Freedom of expression

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a lawyer, who provided legal advice at the site of protests, was attacked and severely injured by a shield used by riot police whilst forcibly dispersing protesters on 26 June 2008. CASE DETAILS: (based on the testimony from the victim) Mr. Lee Joon-Hyung is […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has obtained information that two activists appealing the illegal arrest of others, and one activist monitoring police violence during recent protests, were arrested on 25 June and 30 June 2008 respectively and later charged with instigating an illegal protest in South Korea. CASE DETAILS: On 25 June […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that the police allegedly ordered parents to pay a bribe of 150000 riels (US$37.5) each if their sons were not to be arrested after these youths had damaged a party sign in Soeung commune, Bor Keo district, Rattankiri province. On 2 July 2008, they arrested […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has obtained detailed information on the case of Ko Htin Kyaw, one of the persons who was illegally detained in Burma since August 2007 for being involved in the first protests against the sudden increases in fuel prices that led to the monk-led nationwide rallies in September. […]

Attacks on journalists continue unabated despite of massive protests from local and international agencies and despite all sorts of talk by the spokesmen for the government about stopping human rights violations. Empty rhetoric assuring respect for human rights only hides the cynical disregard for the rights of the citizens. Silencing all is the actual policy […]

[NOTICE: The AHRC have developed this automatic letter-sending system using the “button” below. However, in this appeal, we could not include e-mail addresses of some of the Pakistan authorities. We encourage you to send your appeal letters via fax or post to those people. Fax numbers and postal addresses of the Pakistan authorities are attached […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned that Dam Sith, the editor of Moneaksekar Khmer newspaper, was arrested on charges of alleged defamation, insult and disinformation on 8 June 2008. Dam has been facing a criminal lawsuit after his newspaper published an opposition politician’s remarks about the Khmer Rouge affiliation of a government […]

Dear friends, While the Cyclone Nargis tragedy has continued, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has at the same time been closely following the ongoing cases against persons detained and tried in Burma after the nationwide protests of 2007. In this appeal we bring you details of the illegal detaining and trial of U Ohn […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that the victims of land grabbing who went to the residence of Prime Minister Hun Sen to submit their petitions seeking his intervention were beaten by the police guarding his residence. Six of the victims were injured during the incident. CASE DETAILS: (According to information from […]

[NOTICE: The AHRC have developed this automatic letter-sending system using the “button” below. However, in this appeal, we could not include e-mail addresses of some of the Pakistan authorities. We encourage you to send your appeal letters via fax or post to those people. Fax numbers and postal addresses of the Pakistan authorities are attached […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that two websites were illegally blocked and charged under the Computer Crime Act while twenty nine sites face closure under the same legislation for allowing an open-forum discussion talking about the Thai monarchy. CASE DETAILS: According to media and other sources, two websites–Fah Diaw […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Neervazhy, a human rights organisation working in Thrissur, Kerala regarding the case of assault by the local police upon an innocent person. It is reported that Mr. Kuttan while waiting for a three-wheeler to go home on 23 April 2008 was assaulted by […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that two Thai websites (Fah Diew Kan and Prachatai) have been charged under Article 116 (2) of the Criminal Code for publishing discussions of a man’s refusal to stand during the Royal Anthem. This is in violation of the freedom of expression as set down in […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information that the Supreme Court dismissed all charges against Song Du-yul, German professor, under the National Security Law (NSL) on 17 April 2008. The AHRC welcomes the court’s decision and we thank you for all your support. UPDATED INFORMATION: Song Du-yul, 64, was immediately […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that 37 protestors have been injured when the policemen violently dispersed them. The police hit them with clubs, truncheons and stabbed one of them with a bladed weapon. One had his little finger cut; others suffered fractured bones and cuts on their heads. […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that a government owned firm has unfairly terminated three workers, including a union leader, and suspended 36 others for holding a symbolic protest demanding the provision of benefits due to them. Their demand is part of the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) Incentives which […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes with deep concern regarding the routine practice by the Nepalese police of arresting and subsequently detaining Tibetan protesters holding peaceful demonstrations. On March 28, at least 89 persons, including women, children and Buddhist monks, were taken into police custody from the districts of Kathmandu and Lalitpur. […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the alleged threat to a Member of Parliament (MP) who was prevented from holding a meeting with villagers by the village head of Tuk Lich village, Siemreap province on 26 February 2008. The MP organised the meeting to listen to the villager’s complaints […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that ten activists were charged with trespassing and coercion in relation to peaceful protest that was held on 12 December 2007 in Thailand. The demonstration was organized to protest against the appointed National Legislative Assembly’s (NLA) attempts to push through legislation that would restrict […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from the Meetchi Makkal Iyakkam and the People’s Watch, two human rights organisations based in Tamil Nadu, India regarding the case of people’s protest against the systematic denial of rights and the discrimination practiced against the Dalit communities in Iruvappapuram panchayat. Iruvappapuram panchayat comprising […]