FORUM-ASIA strongly condemns the acid attack against Indonesian human rights defender Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, in Jakarta on 12 March 2026.

21 years after the disappearance of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit, the Asia Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) calls on the Thai government to reopen its investigation to prove its compliance with domestic and international laws.

Following the conviction and imprisonment of 10 Cambodian environmental activists for allegedly “plotting” and “insulting the king” under Articles 453 and 437 of Cambodia’s Criminal Code, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) condemned the convictions for stifling civic space and freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, and demand the activists' immediate and unconditional release.

Following the death in detention of activist Netiporn "Bung" Sanesangkhom while she was on a hunger strike to call for judicial system reform and the release of political dissidents, five human rights organizations issued a joint statement calling for the Thai authorities to conduct an independent and credible investigation into her death, release political prisoners held in pre-trial detention, and support the proposed amnesty bill for those facing political prosecution.

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and CIVICUS has issued a statement raising concerns about the Thai government's prosecution of activists and journalists. They also called the Thai government to drop charges against activists, journalists, and human rights defenders, end its practice of judicial harassment, and review and repeal its repressive laws.

Three human rights organizations have condemned the conviction of activist Mongkhon Thirakot, who was sentenced to 50 years in prison for royal defamation and demand the immediate release of Mongkhon and other detained activists. They also endorsed the call for the repeal of the royal defamation, or lèse-majesté, law.

<p>The conviction of Narin, who was <a href="https://prachatai.com/english/node/9727">sentenced last Friday</a> (4 March 2022) to 3 years in prison on a royal defamation charge for putting a sticker over a portrait of King Vajiralongkorn,&nbsp;demonstrates the government&rsquo;s intensifying targeting of individuals and allies of the pro-democratic movement, said FoRUM-ASIA, CIVICUS, and Asia Democracy Network, who call for the repeal of the royal defamation law and the immediate release of everyone detained under this law.</p>

<p>Under the Chairmanship of Cambodia in 2022, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must meaningfully address the regressive human rights crisis in the region, including the rapidly deteriorating situation in Myanmar, said rights groups at a webinar yesterday (2 December).</p>

<p>Thailand should respect, protect and fulfil the right of its people to peaceful assembly and expression, and must immediately end the use of disproportionate and unnecessary force against protesters, said the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and Human Rights Lawyers Alliance (HRLA).</p>

<p>ASEAN and the international community must provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar, but must not allow the junta to weaponize humanitarian aid to seek legitimacy, said Progressive Voice and FORUM-ASIA.&nbsp;</p>

<p>417 right groups issued a statement condemning ASEAN&#39;s continuous engagement with the Myanmar junta while refusing to hold dialogues with&nbsp;other parties, including the representatives of the National Unity Government (NUG), ethnic leaders, and the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following the military coup in Myanmar on Monday morning (1 February), Amnesty International, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) have all issued statements of concern about the coup and the arrest of politicians and activists.</p>