Right to life

PAKISTAN: Intelligence agencies refuse to renew national identification of Kashmiri writer

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that the National Database and Registration authority (NADRA), a state regulatory body, has refused to renew the National Identification card of Dr. Shabbir Choudry, allegedly on the instruction of the intelligence agencies. Dr. Shabbir Choudry, a Pakistani citizen, is a well known intellectual of the Kashmiri […]

PAKISTAN: Asylum appeal for young man threatened to death by religious extremists

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding  death threats to a young man and his parents from religious fanatics for committing blasphemy while he was sitting for his annual examinations. The young man and his family are since hiding 2011.  A blasphemy case is pending in Court and he was 17 […]

PAKISTAN: Protest over UN bodies’ decision to give an award to IT minister

Dear Mr. Ban Ki-moon PAKISTAN: Protest over UN bodies’ decision to give an award to IT minister This is to formally lodge our serious protest over the fact that the United Nations’ Women and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have given “Gem-Tech Global Achievement Award” to Pakistan’s Minister of State for Information Technology Ms. Anusha Rehman, […]

PAKISTAN: Yet another minor at the time of crime faces imminent execution

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information about another execution in Pakistan, planned for December 17, Saturday, which merits wide attention. Muhammed Anwar, the accused, a minor when the alleged crime was committed, who has since spent 23 years on death row, a time that exceeds a life sentence, will be […]

PAKISTAN: Illegal government actions render 8000 media house employees jobless

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is concerned about the ongoing victimization and media trial of Pakistan’s emerging media house, the Bol Media Group. The media network and its parent company Axact, the largest exporter of software solutions and the biggest IT Company in Pakistan, have been forcibly closed by the Federal Investigation […]

PAKISTAN: No inquiry into Army lapses in Peshawar school massacre

The smallest coffins can be the heaviest to bear. On 16 December 2014, exactly one year ago, many Pakistani parents had to bear the pain of seeing their children die in a terrible manner. As many as 134 school children of the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar were massacred on that day, in a […]

PAKISTAN : Human Rights Commission of Pakistan calls for stay of execution

A PRESS RELEASE – by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) calls for stay of execution, forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission, Hong Kong. Lahore, December 15: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called upon the President to stay the execution of Syed Saqi Shah who is scheduled to be hanged […]

PAKISTAN: Halt the execution of Saqi Shah, a minor at the time of the incident

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information of the execution of two persons who have already spent 23 years in prison, including 20 years on death row in Adialla Prison. They are to be hanged on December 16, which is the first anniversary of the terrorist killing of 145 children at […]

PAKISTAN: Halt the execution of Saqi Shah, a minor at the time of the incident

Please Send the following petition by fax & email to all addresses Mr. Ban Ki Moon Secretary General of the United Nations Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General  United Nations S-378, New York, NY 10017  USA Tel: +1 212 963 5012 Fax: +1 212 963 7055 or 2155 E-mail: ecu@un.org, inquiries@un.org Tel. +1 212 963 7162 […]

SRI LANKA : Critical changes necessary to restore eroding public faith

– Basil Fernando Leading human rights activist Basil Fernando faults the government for not pushing the good governance agenda enough: It’s time to come up with a proper implementation plan to investigate and punish those involved in the corruption and crimes that occurred during the previous decades, says leading Human Rights activist, Basil Fernando Chathuri […]

PAKISTAN: From the Frying Pan, to the Fire

Human Rights violations remain widespread due to the failings of, and lack of reforms to, the country’s institutional framework, in particular, key institutions of the rule of law – the police, the prosecution, and the judiciary. This is compounded by persisting impunity enjoyed by law enforcement agencies particularly by the Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies. […]

INDONESIA: After 17 years of reform, who will protect human rights?

Today, celebrating international human rights day, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) expresses its concern about various forms of human rights violations still occurring in Indonesia, despite the Soeharto dictatorship having ended 17 years ago. Major human rights violations abound. There is impunity for past abuses, torture and fabricated cases (unfair trial), assorted violations in […]

BANGLADESH: Government and Justice Institutions owe explanations about enforced disappearances

A Joint Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission and the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) calls for the return of all disappeared persons to their families. The government of Bangladesh must tell the whereabouts of the disappeared persons, and respond […]

AHRC TV: JUST ASIA, Episode 101

This week world leaders met in Paris to kick off a two-week climate change summit, a meeting some say will determine the future viability of human civilisation on our planet. Just Asia looks at the implications for Asia from a human rights perspective. Next, Just Asia reports on the violent arrests of Papuans during peaceful […]

INDIA: Soft loans for sugar barons, suicide for farmers

Avinash Pandey By 30 June 2015, 1300 farmers had killed themselves in Maharashtra, according to the state government’s own admission, with half of the year still to go. The ongoing drought in Marathwada was supposed to deepen the crisis, which it did, with the toll reaching 997 there alone by 30 November 2015. The total […]

INDIA: Droughts don’t wait for ‘official declaration’.

Statement | India | 02-12-2015

More than 100 farmers have reportedly committed suicide in Uttar Pradesh, one of the most impoverished states in India, because of a hailstorm that destroyed their crops. The situation will only worsen with 50 of 75 districts being hit by a severe drought. Despite having evidence of the drought, the provincial government took two and […]

PAKISTAN: Mullahs continue destruction of Ahmadi Muslim Mosques and properties

The world had hardly come to terms with the shock and horror of the burning down of a chipboard factory by an enraged mob led by misanthropic mullahs when news has emerged of another attack. This time an Ahmadi Muslim mosque in Kala Gujram, not far from the chipboard factory, has been targeted. The local […]

PAKISTAN: New wave of attacks, abduction, rape and forced conversion of Christians

Courtessy from daily Pakistan Freedom of religion is a fundamental right that exists only on paper in Pakistan. Each year thousands of Christians, forming 13% of the total population, suffer at the hands of religious bigots who use blasphemy as an excuse to ruin their life. Christian girls are increasingly being forced to convert to Islam. According […]

INDIA: Attacks on Entitlements threaten food security, Mr. President.

Article | India | 20-11-2015

Avinash Pandey Dear President Pranab Mukherjee, it feels good to see your concern over the imminent threat of food insecurity because of the degradation of large masses of agricultural land. Your insistence upon the urgent need to adopt more sustainable methods of land use systems and soil management practices is really important and must be […]

PHILIPPINES: Group of indigenous persons accused of being rebels by military

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) deeply regrets to inform you that a group of Banwaon tribesmen were threatened, harassed and accused of being members of the New People’s Army by the 23rd Infantry Battalion and Civilian Armed Forces geographical Unit (CAFGU) identified as Mama Manpinsahan. CASE DETAILS: (Based on the documentation by […]