- Category: Statements
A Huge Step Towards Ending Impunity
The Philippine Congress has made a huge step in instituting legal measures for better human rights protection as conferees from both chambers of the Philippine Congress ratified on 16 October 2012 the bicameral report on reconciled bill which will very soon become the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012.
The Asian Federation Against Enforced Disappearances (AFAD), a regional federation of human rights organizations working directly on the issue of enforced disappearances in the Asian region, hails the firm resolve of the members of the Philippine Congress for finally heeding to the call of the families and relatives of the victims who, for almost two decades, have been lobbying the Philippine Congress to criminalize and penalize the act of enforced disappearance and eventually put an end to this odious practice.
- Category: Statements
The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) warmly congratulates the members and staff of Odhikar on your18th anniversary celebration! Your steadfast commitment in campaigning for justice, human rights and participatory governance despite constant threats is an inspiration to all of us!
Odhikar is the newest member of our Federation. For more than a year, it has, in no small measure, contributed to the strengthening of the Federation’s capacity to bring the voice of the victims of enforced disappearances in Asia before their respective governments and the international community. Its consistent in-depth reporting on human rights violations; its relentless advocacy for the cause of the disappeared and its extensive national, regional and international network are a source of inspiration to other members of our Federation in realizing our common vision to attain a world without disappeared persons.
- Category: Statements
On 10th October 2012 Odhikar marks its 18th anniversary. The day also happens to be the International Day against the Death Penalty1. As a human rights organisation Odhikar has been campaigning for justice and fair trial; and against the death penalty since its inception.
Established against the backdrop of the fall of the military dictatorship and restoration of democracy; Odhikar became a powerful network of human rights defenders in Bangladesh and earned its reputation as the unwavering watchdog of the people’s right to liberty, justice and participatory governance. Odhikar’s core commitments to uphold human rights and the rule of law; and to ensure people’s rights against discrimination, exploitation and impunity remain as relevant today as they were on the day of its initiation. Odhikar’s struggle started in 1994 and continues unabated. Needless to say, the condition under which the organisation is operating today is more challenging than eighteen years ago with the State becoming increasingly repressive.
- Category: Statements
Complete Resolution of Munir’s Murder, A Step Towards Ending the Impunity
On the eighth anniversary of the murder of the prominent Indonesian human rights defender Munir Said Thalib, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), chaired by Munir from 2003 until the time of his death, joins the human rights community’s call on the Indonesian government to reopen the investigation on the murder case. The AFAD is concerned that all those responsible for his death be brought to justice, thus making a significant breakthrough in the fight against the prevailing impunity from human rights violations committed against human rights defenders in Indonesia.
- Category: Statements
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Bangkok, 30 August, 2012 : On the occasion of International Day of the Disappeared, the Justice for Peace Foundation (JPF) and the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) commend the Thai government for signing the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance in January this year. Both the JPF and the AFAD further express appreciation to the Thai government for committing to provide reparation to victims of enforced disappearances by the end of this year to victims from the southern boarding provinces from 2004. This commitment is seen as an integral part in the whole process of the government’s commitment to respond to the victims’ families’ need for truth and justice.
- Category: Statements
On the International Day of the Disappeared, the human rights organization Odhikar notes with deep concern the increase in incidents of disappearances in Bangladesh and the inability of the government to deal with such heinous acts – thus reinforcing the politics of intimidation and fear. Odhikar is particularly concerned about the manifested lack of sensitivity to the issue and absence of any steps that could assure the government’s commitment to good governance with regard to disciplining the law and order enforcement apparatus of the country. The enforced disappearance of political leaders is an alarming trend and has already thrown Bangladesh into political instability and uncertainties. The disappearance and killing of labour leader Aminul Islam has significantly reduced the government’s international image and graphically proved again the horrendous state of intimidation and repression suffered by garment workers, who are the backbone of export earnings for the country.
- Category: Statements
Enforced disappearance keeps taking place, with 67 cases reported in Bangladesh after the assumption of office by the Awami League-led government.
International Day of the Disappeared will be observed today in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world.
According to rights group Odhikar, although the number of people who disappeared is high, 67 cases after the Awami League and Jatiya Party-led alliance government came to power in 2009 are clearly of the category of ‘enforced disappearance’ as defined by the international human rights law, particularly the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
- Category: Statements
A Liberating Sacrifice
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
- Martin Luther King
In Philippine history, a number of religious organizations have played an important role not only in building the moral foundation of society, but also in championing the cause of human dignity and liberty especially under the most difficult and trying situations. In the course of championing the cause of human rights, especially of the wretched of the earth, Church people were and continue to be subjected to persecution.