Category: Oral Statements

  • Delivered by: Cornelius Damar Hanung (East Asia – ASEAN Programme Manager)

    Excellencies, FORUM-ASIA congratulate Indonesia and Lao PDR for chairing the 6th ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue. On this occasion, as a civil society with a consultative relationship with the AICHR, we would like to express our view and deep concerns regarding the human rights situation in Southeast Asia.

    In 2024, we have observed alarming trends of democratic backsliding, shrinking civic space, and widespread violations of environmental rights and human rights across the region. Governments in Southeast Asia have increasingly resorted to repressive laws to silence critics, protestors, opposition parties, NGOs, journalists, and vulnerable communities advocating for human rights and justice. Excessive use of force by law enforcement against protesters, including youth and students, has also been documented in several countries. We also remain deeply concerned about the ongoing humanitarian and human rights crises in Myanmar, where the military junta continues to perpetrate atrocities, forced conscription, and impunity, further worsening an already dire situation with little to no meaningful intervention from ASEAN.

    Environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs) are facing increasing threats. Since 2021, FORUM-ASIA has documented over 330 cases of violations against EHRDs in Asia, 80 percent of which have occurred within ASEAN countries. These defenders continue to face attacks, threats, judicial harassment, and intimidation, signaling an urgent need for stronger regional action and accountability. We remain concerned that the current effort to adopt an environmental rights framework of ASEAN does not put protection on those who defend the environment as priority.

    Lastly, transnational repression is on the rise, as ASEAN member states collaborate to target human rights defenders and activists beyond their borders. In 2024, Cambodian activists in exile faced arrest, and Vietnamese defenders risked extradition from Thailand.

    FORUM-ASIA calls on ASEAN leaders to address these human rights violations, particularly by institutionalizing a more robust human rights instrument in ASEAN. In particular, we call on ASEAN to include stronger commitment and action points in protection of human rights defenders, including EHRDs, in ASEAN Vision 2045, revision of AICHR Term of Reference to embed more protection mandate, and the ASEAN Framework on Environmental Rights. We thank you.

    Download the oral statement here

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  • 57th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: General Debate on the oral update by the High Commissioner

     

    Oral statement delivered by Muda Tariq

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and Amnesty International

     

    11 September 2024

     

    Mr. President,

    We thank the High Commissioner for his global update.

    Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. Steps that Bangladesh and the international community take now to follow up on the demands of the student movement that, as the High Commissioner stated, “carried human rights as its torch”, are critical for opening the way in Bangladesh for a future rooted in human rights principles.

    We appreciate the openness of the interim government to engage with the High Commissioner’s Office and the positive steps taken in the past month, in particular, the accession to the International Convention on Enforced Disappearances and the establishment of a domestic commission of inquiry on enforced disappearances.

    However, systems that have long enabled the deepening inequality, systemic discrimination, rampant corruption, shrinking of civic space, and serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and targeted harassment of human rights defenders, civil society actors, journalists and perceived critics, and impunity for these violations remain.

    State institutions, including the judiciary, national human rights institutions and law enforcement and national security agencies lack public confidence owing to years of political interference and instrumentalisation against critics and the political opposition.

    With such long-standing concerns, entrenched impunity, and emerging reports of attacks against religious minorities and reprisals against members and supporters of the former government, international oversight and participation, through a Human Rights Council mandate, are crucial for ensuring credibility, public confidence, and effectiveness of domestic investigations.

    Such a mandate from the Council would provide much-needed sustained stability and support for any domestic process in this transition.

    Thank you.

     

     

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

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    57th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the OHCHR report on Sri Lanka

     

    Oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam       

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Amnesty International and International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH)

    9 September 2024

     

    Mr. President,

    We thank the High Commissioner for his report.

    We echo the High Commissioner’s emphasis on the need for transformational change in the country.

    Such transformational change requires a clear commitment backed by genuine political will to finally provide justice, truth and reparations for crimes under international law committed during the internal armed conflict in Sri Lanka and to prosecute individuals suspected of criminal responsibility, including many who continue to hold senior government positions. It also requires allowing for the memorialisation of victims in the North and the East and releasing without delay of military held land in the area.

    The 2022 economic crisis further underlines the need to meaningfully address the crisis of impunity and the rule of law that has beset the country since the end of the war, in order to ensure political and economic stability.

    However, with no real willingness from any of the governments in the past 15 years since the end of the war to: ensure justice and accountability; protect the rights of victims; break from a culture of persecution and silencing of advocates for justice and human rights including the families of victims; and with no clear and strong commitment from any of the leading presidential candidates on accountability and human rights, the stage appears to be set for the continuation of cycles of violations and impunity.

    In this context, it is imperative that the Council takes action based on a principled position on human rights rather than political considerations, to renew the mandates of  OHCHR’s Sri Lanka Accountability Project and that of OHCHR to monitor and report on the situation for a minimum of two years.

    Failure to do so would amount to betrayal of the tens of thousands of victims and their families who, in the absence of any possibility for domestic accountability, depend on the Council’s efforts towards justice, truth and reparations.

    Thank you.

     

     

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  • 57th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Afghanistan

     

    Oral statement delivered by Sara Nabil

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    9 September 2024

     

    Mr. President,

    In the past three years, I, like many other women human rights defenders, victims and survivors from Afghanistan, have come to this Council asking for some hope of justice for the crimes visited upon the people of the country by its illegitimate rulers, the Taliban.

    But time and again, we have seen the rest of the world make compromises to appease the Taliban. None of the compromises by the international community has  resulted in the Taliban relenting its war on human rights. They become further emboldened.

    Accommodating Taliban’s demands to keep women and civil society out of the recent political consultations on the situation in the country was rewarded with a new edict silencing the voices of women and consolidating the system of gender apartheid they have imposed on women and girls in the country, and banning the Special Rapporteur from visiting the country.

    Marginalised minorities communities such as Shia Hazaras, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Sikhs and Hindus are in constant fear of persecution.

    The Taliban continues to maintain its grip on power through force, violently punishing any form of criticism or any expression that is perceived to be contradictory to the rulings of the regime.

    Taliban has shown that any perception of a changed Taliban is nothing more than an illusion.

    Yet the world is edging dangerously close to accepting Taliban rule as the new normal, while our demands for accountability remain unheard as our hopes for justice fade.

    It is finally time for the Council to heed our calls and establish an independent accountability mechanism for Afghanistan to investigate, collect and preserve evidence of all past and ongoing crimes. If not now, how far does the situation need to deteriorate before the Council deems it necessary to take appropriate action.

