Detainee's son handed to Pakistan Sep 16, 2008
But, within a couple of weeks of the report by Ms Ridley and another one by the Asian Human Rights Commission, Dr Siddiqui and her son were found in Ghazni. Treasure trove of information. (BBC News -- South Asia)
Asia.view: Surges that won’t work Sep 11, 2008
The independent Asian Human Rights Commission is alarmed at disappearances of suspected rebel sympathisers. The army believes it is making progress: the rate of deaths and injuries has declined markedly in the past few months. (The Economist)
Pakistan women's bodies exhumed Sep 3, 2008
The Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) reported that the women had all been shot, thrown into a ditch and then buried, even though they were still alive. However, police in Dera Murad Jamali say they have recovered only two bodies. (BBC News -- South Asia)
Pakistani lawmaker defends honor killings Aug 30, 2008
The incident allegedly occurred one month ago in Baba Kot, a remote village in Jafferabad district, after the women decided to defy tribal elders and arrange marriages in a civil court, according to the Asian Human Rights Commission ... The Asian Human Rights Commission, however, said the two older women may have been related to some of the teenage girls and were apparently murdered because they were sympathetic to their wishes. (USA Today -- News)
Towards Hun Sen's Cambodia Jul 23, 2008
Dr Lao Mong Hay, senior researcher at the Asian Human Rights Commission, wrote in a June 18 editorial. institutions remain subject to the control inherited from pre-1993 communist days, and are utilized to serve the interests of the ruling class rather than those of the people. (Asia Times Online)
Progress for some means eviction for others in Cambodia Jul 18, 2008
"Expropriation of the land of Cambodia's poor is reaching a disastrous level," Basil Fernando, executive director of the Asian Human Rights Commission in Hong Kong, said earlier this year. "The courts are politicized and corrupt, and impunity for human rights violators remains the norm.". (International Herald Tribune)
* ANALYSIS: Hun Sen clings to stranglehold on Cambodia Jun 2, 2008
Once oil production starts, Hun Sen will find it easier to ignore the pressures to liberalize from foreign aid donors X on which the country is now still heavily reliant X and will instead curb freedom of expression, assembly and the press, said Lao Mong Hay, a senior researcher at the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission. Elections have become a veneer of democracy, he said, adding that Hun Sens expected victory would further empower the present oligarchy composed of people... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Police hunt for driver of Thai death truck Apr 11, 2008
The Asian Human Rights Commission said the perpetrators of the truck tragedy must be brought to justice, but authorities should not use it as a pretext for a crackdown on migrant labourers. "Millions risk everything to leave Burma because life there is appallingly bad," the Commission said, noting that they often do jobs that Thais will not. (Reuters)
The pair led protests against President Pervez Musharrafs attempts to sack former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Jan 24, 2008
HONG KONG: Munir A Malik, former president of the Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association, together with his successor, Aitzaz Ahsan, have been awarded the Asian Human Rights Defender Award by the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), organisers said on Wednesday. The pair led protests against President Pervez Musharrafs attempts to sack former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. (Daily Times, Pakistan)
Cambodian ambassador alleges UN rights envoy was arrogant Dec 20, 2007
The groups include Human Rights Watch, the Asian Human Rights Commission, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Organization Against Torture. Cambodia's Sea told Ban that even though there is no necessity for a special rights envoy, "Cambodia continues to show its goodwill by accepting the special representative to further jointly work toward consolidating human rights in the country and to build closer cooperation with the... (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
Dubai's Promised Land of Luxury Seduces Asian Women Into Sexual Slavery Nov 6, 2007
Once they are there, they find that their contract is not valid,'' said Basil Fernando, executive director of the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission. They get stranded. (Bloomberg)
UN peace envoy meets Myanmar's Suu Kyi Oct 1, 2007
The Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission said at least 700 monks and 500 other people had been arrested throughout the country. The protests began with small marches against fuel price rises in mid-August and intensified when soldiers fired over the heads of protesting monks, causing monasteries to mobilise. (AlertNet)
Mystery surrounds U.N. peace envoy in Myanmar Oct 1, 2007
Having raided more than a dozen monasteries and hauled off at least 700 monks, according to the Asian Human Rights Commission, soldiers and riot police are penning the rest behind the monastery walls. The protests began with small marches against fuel price rises in mid-August but intensified when soldiers fired over the heads of protesting monks, causing monasteries to mobilize. (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
