The Monument of the Disappeared in Sri Lanka: A Struggle of Memory Against Forgetting

AFAD Statement on the 22^nd Anniversary of the Monument of the Disappeared in Sri Lanka

The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) conveys its solidarity with the families, relatives and friends of the disappeared in Sri Lanka during its 22^nd commemoration of remembering and honoring the disappeared at the Monument of the Disappeared in Seeduwa-Raddolugama junction, District of Gampaha (Western Province).  This gathering is an important occasion for the relatives and friends of the disappeared to seek strength from each other in their continued search for truth and justice for their disappeared loved ones.

This is also an occasion to remind the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa of his duty to protect the human rights of its people amidst continuing rampant cases of disappearances in the country. The President, in the late 1998, was then the Minister of Fisheries.  As guest speaker of the gathering of the disappeared, he made a promise at The Monument that when he becomes President, disappearances will not be allowed. Obviously, this promise has been totally forgotten.   Worse still, he was one of the champions of the disappeared and their families during the disappearances of the late 80s and the early 90s when he co-founded the then Organization of Parents and Family Members of the Disappeared (OPFMD). Ironically, during his administration as president of the country, disappearances continue unabated with each passing day.

AFAD Statement on the Ratification by the Philippine Congress of the Anti-enforced Disappearance Bill

A Huge Step Towards Ending Impunity

The Philippine Congress has made a huge step in instituting legal measures for better human rights protection as conferees from both chambers of the Philippine Congress ratified on 16 October 2012 the bicameral report on reconciled bill which will very soon become the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012.

The Asian Federation Against Enforced Disappearances (AFAD), a regional federation of human rights organizations working directly on the issue of enforced disappearances in the Asian region, hails the firm resolve of the members of the Philippine Congress for finally heeding to the call of the families and relatives of the victims who, for almost two decades, have been lobbying the Philippine Congress to criminalize and penalize the act of enforced disappearance and eventually put an end to this odious practice.

AFAD CONGRATULATES Odhikar on its 18th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) warmly congratulates the members and staff of Odhikar on your18th anniversary celebration! Your steadfast commitment in campaigning for justice, human rights and participatory governance despite constant threats is an inspiration to all of us!

Odhikar is the newest member of our Federation. For more than a year, it has, in no small measure, contributed to the strengthening of the Federation’s capacity to bring the voice of the victims of enforced disappearances in Asia before their respective governments and the international community. Its consistent in-depth reporting on human rights violations; its relentless advocacy for the cause of the disappeared and its extensive national, regional and international network are a source of inspiration to other members of our Federation in realizing our common vision to attain a world without disappeared persons.

Odhikar: 18 Years of Upholding Rights, Freedom and Justice

On 10^th October 2012 Odhikar marks its 18^th anniversary. The day also happens to be the International Day against the Death Penalty¹. As a human rights organisation Odhikar has been campaigning for justice and fair trial; and against the death penalty since its inception.

Established against the backdrop of the fall of the military dictatorship and restoration of democracy; Odhikar became a powerful network of human rights defenders in Bangladesh and earned its reputation as the unwavering watchdog of the people’s right to liberty, justice and participatory governance. Odhikar’s core commitments to uphold human rights and the rule of law; and to ensure people’s rights against discrimination, exploitation and impunity remain as relevant today as they were on the day of its initiation. Odhikar’s struggle started in 1994 and continues unabated. Needless to say, the condition under which the organisation is operating today is more challenging than eighteen years ago with the State becoming increasingly repressive.