ALRC-CWS-26-09-2014 June 4, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty sixth session, Agenda Item 3, General Debates A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre PAKISTAN: The violence against women is continue to be rampant in spite of progressive laws 1. Despite some pro-women laws introduced by the previous Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) government, there is no rest or respite in the chronic oppression against women in Pakistan. The true implementation of these laws in letter and spirit still remains a real challenge for the state, law and justice departments. Women are facing spectacularly high rates of discrimination and multiple forms of violence. Crimes like […]
Category: documents
THAILAND: Coup Jettisons Courts
ALRC-CWS-26-08-2014 June 3, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty sixth session, Agenda Item 3, General Debates A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre THAILAND: Coup Jettisons Courts 1. In Thailand, the legitimate and democratically elected government of Thailand has been overthrown and the military has usurped power by force. The takeover is a clear and complete violation of the constitution of Thailand. Enormous efforts had been made by the Thai people to develop a democratic constitution. The 1997 constitution was created after years of consultation with all sections of Thai society. One of the preoccupations at the time was to end the entrenched […]
ASIA: Council must urge governments to rein in big businesses violating human rights of the people
ALRC-CWS-26-07-2014 June 3, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty sixth session, Agenda Item 3, General Debates A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre ASIA: Council must urge governments to rein in big businesses violating human rights of the people 1. While celebrating extraordinary tales of economic growth, many of the Asian countries have seen their citizens falling through the cracks. Even a cursory glance at the recent stories of growth and development in these countries shows how inequitable it has been for those at the margins of society. Many hardships are faced to access what should be theirs as a matter of right. […]
BANGLADESH: Judiciary undermines its own independence
ALRC-CWS-26-06-2014 June 2, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty sixth session, Agenda Item 3, General Debates A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre BANGLADESH: Judiciary undermines its own independence 1. The Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) wishes to bring the status of the judiciary and legal profession of Bangladesh to the attention of the UN Human Rights Council. 2. Bangladesh has been Member of the Human Rights Council virtually since its formation. The country has been party to two international Covenants and eight Conventions. Being a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Bangladesh is obliged to ensure the […]
ASIA: Council should do more to end extrajudicial execution
ALRC-CWS-26-05-2014 June 2, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty sixth session, Agenda Item 3, General Debates A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre ASIA: Council should do more to end extrajudicial execution Despite having some of the most stable and rapidly developing countries in the world, Asia is notorious for extrajudicial executions. Both state and non-state actors commit these crimes. As in all human rights abuses committed by state agencies, when it comes to extrajudicial executions, Asian states lack prompt and independent investigation and adjudication modalities. This written submission refers to conditions in Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and […]
INDIA: Extrajudicial Executions
ALRC-CWS-26-04-2014 May 30, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty sixth session, Agenda Item 3, General Debates A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre INDIA: Extrajudicial Executions 1. High prevalence of extrajudicial executions in a jurisdiction indicates deep problems within its rule of law framework. The higher the number and frequency of such murders, state sponsored or otherwise, the more rooted the problems in the criminal justice process. To this direct correlation, India is no exception. 2. There are, however, no credible statistics available regarding the number and frequency of such killings in India. Neither does the state, which includes the human rights commission, […]
PAKISTAN: The international community must pursue the government of Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of journalists
ALRC-CWS-26-03-2014 May 30, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty sixth session, Agenda Item 3, Panel Discussion on the Safety of Journalists A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre PAKISTAN: The international community must pursue the government of Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of journalists 1. As a member of the United Nations, Pakistan has obligations to ensure the equal enjoyment by all people within its territory of the personal and advocacy rights protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Discharge of these obligations entails the right to Freedom of […]
NEPAL: Need for amendment of Truth and Reconciliation Law
ALRC-CWS-26-02-2014 May 29, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty sixth session, Agenda Item 4, General Debate A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre NEPAL: Need for amendment of Truth and Reconciliation Law 1. The process of transitional justice in Nepal has encountered deliberate and blatant delays mainly due to the sheer lack of commitment and will of the political parties. The establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) against disappearances and the establishment of the Commission against Disappearances have been expressly mandated and provisioned by both the Interim Constitution and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) as far back as 2006, which remain […]
THAILAND: Human rights under threat following coup
ALRC-CWS-26-01-2014 May 29, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty sixth session, Agenda Item 4, General Debate A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre THAILAND: Human rights under threat following coup 1. The Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) wishes to raise grave concerns with the Human Rights Council about the threats to human rights subsequent to the coup launched by a military junta calling itself the National Peace and Order Maintenance Council (NPOMC) and led by General Prayuth Chan-ocha on May 22, 2014 in Thailand. The NPOMC abrogated the 2007 Constitution and installed itself as the government. Under martial law, which was put in […]
ASIA PACIFIC: Action required to protect human rights defenders at risk for protecting migrants’ rights
ALRC-CWS-28-001-2015 March 03, 2015 A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre ASIA PACIFIC: Action required to protect human rights defenders at risk for protecting migrants’ rights 1. The Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) and the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) would like to draw the attention of the Human Rights Council to the increasing trend of harassment, intimidation, and threats on human rights defenders advocating for or protecting the rights of migrants in Asia and the Pacific. 2. The General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/68/181, para. 6) has “recognize the valuable work of human rights defenders” and reiterates the obligations of States to […]