Placing Human Rights at the Forefront of Indonesia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2011

In the beginning of 2011, KontraS, HRWG and FORUM-ASIA on behalf of the Solidarity of Asian People’s Advocacy (SAPA) Task Force on ASEAN and Human Rights (TFAHR), would like to welcome and highlight our demand for Indonesia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN this year on the promotion and protection of human rights in the ASEAN region.

Having branded as a democratic country with respect for human rights within national and international communities, there is a high expectation on Indonesia towards its Chairmanship of ASEAN this year […]

More Steps Needed for Genuine Democracy and Reconciliation in Burma

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) celebrates with the rest of the world the return to freedom of Aung San Suu Kyi, with the end of her house arrest on 13 November. Aung San Suu Kyi is an important symbol not only to the people of Burma, but to all Asians struggling for democracy through peaceful means against military and authoritarian rule. Her steadfastness in struggle, despite the military regime’s attempts to silence and imprison her for 15 of the past 21 years, has been nothing less than inspirational for human rights defenders across the region […]

Sham Election in Burma Must be Rejected

Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) denounces the statement of Vietnam, the current ASEAN Chair, welcoming the election in Burma as “a significant step forward in the implementation of the 7-point Roadmap for Democracy”[…]