Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand - excessive force
Tuesday 22.11.2022 India - Latest Developments -
Government agencies used to silence dissent in India as its rights record is scrutinised at the UN
In recent months we have continued to see raids and investigation of NGOs, detention of human rights defenders, journalists and protesters, restrictions on journalists and disruption of protests Read more
Tuesday 4.10.2022 Cambodia - Latest Developments -
Authorities continue to harass NagaWorld union strikers and criminalise activists and opposition members in Cambodia
In recent months, the harassment and attacks against the NagaWorld casino workers’ union has persisted. Communities involved in land disputes faced harassment while travelling to the capital. Five forests activists were convicted, while the convictions of other activists were upheld. The harassment and prosecution of the opposition has persisted. Press freedom continues to be at risk in Cambodia and there has been slow progress on the Access to Information Bill. Read more
Thursday 1.9.2022 China - Latest Developments -
Amid protests, censorship and persecution of Uyghurs and activists in China, Xi Jinping seeks third term
In recent months, protests against COVID-19 restrictions and around a banking scandal were reported. There was surveillance and restrictions of activists around the Tiananmen massacre anniversary in June 2022, while a number of activists and lawyers have been prosecuted and sentenced for their activism, some in closed door trials. A new report shows how authorities are still locking up critics in psychiatric facilities. There has been ongoing censorship of criticism and politically sensitive topics, including around the zero COVID-19 policy, while journalists have continued to face arrest and harassment. Read more
Wednesday 2.3.2022 Bangladesh - Latest Developments -
Despite sanctions, abuses against activists, journalists and protesters persist in Bangladesh
Human rights abuses have continued to be reported including judicial harassment of human rights defenders as well as the families of activists in exile. Families of the disappeared have been coerced to sign statements denying the violation took place. Journalists have also been targeted as well as media outlets critical of the state. The police have also disrupted and used excessive force against protesters. In some cases, ruling party supporters were also involved in attacks on protesters with impunity. Read more
Monday 28.2.2022 India - Latest Developments -
Authorities harass and squeeze funding of NGOs while activists, journalists targeted in India
The authorities have blocked access to foreign funding for NGOs using the restrictive Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and raided the offices of human rights groups for allegedly violating the law. There continues to be a lack of accountability on the use of the Pegasus spyware against activists, while human rights defenders and journalists continue to be targeted, including in Jammu and Kashmir. Activists and protesters also remain in detention on various trumped up charges. Read more
Wednesday 5.1.2022 Cambodia - Latest Developments -
Crackdown on union strike in Cambodia while repression of opposition and critics continues
In recent months, despite the release of activists, Hun Sen’s government continued to target members of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and journalists. The extradition of two opposition activists and political refugees from Thailand to Cambodia has raised criticism on the collusion between the two ASEAN countries and the lack of protection provided to those who have fled repression in Cambodia. Protests have also been suppressed including during the 30th anniversary of the Paris Peace agreements and most recently around the strike by a casino workers’ union. Read more
Wednesday 3.11.2021 Thailand - Latest Developments -
Thai activists and protesters face judicial harassment, excessive force despite upcoming UN review
In recent months activists and protest leaders have continued to be summoned, arrested and detained on various charges including royal defamation and sedition. Some have been denied bail. A new emergency regulation issued in August 2021 threatens online freedoms. Criminal defamation charges have been brought by companies against a woman activist and a journalist. Police have used excessive force including water cannon, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protests. Protesters have been detained and suffered injuries, including children. Concerns continue to be raised about a draft law which includes counter-terrorism financing measures to regulate non-profit groups.
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Tuesday 21.9.2021 Indonesia - Latest Developments -
Human rights defenders, critics targeted in Indonesia while protests on Papua repressed
In recent months, activists have been targeted for comments they made during an online talk or for reporting on corruption. An academic has been jailed for defamation while street artists are being silenced for a mural and graffiti critical of the state. A West Papuan activist facing trial has been hospitalised while there has been a lack of accountability for excessive force and other violations by the security forces during several protests related to Papua. Read more
Wednesday 15.9.2021 India - Latest Developments -
Indian government snooping row sparks outrage as restrictions on civic freedoms persist
Calls for the authorities to release human rights defenders and activists detained under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) have escalated following an exposé by online news portal The Wire and 16 other media organisations which revealed the names of people who were either persons of interest or forensically identified as having been targeted by clients of the Israel-based NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. Farmers have continued protests against the new farm laws despite restriction, arbitrary arrests and excessive force by the authorities. There have also been new reports on restrictions on civic freedoms in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir
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Thursday 24.6.2021 Cambodia - Latest Developments -
Activists, journalists continue to face reprisals as COVID-19 law exacerbates violations in Cambodia
In recent months, environmental defenders have been charged and convicted for advocacy against environmental destruction. Opposition members, journalists and perceived dissidents continue to face reprisals from the government and from non-state actors. Read more
