Bangladesh: An Outburst of Hope for South Asia

AFAD commends the people and interim government of Bangladesh for taking the historic step of becoming a state party to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances (ICPPED). By signing the Instrument of Accession and submitting it to the UN Headquarters, Bangladesh has shown a firm commitment to fully implement the provisions of the Convention.

[Joint Statement] Enforced Disappearances in Bangladesh: Government must hold perpetrators accountable, ensure justice and reparation for victims, survivors, and their families

A Joint Statement by the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN), the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Capital Punishment Justice Project,  the International Coalition Against Enforced Disappearances (ICAED), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Maayer Daak, Odhikar, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) in commemoration of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances in 2024

Bangkok/ Dhaka/ Geneva/ Kuala Lumpur/ Manila/ Melbourne/ Paris/ Washington, D.C.; (29 August 2024) – In commemoration of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on 30 August, we–the undersigned organisations–express solidarity with the families of the disappeared in Bangladesh and across the world.

Under the deposed Sheikh Hasina administration, Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies and security forces systematically committed enforced disappearances.

India: Release Khurram Parvez

Kashmiri human rights defender arbitrarily detained for 1,000 days

August 19, 2024

Indian authorities have arbitrarily detained Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez for over 1,000 days.  Khurram remains incarcerated in a maximum-security prison in Delhi, India, in reprisal for his vital and commendable human rights work.  We, the undersigned organisations, call once again for his immediate and unconditional release. We further demand an end to the Indian authorities’ relentless repression targeting Kashmiri human rights defenders, journalists, scholars and dissidents.

India: End human rights defender and journalist Irfan Mehraj’s 500-day imprisonment

On 02 August 2024 journalist and human rights defender Irfan Mehraj completes 500 days in jail at the maximum-security Rohini prison in New Delhi, India. His jail term is a brutal retaliation against his human rights work and a mockery of justice.  We, seven civil society organizations signing this statement, call for his immediate and unconditional release. We demand an end to the Indian government’s endless repression targeting Kashmiri human rights defenders and journalists.