Malaysia: For some, liberal Muslims are the real extremists
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — Liberal Muslims were “extremists” similar to those resorting to violence, according to an activist from Islamist group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) who sought to denounce the former group’s moderate tag.
According to Gombak Isma activist Umar Hakim Mohd Tajuddin, the Islamic approach taken by liberal...
Malaysia: More interfaith dialogue on ‘Allah’ issue needed, say Suhakam chairman
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — There should be more interfaith dialogue on the debate over the use of the word “Allah” so that there will be greater understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam said today.
Hasmy noted that the right...
INDONESIA: Attacks on workers are attacks on democracy — labour activist
An interview with Said Iqbal, President of the Confederation of Indonesian Workers' Union (Konfederasi Serikat Pekerja Indonesia, KSPI) published by the Asian Human Rights Commission.
Can you tell us about the recent national labour strike and protest in Indonesia? What are the demands of the workers?
On the 31st of October...
Myanmar set to release dozens of political prisoners: panel member
YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar may release scores of political prisoners this month to fulfil a promise by its reformist president to free prisoners of conscience by the end of this year, a member of a state-appointed panel said on Wednesday.
A 19-member committee set up by President Thein Sein to...
Holocaust museum highlights Myanmar’s Rohingya
WASHINGTON (AP) — Images of homeless and stateless Rohingya Muslims forced to flee a deadly outbreak of sectarian violence in Myanmar are being projected onto the outside walls of the Holocaust Memorial Museum, putting a spotlight on a tragedy that has unfolded as the former pariah state has won...
VOA Exclusive: US Official Says Vietnam Must Progress on Rights to Deepen US Ties
A senior U.S. diplomat says Vietnam must make "demonstrable progress" on human rights in the coming months, if it wants to deepen its relationship with the United States, a former wartime foe.
In an exclusive interview with VOA, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Scott...
EU/Indonesia: Timber Agreement Flawed
(Jakarta) – The new timber trade agreement between Indonesia and the European Union does not go far enough to curb illegal logging linked to rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said today.
The agreement requires Indonesian timber exported to the EU to carry a certificate showing it was harvested legally, but...
Laos facing possible aid review over missing activist, says Euro MP
A European parliamentary delegation says the Lao government has yet again failed to offer a credible explanation as to the whereabouts of a well-known rights activist.
It's almost 11 months ago since the disappearance of the internationally-recognised development worker and teacher, Sombath Somphone.
And for the second time this year, a...
Building a Torture-Free ASEAN Community
The Indonesian Representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) held the Second Jakarta Human Rights Dialogue on “Prevention of Torture in the ASEAN region”, on 2-3 November 2013 at the Grand Hyatt, Jakarta.
The Jakarta Human Rights Dialogue is an initiative of the Indonesian Representative to the...
Amnesty slams Vietnam’s worsening rights record
Authoritarian Vietnam has stepped up an alarming crackdown on domestic dissent even as it seeks a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, Amnesty International said Thursday.
The one-party Communist state is using a raft of draconian legislation to clamp down on a growing number of citizens who seek to...
