Human rights
Civil and political rights
Lao government muted representatives to ASEAN people's forum
Laos’ representatives attending a meeting of civil society organizations that is held each year during the ASEAN summit said little about human rights issues inside their own authoritarian country because they were selected by the government in Vientiane, sources tell RFA. “Most Lao representatives are selected ...
Upcoming ASEAN forum must listen to Lao civil society
The ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum which is to take place on 2 August in Dili, Timor-Leste appears to be clouded by uncertainty and fears. Concerns have emerged as there have been no indications that the three-day meeting, as stated during preparatory events in March and ...
ASEAN can no longer sidestep its rights obligations
In 2007, the 10 members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations celebrated the adoption of the Asean Charter that for the first time in the region’s history includes human rights as one of its principles and objectives. The charter seeks to implement a human ...
Thailand shores up digital economy drive
The Thai Board of Investment Seoul Office held a seminar in mid-July to promote the country’s rising digital economy and attract investors and specialists. The venue titled “Thailand: Moving forward to digital economy” gave an overview of developments in the second largest economy in Southeast ...
It’s time for development banks to start listening
The aid community often ignores the wishes of the very people it’s supposed to be helping. The world needs a more bottom-up approach to development. Almost a year ago, the United Nations set the Sustainable Development Goals, an ambitious blueprint for governments and financiers to ...
Rights groups give NLD poor marks on party’s ‘100 days’ record
Two international advocacy organisations have slammed the new Myanmar government for failing to address fundamental human rights shortcomings in its first 100 days in office, echoing recent criticism from the international community. In a joint statement, the International Federation for Human Rights and the Alternative ...
For civil society, defiance in wake of Kem Ley's murder
Civil society on 11 July refused to be cowed by the Sunday morning murder of leading political commentator Kem Ley, with many saying that concerns for their own safety are now secondary to their determination not to be silenced. Seventy NGOs endorsed a statement condemning the ...
Three NDM members and Prachathai reporter held in Ratchaburi over ‘anti-charter’ leaflets
Four citizens including a reporter for Prachathai have been detained on charges of breaching a ban on campaigning against the charter draft after police searched their car and found leaflets with information against the draft. When the four were about to leave, police searched their ...
Media groups say charges against ‘Prachatai’ reporter should be dropped
Two media organisations on 11 July called on authorities to drop charges against a reporter accused of violating the ban on campaigning against the charter draft, insisting the reporter was merely performing his job and did nothing wrong. However, a National Council for Peace and ...
Farmers squeezed by ‘reclaim forestland’ campaign
Many people’s hearts sink every time they see news photos about treeless mountains in once-verdant Nan province or mask-wearing people in frequently hazy Chiang Mai. “We used to have our own land plots and earned a living as farmers – but not anymore,” lamented a middle-aged ...
