WORLD: Draft Asian Declaration on right to justice – right to an effective remedy for violations of human rights in terms of Article 2 of the ICCPR

A supplement to the Asian Human Rights Charter launched in Gwangju, South Korea on 17 May, 1998 This declaration is to be launched on the 20th anniversary of launching of the Asian Human Rights Charter (A People’s Charter) The Asian Human Rights Commission (Hong Kong) and the May 18 Memorial Foundation (Gwangju, South Korea) are presenting herewith the working draft of the Asian declaration on the right to justice – right to an effective remedy for human rights violations in terms of Article 2 of the ICCPR with a view to encourage a wide discussion of the issues raised in this declaration. Together with this, we will also be presenting […]

ASIA: Working against torture poses threats to human rights defenders

An Oral Statement to the 37th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council by the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) Mr. President. Torture and ill treatment are institutionalised in the criminal justice architecture of most Asian states and is practiced as state policy. Crime investigation often begins and ends with a confession statement for which torture is used as a tool. Impunity to torture also promotes its use by the state to silence the voices dissent. A domestic law criminalising torture or the state being party to the CAT or the membership of a state in this Council are all irrelevant in these circumstances. Asian states like Bangladesh, Sri […]

ASIA: 20th Anniversary of the Asian Charter for Human Rights; A People’s Charter – A Video Documentary

In this short video, Mr Basil Fernando explains the preparation for updating of the Asian Charter for Human Rights – A People’s Charter which was launched in Gwangju, South Korea in May 1998. This Video explains the purpose for which this Charter was adopted, the process of consultations which led to the drafting of the Charter, the consultations held in preparation of the drafting and the final adoption. The Asian Charter was launched as a joint effort of the Asian Human Rights Commission a Regional organisation based in Hong Kong and the May 18 Memorial Foundation based in Gwangju, South Korea.  WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

WORLD: How should the work on the Asian Charter for Human Rights be carried forward?

by Basil Fernando The following is a presentation made at a workshop organized by the Asian Human Rights Commission and the May 18th Foundation (14-16th September 2017) on the preparations for the 20th Anniversary of the Asian Human Rights Charter 1998. This paper addresses the direction the Asian human rights movement should take in order to contribute to the improved enjoyment of rights in Asian countries.