<p>A group of Thai activists protested at the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok, demanding the Malaysian government release demonstrators who were arrested during a protest against the Internal Security Act (ISA), and abolish the law which gives sweeping powers to the authorities.</p>
By Harrison George |
<p>So the Good Leaders of ASEAN, the same people who thought it better for them to approve the ASEAN Charter before the people of ASEAN could even see it, have agreed on an ASEAN Human Rights Body. And like all new bodies that arrive in this world, this baby comes with no teeth.</p>
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee, The Nation |
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<div>Kasit defends commission against alleged lack of teeth</div>
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<div>Phuket - The planned Asean human-rights commission was challenged yesterday on its ability to protect the basic rights of people in the region as it has no power to take action against violations in member countries.</div>
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<p>This 42nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) will be a milestone for the development of human rights in the region and community building in ASEAN. After 12 months of hard work, the High Level Panel (HLP), the team that was tasked to draft the Terms of Reference (TOR) on the establishment of the ASEAN human rights body (AHRB) will have their meeting tomorrow (18 July 2009) and will submit the draft to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the day after.</p>
<p>The International AIDS Society (IAS) today welcomed Thursday's decision by Delhi's High Court to decriminalize homosexuality as a victory for human rights and HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. The IAS urged India's Government to take affirmative steps to promote and protect the rights of all criminalized communities at risk for HIV in India, including men who have sex with men (MSM), people who use drugs, and sex workers.</p>
By Siriluk Sriprasit |
<p>The ASEAN charter was adopted at the 14th ASEAN Summit in November 2007 and eventually came into force in December 2008.</p>
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line-height:15.0pt;"><span>One of ASEAN’s crucial visions is creating a single free trade area by 2015, but there are doubts that it will be implemented or achieved. </span></div>
By Leila Salaverria |
<p>As the target date for launching the ASEAN human rights body (AHRB)<br />
nears, civil society groups have warned depriving it of watchdog<br />
powers would erode the credibility of the regional organization.</p>
By Awzar Thi |
<p>A little over a week ago, the Bangkok Post reported that a special inquiry unit under Thailand’s Justice Ministry had asked the public prosecutor to lodge charges against six police officers for allegedly torturing a man in their custody.</p>
<p>On May 29, social critic <a href="http://www.sulak-sivaraksa.org/th/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2290047&Itemid=1">Sulak Sivaraksa</a> sent a letter to the HM the King’s Principal Private Secretary, asking him to look into the case of nominated human rights commissioner Parinya Sirisarakarn, owner of a salt mining business in Nakhon Ratchasima which has been the subject of complaints about its impact on the livelihoods of local communities.</p>