Home Tags Arbitrary Arrest and Detention

Tag: Arbitrary Arrest and Detention

Myanmar: Rights Commission says use of torture in prison riot breached human rights

The use of torture during last month’s prison riot in southern Myanmar was a violation of human rights, according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The NHRC statement comes after commission officials last month made an inspection tour of Kawthaung Prison in Taninthayi Region, where the riot occurred on...

Lao PDR: Wife’s plea: free my abducted husband

The wife of prominent social activist Sombath Somphone has made a desperate plea to Lao authorities, declaring he will leave the country and retire quietly with her if returned safely after being abducted in the Lao capital, Vientiane, 10 months ago. Ng Shui Meng, who has been married to Mr...

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...

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...

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...

Viet Nam: Report documents how scores remain imprisoned for speaking out

The Vietnamese authorities must end their alarming crackdown on dissent and immediately put in place measures to protect activists from further harassment and imprisonment simply for exercising their rights, Amnesty International said in a new report today. Silenced Voices: Prisoners of Conscience in Viet Nam examines how laws and decrees...

Malaysia: 19 arrested for peacefully protesting against development project

The arrest of 19 people, including human rights defenders, during a peaceful protest against the demolition of a historical village in Malaysia confirm fears recently expressed by UN member States at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) conducted by the UN Human Rights Council, say the Observatory for the Protection...

Singapore arrests man over hacker attack on government websites

Singapore authorities have arrested a 35-year-old man suspected of involvement in a series of high-profile hacker attacks on government websites, and ordered him to be sent for psychiatric assessment. James Raj was charged on Tuesday with modifying the contents of a website belonging to the town council that manages Prime...

69 Political Prisoners Released In Myanmar

Myanmar on Friday announced the release of 69 political prisoners, including several prisoners of conscience. Among those released is the prominent Karen women human rights activist Naw Ohn Hla, who was sentenced to two years in prison with hard labor after peacefully protesting a copper mining project in August this...

Myanmar: Release of prisoners of conscience positive but many still locked up

The release of several prisoners of conscience in Myanmar today is a positive step, but time is running out for the government to keep its promise to release everyone imprisoned for peaceful activism by the year’s end, Amnesty International said. Myanmar today announced the release of 69 political prisoners, including...