AFAD 25 Years Video Teaser

This AFAD video teaser is an opening salvo of the yearlong campaign and fight Against Enforced Disappearances and for the Protection, not Persecution, of Human Rights Defenders, across Asia.

a continuing crime
a disappearing act

What's Happening

26 June 2016


Manila, 26 June 2016 – June 26 is recognized internationally as the United Nations International Day in
Support of Victims of Torture. On this day, in 1987, the UN Convention Against Torture and Other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) entered into force. On this occasion,
the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) expresses its solidarity with and
support for the many victims of torture and their families all over the world.

In all these 18 years, organizational storms in forms of threats, risks, resource constraints have not weakened, but instead strengthened further the Federation.  Its common basis of unity and the imperative of solidarity have transcended geographical boundaries and differences in many respects among AFAD’s member-organizations.  Linking arms with like-minded organizations in the region and in the rest of the world will ensure that AFAD’s voice be made loud and clear enough to be heard.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVF4GwYsS8&feature=youtu.be

4 June 2016 – The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) commemorates its 18th anniversary.  Against the backdrop of enforced disappearances in a region wallowing in dire poverty and bereft of regional human rights mechanisms for protection, the AFAD was conceived and born in Manila, Philippines.  Initiated by the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearances (FIND, Philippines), the Association of Parents and Family Members of the Disappeared (APDP, in the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir) and the then Organization of Parents and Family Members of the Disappeared (OPFMD, Sri Lanka), AFAD has grown and is now a Federation of 14 member-organizations from 10 countries, namely Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste and with an individual member in Laos and two in Switzerland.

 

May 23-27, 2016 – Every year on this week the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances together with the global movement against enforced disappearances commemorate the International Week of the Disappeared. First commemorated by the Latin American Federation of Associations of Relatives of Disappeared-Detainees (FEDEFAM) in the early 80s, the International Week of the Disappeared has been adopted by AFAD and has served as a venue to campaign against this abominable practice of enforced disappearance which has spread to at least, 88 countries, 34 of which are Asian countries.

The Federation

AFAD map