Torture

NEPAL: Police continue using torture as the only resort in the year 2017

Statement | Nepal | 23-06-2017

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on the occasion of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture ‘“As a last resort,” wrote a Nepalese Inspector, “torture is practical and necessary.”’ This was reported 43 years ago in certain newspapers in the United States, in articles titled “Chilling views on torture tactics” […]

BANGLADESH: Institutionalization of torture within law enforcement defeats the purpose of criminalization

A Joint Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission and Odhikar on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies have institutionalized torture within their day-to-day operations. Policing, maintaining law and order, and conducting crimeinvestigations, all incorporate torture as an integral part. At the same time, the widespread use of torture […]

PAKISTAN: The AHRC thanks the Prime Minister of Belgium for saving the life Sajid Hussain

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to sincerely thank the Prime Minister of Belgium M Charles Yves Jean Ghislaine Michel and his administration for taking serious note of the Urgent Appeal issued by the Asian Human Rights Commission AHRC- UAC-033-2017 and taking prompt action with regard to the immediate suspension of the deportation process of Kashmiri […]

INDIA: A country where torture is the norm

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on the occasion of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture India is the only country in Asia that has during the past seven decades remained a parliamentary democracy, having elected its government through a transparent and accountable democratic process. Its judiciary is independent, and […]

INDONESIA: Torture occurs repeatedly as perpetrators enjoy impunity

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on the occasion of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture Torture remains a serious problem in Indonesia, even after 18 years of police and legal reform. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has noted some fundamental problems that prevent the elimination of torture in […]

SRI LANKA: Recommendations of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment on his mission to Sri Lanka

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on the occasion of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture On occasion of the International in Support of the Victims of Torture 2017 we think it is appropriate to recall the recommendations made by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or […]

SRI LANKA/WORLD: UN Rapporteurs point to glaring system failures in the Sri Lankan Justice system

READ Report on Independence of Judges and Lawyers  READ Report on Torture The Asian Human Rights Commission strongly endorses the reports of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of Judges and Lawyers, Ms. Monica Pinto and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Dr. Juan E Mendez. For […]

INDONESIA: Judges annul suspect status of three detainees for motorcycle theft

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding a pretrial judgment cancelling the suspect status of three detainees for motorcycle theft. Assisted by Jakarta Legal Aid (LBH Jakarta), the three detainees sued the Jakarta Metropolitan Police about the illegality of the investigation process and their suspect status. However, despite the […]

SRI LANKA: TORTURE VICTIM HARASSED BY POLICE TO WITHDRAW HIS CASE SEEKS JUSTICE

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information regarding Mr. Sandaradura Nilanka de Silva. On 28 March 2016 he was illegally arrested by police officers attached to the Kalutara North Police Station. Later he was severely tortured resulting in the loss of one tooth. Nilanka was introduced to the Informant who gave his […]

SRI LANKA: Opposite Approach to Minimize Torture in Sri Lanka

By Sanjeewa Weerawickrama [1] The history of torture has been from time immemorial. Today and in the future torture is a reality in many countries. To solve a problem there may be multiple approaches. Maybe certain methods are more effective than others but each has its own ways, means and value. An intervention to minimize […]

SRI LANKA: Final Report on the ‘Policy and Legal Framework Relating to the Proposed Counter Terrorism Act of Sri Lanka’

A Report from the Institute for International and Comparative Law, University of Pretoria & Foundation for Human Rights, South Africa, forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission READ FULL REPORT HERE 13 June 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Foundation for Human Rights (‘FHR’) and the University of Pretoria’s Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa (‘ICLA’) […]

AHRC TV: Pakistan observes World Day Against Child Labour and other stories in JUST ASIA, Episode 175

This week Just Asia begins with Pakistan, which observed World Day Against Child Labor on June 12. Despite official fanfare and praise, child labour continues to increase in the country, and child rights groups have criticized the government for not criminalizing it. Civil society is urging the government to formulate policies and laws to eliminate child labour and take […]

INDIA: Torture and illegal detention of law student reaffirms need for anti-torture law

Statement | India | 15-06-2017

On June 9, it was reported that 26-year-old law student, M Stalin, had been tortured by the police in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. On his way to drop his family members at the bus station, he was picked up by the police on suspicion of being part of a red sander smuggling network and detained for 18 hours. […]

SRI LANKA: Elderly pedestrian tortured for inability to identify photos of other pedestrians

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information regarding the police torture of a 64-year-old man in Kalutara District. On 24 May 2017, Mr. Dissanayaka was illegally arrested and asked to identify photos of pedestrians at the Vesak celebrations he had attended earlier. When he failed to identify them, he was severely tortured […]

SRI LANKA: Young man severely tortured by Kandy Police

Dear Friends, According to the information the Asian Human Rights Commission has received, a man was illegally arrested, detained and tortured by police officers attached to the Kandy Headquarters Police Station. Lahiru Perera was first questioned about an abandoned mobile phone which he picked from the roadside at the Kandy Town one year ago. He […]

AHRC TV: Sri Lanka second best place for children in Asia and other stories in JUST ASIA, Episode 174

This week Just Asia begins with Save the Children’s new report ‘Stolen Childhoods’ in Sri Lanka. Launched on June 1, the report explores a unique index presenting the major reasons why childhood comes to an early end. Sri Lanka is ranked as the 61st best country in the world for children to grow up in, […]

SRI LANKA: Medical officers colluding with police refuse to treat a victim tortured by Ingiriya Police

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission has received information regarding medical officers attached to Ingiriya Government Hospital and the Horana Base Hospital refusing to treat a torture victim on 17th January 2017. The victim, according to information, had been severely tortured by police officers attached to the Ingiriya Police Station on that same day. […]

INDONESIA: Jakarta Metropolitan Police repeatedly torture suspects to confess crimes

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information about the torture and forced confession of Mr. Aris Winata Saputra and Mr. Bihin Charles, committed by police officers of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police office (Polda Metro Jaya). Mr. Bihin Charles works as a courier at Soekarno Hatta International Airport, whereas Mr. Aris Winata […]

INDONESIA: Jakarta police officers torture victim to confess motorcycle theft

Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Jakarta Legal Aid (LBH Jakarta) regarding torture committed by police officers of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya). Mr. Herianto was accused and charged of motorcycle theft without proper investigation. The police officers forced him to confess that he knew Mr. Ceper, […]

INDONESIA: Stop persecution against the right to freedom of expression and opinion

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has become aware that persecution against people who exercise their right to freedom of expression and opinion is very widespread in Indonesia. The violations are mostly committed by hardline groups. This persecution has been prevalent since the Police investigated and prosecuted Mr. Rizieq Shihab, the leader of an anti-tolerant […]