Rule of law

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 […]

Indonesia — A woman speaks out against policing system Answer Styannes is a law graduate from University of Indonesia. She was been involved with civil society issues and has worked for The Community Legal Aid Institute in Jacata. She spoke about her views on Indonesia’s policing system in answering questions posed to her at an […]

Today, the Union Home Ministry, the Chief Ministers of Manipur and Nagaland and a handful of Naga and Meitei nationalists are celebrating the 61st day of their successful enforcement of an indefinite economic blockade organised against the ordinary people living in Manipur state. In tribute to the strenuous effort of the All Naga Students Association […]

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 13 May 2010 (For further details, please see our original appeal: AHRC-UAC-072-2010). Now the AHRC has received updated information. The Chatkhil police have offered money to the victim’s father in an […]

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to inform you that action has been taken against officials found guilty of corruption and misappropriation of government funds intended for the poor in Orissa. However, to date the victims have not been granted compensation. Some village officials have been suspended or discharged from their duties but no […]

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that the Chatkhil police, of Noakhali district have tortured a man to death on 13 May 2010. The witnesses told the AHRC that the body of the deceased torture victim had several marks from injuries. The police prepared a complaint and got it signed by […]

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that more than a hundred villagers were injured in an incident in which the police opened fire and assaulted protestors in Orissa on 15 May. The police have reportedly fired upon the villagers who had gathered at the entrance of their village to prevent […]

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) team killed a man on 16 March 2010. The witnesses told the AHRC that Major Kamruzzaman of the RAB-10 shot the man pointing a pistol at the person’s head in a staircase of a two-storied building. The authorities have […]

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) regrets to inform you that, as anticipated, a human rights defender in Burma was imprisoned again last week. She was originally jailed because of complaints she made against local officials and has now been imprisoned with her husband under the same charges, after appearing before the same […]