UN envoy meets Myanmar opposition leader Oct 1, 2007
Basil Fernando, director of the Asian Human Rights Commission, a private monitoring group, estimated the number of people arrested at 1,200, including 700 monks. "There is no possibility in any form of the authorities' being relied upon for any figures," he said, adding, "Nobody knows where these people are and there is no reason to believe they are not being harmed.". (International Herald Tribune)
UN envoy arrives to meet with Burmese junta Sep 30, 2007
Basil Fernando, director of the Asian Human Rights Commission, a private monitoring group, estimated the number of people arrested at 1,200, including 700 monks. The country is also suffering economically from the disruptions of weeks of protests and crackdowns, as well as from the increase in fuel prices that touched them off. (International Herald Tribune)
Buddha vs the barrel of a gun Sep 27, 2007
The Asian Human Rights Commission has reported how the monks, in a pre-rally ceremony on Monday, have solemnly refused to accept donations from anyone junta-connected, people they have dubbed "pitiless soldier kings". This very serious act amounts to nothing less than a Buddhist form of excommunication. (Asia Times Online)
Burma: The world watches Sep 27, 2007
The Asian Human Rights Commission said government-organised gangs had also been seen on the streets. As President George Bush announced a new set of sanctions from the United States against Burma, it was reported that the imprisoned democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi had been moved from house arrest and placed in the notorious Insein jail. (Yahoo News -- Myanmar)
Protesters 'bloodied' as junta cracks down Sep 27, 2007
In the second city of Mandalay, also under curfew, the Asian Human Rights Commission said there was no opposition to 10,000 marchers. About 300 monks and activists were arrested across Rangoon after defying government orders to stay home, according to an exile dissident group. (Yahoo News -- Myanmar)
Three killed as Myanmar troops battle protests Sep 27, 2007
In the second city of Mandalay, also under curfew, the Asian Human Rights Commission said there was no opposition to 10,000 people protesting against grinding poverty. Five decades ago, the country was regarded as one of Asia's brightest prospects. (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
Q&A: Protests in Burma Sep 26, 2007
In refusing offerings from those they brand "pitiless soldier kings", they are excommunicating them - an act only undertaken in the most compelling moral circumstances, according to the Asian Human Rights Commission. How has the junta responded. (Guardian Unlimited)
China's dilemmaHow much influence will Beijing use on unstable ally Burma? Sep 26, 2007
"In the last decade or two, with the improving economic situation in China and the increasing isolation of Burma, China has become increasingly important to the regime," said a spokesman for the Asian Human Rights Commission, based in Hong Kong ... China also sells Burma military hardware, according to the Asian Human Rights Commission ... And, as the Asian Human Rights Commission spokesman said, it is in China's long-term business interests to make sure its neighbour is stable. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Monks defy junta's order, resume rally in Burma Sep 25, 2007
The Asian Human Rights Commission, a private organization based in Hong Kong, said the protesters were being threatened with a colonial-era law under which the junta can "command any unlawful assembly to disperse" and if it does not to "proceed to disperse such assembly by (military) force.". An assembly of more than five can amount to breaking the law. (USA Today -- News)
Challenge to Myanmar's military junta gains momentum Sep 24, 2007
"She has been out of contact with virtually everyone, but her symbolic importance cannot be underestimated," said Basil Fernando, director of the Asian Human Rights Commission. "Symbolically, her reintroduction into the political life of the country at such a dire moment is of enormous importance.". (International Herald Tribune)
Monks in Myanmar march in protest for third day Sep 22, 2007
The Asian Human Rights Commission, an independent group based in Hong Kong, released what it said was a transcript of a public statement by monks in Yangon Thursday. After condemning abuses of monks by the junta, the statement declares: "The clergy boycotts the violent, mean, cruel, ruthless, pitiless kings, the great thieves who live by stealing from the national treasury. The clergy hereby also refuses donations and preaching.". (International Herald Tribune)
Monks stage fourth day of protests in Myanmar Sep 21, 2007
On Thursday, the Hong-Kong based Asian Human Rights Commission urged the Buddhist community worldwide to join with monks in Myanmar to boycott anybody from or associated with its military regime. . (International Herald Tribune)
Monks add weight to Myanmar protests Sep 21, 2007
The Asian Human Rights Commission, an independent group based in Hong Kong, released what it said was a transcript of a public statement by monks in Yangon on Thursday. After condemning abuses of monks by the junta, the statement declares: "The clergy boycotts the violent, mean, cruel, ruthless, pitiless kings, the great thieves who live by stealing from the national treasury. The clergy hereby also refuses donations and preaching.". (International Herald Tribune)
Panel urges UN to act on Sri Lanka killings Sep 18, 2007
