ASEAN Confident of Myanmar Chairmanship despite Concerns on Human Rights
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Despite concerns over Myanmar's sketchy human rights record, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is confident that it is capable of being an effective chairman in 2014, China's Xinhua news agency quoted officials as saying here on Thursday.
The members had not...
Philippines: Labour leader disappeared after he was followed by persons believed to be military personnel in Cavite
On 27 August 2013 Benjamen Villeno, a full-time staff member of the Organized Labor Association in Line Industries and Agriculture – May First Movement (Kilusang Mayo Uno) (OLALIA-KMU) went to Cavite to perform his task as a labour organiser. On the same day, Villeno sent an SMS to his...
Myanmar: Suu Kyi to collect EU human rights prize
Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is to finally receive the EU Sakharov human rights prize she won in 1990 at the height of the Myanmar military crackdown, the European Parliament has revealed.
Suu Kyi, now leader of the opposition in Myanmar and aiming to run in presidential polls in...
Lao PDR: Where is Sombath Somphone?
Oct 10, — Today, Thursday, 10 Oct 2013, marks 300 days of the disappearance of Sombath Somphone, one of Lao PDR’s most prominent activists. Sombath is a long-time and good friend. In the late 1970s, he and I were part of a small group of human rights activists and...
Former Pariah State Burma Takes Over ASEAN Chair
Former pariah state Burma has taken another step in normalizing its international standing by taking over the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN.
At a ceremony in Brunei Thursday, Burmese President Thein Sein accepted the gavel and the responsibility to host more than 1,100 meetings...
Myanmar to prioritise ASEAN community and human rights
President Thein Sein highlighted seven points, giving priority to establishment of an ASEAN Community as well as improving human rights as Myanmar assumes the chair of the ASEAN bloc of nations for 2014.
Thein Sein was giving an acceptance speech at the 23rd ASEAN Summit held in Brunei on October...
Ban calls for enhanced partnership with Southeast Asian bloc to promote peace, development
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for enhanced partnership between the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as the two bodies work together for peace, human rights and sustainable development across the region.
“You have a tremendous opportunity to position the ASEAN region for the 21st century....
Myanmar: Fresh Violence in Arakan State Belies Government’s Disingenuous Assurances to UN Human Rights Council
A resurgence of inter-communal violence in Arakan State on 1 and 2 October has left six Muslims dead and dozens of homes destroyed, with mobs setting fire to houses in several villages in Sandoway Township just hours before President Thein Sein was due to arrive for an official visit...
Myanmar: Locals protest Latpadaung mine resumption
Nearly 150 local residents from villages around the Latpadaung area held a protest on Friday as mining activities recommenced at a controversial copper mine project in Sagaing division.
Speaking to DVB, some of the demonstrators including Buddhist monks said that gunpowder explosions marked the resumption of the Chinese-backed project which was...
Thailand: Government signs MoU to support landmark labour law
The government has signed a memorandum of understanding with a network of labour groups involving two key International Labour Organisation conventions, which could lead to landmark changes in Thailand’s labour law guaranteeing workers – including migrants – certain legal rights and conditions. It’s something authorities have long tried to...