    Thank you.

     

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  • 57th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar

     

    Oral statement delivered by Jasmine Velasquez

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    9 September 2024

     

    Mr. President,

    We welcome the report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and appreciate the progress in investigations, including investigations into crimes committed following the attempted coup in February 2021, despite the highly volatile situation in the country. We also welcome the analytical reports issues by the Mechanism this year.

    We urge the Mechanism to continue to prioritise a victim-centred approach which emphasises the protection and welfare of victims in its investigations and to enhance outreach to victim and survivor groups including leaders of the Rohingya community.

    Seven years after the targeted violence that may constitute genocide and crimes against humanity forcing over 700,00 Rohingya to take refuge in Bangladesh, Rohingya in Myanmar are once again facing the prospects of recurrence of similar atrocities.

    The actions, that may constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes by both the military and the Arakan Army in the escalating conflict in Rakhine State pose an existential threat to Rohingya remaining in Rakhine State.

    This situation underlines the need for accountability for all actors implicated in crimes against Rohingya including the military and the Arakan Army. In this regard, we welcome the Mechanism’s commitment to investigate alleged crimes regardless of the affiliation or ethnicity of the perpetrators or victims.

    We urge member states to continue to provide support and cooperation for the Mechanism to effectively carryout its mandate.

    We call on member states to refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court under article 14 of the Rome Statue.

    Thank you.

     

     

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  • 56th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s report on the Human rights situation in Myanmar

     

    Oral statement delivered by Tun Khin

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    18 June 2024

     

    Mr. President,

    We welcome the report of the High Commissioner. This debate takes place in a context where the Rohingya are again confronting the dire prospects of genocide and crimes against humanity, reminiscent of the horrors they faced in 2016 and 2017.

    Rohingya villages have been forcibly evacuated by the Arakan Army in its escalating war against the military and the attempted coup. Over the last month alone, more than 200,000 Rohingya have been forcibly displaced from the villages under the control of the Arakan Army. At least 1500 Rohingya have reportedly been killed by the Arakan Army since March. Rohingya have been subjected to forced conscription in to both the military and the Arakan Army.

    As the High Commissioner’s report suggests, the current moment in Myanmar offers a vision towards a post-coup unified federal democratic Myanmar. However, without urgent international action to hold the military and the Arakan Army accountable, Rohingya will not have a place in that future.

    The rhetoric and actions of the Arakan Army, which controls majority of territory in Rakhine State – the Rohingya homeland – clearly demonstrate that they do not consider the Rohingya as part of Myanmar’s future. Once again, Rohingya are subjected to the same hateful, discriminatory and exclusionary narratives and incitement to violence.

    Peaceful and democratic Myanmar requires equal recognition of the ethnic nationality status of Rohingya, as well as justice and accountability for the continuing genocide against Rohingya and other atrocities throughout the country through international accountability mechanisms including the International Criminal Court.

    We further urge the UN presence near Muangdaw township to take urgent measures to deter imminent forcible displacement Rohingya in the area by the Arakan Army.

    Thank you.

     

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  • 56th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan

     

    Oral statement delivered by Mursal Sayas

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    18 June 2024

     

    Mr. President,

    I am an optimistic woman. But what is happening beyond this room, with more countries willing to normalize relations and engage with the Taliban while our people continue to suffer under its brutality does not give us a lot of reasons for optimism.

    Half of the population of the country – more than 21 million women in Afghanistan – have been completely erased from society. No words come close to describing the level of repression against women other than gender apartheid.

    No one is safe under this regime. Children are being forcibly recruited by the Taliban for sexual and military purposes.

    As we gather here to examine the Taliban’s brutal actions, in Doha and elsewhere, governments are negotiating with the Taliban to get access to the country, and to our natural resources, which are being auctioned off to fund its regime.

    Afghan women are not just slogans for your statements. We are not just bargaining chips in a global game of power and political and economic deals.

    As a mother who had to leave my three-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son for fear of persecution as a result of my human rights work, as someone who has been forcibly separated from my children, and as a victim and survivor of the Taliban regime, I seek justice.

    Many of you in this room, who bear some degree of responsibility for our current situation, also have the responsibility to make sure we get the justice we deserve.

    Thank you.

     

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  • 55th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 4: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation in Myanmar

    Oral statement delivered by Khin Ohmar

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    19 March 2024

     

    Mr. President, Mr. Special Rapporteur,

    In their brave struggle against the illegal military junta, Myanmar’s peoples, particularly the young generations, have demonstrated unwavering determination to be free from military tyranny and build a new Myanmar that upholds humanity, inclusivity, democracy, and justice. Their past 3 years of unprecedented sacrifices and immense efforts must be matched with recognition, political will and practical support of the international community to overcome daunting challenges.

    We must confront the grim reality of airstrikes devastating the country, enabled by the arms sale and transfer. It is a misconception that aviation fuel is used to transport humanitarian aid including children’s vaccines in Myanmar. In reality, it only fuels more airstrikes that inflict unimaginable suffering upon innocent civilians, including children. We call for an immediate cessation of sales and transfer of arms and aviation fuel to the junta.

    Amidst the deepening humanitarian crisis, in order for the aid to reach the more than 2.7 million people internally displaced by the junta’s violence, external aid actors must prioritize the principles of do no harm and humanity and support locally-led humanitarian initiatives, operating independently of the junta and its affiliates, through cross-border channels.

    ASEAN, the UN and international peace donors need to honor our people’s pursuit of a new federal democratic Myanmar. The so-called “5-Point Consensus” cannot serve as a legitimate peace plan as it lacks not only participation and the consent of our peoples but fails to address the root cause of the crisis – the military.

    One-sided, externally imposed peace plan of the past decade, without our people’s consent and at the expense of accountability, only prolonged the cycles of violence, as we are witnessing now.

    We urge ASEAN and the international community to priortise accountability and justice, and formally engage and collaborate with the National Unity Government, Ethnic Resistance Organizations, and civil society organizations to support their efforts for enduring durable peace and stability in Myanmar and the ASEAN. Any peace plan for Myanmar must seek the consent of our people.

    Thank you.

     

    This post was originally published on FORUM ASIA.

  • 55th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: General Debate on the Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General

    Oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and Amnesty International

    4 March 2024

     

    Thank you, Mr. Vice President,

    We thank the High Commissioner for the wide ranging global update and the update on Sri Lanka.

    Since the High Commissioner’s report on Sri Lanka to the Council in September, the situation in the country has further deteriorated.