COLOMBO (AFP) - The Asian Human Rights Commission asked the United Nations Tuesday to intervene to end extra-judicial killings in Sri Lanka, where it said at least 50 people were killed in the last month alone. ADVERTISEMENT. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
More Top Stories Asia Pacific Headlines Sep 18, 2007
COLOMBO (AFP) - The Asian Human Rights Commission asked the United Nations Tuesday to intervene to end extra-judicial killings in Sri Lanka, where it said at least 50 people were killed in the last month alone. It accused the Sri Lankan government of failing to prevent a wave of killings allegedly carried out by state security forces and intelligence units, and called for a rights-monitoring committee to be established in Sri Lanka. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Royal shirks Khmer Rouge trials Sep 12, 2007
In standing up for his cause, the former monarch ''complained that the ECCC wanted him to 'take an oath to tell the truth [and] nothing but the truth on the subject of arch-criminals'", the English-language Phnom Penh Post newspaper reported last Friday. "'I do not have to swear an oath after [the one I swore] with Buddha, to debase myself to take an oath in front of the ECCC.'" Those familiar with Sihanouk's penchant for grand gestures and a life peppered with drama are hardly surprised by this... (Asia Times Online)
Academic accused of insulting Thai king in exam paper Aug 14, 2007
"It bodes ill for Thailand at a bad time for the country, when there are strenuous efforts to roll back all sorts of modern thinking and institutions in favor of those that serve only the interests of its elite," said Basil Fernando of the Asian Human Rights Commission. The case has unnerved university officials who said they warned Boonsong he was playing with fire. (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
ASEAN sends mixed rights message Aug 3, 2007
"They need to give this human-rights body investigating powers to look at violations committed in any ASEAN country and to have powers to seek corrective measures," said Basil Fernando, executive director of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), a non-governmental watchdog. "There must also be a proper mechanism in place for victims to submit complaints for the commission to investigate.". (Asia Times Online)
Asian land grabs highlight class friction, bureaucratic failures Jul 24, 2007
"Land-grabbing by the powerful -- the abuse of power to evict people -- follows the same pattern" across Asia, said Lao Mong Hay, an analyst with the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission. In China, the ruling Communist Party has admitted that land rights disputes are one of the biggest drivers of rising social unrest. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Maid's clemency papers are filed Jul 17, 2007
"We have learned that large numbers of appeals have been received from all over the world at the Sri Lankan embassy in Saudi Arabia and these will be handed over to the father of the deceased baby," a statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said ... The Hong-Kong based Asian Human Rights Commission said what had happened was an enormous tragedy, but it wanted to prevent an innocent teenager being executed. (BBC News -- South Asia)
Clemency plea for Sri Lanka maid Jul 10, 2007
The Hong-Kong based Asian Human Rights Commission said what had happened was an enormous tragedy, but it wanted to prevent an innocent teenager being executed. MOST E-MAILED. (BBC News -- South Asia)
AHRC wants inquiry into displacement in Sri Lanka Jun 8, 2007
The Asian Human Rights Commission condemns the forcible removal of several hundred Tamils from Colombo by the Sri Lankan police and military in an operation carried out on the morning of June 7, 2007 ... The Asian Human Rights Commission has consistently pointed out for several years now that the Sri Lankan policing system has reached that unfortunate stage ... About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in... (OneWorld.net)
Sri Lanka bombs rebel training base May 23, 2007
The Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission said in a statement that Sri Lanka faced a spate of crime in all areas of life. Hundreds of people have been reported abducted - some have later been found killed in Sri Lanka's volatile north and east - as violence has spiked between government troops and the separatist Tamil Tiger guerrillas. (The Age)
CLIMATE OF FEAR Mar 6, 2007
"The present set of disappearances is creating a sense of terror, fear in all the island," said Basil Fernando, executive director of the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission. "There's a link between the faction from the east with the government. So there is some sort of a agreement not to interfere in this at a political level," he added. (AlertNet)
Why Pak thinkers should be assertive Feb 17, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007. Why Pak thinkers need to be assertive. (Hindustan Times, India)
Thai coup leaders seek change of course with police shakeup Feb 8, 2007
"Here is the real intention of the current government when it talks about police reforms: a return to a 1970s model of social control with police subordinate to soldiers and everybody else subordinate to both," said a recent statement from the Asian Human Rights Commission. "This is not reform; it is deep regression.". (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
