Columns

An article by Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth published by the Asian Human Rights Commission CAMBODIA: “A Khmer’s ‘one kilo of brain’ that is as good as any other brain” Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth My Sep. 22 column, “Effect of teachers is long lasting,” brought an anonymous blogger’s comments, signed “kaun khmer” (Khmer child), who thanked all educators […]

An article by Mr. Temogen Tulawie published by the Asian Human Rights Commission PHILIPPINES: “Guilty until proven innocent” “Sige ka, magiging Cocoy ka” This line has become part of the equation to scare Human Rights workers and the people in Sulu away from the very thing that is inherent to human — their rights. The […]

An article by Prof. Angana Chatterji* published by the Asian Human Rights Commission SOUTH ASIA: Kashmir, India’s historically manufactured nemesis “Freedom” represents many things across rural and urban spaces in India-ruled Kashmir. These divergent meanings are steadfastly united in that freedom always signifies an end to India’s authoritarian governance. In the administration of brutality, India, […]

An article by Avinash Pandey Samar published by the Asian Human Rights Commission SRI LANKA: Is it some new political science you are referring to Dr Dayan! Avinash Pandey Samar “Who is the ultimate arbiter whom the citizens of Sri Lanka should follow” is the biggest question troubling Dr Dayan Jayathillake, a Sri Lankan writer. […]

An article by Avinash Pandey Samar published by the Asian Human Rights Commission SRI LANKA: Nations don’t die, they are murdered! (A response to Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka) Avinash Pandey Samar Nations do die, in fact they get murdered despite all the claims on the contrary. Only problem is that one needs to have a little […]

An article by Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth published by the Asian Human Rights Commission CAMBODIA: “What Cambodians need most urgently in the kind of world they live” Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth September 15, 2010 The East-West Cold War ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union on Dec. 25, 1991: Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev resigned from his […]

An article by Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena published by the Asian Human Rights Commission SRI LANKA: Our death chant for democracy Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena (This article appeared in the Focus on Rights column of The Sunday Times, September 12, 2010) There were passing antics on display this week over the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. One considerably amusing […]

An article by Sunalie Ratnayake and Sanath Jinadasa published by the Asian Human Rights Commission SRI LANKA: Proposed 18th Amendment to the constitution — An encoded devious mission of the ruling schemers Sunalie Ratnayake and Sanath Jinadasa In a concise epoch, much succinct than one could have ever imagined, or may have ever anticipated, especially […]

An article by Rebecca Buckwalter-Poza published by the Asian Human Rights Commission SRI LANKA: 18th Amendment through American eyes Repercussions of the 18th Amendment and the Decline of Democracy Rebecca Buckwalter-Poza “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” – Lord Acton, 1887 (Pictured above: A group of Sri Lankan lawyers burn a coffin […]

An article by Pepe Panglao published by the Asian Human Rights Commission HONG KONG/PHILIPPINES: Territories and countries — complaining with and without protection Pepe Panglao When I was a little boy I heard countless stories of mothers who lost their sons in senseless killings. There were stories of young men either stabbed or shot dead […]

An article by the Home for Victims of Torture published by the Asian Human Rights Commission SRI LANKA: Nanda Kuman–Torture victim released The Home for Victims of Torture Nandakumar and his family Nanda Kumar was arrested on April 17 2008, while he was working at the BOI in Balagolla. He was arbitrarily arrested by officers […]

An Article by Justice Rajindar Sachar published by the Asian Human Rights Commission INDIA: Peace in Kashmir Justice Rajindar Sachar 19 August 2010 New Delhi The reaction to the Prime Minister’s statement on the question of autonomy is on expected lines – cynics say it is not enough but do not conveniently spell out the […]

An article by Jaran Ditapichai published by the Asian Human Rights Commission THAILAND: National reconciliation and reform: all talk and no action Jaran Ditapichai Three months after the Army’s crackdown on May 19th, 2010 which caused 91 deaths and almost 2,000 injured, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has not yet come to terms with the fact […]

An article by Pepe Panglao published by the Asian Human Rights Commission HONG KONG/PHILIPPINES: Territories and countries — with and without protection Pepe Panglao I am a Filipino and I have a Filipina working in my home as a domestic worker. My family, my worker and I are amongst those fortunate enough, to experience the […]

An article by Nafiz Chowdhury published by the Asian Human Rights Commission BANGLADESH: A discussion on the rape of the nine year old child Nafiz Chowdhury My article ‘It is your daughter, so what?’ drew some response. One response was to deny the incident of rape and the wrong response of the Member of Parliament […]

An article by Professor Harry Roque published by the Asian Human Rights Commission PHILIPPINES: Torture August 20, 2010 It was not the ideal image to wake-up to. There he was: naked, emaciated and cringing from pain whenever his torturer would pull the rope attached apparently to his sex organ. He was hog-tied like a beast […]

An article by Arthur Silva published by the Asian Human Rights Commission SRI LANKA: Police beating of an MP–Does It Matter? Arthur Silva A Member of Parliament yelled during a parliamentary session stating that police officers beat him up when he went to make a complaint on behalf of some people. He did this by […]

An article by Nafiz Chowdhury published by the Asian Human Rights Commission BANGLADESH: It is your daughter, so what? Nafiz Chowdhury A man from Bangladesh who was talking to his member of parliament, asking her not to stop the local police from investigating into the rape of his nine year old daughter had the shock […]

An article by Mr. Tappan Bose published by the Asian Human Rights Commission INDIA: Kashmir Diary–Where do we go from here? Tappan Bose Friday 13, 2010 Four more were killed in the valley. It was the first Friday, Jumma of the Holy month Ramadan. The killing began immediately after the morning (fajar) prayer in Trehgam […]

An article by Sunalie Ratnayake and Sanath Jinadasa published by the Asian Human Rights Commission SRI LANKA: The Rajapakse doctrine and a decree of unreserved malice Sunalie Ratnayake and Sanath Jinadasa From within a climate of autocracy gone customary as of late, and oppression of all possible aspects of our lives in a land like […]