Thailand: Thai monarchy laws need reviewing, say critics pointing to recent cases
A political activist convicted of defaming the Thai monarchy was freed from prison after being granted a royal pardon in the same week that two others were jailed for similar offences despite their cases previously being dismissed by a criminal court.
The recent sentences further highlight the "unconditional taboo" of...
Myanmar: Can the religious violence be ended?
There is renewed violence in western Myanmar, where Buddhist rioters stand accused of attacking Muslims in Rakhine state. The recent violence left at least four men and a 94-year-old woman dead, according to a police official.
This whole situation … in all of Burma has been escalated to a point...
Malaysia: Stop the intimidation of indigenous people
About 30 police officers went to stop the ongoing blockade by 300 Penans on the road to the Murum Dam construction site. The Penan communities are in the midst of negotiation with the Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) but the SEB has reneged on these negotiations by impounding the dam....
Malaysia: Police were brutal, say Kg Hakka victims
KUALA LUMPUR: About 30 villagers from Kampung Hakka, Mantin gathered at the Bukit Aman police headquarters today to hand over a memorandum on claims that the Mantin police officers were brutal and bias towards them.
Prior to that, this morning they also handed a memorandum to the Human Rights Commission...
Malaysia: Ex-detainees not convinced by govt assurance
PETALING JAYA: Three Pakatan leaders, who were former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees, are not convinced by the assurances by Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that political dissidents will not be arrested using the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA).
Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad said this was especially so since...
Viet Nam: UN rights office alarmed by conviction of renowned human rights lawyer
The United Nations human rights office today urged the Government of Viet Nam to review the conviction of human rights lawyer Le Quoc Quan, who was sentenced to 30 months in prison and fined $60,000 for alleged charges of tax evasion.
“We are alarmed by the fact that the conviction...
Singapore: Policy shifts aren’t just domestic for Singapore
The recent 90th birthday celebrations of Mr Lee Kuan Yew have sparked reflection on Singapore’s achievements. What is notable in these discussions is the observation that small states can indeed survive and thrive.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in outlining major policy shifts in housing, healthcare and education in his...
Indonesia: ETAN Urges President Obama to Put Human Rights at Center of U.S.-Indonesia Relations
October 3, 2013 - The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) today urged President Baa to emphasize human rights and the rule of law in U.S.-Indonesia relations. The president is scheduled to travel to Indonesia this weekend.
“The U.S. must not ignore injustice and human rights violations to advance...
Malaysia: Human Rights situation under serious threat
Suaram calls on the United Nations to show strong moral leadership to address Malaysia’s worrying current human rights situation. We respectfully urge you Mr Ban Ki Moon and Madam Pillay to take account of these serious issues in the run up to Malaysia’s UN Universal Periodic Review.
We are gravely...
Vietnam police surround courthouse ahead of dissident trial
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Protesters and security forces are gathering in the normally quiet Vietnamese capital for the trial of a high-profile lawyer known for taking on human rights cases and writing a blog critical of the government.
Le Quoc Quan was arrested last year and accused of tax evasion,...