    In the context of continuing harassment, surveillance, and arbitrary detention of human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers and civil society, new laws including the Online Safety Act, and proposals for Anti-Terrorism, NGO Supervision and Registration, and Electronic Media Broadcasting Authority laws giving broad powers to law enforcement and security authorities, evoke fears of past violations and add a serious chilling effect on legitimate exercises of civil and political rights.

    In the North and the East of the country, families of victims as well as those involved in commemoration and memorialisation of victims of gross violations including extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances have been subjected to harassment, surveillance and arbitrary detention. Continuing militarisation and land grabbing with involvement of the military in the region undermine security of local communities and prospects for reconciliation.

    The need for accountability for war time atrocities remains paramount. Pervasive impunity for wartime atrocities and continuing violations contributed to the governance failure that resulted in large scale corruption and economic crimes which in turn led to nationwide protests two years ago.

    Without concrete confidence building measures, open, safe and enabling environment for civil society as well as genuine consultation with survivors, victims and their families, the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission awaits the same fate of all previous commissions that failed to provide any semblance of justice and accountability. Under the current circumstance, this commission will not be perceived as anything other than another attempt to deceive the Council and international community to ensure impunity and avoid scrutiny.

    In the absence of any prospect of accountability through domestic mechanisms and ongoing violations, it is imperative that Council during its September session, at minimum, extends and strengthens the Sri Lanka Accountability Project and continues enhanced scrutiny and reporting on the situation by the High Commissioner.

    Thank you.

     

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  • 55th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the High Commissioners update on the situation in Myanmar

    Oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    1 March 2024

     

    Mr President,

    High Commissioner, your reports and statements documenting the ongoing atrocities by the Myanmar military provide a glimmer of hope amid the UN’s inadequate response to the crisis. Response of other UN agencies remain insufficient, lacking coherence, and often ignoring the wishes of the people of Myanmar, dangerously veering toward legitimizing the junta.

    The junta’s deadly terror campaign to illegally take power in the country continue unabated. Its recent setbacks and loss of territory to the democratic resistance have escalated their desperation. Its intensified four cuts strategy has deepened the humanitarian crisis and suffering of the nearly 2.5 million people forcibly displaced by the junta’s violence. It has increased airstrikes on schools, places of worship and IDP camps killing children and women.

    Nothing demonstrates the junta’s desperation more than their recent illegal order to conscript young people into the military. This order not only seeks to legitimize the junta’s forced recruitment, particularly of disenfranchised and impoverished youth, including minors. It also aims to remove young leaders of the Spring Revolution and place them in positions where they are likely to be killed or forced to harm their fellow citizens.

    The forced conscription order does not spare the Rohingya youth who have had all their rights denied to them and confined to displacement camps in Rakhine state. Amid the heightened risk to Rohingya as a result of the renewed fighting between the military and the Arakan Army, the junta has reportedly taken nearly 400 Rohingya youth from IDP camps to be trained in the military barracks.

    The world cannot turn a blind eye to the immense human suffering in Myanmar. It cannot abandon the people of Myanmar to the ASEAN, which in the last three years, has failed to make any progress in resolving the crisis. The military needs to be held accountable. Its violence must be investigated as war crimes and crimes against humanity. The UN Security Council should refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court, impose a global arms embargo and sanctions on the military leadership.

    Thank you.

     

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    55th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan

    Oral statement delivered by Hafizullah Saeedi

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    29 February 2024

     

    Mr. President,

    Special Rapporteur, we commend your important work, particularly your consistent engagement with Afghanistan’s civil society and human rights defenders.

    Over the past two and half years of the Taliban’s illegitimate rule, they have proven that they are no different than they were 20 years ago. They have demonstrated callous disregard for human rights and incapacity to address the deepening humanitarian and economic crisis.

    Women and girls remain completely shut out from the society under the Taliban’s system of gender apartheid depriving them of education, and freedom of movement, speech or even to choose their own clothing.

    A generation of children and young people remain in limbo with no access to adequate food, education, healthcare, or employment, leaving them extremely vulnerable to extremism.

    Minority communities, notably Hazaras and religious minorities, face increased violence and discrimination that bear hallmarks of international crimes including genocide.

    Civil society remains shutdown. Any form of dissent risks imprisonment, torture, disappearance or execution.

    Rule of law does not exist in Afghanistan.

    Yet, many in the international community, driven only by self-interest, are moving towards normalizing the Taliban rule with no regard for rights, freedoms and demands of the people of Afghanistan. This will only prolong the vicious cycles of violence and impunity.

    Yes, the world cannot completely disengage from Afghanistan, but Afghanistan is not only the Taliban. Any effort to resolve the crisis must center the people of Afghanistan and ensure genuine participation of women, all ethnic and religious communities and civil society.

    The Council on its part can play a crucial role in ending the cycles of violence by setting up an international accountability mechanism that can pave the way for accountability and justice for crimes by all parties to decades long conflicts in the country.

    Thank you.

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

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    54th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 10: General Debate on the technical assistance and capacity building

    Oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    11 October 2023

     

    Mr. President,

    Technical assistance and capacity building component of the Council’s mandate cannot be effectively operationalised without accurate and honest assessments of situations. However, we regret that many states view this agenda item as a path to evading accountability for and scrutiny of serious human rights violations.

    In this context, we reiterate the need for regular monitoring and public reporting on the implementation of the UN Joint Programme for Human Rights in the Philippines.

    More than two years into the three-year Joint Programme, there appears to be no realistic possibility of achieving much of the very modest objectives of the Joint Programme including those related to reducing the number of drug related killings and accountability.

    The highly militarised drug war, despite the objective to implement a rights based-approach, continues to claim lives. Independent monitoring group Dahas documented over 250 drug related killings this year alone. At least 45 per cent of these were committed by state agents. There has been no tangible progress towards accountability for the widespread killings.

    Similarly, the continuing pattern of “red-tagging”, smear campaigns, extrajudicial killings and targeting and judicial harassment of human rights defenders directly contradict with the objectives of the Joint Programme as well as the government’s stated commitments to uphold its human rights obligations.

    We urge the Council to put in place measures to independently assess the implementation of the Joint Programme, in particular its contributions towards addressing the serious, widespread and systematic human rights violations and the entrenched impunity documented in the High Commissioner’s previous reports to the Council. The Council cannot allow the Philippines to use the Joint Programme to window-dress its atrocious human rights record without accountability.

    Thank you

     

     

     

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    54th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 10: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia

    Oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    10 October 2023

     

    Mr. President,

    We welcome the Special Rapporteur’s report.

