AHRC News

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SOUTH KOREA: Strong support to those who are struggling for freedom of the media

From the history of the media in South Korea, the government of the military dictatorship controlled media as well as newspapers and instructed them as to what should be posted and broadcasted. There ...

NEPAL: Loopholes in transitional justice bills will put the victims at risk

The Asian Human Rights Commission wishes to express its concern toward the scrapping of the provision prohibiting amnesty for human rights violations in the Bills establishing the Truth and Reconcilia...

SRI LANKA: A sorry state of affairs — illegal arrests and detention

The criminal justice system of Sri Lanka is in decline. Across the country numerous reports document that illegal arrests and detention continues to happen indiscriminately. The Asian Human Rights Com...

PHILIPPINES: The importance of arresting retired general Jovito Palparan Jr.

In the streets of Metro Manila, it is common to see photographs or posters of missing persons posted on walls and electricity poles, with details of the missing person and how to contact the relatives...

SOUTH KOREA: Korean style of ‘Watergate Scandal’?

After the case of Mr. Kim Jong-Ik, a victim of illegal surveillance by the Prime Minister’s Office and exposure by a former official of the Office (for details: AHRC-STM-066-2012), more illegal...

SRI LANKA: Feasible recommendations

Nilantha Ilangamuwa “Hope is the only good that is common to all men; those who have nothing else possess hope still” – Thales of Miletus The Government of Sri Lanka announced just thre...

SOUTH KOREA: Reasons why the country has failed to eradicate corruption

Due to increasing international concerns over corruption, well established systems in the developed countries often become a model for other countries to adopt. Meanwhile, much research has been made ...

PAKISTAN: A year of unjust and impunity for the murderer of two Fisherfolk activists

The Fisherfolk community in Pakistan is considered the poorest of the poor, dwelling in slum settlements along the 1129 kilometres coastline with no basic amenities. A high level of poverty prevails i...

PAKISTAN: A year of unjust and impunity for the murderer of two Fisherfolk activists

The Fisherfolk community in Pakistan is considered the poorest of the poor, dwelling in slum settlements along the 1129 kilometres coastline with no basic amenities. A high level of poverty prevails i...

BANGLADESH: Judiciary cannot derogate from the universally recognized principles

Bangladesh celebrates the 42nd year of its independence at the moment while the nation is found to be still debating over the truths of its history related to the war of independence. The country has...

BURMA: Cynical manipulation of legal system prefigures continued authoritarianism

Two cases in Burma’s courts that recently have attracted some public attention reveal aspects of a legal system being cynically manipulated, aspects that afford strong guarantees for the continu...

SRI LANKA: What Happened to Protect and to Serve?

On an almost daily basis the Asian Human Rights Commission receives complaints related to the practice of torture and ill-treatment by the police in Sri Lanka. From January to November 2011 the AHRC i...

SRI LANKA: Destructive effects of racial nihilism

Nilantha Ilangamuwa “Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first deprives of their senses.” – Euripides The government has about an year to improve governance in terms of human rights...

PAKISTAN: Fisherfolk Blues…

By Qurat Mirza I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straig...

INDIA: Mirror writing of responsibilities

The statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry, ‘explaining’ the country’s position regarding the United Nations’ resolution on promotion, reconciliation and accountabil...

SRI LANKA: Possibility of new opportunities – successful UN resolution

The successful United Nations Resolution on reconciliation and accountability should pave the way for a new period of commitment to cure the wounds of a long conflict, caused upon individuals as well ...

INDIA: Quackery of justice

The National Human Rights Commission is a specialised statutory body mandated to protect, promote and fulfil human rights. Set up by virtue of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the NHRC is the...

SOUTH KOREA: Impartial investigation into unlawful surveillance by presidential office unlikely without independent prosecution

There is serious doubt regarding whether the investigation on unlawful surveillance allegedly involving the presidential secretary for civil affairs can be independent and impartial, since the prosecu...

SRI LANKA: Extrajudicial Killings — The miserable breakdown of the rule of law

By Nilantha Ilangamuwa Our lives are spinning out from world to world; the shapes of things are shifting in the wind. What do we know beyond the rapture and the dread?- Stanley Kunitz* “They finishe...

SRI LANKA: Charades and its price

Nilantha Ilangamuwa  Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet. – African proverb The entire country, not just its diplomatic missions, is in a dilemma today. This has its roots ...