- Category: Statements
The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) promotes the unprecedented report on the use of torture in Indian administered Kashmir by the Indian armed forces released by the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) and Jammu & Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) on 20th of May 2019. The report titled, ‘Torture: Indian State’s Instrument of Control in Indian Administered Jammu and Kashmir’ is a very important piece of work.
- Category: Statements
The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) urges the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Thailand to withdraw its baseless inquiry ordered against Commissioner Angkhana Neelapaijit. Angkhana is a prominent human rights defender who has spoken boldly about human rights issues in Thailand and worked towards protection of human rights in the country.
- Category: Statements
Manila: The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) remembers Jonas Burgos who was forcibly disappeared on the 28th of April 2007 while he was having his lunch at the Hapag Kainan restaurant in Ever Gotesco Mall, Quezon City. The perpetrators are personnel of the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP).
- Category: Statements
Manila: The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) expresses grief over and strongly condemns the bombing of various churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, 21st April 2019, that led to the killing of at least 290 people and injury of over 400 others.
Out of the 8 blasts that shook Sri Lankan capital Colombo, 3 have been reported from churches, 3 from hotels and 2 from the outskirts of Colombo. The government of Sri Lanka is yet to identify the perpetrators of this gruesome attack although some arrests have been made.
- Category: Statements
21 April 2019
As the country celebrates the joy of the Resurrection on this Easter Week, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) is reminded of the struggles and hopes of the desaparecidos and their families; of other victims of human rights violations and of human rights defenders.
- Category: Statements
20th April 2019
Manila: The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) endorses the reportManila: The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) endorses the reporttitled, “Vanished Without a Trace: The Enforced Disappearance of Opposition and Dissent inBangladesh” released by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) in Paris on 18th April 2019.
The report highlights the phenomenon of enforced disappearance in Bangladesh that has been onthe rise since 2009 after the political party Awami League came to power. Under this regime,enforced disappearance has been used as a strategy to curb any form of dissent and opposition.Opposite political views have been criminalized. Hence, most victims of enforced disappearancehave been those with a political opinion or belief contrary to that of the ruling government orthose that have criticized the government. These include non-partisan critical voices, intellectualfigures, academics, and journalists. There is nexus between the police and the military jointlycommit enforced disappearances.
- Category: Statements
On the occasion of her 15th martyrdom anniversary, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) remembers Aasia Jeelani, a woman human rights defender from Indian administered Kashmir.
Aasia was martyred on the 20th April 2004 while on assignment in the remote district of Kupwara in Indian administered Kashmir when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detonated that blew the car carrying her and her colleagues. The explosion killed her while injuring her colleagues.
- Category: Statements
On the International Day for the Right to Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) remembers the countless victims of summary and extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, torture and other human rights violations that occur routinely. AFAD likewise honors the thousands of human rights defenders who raise their voices for truth and justice despite being persecuted and threatened. We remember those who lost their lives in the quest for justice.