    The situation of human rights in Cambodia has continued to decline over the past year with systematic persecution of human rights defenders, environmental and land rights defenders, trade unionists, political opposition, independent media and media workers through judicial harassment, mass trials and legal action.

    The conviction and sentencing to 2-years’ imprisonment of trade unionist and labour rights activist Chhim Sithar along with eight labour activists in May 2023, the conviction and 27-year prison sentence against opposition leader Kem Sokha in March 2023, and the arbitrary revocation of the media license of the Voice of Democracy are emblematic of this continuing pattern of repression.

    A judiciary that lacks independence renders the prospect of fair trials and due process guarantees virtually non-existent for those perceived to be critical of, or a threat to, the interests of the ruling elites.

    Serious rights violations in the context of the July General Elections, including the dissolution of the main opposition Candlelight Party and serious attacks against political opposition in the lead-up to the elections undermined the credibility and legitimacy of the electoral process and the results.

    We call on Cambodia to fully implement the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations including the benchmarks and the action agenda.

    In a context defined by systematic targeting and silencing of independent and critical voices, the mandate of Special Rapporteur is essential and we urge the Council to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur with a robust resolution that ensures continued independent monitoring and reporting on the situation.

    Thank you

     

     

     

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  • 54th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to development

    Oral statement delivered by Urantsooj Gombosuren

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    20 September 2023

     

    Mr. President,

    We welcome the Special Rapporteur’s vision to reinvigorate the right to development by prioritising a holistic approach and bridging the political divide with regards to the right to development.

    As the Special Rapporteur concludes, the right to development can only be achieved when everyone can participate in, contribute to and exercise their fundamental freedoms without undue restrictions.

    There are many intersecting barriers to the realisation of the right to development. FORUM-ASIA’s recent research in six countries in Northeast, Central, Southeast and South Asia shows how solely focusing on economic growth undermines the very tenets of inclusive development, namely meaningful participation, fair distribution, and intergenerational equity, as well as people’s enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights.

    Many states see the realisation of the right to development as a precondition for the enjoyment of other fundamental rights undermining the consensus on the universality, indivisibility, and interdependence of all human rights and use the narrative of development to justify arbitrary restrictions on fundamental freedoms including freedom of expression, assembly and association. 

    Civil society and human rights defenders who speak out against harmful consequences of economic development policies that fail to take into account human rights are being routinely targeted with attacks and harassment.

    Against this backdrop, can the Special Rapporteur please elaborate how the mandate will address these interconnecting barriers to truly move towards equitable and sustainable development for all?

    Thank you.

  •  

    54th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: General Debate on the oral update by the High Commissioner

    Oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    13 September 2023

     

    Mr. President,

    We welcome the High Commissioner’s update.

    We share the High Commissioner’s observation about the urgent need to intensify efforts to protect religious minorities, Dalits, Adivasis and other marginalised groups in India.

    Hate speech, majoritarian rhetoric and incitement to violence and discrimination by State officials and Hindu nationalist leaders with complete impunity have increasingly fuelled violence against minorities including killings, public lynching, and mob violence.

    The ongoing intercommunal violence in Manipur and the recent violence against Muslims in Haryana and Gurugram clearly indicate the potential for escalation of violence against minorities in India without urgent action to counter hate speech and incitement.

    These incidents are taking place in a context of systematic erosion of the rule of law and independent institutions, leaving victims with little hope of justice and accountability.

    Amid the Council’s indifference or selective silence, as well as the continuing pattern of the abuse of state institutions and national security infrastructure to silence human rights defenders, journalists, independent media, and civil society, the High Commissioner’s role is crucial in bringing to light the deteriorating situation of human rights in India.

    The detention of Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez and journalists Irfan Mehraj and Fahad Shah under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, and harassment of civil society and media in Kashmir including the blocking of the independent news outlet, the Kashmir Walla, are part of this pattern specifically aimed at silencing those who monitor and report on the human rights crisis in the Indian Administered Kashmir.

    We urge the High Commissioner to use his mandate to monitor and regularly update the Council on the situation in India with a view to preventing further escalation.

    Thank you.

  • 54th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the report of Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar

    Oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    11 September 2023

     

    Mr. President,

    We welcome the report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and the progress in fulfilling the mandate of the Mechanism, especially in collection of firsthand testimonial evidence, witness protection and expanding and diversifying collaboration with civil society.

    We share deep concerns about the broad scope of grave international crimes being committed by the Myanmar military since February 2021. Continued impunity of the military for genocide of Rohingya, war crimes and crimes against humanity remains the root cause of the junta’s ongoing violence. Instead of advancing accountability, many States including many in this Council continue to actively facilitate the junta’s atrocities by providing aid, weapons and legitimacy and opposing the referral of Myanmar to the International Criminal Court.

    We remain concerned that the Mechanism still does not have access to crimes scenes, victims and witnesses inside Myanmar. As a result, as the report indicates, the Mechanism relies significantly on civil society partners on the ground for its work. Considering that many of these partners in Myanmar are working in conflict situation, how can the Council, Member States and other stakeholders support and promote safety of those working on the ground to facilitate the Mechanism’s work?

    Finally, the Human Rights Council resolution 39/2, which established the mechanism, also envisages that the mechanism shall have the capacity to document and verify information and evidence through field engagement. What additional support does the mechanism need to enhance and strengthen its field engagement beyond conducting investigative missions to refugee camps?

    We call on the international community to fully cooperate with the Mechanism and ensure all necessary resources and access for the Mechanism to continue its crucial work.

    Thank you


    Find the PDF version of this statement here

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  • 53rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 4: Interactive dialogue on the written update of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

     

    Oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    5 July 2023

     

    Mr. President,

    We welcome the High Commissioner’s report. As the report illustrates, the Myanmar military has weaponised humanitarian aid as a form of collective punishment against the Myanmar people who continue to bravely resist the junta.

    The most recent demonstration of this is the ongoing blockade of humanitarian assistance to areas devastated by Cyclone Mocha, further exacerbating the suffering caused by the junta’s ongoing violence especially in Rakhine and Chin States.

    This in particular affects the nearly 600,000 Rohingya remaining in Rakhine State under apartheid-like conditions. This should be a reminder to those who are collaborating with the junta for the so-called pilot project for repatriation of Rohingya refugees that the junta has no intention of guaranteeing conditions for their safe, dignified, voluntary and sustainable return. Its only intention is to instrumentalise the suffering of Rohingya for its own political legitimacy.

