Surface Mr. Ilias Ali and Mr. Ansar Ali Now

The current situation of enforced disappearance in Bangladesh is very alarming. The case of enforced disappearance though started more than three and a half years ago, has drawn the attention and alarm of the global community. Visibly, democracy in Bangladesh is at its most vulnerable situation. The government and its security forces have been resorting to nefarious tactics of secret abduction, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, extrajudicial killing, and enforced disappearance.

The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances is deeply concerned about the systematic pattern of enforced disappearances in Bangladesh which has become gravely alarming- a concerted scheme to eliminate people deemed undesirable especially political opponents. Politically motivated enforced disappearances are done in the context of the general atmosphere of impunity granted to law enforcement agencies and security forces in Bangladesh.

SURFACE PORLAGEE “Billy Rakchongcharoen” RAKCHAROEN AND BRING HIM SAFE TO HIS FAMILY

It has been a year since ethnic Karen Mr. Porlagee Rakcharoen went disappeared and nothing has been hAeard of his whereabouts. Also known as Billy Rakchongcharoen, a prominent environmental activist and human rights defender, he was last seen in the afternoon of 17 April 2014 after he was reportedly arrested and detained at a checkpoint at Kaengn Krachan National Park in Petchaburi province by Thai park authorities for questioning for alleged unlawful gathering of wild bee honeycomb and illegal possession of six bottles of honey.

Mr. Chaiwat Limlikitaksor, chief of the Kaeng Krachan National Park Office told local activists on 18 April that Billy had been released after the questioning and denied any knowledge on his whereabouts.

The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), expresses grave concern over the safety and fate of Billy Rakchongcharoen.  Basing on the circumstances, AFAD strongly believes that the ethnic Karen had been forcibly disappeared by Thai park authorities. Also, the concerned park authorities had not presented evidence of Billy’s release from arrest or the details of his detention.

AFAD’s Solidarity Statement on the 11th Commemoration of AASIA JEELANI

The Valley of Kashmir has an abundance of natural beauty. It is a land of startling gardens and regal Chinar trees, where sparkling rivers and sleepy lakes drain the valley into almost eternal spring. Kashmir boasts of some of the most beautiful flowering meadows and snow-capped peaks. Breathtaking sights invigorate the weary farmers after a day of toil to grow grains for their families.

But decades of conflict have been causing unfathomable sufferings to the people of Kashmir. Wives and children of the thousands who were disappeared have long been suffering from the agony of uncertainty. They suffer heavily under the weight that life brings,  with little or opportunity for social mobility. Children of the disappeared are living through the confusion of broken dreams.

“SURFACE!”

(Artists’ Gathering in Support for the Campaign to Surface the Lao RMAF Awardee Sombath Somphone, Jonas Burgos and All Other Desaparecidos)

The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), in partnership with the Free Jonas Burgos Movement (FJBM) presents: “SURFACE!” A gathering of artists to support the continued search for the “Lao” Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Sombath Somphone, for Jonas Burgos, and other victims of enforced disappearance, the event aims to bring to the general public's awareness, particularly, the artists and art lovers, the enforced disappearance of Sombath. With the upcoming commemoration of Jonas Burgos’ disappearance on April 28, the gathering intends to continuously remind the public of their disappearance as well as other cases not only in the country but in all Asia. It also aims to strengthen international solidarity against enforced disappearance particularly in the Asian region.