By Joey Faustino, Secretary General
Project Updates: Accomplishment Report 2023 AFAD works on 4 pillars as defined by the Strategic Plan of 2022-2024 (adopted by the 7th Congress in December 2021).
I. Institutional Strengthening
II. Research and Documentation
III. Psychosocial Support and Accompaniment
IV. Campaign and Lobby
Through various projects, the following had been achieved:
In 2017, although significant number of milestones have been achieved by the member organizations of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearance (hereinafter referred to as AFAD or the Federation), impunity by State authorities and the crackdown against the human rights community continued. In the Philippines, where the Secretariat of the Federation is based, for instance, the political context allows further violations by State authorities. The present administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte reflects a leadership that disregards due process and derogates the rule of law. Assault on human rights defenders persists and it comes in the form of extrajudicial killings, EDs, unlawful arrests, arbitrary detentions, and criminalization through trumped up charges. Nine ED cases have also been added last year to the documented growing number of unresolved cases. Political persecution and attacks against independent democratic institutions like the Commission on Human Rights, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Supreme Court intensified as the government attempts to shut down the check and balance and ultimately, to silence its critics. Several cases in the context of the war on drugs occurred but could not be documented due to the atmosphere of fear.
Introduction
1.1 Regional Human Rights Situation
The past year has seen the continuing reign of impunity in countries where AFAD has presence. This, despite efforts of human rights and victims’ organizations to call for State accountability to enforced disappearance cases and other human rights violations. In Indonesia, for instance, the end of President Jokowi’s second year in office found him failing yet again to fulfil his promise of pursuing justice for the myriad atrocities perpetrated by the Suharto regime. Instead, he promoted perpetrators of these past crimes to top government positions.
The Federation moves closer to achieving its vision of a world without desaparecidos
The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) ushered in 2015 with the 5th AFAD Congress in September 2014, which carried the theme: “Consolidating AFAD’s 17 years of struggle towards a stronger response to enforced disappearances in Asia.” This article shall feature the highlights of AFAD’s year following the Congress and the developments of the Federation as it continues to bring itself closer to its vision of a world without disappeared persons.