    The junta’s ongoing aerial bombardment and ground attacks against the democratic resistance throughout the country have displaced at least 20,000 people in June alone in Tanintharyi, Bago and Sagaing Regions, adding to the over 1.5 million people already displaced by the junta’s ongoing atrocities following its failed coup attempt. They remain deliberately cut off from lifesaving humanitarian aid as punishment for their opposition to the junta.

    Stopping the junta requires explicit and meaningful international support for and recognition of Myanmar people’s aspirations for democracy and accountability. We urge the international community, especially the UN humanitarian agencies, to reject the junta’s conditionalities and collaborate with the NUG and EROs to directly support the local responders to provide aid to the most vulnerable IDPs in areas under attack by the junta. Negotiating with the junta for access only allows it to continue weaponising aid and provides nothing more than false legitimacy to the junta against the wishes of Myanmar’s people.

    Thank you.

     

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  • 53rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises

    Oral statement delivered by Zia-ur-Rehman

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    27 June 2023

     

    Mr. President,

    We share the Working Group’s view about the centrality of capacity building for the full and meaningful implementation of the Guiding Principles.

    However, we note that much of the violations and abuses linked to business and corporate activities are primarily the result of deliberate disregard by States and corporations for their obligations under the Guiding Principles and international human rights standards rather than the mere lack of capacity.

    FORUM-ASIA’s research shows that far-reaching human rights and ecological consequences of mining operations in Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan, for example, are primarily the result of complete disregard by the authorities and corporations for even the most basic standards for environmental and health safety.

    Similarly, in Sri Lanka serious abuses including sexual harassment and violence against women workers in export processing zones by the employers documented by FORUM-ASIA are primarily the result of entrenched impunity for corporate abuses.

    Such abuses in all three countries have been committed concurrently with threats, judicial harassment, SLAPP lawsuits and surveillance against human rights and environment rights defenders as well as worker’s rights activists demonstrating unwillingness of the State and corporate entities to genuinely address and remedy the serious negative implications of business practices.

    Can the Working Group elaborate on measures States and corporations can implement to address the capacity gap of rights holders, especially those from local communities and marginalised groups, in advocating for their rights in contexts where they face threats and intimidation as a result of their advocacy?

    Thank you.

     

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  • 53rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Panel discussion on the measures necessary to find durable solutions to the Rohingya crisis and to end all forms of human rights violations and abuses against Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar

     

    Oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    21 June 2023

     

    Mr. President,

    We welcome this Panel Discussion on the measures necessary to find durable solutions to the Rohingya crisis and to end all forms of human rights violations and abuses against Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.

    The Myanmar military’s escalating nationwide campaign of terror against the resistance to its attempted coup has further extended the path to durable solutions to Rohingya crisis and continuing persecution of Rohingya. The illegal junta’s unprecedented violence has made conditions thoroughly unsuitable for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya to their homes in Myanmar and increase threats to Rohingyas remaining in Myanmar who face continuing genocide.

    We are deeply disturbed by plans to proceed with the so-called ‘pilot repatriation project’ for repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar in complete absence of even the basic conditions for their safe return. Forced repatriation of Rohingya refugees while the same military that committed genocide against them continues to commit mass atrocity crimes at a national scale offers no durable solutions to the crisis. It will only deepen the crisis by allowing the military to instrumentalise the desperate situation of Rohingya refugees created by the world’s failure to adequately respond to their humanitarian needs in Cox’s Bazaar for its own legitimacy.

    No meaningful discussion on durable solutions is feasible as long as the violence by the military continues. The UN and Member States must demonstrate their sincerity in addressing the Rohingya crisis by taking immediate steps to end the ongoing violence including the imposition of a comprehensive arms embargo on Myanmar.

    Key to durable solutions to the Rohingya crisis lies in holding the Myanmar military and perpetrators of genocide against Rohingya accountable, and in genuine recognition their ethnic nationality and restoring fundamental freedoms. We reiterate our call for the referral of Myanmar to the International Criminal Court.

    Most importantly, Rohingya should be at the centre of all attempts to find solutions the crisis. Their inclusive and meaningful participation is essential to ensure durability of any solution.

    We ask the panelists to elaborate on how all stakeholders, including the National Unity Government, can move beyond merely paying lip service to the concerns of Rohingya to ensuring their genuine participation in finding durable solutions the root causes of persecution and discrimination against Rohingya.

    Thank you.

     

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  •  

    53rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: Interactive Dialogue on the annual report of the High Commissioner

    Oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    21 June 2023

     

    Mr. President,

    We thank the High Commissioner for his annual report. We share his view on the importance of a field presence in India in addressing systemic and deep-rooted concerns.

    However, prioritising a field presence should not be at the expense of the early warning and preventive function of the High Commissioner’s responsibility to speak out on issues of serious concern in the country, including the escalating of violence against religious minorities with unrestrained hate speech and incitement by Hindu nationalist leaders, shrinking of civic and political space, systematic roll-back of the rule of law and independent institutions as well as the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. His public voice is also crucial to protecting human rights defenders especially those in detention under trumped up charges such as Kashmiri defender Khurram Parvez and journalist Irfan Mehraj.

    This is particularly important in the context of India’s chronic non-cooperation with and reprisals against those who cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms, and the Council’s persistent silence on India.

    In Cambodia, despite the longest field engagement and a technical cooperation mandate, the government has consistently flouted its human rights obligations and failed to uphold the independence and credibility of the judiciary and democratic institutions. The Council must step up its scrutiny should the government fail meet the minimum criteria for credible elections including an open and inclusive civic and political space.

    Finally, in Sri Lanka, the government’s engagement with the ground presence and facilitating visits by special procedures are no substitutes for cooperating with the Council, especially in the context of its complete disregard for its own commitments on accountability and human rights, recommendations of the High Commissioner and special procedures.

    Thank you.

     

     

  • 53rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and the working group on discrimination against women and girls.

