- Category: Statements
It has been a year since ethnic Karen Mr. Porlagee Rakcharoen went disappeared and nothing has been hAeard of his whereabouts. Also known as Billy Rakchongcharoen, a prominent environmental activist and human rights defender, he was last seen in the afternoon of 17 April 2014 after he was reportedly arrested and detained at a checkpoint at Kaengn Krachan National Park in Petchaburi province by Thai park authorities for questioning for alleged unlawful gathering of wild bee honeycomb and illegal possession of six bottles of honey.
Mr. Chaiwat Limlikitaksor, chief of the Kaeng Krachan National Park Office told local activists on 18 April that Billy had been released after the questioning and denied any knowledge on his whereabouts.
The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), expresses grave concern over the safety and fate of Billy Rakchongcharoen. Basing on the circumstances, AFAD strongly believes that the ethnic Karen had been forcibly disappeared by Thai park authorities. Also, the concerned park authorities had not presented evidence of Billy’s release from arrest or the details of his detention.
- Category: Statements
The Valley of Kashmir has an abundance of natural beauty. It is a land of startling gardens and regal Chinar trees, where sparkling rivers and sleepy lakes drain the valley into almost eternal spring. Kashmir boasts of some of the most beautiful flowering meadows and snow-capped peaks. Breathtaking sights invigorate the weary farmers after a day of toil to grow grains for their families.
But decades of conflict have been causing unfathomable sufferings to the people of Kashmir. Wives and children of the thousands who were disappeared have long been suffering from the agony of uncertainty. They suffer heavily under the weight that life brings, with little or opportunity for social mobility. Children of the disappeared are living through the confusion of broken dreams.
- Category: Statements
The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), a regional federation of human rights organizations working directly on the issue of enforced disappearances, expresses deep concern over the safety of 17 Muslim student activists who were arbitrarily arrested and detained without charges after a warrantless search of their dormitories at Muang District, Narathiwat, on 2nd April 2015.
Arbitrarily detained without charges are the following students:
- Category: Open Letters
6 April 2015
HONORABLE JUDGE SILVIA ALEJANDRA FERNÁNDEZ DE GURMENDI
President
International Criminal Court
PO Box 19519
2500 CM, The Hague
The Netherlands
Honorable Madam President,
Re: Crimes Against humanity in Bangladesh Necessitate ICC's Legitimate Action
The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) is deeply concerned with the unabated spate of human rights violations in Bangladesh that falls under the category of the ‘crimes against humanity.’ It has become an almost daily phenomenon in Bangladesh where the law enforcement agencies and paramilitary forces arbitrarily arrest and detain people.
Enforced disappearances are allegedly perpetrated by the paramilitary forces and the police of Bangladesh. Almost daily, such crimes are being committed amidst the current political and constitutional crisis. The ruling Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led 20-Party Alliance are in a dispute over free, fair, credible and participatory national elections under a neutral interim government. The government’s refusal to holding an inclusive credible elections has resulted in widespread violence and human rights violations in Bangladesh.
- Category: Statements
It’s been three years after the brutal torture and murder of Aminul Islam and the climate of impunity continues in Bangladesh.
The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) deeply condemns the murder of Aminul Islam, a human rights defender who helped garment factory workers demand their basic human rights and challenge the unjust system.
Abducted, Aminul Islam was brutally tortured and murdered as a direct result of his work to improve the working conditions for Bangladeshi garment workers. Apparently, this form of human rights violation sent a direct clear message to those working in the industry of what their future would hold if they attempt to exercise their labor rights and make demands for humane and better working conditions.
- Category: Open Letters
We, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), would like to express our deep concern over the disappearance of Mr. Salah Uddin on the evening of March 10, 2015. Uddin is the joint secretary general and spokesperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
According to Salah Uddin’s wife, Hasina Ahmed, a group of plainclothes policemen identified as members of the Detective Branch barged into a relative’s apartment in Uttara Sector-3 around 10:15 on Tuesday night. The policemen tied up the house helper who was present at the time and handcuffed Salah Uddin before whisking him away to one of the vehicles parked outside the apartment building.
- Category: Press Releases
Today, it was reported, that ex-SSP Ashiq Bukhari had made unequivocal and strong allegations against ex-Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah. First, that on hearing of the 2010 arrest of Muslim League leader Masarat Alam, Omar Abdullah asked on phone why he had been arrested and not bumped off. Second, that in addition to the official Rs. 10 lacs given to Ashiq Bukhari, an additional Rs. 15 lacs were given by Omar Abdullah “from his own pocket” Third, that Omar Abdullah had paid him Rs. 1.5 crore four times by cheque for outstanding work.
- Category: Statements
March 12, 2004 – March 12, 2015
Today, 12th March, marks the 11th anniversary of the disappearance of Khun Somchai Neelapaijit, but, his fate and whereabouts remain unknown. His family’s anguish and the intense pain of waiting in uncertainty has been and continues to be a torment. Being uncertain on his fate has been devastatingly difficult for his family, friends and the Justice for Peace Foundation, who, despite the many grave threats received, have been unwavering in their search for truth and justice for Khun Somchai and other victims of enforced disappearances in Thailand.