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 […]
Category: Written Submissions
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 […]
PAKISTAN: Disappearances
ALRC-CWS-25-17-2014 February 28, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty fifth session, Agenda Item 4, General Debate A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre PAKISTAN: Disappearances 1. Balochistan province, at this moment in time, may be said to be the place in the world where the largest number of enforced disappearances take place. The Supreme Court of Pakistan and several High Courts have recognised the high level of disappearances that take place in the province. However, neither the courts nor the government have been able to take any effective steps to stop the practice of enforced disappearances or even to bring down the numbers […]
BANGLADESH: Enforced disappearances are increasing alarmingly
ALRC-CWS-25-16-2014 February 28, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty fifth session, Agenda Item 4, General Debate A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre BANGLADESH: Enforced disappearances are increasing alarmingly 1. The Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) is gravely concerned by the ongoing pattern of deprivation of the right to life through enforced disappearance and killing in the pretext of “crossfire” in Bangladesh. Simultaneously, there are also incidents of “secret killings” of disappeared persons. The number of enforced disappearance has been increasing alarmingly in the recent months in the country. The majority of the victims are identified as activists of the pro-opposition political parties. […]
PHILIPPINES: Forced evictions push victims to hunger, inhuman living condition
ALRC-CWS-25-15-2014 February 28, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty fifth session, Agenda Item 3, General Debate A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre PHILIPPINES: Forced evictions push victims to hunger, inhuman living condition 1. The Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) draws the attention of the Human Rights Council to increasing attacks on the urban poor in Philippines, particularly in the Metro Manila region. The attacks include denial of livelihood opportunities to the urban poor and demolition of their habitats. Such demolition drives are conducted in violation of Article 11(1) of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) promising adequate standard […]
INDIA: Remedies to human rights violations a mirage
ALRC-CWS-25-14-2014 February 27, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty fifth session, Agenda Item 3, General Debate A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre INDIA: Remedies to human rights violations a mirage 1. India has one of the most commended and emulated legal systems in Asia. The jurisprudence developed by the country’s courts is model to developing and advanced jurisdictions alike in interpreting state responsibility on safeguard human rights guarantees. The judiciary in India enjoys a unique position, shared with only three other jurisdictions in Asia – Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea – concerning independence and absolute non-interference by the executive and by […]
ASIA: Accountability for violence against women committed in official capacities and integration of gender-perspectives in the remedy mechanism
ALRC-CWS-25-13-2014 February 27, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty fifth session, Agenda Item 3, General Debate A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre ASIA: Accountability for violence against women committed in official capacities and integration of gender-perspectives in the remedy mechanism 1. Throughout South and East Asian countries women continue to be subjected to unrestrained discrimination and violence. This includes verbal offences and intimidation, harassment, rape and sexual abuse, beating, and torture and ill treatment, perpetrated by police officers, soldiers, members of security forces, and other state actors. 2. The modalities through which such abuses occur may vary depending on the country’s specific […]
THAILAND: Ten years without justice for Somchai Neelaphaijit
ALRC-CWS-25-12-2014 February 26, 2014 HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Twenty fifth session, Agenda Item 4, General Debate A written submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre THAILAND: Ten years without justice for Somchai Neelaphaijit 1. The Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) wishes to raise grave concerns with the Human Rights Council about ongoing impunity in the case of the disappearance of Somchai Neelaphaijit in Thailand. On 12 March 2014, the tenth anniversary of Somchai’s disappearance will pass without the perpetrators being held to account. During the past ten years, the Government of Thailand has obstructed the investigation and judicial processes, at times actively and at times […]