    Oral statement delivered by Parwana Ibrahim Khail

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    19 June 2023

     

    (Statement will be delivered in Dari. English translation below)

     

    ،جناب ریس، خانم ها و آقایان

    من پروانه ابراهیم خیل نجرابی هستم، مدافع حقوق زنان از افغانستان و یک زندانی سابق طالبان در کابل. ماه ها پیش از وطنم فرار کردم تا زنده بمانم. من نجات یافتم اما میلیون ها زن ودختر افغانستان اسیر گروه وحشی و تروریست طالبان اند. بیشتر از نصف جمعیت افغانستان  از حق کار، تحصیل و آزادی های طبیعی و انسانی خود محروم شده اند. سنگینی بار ظلم طالبان بر  شانه های زنان افغانستان غیر قابل توصیف است

    درزندان طالبان من روزهای تلخی را تجربه کردم. صدای ضجه مردان و زنانی که ماه ها زیر شکنجه  و شوک برقی طالبان هستند، هنوز به گوش هایم طنین دارند. هنوز ناله و التماس زنانی را می شنوم که برای حفظ عزت و آبروی خود به نامرد ترین انسان های روی زمین، عذر می آورند. من تاریکی زندانی را دیده ام که زندانیان کمپ های کارهای اجباری نازی ها تجربه کردند

    ،خانم ها و آقایان

    زنان افغانستان در دو دهه گذشته  از آزادی های نسبی در عرصه های مختلف برخوردار بودند؛. اینک اما طالبان زنان افغانستان را در دوباره در چهار دیواری خانه های شان زندانی کرده اند

    پالیسی های طالبان برای حذف زنان فقط و فقط میتواند بعنوان اپارتاید جنسیتی توصیف شود

    شما بخوبی از رفتار غیر انسانی طالبان آگاه استید زیرا آنها تحت نظاره شما دوباره قدرت گرفته اند

    من به عنوان یک قربانی خشونت طالبان از شما می پرسم که اگر بجای من و میلیون ها دختر افغانستان، فرزندان و زنان  شما قرار می داشت، پاسخ تان چه می بود؟

    زنان افغانستان برای آزادی های خود سرسختانه مقاومت کرده اند، قربانی می دهند . ما از شما می خواهیم که پای ازرش های مشترک انسانی خود قاطعانه بایستید و انچه را که موعظه می کنید عمل کنید. تشکر

     

    Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen,

    I am Parwana Ibrhim Khil Nijrabi, a women’s rights defender from Afghanistan and a former detainee of Taliban in Kabul.  I fled Afghanistan months ago to save my life. I am rescued, but millions of Afghan women and girls like me are hostage to a violent terrorist group, the Taliban. More than half of the country’s population are deprived of their right to work, education, and of their human rights and freedoms. The burden of Taliban’s brutality on Afghan women is immeasurable.

    In Taliban’s detention, I experienced harsh days. I still hear the unbearable screaming of Afghan men and women subjected to torture and electric shock. I still hear Afghan women in Taliban prisons, begging in front of the most cowardly people on earth, in order not to lose their dignity and honor in detention. In detention, I experienced the darkness of prisons that detainees of Nazi concentration camps experienced.

    Ladies and gentlemen,

    In past two decades, Afghan women had achieved relative freedoms in all areas. Taliban have now imprisoned them at their homes. Taliban’s policies aimed at removal of women and girls in Afghanistan could only be described as gender apartheid.

    You are well aware of Taliban’s inhumane rule, as they have seized power in my country under your watch. As a victim of Taliban’s violence, I ask you, if it was your children or women, instead of me and other Afghan women, what would your response be?

    Afghan women have fought relentlessly and sacrificed for their rights and freedoms. They ask; commit genuinely to your common universal human values and practice what you preach!

    Thank you.

    For the PDF version of this statement, click here

     

     

     

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  • 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 6: Adoption of Universal Periodic Review outcomes of the Philippines

    Oral statement delivered by Rosemarie Trajano

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    24 March 2023

     

    FORUM-ASIA together with its partner organisations in the Philippines appreciate the Philippine government’s participation in the UPR process.

    We note that the government has accepted 200 out of the 289 recommendations it received during the UPR including several recommendations to ensure credible investigations and accountability for extrajudicial killings in the context of the so-called ‘war on drugs’. However, facts on the ground stand in direct contrast to these recommendations as demonstrated by the recent Congress Resolution defend former President Duterte, who actively incited the killings from the International Criminal Court, the only viable option for accountability available for these killings. Meanwhile, very little has been done to credibly investigate the widespread and systematic human rights violations committed in the context of the war on drugs.

    The government’s refusal to accept specific recommendations to end the ‘war on drugs’ and to review legislation and legal framework that underpin the war on drugs by armed and security forces raises serious questions about the government’s willingness to end the continuing extrajudicial killings in the anti-drug operations. The Police Memoranda and the widely questioned drug watchlist that enabled thousands of EJKs are still operational. And unfortunately killings of suspected drug offenders are still happening.

    We are disappointed that despite the serious implications of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 on civic space, the government did not accept the recommendation to review the law in line with its international human rights obligations. Similarly, failure to accept recommendations to end the practice of ‘red-tagging’ indicate an unwillingness on the part of the government to recognize and address the serious and often fatal consequences of this practice especially for human rights defenders.

    While farmers, workers, fisherfolk and indigenous people continue to be marginalized as a result of the prevailing development discourse and corporate abuses, the failure to accept the recommendations to re-examine the Mining Act 1995 and develop a national action plan in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights point to lack of willingness to address these deep rooted concerns. This is further worsened by the ongoing judicial harassment of land and environmental rights defenders, including of those who propose solutions to the current food and economic crises.

    We urge the Philippines to develop a time-bound action plan with genuine participation of civil society for the implementation and follow up of the UPR recommendations.

    Thank you.

     

  •  

    52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 10: General debate on technical assistance and capacity building

    Joint oral statement delivered by Chhime Namdol Sherpa

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    3 April 2023

     

    Mr. President,

    The implementation of the technical cooperation and capacity building mandate of the Council should be grounded in accurate analysis of the situations that are being addressed through this mandate.

    We are deeply concerned that the situation in Cambodia has not shown any meaningful signs of improvement despite the long-standing Council mandate to provide advisory services and technical cooperation.

    The downward spiral of civil and political rights in Cambodia continues with the government’s systematic use of repressive legislation and the criminal justice system to harass, intimidate and prosecute human rights defenders, trade unionists, journalists and members of the political opposition in flagrant disregard for its international human rights obligations.

    The cancellation of the licence of Voice of Democracy, one of the few remaining independent news outlets, and the unjust imprisonment of opposition leader Kem Sokha for 27 years on politically motivated charges represent a significant escalation in the ongoing assault on critical voices especially in the lead up to the upcoming general elections.

    This follows conviction of 36 opposition leaders and activists in December 2022 for ‘plotting’ under Article 453 of the Criminal Code. This was the fourth verdict in the five mass trials initiated in November 2020 against 158 leaders and supporters of the now arbitrarily dissolved main political party.

    These actions of the authorities seriously undermine the environment for credible, inclusive elections.

    We call on Cambodia to immediately implement the 20 benchmarks presented by the Special Rapporteur in September 2022 to create minimum conditions for elections that have any semblance of credibility.

    Failure to do so should result in further, more stringent action from the Council.

