Civil Society raises concerns over Myanmar’s chairship of ASEAN in 2014
Two years after its controversial and some say ambiguous march towards reform and democratization, Myanmar now seeks to prove to the world that it is ready to take the spotlight in the international stage when it assumes the Chairship of ASEAN in 2014.
This is the first time that Myanmar...
Indonesia: Respecting Human Rights Key to Ending Deforestation in Indonesia
Dogwood Alliance is pleased to once again take part in Blog Action Day. This year’s theme is Human Rights, and we decided to step away from forests in the Southern US for our post and spend some time discussing how respecting human rights is the key to ending deforestation...
Vietnamese Court Orders Two Parishioners of Vinh Diocese Jailed
A court in Vietnam's North Central Coast region on Wednesday ordered two Catholic Christians who campaigned for religious freedom jailed for "disturbing public order," triggering outrage among family members, priests and parishioners.
The court in the Nghe An provincial capital Vinh sentenced Ngo Van Khoi, 53, to seven months in...
More voices needed in Myanmar, rights group says
PARIS, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- A European focus on normalizing relations with Myanmar risks sidelining the civil voice needed for an inclusive democracy, a Parisian rights consortium said.
Members of the international community have reached out to establish better ties with Myanmar since military rule ended with general elections in...
Speed up integration, ASEAN urged
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN—The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) must speed up its community building and integration processes amid rapid developments in the region and the world caused by globalization, said the Asean-Korea Centre’s secretary-general on Monday.
In a speech delivered at the opening of the inaugural Asean Connectivity Forum...
Myanmar: Burmese army recruits female soldiers as it struggles to tackle rebel groups
If you're a single female between the ages of 25 and 30, 1.6 metres (5ft 3in) or taller and weighing less than 59kg (130lbs), then the Tatmadaw – Burma's military – may be looking for you.
Once limited to working only as nurses in the military, Burmese women are now...
Cambodian Opposition Begins Three-Day Protest
Cambodia's opposition has begun three days of mass demonstrations in the capital to call for the government to allow an independent probe into alleged election fraud.
Thousands gathered early Wednesday in Phnom Penh's Freedom Park, where they were met by thousands of riot police. Many Cambodians feared a repeat of...
Thailand: Thai Princess Campaigns for Rule of Law
UNITED NATIONS — A Thai princess who became a criminal prosecutor and launched a campaign to help incarcerated women is now embarking on a global campaign to promote the rule of law and make “equal justice” a UN goal.
At the age of 34, Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol is Thailand’s ambassador...
Cambodia’s Opposition Set for Three-Day Mass Protests
The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) will hold mass protests for three consecutive days beginning Wednesday, with plans by supporters to march on foreign diplomatic missions to highlight demands for a review of election results it says have been tainted by fraud.
The party said it expects some 40,000...
The Philippines: Group urges CA to junk AFP appeal on Panesa
MANILA, Philippines—A group of human rights lawyers asked the Court of Appeals to dismiss the appeal of the military to re-arrest security guard Rolly Panesa who was ordered released after almost a year in detention.
The appeals court ordered Panesa’s release last Aug. 27 saying he was a victim of...
