AFAD Strongly Condemns the Attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter

Manila: The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) expresses grief over and strongly condemns the bombing of various churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, 21^st April 2019, that led to the killing of at least 290 people and injury of over 400 others.

Out of the 8 blasts that shook Sri Lankan capital Colombo, 3 have been reported from churches, 3 from hotels and 2 from the outskirts of Colombo. The government of Sri Lanka is yet to identify the perpetrators of this gruesome attack although some arrests have been made.

AFAD Celebrates Small and Grand Victories for Truth and Justice on Easter Sunday

21 April 2019

As the country celebrates the joy of the Resurrection on this Easter Week, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) is reminded of the struggles and hopes of the desaparecidos and their families; of other victims of human rights violations and of human rights defenders.

AFAD Endorses FIDH Report on Enforced Disappearances in Bangladesh

20th April 2019

Manila: The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) endorses the reportManila: The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) endorses the reporttitled, “Vanished Without a Trace: The Enforced Disappearance of Opposition and Dissent inBangladesh” released by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) in Paris on 18th April 2019.

The report highlights the phenomenon of enforced disappearance in Bangladesh that has been onthe rise since 2009 after the political party Awami League came to power. Under this regime,enforced disappearance has been used as a strategy to curb any form of dissent and opposition.Opposite political views have been criminalized. Hence, most victims of enforced disappearancehave been those with a political opinion or belief contrary to that of the ruling government orthose that have criticized the government. These include non-partisan critical voices, intellectualfigures, academics, and journalists. There is nexus between the police and the military jointlycommit enforced disappearances.

Paying Tribute to Aasia Jeelani from Indian Administered Kashmir

On the occasion of her 15^th martyrdom anniversary, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) remembers Aasia Jeelani, a woman human rights defender from Indian administered Kashmir.

Aasia was martyred on the 20^th April 2004 while on assignment in the remote district of Kupwara in Indian administered Kashmir when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detonated that blew the car carrying her and her colleagues. The explosion killed her while injuring her colleagues.