    Thank you.

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  • 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 6: Adoption of the Universal Periodic Outcomes of India

     

    Statement delivered by Ahmed Adam

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH), International Service for Human Rights, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation and World Organization against Torture (OMCT)

    27 March 2023

     

    Mr. President,

    We regret that India failed to accept several key recommendations related to some of the most serious human rights concerns in the country.

    These include India’s failure to support a large number of recommendations related to the Foreign Contributions Regulations Act (FCRA) which continues to be systematically used to harass and intimidate civil society organisations with serious implications on civic space.

    Similarly India continues to ignore the broad human rights concerns related to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) reflected in the recommendations to repeal or amend these laws in line with international standards.

    We acknowledge that India accepted a recommendation to adopt a law on human rights defenders. However, we note that a new legislation is not necessary to end the ongoing use of existing legislation such as UAPA and FCRA to harass, intimidate, or arbitrarily detain human rights defenders on politically motivated grounds. A new HRD law is meaningless as long as these laws remain in force and they must be repealed or amended as a first step towards meaningful protections of human rights and fundamental freedoms and to create a safe environment for HRDs, journalists and civil society.

    We are disappointed that India has rejected the recommendations on the human rights crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, which points to the government’s denial of the serious human rights implications of its policies including heavy militarization in the region. We urge India to provide the OHCHR and independent human rights observers unfettered access to Jammu and Kashmir in line with recommendations of the previous OHCHR reports on Kashmir.

    We call on India to reconsider its position on the large number of recommendations to abolish the death penalty and to make a serious commitment to ratify the UN Convention against Torture. We also urge India to ratify the Convention on the Status of Refugees and take steps to ensure the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in line with UPR recommendations.

    Finally, we call on India to take meaningful action in line with UPR recommendations that it received to combat and prevent increasing hate speech and incitement to violence against minorities, especially Muslims, often by Hindu nationalist leaders with complete impunity.

    Thank you.

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  • 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 6: Adoption of Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Indonesia

     

    Oral statement delivered by Afif Abdul Qoyim

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    27 March 2023

    Mr. President,

    We note that Indonesia has accepted 205 of the 269 recommendations it received during this cycle of its UPR.

    These include recommendations to create safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders, freedom of expression and media, and civil society organisations, including by aligning national legislation with international standards. However, several provisions of the new Criminal Code adopted few days after the UPR working group meeting contradict the accepted recommendations. We are particularly concerned about provisions that restrict forms of speech and expression and prohibits peaceful protests without prior permission with criminal penalties in contravention of international human rights standards. We urge Indonesia to review the Criminal Code in line with international standards.

    We also deeply concerned that Indonesia failed to support recommendations to decriminalise libel, blasphemy and defamation and repeal restrictive provisions of Electronic Information and Transaction Law (EIT Law). These provisions have been used to target human rights defenders and stifle freedom of expression. The ongoing judicial harassment of human rights defenders Fatia Maulidiyanti and Hariz Azhar with criminal defamation and other charges under EIT Law for a public discussion of a multistakeholder report that alleges involvement of active and retired army officials in mining operations in highly militarised Papua region illustrate dangers of these laws.

    Against the backdrop of serious human rights violations and forced displacement linked to increasing militarisation of the Papua region, we welcome Indonesia’s support for the important recommendations to enhance protection of fundamental freedoms and investigate allegations of violations and hold perpetrators to account. However, given the lack of public confidence in state authorities as a result of their long track record of failure to credibly address serious concerns in Papua including impunity, we urge Indonesia to ensure independent oversight of these processes especially with participation of the OHCHR.

    Finally, we call on Indonesia to immediately establish a formal moratorium on the use of the death penalty, and commute the sentences of current death row prisoners as a first step towards its complete abolition.

    We urge the Indonesia to develop a time-bound action plan with genuine participation of civil society for the implementation and follow up of the UPR recommendations.

    Thank you.

     

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  • 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 4: General debate on the human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

    Joint oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Amnesty International, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Human Rights Watch, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), International Service for Human Rights, and World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)

    22 March 2023

     

    Mr. President,

    We draw the Council’s attention to the deteriorating human rights situation in India.

    The recent arrest of Kashmiri journalist Irfan Mehraj by National Investigation Agency is emblematic of the ongoing pattern of repression of human rights defenders and journalists in Jammu and Kashmir under the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Human rights defenders Khurram Parvez and journalist Fahad Shah continue to remain in prison for charges under UAPA for their human rights work in Jammu and Kashmir.

    The Indian government has also used the UAPA to prosecute human rights defenders across the country, especially those working to protect the rights of the country’s most marginalized populations, including Dalits, Muslims, and Adivasis.

    Human rights organisations continue to be targeted under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). India has so far refused to implement repeated recommendations by UN human rights experts, UPR and other human rights mechanisms to repeal or amend the FCRA law in line with its international human rights obligations.

    Instead, India has expanded the use of federal investigating agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation, and income tax and money laundering prevention legislation to target and harass civil society organisations and independent news media.

    Rising authoritarianism and systematic erosion of the rule of law and independent institutions in India have been accompanied by a sharp rise in discrimination and violence against Muslims fueled by hate speech, incitement to violence and majoritarian rhetoric, including a recent call for the ‘economic boycott’ of Muslims, by Hindu nationalist leaders with complete impunity.

    We therefore call on Indian authorities to release human rights defenders, activists and journalists, including Khurram Parvez, detained under UAPA. Authorities should repeal the law, and end harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders, activists, journalists and civil society organisations, and take immediate measures to end discrimination and hate speech against minorities.

    The Council must take appropriate action to prevent a further deterioration in the situation of human rights in India including potential escalation in discrimination and violence against minorities.

    Thank you.

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  • 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 4: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

    Oral statement delivered by Khin Ohmar

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    20 March 2023

     

    Mr President,

    We welcome the Special Rapporteur’s report and his recent conference room paper, which demonstrated beyond doubt that the junta has neither the legitimacy nor legal basis.

    Just as the current session of the Council got underway, the illegal junta once again displayed the brutality of its terror campaign and scorched earth tactics to crush Myanmar’s broad-based and formidable democracy movement. On 1 March, the junta forces raided Tar Taing village, took 16 villagers and a resistance leader hostage as human shields as they rampaged through the village. The body of the resistance leader was dismembered and the bodies of the 16 villagers were found with gunshot wounds to their chest and head with signs of extreme torture. In the same week, the junta troops killed four civilians and torched more then 500 houses in Kone Village in Yinmarbin Township. Junta’s massacres, aerial attacks, burning down of entire villages, use of civilians as human shields, and forced labour have displaced over 1.7 million across the country.

