FORUM-ASIA E-Newsletter (June 2014)

Dear Friends,

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is pleased to present the June 2014 issue of our E-Newsletter.

The E-Newsletter aims to feature articles, news and announcements highlighting our work within the period, for readers’ update on FORUM-ASIA’s recent and future activities. With our website, bulletin and newsletter, FORUM-ASIA hopes to communicate to the broadest audience nationally, regionally and globally on the human rights situation in Asia and the role of civil society in addressing the situation.

Please click on the forward button on the right- top of the page of the E-Newsletter to invite your contacts to join the mailing list or just copy and paste this link (http://eepurl.com/Ul3cz) in an e-mail to send directly the subscription form to your contacts. We willl appreciate if you can also share and tweet about the E-Newsletter using the social media icons on top of the page.

For further information about the E-Newsletter please contact icp@forum-asia.org and visit our website (www.forum-asia.org), Facebook and Twitter page for regular updates of FORUM-ASIA programs and activities.

Sincerely,

Evelyn Balais-Serrano

Executive Director

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The panelists and participants of the National Workshop on Building Consensus for a South Asia Human Rights Mechanism (Lahore 9-10 June 2014)

Meeting with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan

Pakistan: unanimous call made for a South Asia human rights mechanism

The Regional Initiative for a South Asia Human Rights Mechanism (Regional Initiative), a platform of human rights defenders from the region, conducted a two day national workshop on Building Consensus for a South Asia Human Rights Mechanism in Lahore, Pakistan. FORUM-ASIA, as the Secretariat of the Regional Initiative, in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Bytes for All, organised the national workshop on 9-10 June 2014.
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The International Human Rights Community Should Amplify the Call for an Extensive Review of the AICHR ToR

On 16 June 2014 the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) along with Amnesty International and Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights held a side event on the sidelines of the 26th Session of the UN Human Rights Council at Palais des Nations – Geneva entitled: "The role of the International Human Rights Community in the review of the ToR of AICHR: Towards an Effective and Independent ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism". Speakers at the event called upon the international community to pay attention to the ASEAN’s human rights deliberations and seek robust human rights arrangements in the region.

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Korean CSOs held an emergency press conference and denounced an Administrative Execution of Action to forcefully tear down the protest sites in Miryang, on 11 June 2014, in front of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) in Seoul/ people left solidarity messages to residents of Miryang.

Korea:Condemn Crackdown on Miryang Protestors and Halt Constructions Plans

- Open Letter -

Dear Madam President,

Re: Condemn Crackdown on Miryang Protestors and Halt Construction Plans

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) writes to you to register our condemnation of the government’s latest violent crackdown on 11 June 2014 against environmental rights defenders as well as communities affected by the construction of high-voltage power transmission towers in Miryang. Gyeongsangnam-do Province, Republic of Korea.

Mohammad Nur Khan, Director of Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), prominent human rights organisation in Bangladesh and member of FORUM-ASIA.

Accountability and Justice Denied: End Cover-Ups in "Disappearances" of Human Rights Defenders

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), a regional human rights group with 47 member organisations from 16 countries across Asia, calls on the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and ASEAN governments to take firm action against disappearance cases of human rights defenders in the region and put an end to impunity and efforts by authorities to cover up any involvement of the State.

FORUM-ASIA interventions, statements and events during the 26th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

Oral Statements

Open Letters

Open Letter: The Draft Resolution on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises to be Adopted During the 26th Session of the UN Human Rights Council for the Renovation of the Mandate of the Working Group

Open Letter on the need to strengthen recognition and protection for human rights defenders working on issues of business and human rights

FORUM-ASIA Side Events

Freedoms of Expression, Assembly and Association in the Context of Elections: The Situation in Asia (12 June 2014, 17-18:30, Room IX)

The Role of International Human Rights Community in the Review of the TOR of AICHR: Towards an Effective and Independent ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism

Other Side Events

Transparency and Social Participation in Foreign Policy (10 June 2014, 12-14:00, Room XXV)

Pursuing Promises at the HRC (25 June 2014, 13- 15.00, Room XXIV)

The Regional Initiative for South Asian Human Rights Mechanism is a civil society forum that was created subsequent to the sub-regional consultations held in Kathmandu in 2010 and 2011. This forum is a collaborative platform of civil society and individuals from the region committed to the cause of furthering human rights and peace. The mission of the forum is to advocate for, and help create an environment conducive for the establishment of a South Asia Human Rights Mechanism.

With the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), a regional human rights organisation as its secretariat, the Regional Initiative has been striving for greater cooperation and support for the establishment of a South Asia Human Rights Mechanism.

"A South Asia Human Rights Mechanism: Towards Protection for All"

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Upcoming Events

15-17 July, NTSS - National consultation/workshop on the implementation of international human rights standards in the context of elections/Nepal
18-19 July, Regional consultation on South Asia Human Rights Mechanism/Nepal
2-8 August, Glocal Advocacy leadership in Asia Academy (GALAA) /Bangkok, Thailand

For more info please contact
info@forum-asia.org

Call for Internship Applications

Available positions:

East Asia Programme Intern;
South Asia Programme Intern;
Human Rights Defenders (HRD) Programme Intern;
Information, Communication and Publication (ICP) Programme Intern.

Deadline: 20 July 2014
Interview Dates: TBC
Length: 6 months (starting from 1 September 2014)
Location: Bangkok, Thailand

For more info please contact
internship@forum-asia.org

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) was founded in 1991 in Manila, Philippines, and moved to Bangkok, Thailand in 1994.

FORUM-ASIA is a membership-based organisation, with 47 member organisations in 16 countries across South Asia, Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia.

Our mission is to promote and protect all human rights, including the right to development, through collaboration and cooperation among human rights organisations and defenders in Asia.

Our objective is to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights and democracy in Asia and beyond by consolidating Asian human rights movements through effective collaboration with members and partners on international solidarity action as well as engagement with states and other stakeholders at national, regional and international levels.

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