Right to fair trial

NEPAL: Minor and adult unlawfully arrested and tortured

Dear friends, The Terai Human Rights Defenders (THRD) Alliance in Nepal has informed the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) that Juglal Tharu, a 15-year-old, and Mr. Maneshor Tharu, a 28-year-old, both residents of ward 5, Binauna Village Development Committee (VDC), Banke District, have been arrested unlawfully on 14 October 2014 and tortured while in custody. […]

NEPAL: Immediately release the minor imprisoned unlawfully

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been informed that Mujahiddain Khan (alias Kahis Ansari), a 14 year old minor and resident of ward 6, Jaisapur Village Development Committee (VDC), Banke District, has been imprisoned unlawfully since 21 August 2014.The Police Sergeant for the Mid-Western Regional Police Office, Banke, Mr. Netra Bahadur Rana, […]

NEPAL: Parents on hunger strike demand impartial investigation into murder of daughter

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that Mr. Pancha Bir Lama, aged 50, and his wife, Shaili Maya Lama, aged 38, are on hunger strike demanding impartial investigation into the murder of their 21-year-old daughter, Sushila Tamang. They began their hunger strike on 14 June 2014, at Bhadrakali, Kathmandu, located […]

INDONESIA: Newlywed Tortured Following Fabricated Charge of Cannabis Possession

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the arrest, detention, and torture of a man charged for cannabis possession. The arrest of Dany Lastino was conducted by two police officers, following an unverified report submitted over the phone by an unidentified caller. The arrest and torture has taken place just […]

SRI LANKA: ‘People’s Tribunal to End Killings at Police Stations’ – to be Held on July 6, 2014 in Badulla

The Asian Human Right’s Commission sends its greetings to all those taking active part in making the ‘People’s Tribunal Against Killings at Police Stations’ a reality. When looking into recent killings at police stations in Sri Lanka, it is obvious that the decision to form a People’s Tribunal is an important one. It is a […]

SRI LANKA: Victim of assault denied justice to protect an influential culprit

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that the student of a prestigious college in the Kandy District was assaulted by a state educational officer in public. She was subsequently treated at the Kandy Hospital and later examined by a Judicial Medical Officer. The victim complained to the police authorities in […]

INDONESIA: Trial against victim of torture is ongoing

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding another case of torture and the fabrication of charges in Jakarta. The victim was reported to have been taken to an unidentified location and tortured before finally being taken to Jakarta District Police station. His family was not promptly informed on his arrest […]

SRI LANKA: What is the future of a country with zero respect for law enforcement?

By Basil Fernando The major problem affecting all Sri Lankans now, and which is likely to affect future generations, is the complete failure of law enforcement and resulting lawlessness. While virtually everyone is aware of this problem, it is not subject to conversation. For the few who are vocal on matters of public interest, the […]

SRI LANKA: Giriulla police illegally arrested, tortured and detained a man for 39 days without producing before any Court

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that Mr. A.A. Aberathna Bandara was illegally arrested, illegally detained for 39 days and severely tortured by officers attached to the Giriulla Police Station. Aberathna was arrested on 7 February but not produced in court until the 18 March. The police gave the explanation […]

SRI LANKA: Eight men are facing fabricated charges after illegal arrests and torture by police

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that seven persons were arrested and charged with being involved in a fracas that caused the death of one Mr. Renganathen. The confrontation occurred when a group of men tried to intervene in an argument between two men, Moses, a Catholic and Dickson, a […]

SRI LANKA: Nine people illegally arrested, detained and laid with fabricated charges

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a group of nine men were arrested by the Matale police at the instigation of the Superintendent of the Hunnasgiriya Estate. The incident occurred after a group of men protested at the office of the superintendent who had earlier assaulted a man for […]

INDIA: Is the judiciary a panacea?

Statement | India | 01-04-2014

Litigants have approached the Supreme Court of India with manifold requests, solemn and bizarre, that ranges from seeking the court’s intervention to guarantee basic rights for the prisoners to asking the government of India to declare parts of Pakistan as India. These litigations are filed seeking the court to invoke its authority under article 32 […]

INDIA: Most police officers are unfit to serve is now an official position

Statement | India | 24-02-2014

The report by the Director General of Police (DGP), Mr. K. S. Balasubramanian, in the southern state of Kerala to the government, that most of the police officers of the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police are corrupt, inept to discharge their duties and are clinically lazy, speaks volumes about the capacity of the state’s police […]

CAMBODIA: Court rejects bail for remaining 21detainees

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that the court has rejected the appeal of the 21 remaining detainees who sought the reversal of the decision by the lower court rejecting their petition for bail. UPDATED INFORMATION: (from the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO) and Asia Monitor […]

CAMBODIA: Two of 23 detainees released on bail

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that two of the 23 detainees, one of whom is a minor, were released on bail on February 8. The AHRC welcomes the granting of bail and the release of these detainees; however, it notes with apprehension that 21 others remain in detention. […]

CAMBODIA: Twenty three protesters detained for demanding an increase of the minimum wage must be released unconditionally

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes with deep concern regarding the continued detention of 23 persons, composed of labour leaders, garment workers and others, whom police and military arrested in separate incidents on the 2nd and 3rd January, 2014, for holding protests demanding an increase of the monthly minimum wage to USD160 […]

ASIA: Conversations with a chameleon (katussa) – some thoughts for 2014

Article | Asia | 31-12-2013

As I wanted to discuss many things, and as I found no one else to discuss these things with, I was happy to see you on a branch of a tree in our garden. I told myself, “Ah, here is someone I can talk to.” As I approached and greeted you, you nodded to me […]

SAUDI ARABIA: Ahmadis persecuted in the Kingdom

The Asian Human Rights Commission wishes to forward this statement regarding persons who chose to join the Ahmadiyya sect of Islam and the treatment they received thereafter. It is extremely perturbing that we have to bring to the notice of the world’s community the plight of two innocent, loyal citizens of Saudi Arabia who had […]

ASIA: AHRC TV – Human rights Asia Weekly Roundup, EPISODE 11

Today, December 23, 2013, the Asian Human Rights Commission releases the 11th Episode, of the Human Asia Rights Weekly Roundup with special reports on Labour Rights from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. In these countries, specifically in Bangladesh, labour rights have been a matter of serious international concern following several tragic incidents that have led to the […]

THAILAND: Court to read verdict in freedom of expression case

Dear friends, On 11 December 2013, at 9 am in the Bangkok Southern Criminal Court on Sathorn Road, the Supreme Court verdict will be read in the case of Bantit (last name withheld), charged with violating Article 112 of the Criminal Code in Black Case No. 725/2548 (Red Case No. 1483/2549), will be read. The […]