Rule of law

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a man was shot dead by police officers while in the custody of an officer attached to the Hanwella Police Station. He was arrested on 20 September 2010, brought to a location under police protection and shot dead two days after his arrest […]

A military tribunal made its decision against General Fonseka finding him guilty of the charge of being engaged in politics while in military service. The Tribunal made the decision without respect to due process and the principles of fair trial. The handpicked ‘judges’ were previous subordinates of the general who had been subjected to disciplinary […]

After the arrest of Sakvithi many persons from the more affluent sections of Sri Lankan society are demanding the money which they have invested in his illegal business. This raises many issues regarding the relationship between the Sri Lankan middle class and the crisis of rule of law. According to reports, there are many who […]

Bihar is one of India’s most impoverished states; it is also India’s most lawless region. From the point of view of crime it has reached the Situation where many local citizens are leaving the area for reasons of security. Abductions for ransom is now commonplace. With the increase in crime, forms of extrajudicial punishment have […]

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that a man has been charged with a series of offences that are unrelated to his arrest. He was first arrested for his alleged involvement in a non-lethal explosion in Rangoon during 2009 but has been sentenced to 15 years in jail by two judges for other […]

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that a businessman was shot dead by the Gulshan Police in Dhaka after having been kept in arbitrary detention for two days. The incident reportedly took place shortly after the victim’s relatives had refused to pay bribes. The man was brought to a hospital with […]

Dear friends,  The authorities in Thailand continue to detain persons without charge under emergency regulations imposed in response to anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok during April and May. In this appeal we bring you the case of one person, Sombat Boonngamanong, who was detained for holding a memorial for victims of the violence on 26 June […]

A news report published on June 11th from Colombo stated, “Members of the vanquished Tamil Tiger terrorist organization, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are posing as beggars in the cities throughout the country to gather information, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne said today. Addressing a ceremony held in his office this morning to […]

2nd July 2010, court appoints inquest on motion to release activist Mr. Sombat Boonngamanong from emergency decree detention On 2nd July 2010 at 9.00 am, Criminal Court will hear inquest on motion to release Mr. Sombat Boonngamanong who has been detained under Emergency Decree since 26th June 2010. Today, the court ruled in favor of […]

Can a sovereign in a democratic state claim the right to deny the protection of the rule of law to its citizens? This is the core issue that has come to the forefront over the dispute with the international community and Sri Lanka in terms of the GSP+ issue as well as the appointment of […]

An interview conducted by the Asian Human Rights Commission. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the AHRC. Philippines: “I just don’t trust them when it comes to investigating a complaint” Ms. Josie Obguia is a Bachelor of Arts Major in Mass Communications (AB Mass Com) from the University of Mindanao, Davao City. […]

An interview conducted by the Asian Human Rights Commission. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the AHRC. Nepal – A woman activist speaks out against bad policing Sharmila Lungeli has been working with Nari Bikash Sangh (Women’s Development Center), an NGO bringing education, health and advocacy services to women in need in […]

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has obtained detailed information about another case of a monk in Burma who has been imprisoned for alleged anti-government activity. The authorities accused U Gawthita of travelling to Thailand unlawfully and getting support from groups there. A court imprisoned him for seven years without evidence. Gawthita, who […]

The Provincial Court of Narathiwat set the preliminary hearing on the case of Imam Yapha Kaseng at 09.00am on 2 September 2010 To determine if the case of the alleged torture to death of the Imam while under official custody is actionable or not On 18 June 2010, the Provincial Court of Narathiwat scheduled the […]

In a historic decision the Delhi High Court ordered compensation for violation of constitutional and reproductive rights of two impoverished women. The judgment will have immense health policy implications in India, where a maternal death occurs every five minutes. In the case of Laxmi Mandal vs Deen Dayal Hari Nager Hospital & Ors W.P. 8853/2008 […]

(Hong Kong, June 18, 2010) To mark the 14th year of their imprisonment the families of the ‘Abadilla Five’ detainees once again held a demonstration in front of the Supreme Court in Metro Manila to renew their calls for justice. They are asking the court to resolve at once the detainees’ appeal convicting them for […]

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) previously informed you that the Chatkhil police, of Noakhali district had tortured a man to death on May 13, 2010. This was followed by an update on the case regarding intimidation of the father of the deceased victim Robiul Islam Khokon (For further details, please see our […]

Dear friends,  The authorities in Thailand have extended the emergency declaration imposed in response to anti-government protests, and which enables arbitrary detention with minimal judicial oversight. To date the police have released the names of over 400 persons who have been held under its provisions, most of who about few if any details are known. […]

Basil Fernando* On 23 May 2010, police officers, including a woman police constable reportedly tortured and abused a mother and her 12-year-old son in Rajouri Garden Police Outpost in Delhi. It is reported that the officers forced Mala (name changed) to strip naked in front of her minor son and demanded her to have sex […]

On May 15, 2010, all but 2 out of one hundred villagers were seriously injured while police were dispersing them. They had been peacefully protesting against the POSCO steel plant project in Orissa, India. According to reports published in India, the police reportedly fired rubber bullets, live ammunition and tear gas and then prevented the […]