AFAD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY STATEMENT

10 DECEMBER 2019

MANILA, Philippines - On the 71st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) stands with the human rights community in its pursuit of a world of true justice for all persons. At the heart of the UDHR is the recognition of human dignity and respect for persons. Human rights are not just for the privileged – they are for everyone, regardless of status in life. It is thus a sad but glaring reality that human rights violations persist across the world. Those who do not have the means to defend themselves are the most vulnerable to human rights abuses.

AFAD Stands in Solidarity with CAGED spokesperson

Manila: The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) extends its solidarity to Rama Ramanathan, Spokesperson of Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances (CAGED), a human rights organization based in Malaysia.

Ramanathan has recently faced intimidation by the Royal Malaysian Police for writing an article about activist Jufazli Shi Ahmad who was arrested in March this year for allegedly insulting the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The article mentions that the sister of Jufazli may have prevented his disappearance owing to her awareness of her rights and suspicion of police efforts.

ALL SOUL’S DAY STATEMENT Reliving the Legacies of the Unsung Heroes

“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” ― Shannon Alder

TODAY, November 2 in the Philippines, marks the All Souls’ Day where families come together to visit the graves of their loved ones. But for many families of the disappeared, who are clueless about the fates and whereabouts of their loved ones, a visit to the cemetery is no option. They refuse to recognize the disappeared as dead.

AFAD Statement on the Fifth Year of the Forced Disappearance of the 43 students of Ayotzinapa, Mexico

THE HAGUE, September 26, 2019 – On the fifth year of the disappearance of the 43 students of Ayotzinapa, Mexico, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) calls on the Mexican government to ensure that the new rounds of investigations are properly conducted in accordance with international legal norms. As the whereabouts of the 43 students remain unknown, and in light of the courts ordering the release of 77 out of the 142 identified suspects, the Mexican government has a long road ahead in resolving one of its worst human rights tragedies in recent history.