- Category: Statements
AFAD and FIND Joint Statement on the International Week of the Disappeared
Every last week of May, organizations of the families of the disappeared and human rights advocates worldwide commemorate the International Week of the Disappeared (IWD) following the Latin American tradition which successfully brought to international attention the global phenomenon of enforced disappearance and the imperative for a global response.
Enforced disappearance is a continuing affront to human dignity, civil rights and liberties as well as violations of economic, social and cultural rights. It continues to inflict untold sufferings not only on victims but also on their families. It is committed when a person is deprived of liberty by the state or agents of the state, and information on the whereabouts of the missing is concealed or denied.
- Category: News
The most well-known cases of enforced disappearances in Indonesia are those involving pro-democracy activists who disappeared from 1997 - 1998. This was the height of the anti-dictatorship movement against General Suharto who ruled Indonesia for 32 years. Many individuals were abducted by the military because of their political activism towards achieving genuine democracy in their country. This movement soon led to the ouster of Suharto and the dawn of a new democratic Indonesia.
- Category: Statements
May 17 to 27, 1980 in South Korea and May 18 to 20, 1992 in Thailand: two different events, one common cause - to fight for freedom and democracy against a government led by a military general. In those days in both countries, thousands of people protested against their respective governments which denied them their civil and political rights. The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) joins with the members of the May 18 Memorial Foundation and the Relatives Committee of the May 1992 Heroes in paying tribute to all those who died, survived and disappeared in both the Gwangju Democratization Movement and Black May 1992 protests in South Korea and Thailand. They fought for their rights and those of the future generation. They are an inspiration to all of us who continue to work for a truly democratic and genuinely pro-people government in our respective countries.
- Category: Statements
Truth cannot be hidden forever…
Exactly six years ago, Jonas Burgos, peasant leader and son of the late press freedom icon, Joe Burgos, was allegedly seized and made to disappear by the military at the Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City. For six long years, the Burgos family has indefatigably searched for him, used of every possible step available to know the truth behind Jonas’ enforced disappearance and bring those responsible to justice.
- Category: Statements
The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) condemns the torture of journalist Mr. Mahmudur Rahman under police custody and calls on the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to investigate and hold accountable those responsible. The AFAD also asks Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government to provide necessary medical care to Mr. Rahman and ensure his health and safety while in detention.
The case of Mr. Rahman, now confined at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) reportedly due to severe torture wounds, is an affront to your commitment to the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
- Category: Statements
The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) calls on the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to uphold the civil and political rights of journalist Mahmudur Rahman to free expression and freedom from torture.
AFAD is very much alarmed by recent violations of human rights in the country such as the alleged killings of ten people in Fatikchhari sub-district of Chittagong on 11 April 2013, the same day that State authorities shut down the operations of Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Amardesh, seized its computers, and arrested its interim editor, Mr. Mahmudur Rahman.
- Category: Statements
AFAD Statement on the 9th Anniversary of Somchai’s Disappearance
It’s been nine years since the prominent Thai human rights lawyer, Mr. Somchai Neelaphaijit was forcibly taken and made to disappear on 12 March 2004 in Bangkok, Thailand. Before he disappeared, Mr. Somchai was assisting torture victims for legal remedies against Thai security forces in the southern province of Thailand.
For nine long years, Somchai’s families did practically everything to find him and to seek for justice by bringing his case at the national and international bodies. However, nine years have passed, until now justice remains very elusive.
- Category: Statements
The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) strongly condemns the Sri Lanka’s police and military forces’ halting of the families of the disappeared and human rights defenders in NorthSri Lanka from travelling to join a protest action in Colombo.
A mobilization of 600 people gathered in Vavuniya on 5 March to demand for truth and justice for their disappeared kin in a protest action organized by the Association of the Families Searching for theDisappeared Relatives set on the following day. The families initially intended to submit a petition to theUN office in Colombo to determine the fate of their loved ones.