Freedom of expression

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is informed by the Human Rights Alert (HRA) about the murder of a journalist in Manipur, India. It is reported that the scribe, Mr. Konsam Rishikanta Singh, working for the Imphal Free Press was shot dead near a place called Second Sangai Home in Langol Hill range […]

Dear friends, In the latest in the series of cases of persons involved in last September’s mass protests in Burma, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) brings you details of the first charges against one of the monks who were at the forefront of the Saffron Revolution. After being held illegally for around 10 months […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been informed by the Campaign for Popular Media Reform (CPMR), Thailand that another community radio station has been raided and had its equipment taken without warning or explanation, other than that it was allegedly operating without a permit. The matter is currently with the public prosecutor. […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has previously reported on the case of the nationally renowned Burmese comedian Zarganar, who was taken from his house in June apparently in connection with cyclone relief work that he was doing at the time. The AHRC has since closely followed the cases against him and a […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) regrets to inform you that a blogger whom we reported earlier to have been charged without evidence has been sentenced on November 10, 2008 to over 20 years of imprisonment. The judgement was rendered after closed door hearings. It consisted of a combined sentence for the three […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been closely following and documenting the detentions and trials in Burma following last September’s mass protests. In this appeal we bring you the case of Zaw Min, who was accused of having sent news abroad, although no independent witnesses or evidence have been brought to the […]

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a blogger was sentenced to three months in prison for expressing his opinion on the judiciary of Singapore over the internet on September 17, 2008. CASE DETAILS: According to information received, Gopolan Nair, a US citizen and a former Singaporean lawyer was arrested […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received detailed information on the case of a man who has been arrested and charged in Burma for having had contact with an overseas radio station, even though it is not illegal to do this. The man, Win Maw, was arrested following the nationwide protests in Burma one year ago for sending news abroad and has been charged with upsetting public tranquillity. […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that eight human rights activists accused of disseminating pamphlets on the allegation of land expropriations were sentenced by the district court on 14 August, 2008 in Aceh, Indonesia. The case is currently pending in the High court after the prosecutor lodged an appeal. It […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) regrets to inform you that yet another three persons have been charged over the protests of last September 2007 in Burma. The three are charged with harbouring a monk who was involved in leading the protests, but as in other cases like it, the police have come […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a union leader was dismissed allegedly for wearing a protest T-shirt while outside of work on July 30, 2008. While a protest regarding her dismissal has continued, tens of colleagues who held a protest were threatened with dismissal and suspension. CASE DETAILS: Body […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) regrets to inform you that at least three more persons have been arrested in recent days apparently because of their work in relief efforts for the victims of Cyclone Nargis. The three are the chairman and members of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters group. Meanwhile, a […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a Head Quarter’s Inspector allegedly assaulted a principal and a teacher on 7 July 2008. It is reported that the teachers were falsely charged and released on bail but have to report to the police station concerned in every Sunday. They were also […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a conscripted young man who objected to military service based on his conscience on 27 July 2008, received an order four times to join in order to disperse protestors, which he has refused. Based on this fact, the prosecutor who pleaded for an […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding the assault of a journalist by military police on 25 July 2008 at their headquarters in Sihanoukville. An investigation was begun following the journalist’s complaint but military police have ill -treated the journalist during the investigation. UPDATED INFORMATION: (Based on testimony from the […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) regrets to inform you of another three cases against three persons who were illegally detained after the protests in Burma last September against the rapid increases in fuel and commodity costs there. The three have been charged with a number of offences for supposedly distributing anti-government literature […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information about a young conscripted man who has served as a battle policeman. He has been repeatedly ill-treated by way of disciplinary punishment. This started after he expressed his opinion on the internet, and after asking for a change in his position, on 12 June […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that a military police officer,  Nget Vutha alias Kin, slapped a journalist, Ros Phina in the face for reporting on his facilitating of the transportation of protected timber. This incident happened on 25 July 2008 in the district military police headquarters in Stung Hav district, […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that the five men, collectively known as the Tagaytay Five, whom we reported to have been missing but were later found in police custody two years ago, will have their petition seeking the dismissal of their case heard tomorrow, July 18. The five […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that police arrested a man for posting handbills, relating to a candle light vigil,on a wall. They fabricated an investigative report, saying that he hit an officer at the time of his arrest on 5 July 2008, which he has denied. CASE DETAILS: Mr. […]