishes everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year. In all countries of Asia, this Christmas and new year will be celebrated in very difficult conditions. We extend our wishes to all families who are struggling in the midst of these difficulties to fight for their rights. We particularly […]

ASIA: The international convention for the protection of all persons from enforces disappearance enters into force

Dear friends, We wish to share with you the following statement from UCANEWS. Asian Human Rights Commission Hong Kong   ————- A Statement from UCANEWS forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission Posted By pramual On December 21, 2010 @ 3:29 pm In Analysis & Opinion, Countries, Daily Service, Sri Lanka   Hundreds of Sri […]

THAILAND: Thai government must ratify the Convention for Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance of the United Nations in effect today

Dear friends,   We wish to share with you the following statement from UCANEWS.   Asian Human Rights Commission Hong Kong   ————- A Statement from UCANEWS forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission     Posted By pramual On December 21, 2010 @ 3:29 pm In Analysis & Opinion, Countries, Daily Service, Sri Lanka […]

INDIA: 10 questions to Chidambaram on Manipur

Statement | India | 14-12-2010

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) appreciates the effort taken by the Home Minister of India in undertaking a visit to Manipur. Manipur is one of the states in India with a poor human rights record. During the past three years the number of encounter killings reported from the state has steadily increased, until the […]

PAKISTAN: Appeal for international intervention in Balochistan

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to forward to you the following open letter from Baloch Human Rights Council (UK). Asian Human Rights Commission Hong Kong ——- An Open Letter from Baloch Human Rights Council (UK) forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) His Excellency Ban Ki-moon Secretary General United Nation […]

BURMA: The spirit of 2007 revived

The Asian Human Rights Commission shares the excitement felt worldwide at the release of Burma’s unrivalled symbol of democracy and hope for the future, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and at her first public speech in many years, held at the headquarters of the National League for Democracy in Rangoon on 14 November 2010. The […]

SAUDI ARABIA/SRI LANKA: Saudi King responds to the plea for Rizana

The Asian Human Rights Commission is happy to learn that His Royal Highness King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia has taken the initial steps towards a reprieve for Rizana Nafeek, the Sri Lankan girl who is currently on the death row in Saudi Arabia convicted for strangling a baby in her care. […]

SRI LANKA: Who will take responsibility for Rizana Nafeek?

Dear friends, We wish to share with you the following article from the Sri Lanka Guardian, written by Dr. Hatoon Ajwad AL FASSI (Ph.D). Asian Human Rights Commission Hong Kong   ————- An article from the Sri Lanka Guardian forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission Sri Lanka: Who will take responsibility for Rizana Nafeek? […]

BURMA: The importance of Aung San Suu Kyi

Yesterday, 11 November 2010, the Supreme Court of Burma rejected a special appeal against the continued detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy, following the trespassing onto her premises of an American citizen in 2009. The Asian Human Rights Commission, among other groups, previously pointed to the contradictory, […]

PAKISTAN: Statement on Victory of Ms. Asma Jahangir as the President of the Supreme Court of Pakistan

The Asian Human Rights Commission extends its congratulation to Ms. Asma Jahangir and her colleagues for their victory of different offices at the Supreme Court Bar Association elections. Her victory as the president of the highest bar association of Pakistan will strengthen the lawyer’s movement for an independent bar, the supremacy of the judiciary and […]

CAMBODIA: CCHR welcomes Secretary of State Clinton to Cambodia as human rights in the Kingdom come under increasing international scrutiny

PHNOM PENHI October 29 — The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) welcomes United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Cambodia and urges her to show leadership by encouraging Cambodia to reverse the drift towards authoritarianism showcased for the world so bluntly during the recent visit of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. As […]

SRI LANKA: The arrest of Mr. Udul Premarathne

(Hong Kong, October 29, 2010) Following the arrest of the student leader, Mr. Udul Premarathne, the Asian Human Rights Commission has today written to the Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Balasuriya urging him to ensure that there is no illegal use of police powers against Mr. Premarathne. As torture is endemic […]

CAMBODIA: 19 Anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements — A time to reflect and a time to look forward

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to forward to you the following press release from The Cambodian Center for Human Rights. Asian Human Rights Commission Hong Kong ————- A Press Release from The Cambodian Center for Human Rights forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) PRESS RELEASE Phnom Penh, 22 October […]

INDIA: A War Criminal concluding the Commonwealth Games is the best it could go!

Article | India | 17-10-2010

*Avinash Pandey  Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka was the guest of honour at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2010, New Delhi. He presided over the extravagant ceremony that would declare the arrival of India on the big stage, conclusively. Presiding over something is nothing new for the President. He has presided over […]

SRI LANKA: How does the constitutional question affect the question of Sri Lankan identity?

SRI LANKA: How does the constitutional question affect the question of Sri Lankan identity? Basil Fernando  The question of ‘identity’ means who is a Sri Lankan? It could be spoken of purely in sentimental terms and by that sense it might work in a particular territory. We can all call ourselves Sri Lankans and that […]

INDIA: What better place than the grave of a mosque could a ‘secular democracy’ find to bury justice?

Article | India | 14-10-2010

Numbness was the first response to the verdict on Ayodhya dispute. Everything and everyone went numb. And then, an eerie silence settled in the room where we were anxiously watching the live streaming of Indian news channels, 5000 miles away from India. We were 6, four Sri Lankans and 2 Indians. It is like one […]

INDIA: Test of honesty for the country’s judiciary or an ode on its demise

Statement | India | 28-09-2010

The contempt of court proceedings initiated against Advocate Prashant Bushan in the Supreme Court of India for the allegations he made against some of the former Chief Justices of the country will test the maturity of India’s judicial system and that of its democratic framework. Indeed the Court has a statutory right to initiate proceedings […]

PAKISTAN: No to undemocratic and unconstitutional change

Dear friends, We wish to share with you the following statement from Citizens for Democracy. Asian Human Rights Commission Hong Kong ————- A Statement from Citizens for Democracy forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission PAKISTAN: No to Undemocratic and Unconstitutional Change We the Citizens for Democracy are: Concerned about an all-sided institutional, financial and […]