- Asian Human Rights Commission
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is an independent, non-governmental body, which seeks to promote greater awareness and realisation of
human rights in the Asian region, and to mobilise Asian and international public opinion to obtain relief and redress for the victims of human rights violations. It was founded in 1986 by a prominent group of jurists and human rights activists inAsia and serves to promote civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights. Its sister organization, the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) holds GeneralConsultative Status with theUnited Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The AHRC and ALRC are both based inHong Kong .Current Campaigns and Supported Projects
* Asian Human Rights Charter [http://material.ahrchk.net/charter/]
* Asia Child Rights [http://acr.hrschool.org/]
* Disappearances [http://www.disappearances.org/]
* Massacres in Asia [http://massacres.ahrchk.net//]
* No Torture [http://notorture.ahrchk.net/]
* Right to Food [http://www.foodjustice.net/]
* WCAR (World Conference Against Racism) [http://wcar.alrc.net/]
* Protection and Participation (magazine - current (2008) issue available at [http://www.southasiahr.net/pdf/ppv5n1.pdf] )AHRC and Human Rights Issues in Asia
On the eve of the
International Day of the Disappeared , AHRC ranked thePhilippines among the top eight countries inAsia whereforced disappearances ofactivists are not just rampant but are carried out with impunity.Sri Lanka heads the list (statement posted on its website (www.ahrchk.net). The activists took part in the recent Human Rights School Session of the AHRC for 2007. The AHRC listed the other countries where forced disappearances take place with impunity:Pakistan ,Indonesia ,Bangladesh ,Nepal ,Thailand ,Philippines and parts ofIndia . [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/58323/RP-has-high-number-of-disappeared---HK-group GMA NEWS.TV, RP has high number of 'disappeared' - HK group] ]Further, AHRC had evidence to show that
Myanmar junta uses broom-wielding gangs or Swan-ar Shin heavies not guns to crush dissent (fuel price protests) [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/30/AR2007083000089.html Washington Post, Myanmar junta uses gangs not guns to crush dissent] ]On
September 28 ,2007 , the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) criticized theWrit of Amparo and Habeas Data (Philippines) for being insufficient: "T"hough it responds to practical areas it is still necessary that further action must be taken in addition to this. Thelegislative bodies, House of Representatives and Senate, should also initiate its own actions promptly and without delay. They must enact laws which ensure protection of rights—laws againsttorture andenforced disappearance and laws to afford adequate legal remedies to victims"." AHRC objected since thewrit failed to protect non-witnesses, even if they too face threats or risk to their lives. [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/62409/Writ-of-amparo-not-enough--Hong-Kong-rights-group GMA NEWS.TV, Writ of amparo not enough – Hong Kong rights group] ]References
External links
* Asian Human Rights Commission: http://www.ahrchk.net
* Asian Legal resource Centre: http://www.alrc.net
* Human Rights Correspondence School: http://www.hrschool.org
* Protection and Participation magazine Vol. 5, No.1 2008: http://www.southasiahr.net/pdf/ppv5n1.pdf
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