THAILAND: Freedom of Expression in Crisis – The Conviction of Somyot Prueksakasemsuk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 15, 2013 ALRC-CWS-22-02-2013 Language(s): English only HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty second session, Agenda Item 3, Interactive Dialogue with Working Group on Arbitrary Detention A written statement submitted by the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC), a non-governmental organisation with general consultative status THAILAND: Freedom of Expression in Crisis – The Conviction of Somyot Prueksakasemsuk 1. The Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) wishes to bring the urgent crisis of freedom of expression in Thailand to the attention of the Human Rights Council. This statement is the fifth on this topic that the ALRC has submitted to the Council since May 2011. During the seventeenth session of the Council […]

BANGLADESH: Government lacks ‘political will’ to legislate anti-torture bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 15, 2013 ALRC-CWS-22-01-2013 Language(s): English only HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty second session, Agenda Item 3, Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Torture A written statement submitted by the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC), a non-governmental organisation with general consultative status BANGLADESH: Government lacks ‘political will’ to legislate anti-torture bill 1. The Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) once again reiterates the urgent need of criminalisation of torture in Bangladesh where torture is an endemic problem. Torture has been inseparable and deeply entrenched within the law-enforcement and investigation systems of the government. Visibility must be the responsibility of the UN Human Rights Council toward its long-standing member-State. Bangladesh […]

NEPAL: Raising voice against impunity puts human rights defenders at risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 22, 2013 ALRC-CWS-22-11-2013 Language(s): English only HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty second session, Agenda Item 4, General Debate A written statement submitted by the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC), a non-governmental organisation with general consultative status NEPAL: Raising voice against impunity puts human rights defenders at risk 1. The Asian Legal Resource Center (ALRC) urges the Human Rights Council to pay special attention to the situation of human rights defenders in Nepal, who have found themselves exposed to threats, attacks and retaliation in the context of an intensified struggle against impunity. We urge the Council to remind the government of Nepal of its obligations to ensure that […]

BANGLADESH: Failure to prevent disappearance is injustice to families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2013 ALRC-CWS-22-04-2013 Language(s): English only HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty second session, Agenda Item 3, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance A written statement submitted by the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC), a non-governmental organisation with general consultative status BANGLADESH: Failure to prevent disappearance is injustice to families 1. Bangladesh is a member of the Human Rights Council since 2006. In the voluntary pledges made by Bangladesh, it has asserted that “[a]t the national level, Bangladesh, a democratic and pluralistic polity, is fully committed to the principles of good governance, democracy, rule of law and promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedom of […]