    We are deeply disturbed by reports of a so-called ‘pilot project’ to begin repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar and UN’s participation in this project, in complete absence of conditions in Myanmar for safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return. Repatriation of Rohingya refugees while the same military that committed genocide against the Rohingya continues to commit mass atrocity crimes at a national scale, is not only dangerous and against the principle of ‘do no harm’, but will also lend legitimacy to the junta, which it neither has nor deserves as made clear by the Special Rapporteur in his recent conference room paper.

    The UN and the international community must not allow the junta to instrumentalise the desperation of Rohingya refugees created by world’s failure to adequately respond to their humanitarian needs in Cox’s Bazaar and to hold the military accountable for genocide through ICC or other international mechanisms. It must address the root causes of their displacement including the military’s pervasive impunity that the international community so far failed to stop.

    The UN must meaningfully follow up on the implementation of the recommendations of the Rosenthal Report into UN’s role in Myanmar and investigate the reported involvement of UNHCR and WFP in this project to prevent yet another repetition of its systemic failures that led to Rohingya genocide under its watch.

    Thank you.

     

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  • 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: General debate on the oral update by the High Commissioner

    Oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    8 March 2023

    Mr. President,

    We thank the High Commissioner for his comprehensive update. We share the High Commissioner’s concerns about the systematic suppression of civil society and political opposition in Cambodia and Bangladesh especially in the lead up to upcoming elections, raising serious questions about conditions for credible elections.

    In Cambodia, the cancellation of the license of one the last surviving independent news outlets in the country, Voice of Democracy, and sentencing of the opposition leader, Kem Sokha, last week, to 27 years in prison on politically motivated trumped up charges represent the latest escalation in the on going crackdown on independent media, critical voices and the political opposition.

    The government must, at minimum, implement the 20 benchmarks presented by the Special Rapporteur in September to create conditions for an election that has any semblance of credibility.

    In Bangladesh, criminal charges and prolonged investigations against investigative journalist Rozina Islam in clear retaliation for her reporting, and ongoing judicial harassment of human rights NGO Odhikar and its leaders Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan, as well as the recent shutting down of the opposition newspaper, Dainik Dinkal, raise serious questions about the country’s compliance with its international obligations and principles of plural democracy.

    We call on Bangladesh to end this pattern of abusing state institutions, including the judiciary, to silence human rights defenders, journalists, civil society and the political opposition, ensure their independence, and review the Digital Security Act and other repressive laws in line with its international obligations.

    We urge the High Commissioner to continue to closely monitor and publicly report on the situations in Cambodia and Bangladesh, especially in the context of the upcoming elections.

    Thank you.

    This post was originally published on FORUM-ASIA.

  • 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar

    Oral statement delivered by Ahmed Adam

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    6 March 2023

    Mr. President,

    We welcome the High Commissioner’s report.

    More than two years into the Myanmar military’s failed coup attempt, the number of people including women and children killed in the junta’s desperate, brutal campaign against the democratic resistance continue to mount. More than a million people, especially from ethnic communities, have been displaced by the junta’s indiscriminate airstrikes and systematic atrocities against civilians, including burning of entire villages, aerial attacks on schools, hospitals and acts of terror including beheadings. Those displaced remain deliberately cut off from lifesaving humanitarian aid. Killings in custody, and torture and sexual and gender-based violence against those arbitrarily detained for peacefully resisting the junta continue to rise.

    We welcome the principled decisions of a few States to impose sanctions on the junta. But this is far from enough. The same UN agencies and vast majority of its member states that witnessed the Rohingya genocide and did nothing to stop it, are once again watching on as the same military, led by the same man, commits widespread human rights atrocities against Myanmar’s population. Their actions continue to lend support and legitimacy to the junta further entrenching its impunity and obstructing Myanmar people’s pursuit of freedom, justice and democracy. .

    We are deeply concerned about the recent announcement of funding shortages to provide already inadequate food rations and lifesaving aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. This is yet another shameful reminder of the world’s apathy towards Rohingyas’ longstanding demands for dignity and justice. We call on all member states to back your words of concern with real action and financial support to Rohingya refugees, as well as to IDPs inside the country, to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe.

    The Council, and the UN as a whole, must take concrete action to advance accountability through all possible avenues, protect human rights of the Myanmar people, and support their will for federal democracy.

    The UN must further end its repeated cycles of failures as its agencies continue to fall short in addressing the root causes of the humanitarian and human rights crises in Myanmar.

    Thank you.

     

  • 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Item 2: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan

    Oral statement delivered by Hafizullah Saeedi

    On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

    Mr. President, Special Rapporteur,

    Since the last Council session, human rights situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated even further: public executions, flogging, arbitrary arrests, and torture by the Taliban, are on the rise. Persecution of human rights defenders, civil society actors, and former government employees is alarming. Media censorship and repression of journalists continue to intensify.

    Taliban has completed the erasure of women and girls from the society with policies and pronouncements that could only be described as gender apartheid. Exclusion of women from public life has severe consequences throughout the country including for the delivery of much needed lifesaving aid and the work of NGOs.

    Meanwhile, the risk of genocide against Hazaras has escalated significantly under the Taliban while Tajiks and other ethnic groups are increasingly subjected to collective punishment.

    Hunger, forced evictions, forced marriages and recruitment of children into Taliban’s armed units are widespread. Taliban continues to obstruct delivery of humanitarian aid especially in ethnic areas.

    As more Afghans seek protection in and out of the country, those already in exile in neighbouring countries are facing greater risk of deportation and visa obstruction. We call on all UN member states to provide safe passage and protection for all Afghan refugees and asylum seekers and respect the principle of non-refoulement.

    Taliban have shown no willingness to respect Afghanistan’s human rights obligations. The world cannot allow the grave crimes in Afghanistan be the new normal and move on. In this regard, we welcome the important work of the Special Rapporteur to draw attention to these crimes.

    At the same time, we reiterate the urgency of a robust international accountability mechanism with a mandate to establish the facts and circumstances relating to allegations of crimes under international law, and to collect, consolidate, preserve, and analyse evidence for future international justice as well as the resources, capacity, and mandate to account for the full extent and gravity of all violations and abuses in the country regardless of the perpetrator or when they were committed.

    We further call on the UN and Member States to take urgent steps towards establishment of an inclusive government in which all Afghans, in particular women, youth and all ethnic communities are well represented.

    Thank you.

    Find the PDF version of this statement, here