The religious in one of Asia’s predominantly Christian countries, the Philippines, may be among the most persecuted in the world.
Rights advocates argue that including ‘gender apartheid’ in international legal frameworks may help make the Taliban accountable for their oppressive policies toward Afghan women and girls.
A new report reveals the predatory side of microfinance institutions, whose less than ethical ways of lending have led to many Cambodians dispossessed of their lands
As some countries in South Asia prepare for elections, their respective religious minorities brace themselves for trouble ahead.
As the global community celebrates the International Day of Democracy, the work and sacrifices of ordinary individuals who fight for democratic values, in Asia or elsewhere in the world, deserve must than a cursory glance.
It is an open secret in Vietnam that brutality and torture are rampant at police stations across the country.
A recent mob attack on a Christian community in Pakistan’s Punjab province once more highlights the dangers posed by the country’s blasphemy laws.
Indigenous communities in the Philippines’ mountainous north are having a case of déjà vu with a flurry of major dam projects there.
A long-marginalized community in Sri Lanka no longer wants to be persistently on the road to perdition.
Deeply ingrained gender norms continue to hinder women's leadership and exacerbate workplace disparities in patriarchal Japan. But more democratic approaches—like a national gender equality review or institutionalized parity policies—could lead to a more inclusive and economically robust nation.
Governments in Southeast Asia are putting the squeeze on rights activists and journalists online.
Hundreds of thousands of spoiled ballots spoil the election victory of Cambodia’s ruling party.
Feminism remains a controversial topic in China, but the country’s feminists — fledgling and otherwise — are forming communities online nevertheless.
The recent decision of the Vietnamese authorities to ban the film “Barbie” has generated much reaction from the Vietnamese public and international watchers. The decision was made by the National Film Evaluation Council, which cited the movie’s alleged showing of China’s nine-dash line.
Beijing is increasingly targeting Chinese diaspora communities across the globe to help propagate its political narratives – and more.
Debt bondage still has many victims in India, but a small enterprise owned and operated by former bonded laborers in Tamil Nadu may yet show how the cycle can be broken.
Pakistan’s people have become collateral damage in the raging war between the country’s armed forces and opposition leader and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
‘Little people’ or poor and powerless communities in Thailand, alongside other communities surrounding the mighty vast river system straddling six countries, continue to bear the brunt of dam projects and their destabilizing impacts.
Almost eight decades since the August 1945 twin bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki cities in Japan, survivors – considered to be potent arguments against nuclear armament – are dwindling in number even as Japan steadfastly refuses to sign or ratify any anti-nuclear treaty.
Climate change is contributing to the reproductive-health problems of women in the Indian Sundarbans.
“ I asked them why my husband was disciplined, how long he would be disciplined and when my family would be able to see him again. They did not provide any more information. ”
“ (T)his latest commission seems to be aimed at deflecting international pressure over continuing impunity, rather than revealing the fate of the disappeared or bringing those responsible to justice. ”
“ Airstrikes targeting civilians, not military targets are war crimes and crimes against humanity. If they attended the conference knowing of this situation it would encourage violence. ”
“ It is time for the (Bangladeshi) Government to put an end to this travesty of justice.”
“ We have been consistently fighting for it and I am very happy. Democracy is all about widening
and expanding representation. ”
“ This is actual political persecution and a blatant violation of religious freedom
and international conventions. ”
“ Most of these refugees are likely poor, vulnerable individuals.... Their status as unauthorized refugees does not mean they are not entitled to protection, nor should they bear the brunt of Pakistan's security concerns. ”
“ This generation faces a worsening climate catastrophe, with devastating consequences for human rights, but too many leaders in positions of power today are doing too little to avert this disaster, and even
reneging on existing promises. ”
“ Every day, the market inflation is so high that it makes our workers, average people, live in difficult conditions and without enough money left over to save. ”
“ Governments around the world must urgently address the senseless killings of those who stand
up for our planet.... ”
“ This policy, implemented under the guise of 'Second Generation Bilingual Education,' is widely regarded by Mongolians worldwide as a form of cultural genocide. ”
“ It’s a learning-by-doing process. Experts from Harvard cannot come and tell our farmers what to do, our farmers will tell us what to do. ”
“ This decision by the Philippine courts is a rare and important win for press freedom and the rule of law
in the Philippines. ”
“ The United States, one of the world’s most powerful and influential countries, could do much more to hold perpetrators in Myanmar accountable on the international stage. ”
“ The Asia Democracy Network (ADN) vehemently condemns the recent sentencing of Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan, activists attached to the Odhikar human rights organization in Bangladesh. Their unjust imprisonment on trumped-up charges is a grave violation of their fundamental rights and an alarming attack on the principles of democracy and justice. ”
“ Since casual harassment and microaggressions can escalate into more serious crimes like stalking and sexual violence, we must come up with more effective approaches to address these issues
at a fundamental level. ”
“ We have collected compelling evidence of the widespread burning of Rohingya villages and the assaults and killings of civilians. I have been particularly horrified by the numerous accounts of sexual crimes
that we have collected. ”
“ So, over the years, I think a lot of things have been done, yet there are still cases (of cyberbullying)
that crop up. ”
“ We need fully inclusive education systems that give refugees the same access and rights as
host-country learners. ”
“ Overall, more than 3,000 trees will be destroyed, with more than 500 of those estimated to be over
100 years of age. ”
“ Despite the continuous progress of mine-clearing operations in the ASEAN region with the joint efforts of all parties, the mine situation is still grim. ”
“ In all my years working in and on #HongKong, I’ve never seen floods like this. It’s a direct result of the irresponsible, negligent, repressive #CCP misrule.”
“ Every child has the right to health and the right to finish their education and reach their dreams. Without government intervention, early and unintended pregnancies most often upend these rights ”
“ His sentencing is yet another indication that freedom of the press has been completely quashed under the military junta’s rule, and shows the hefty price independent journalists in Myanmar must pay for
their professional work. ”
“ The governing council of the Human Rights Commission in Pakistan ... has expressed immense concern over the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming general #election. ”
“ We have learnt how big and deep the wounds our teachers have suffered and how great a crisis our schools and classrooms are facing. ”
“ Enforced disappearances have left a painful scar on the nation’s history and continue to shape the lives of thousands of Sri Lankans who exist in a state of ambiguity, where their loved ones are neither present
nor definitively absent. ”
“ You could craft the most airtight legal system on paper, but if the political will is impaired to implement it, then nothing's going to happen. ”
“ Over the last seven decades, the situation in Tibet has been deteriorating to the extent that it is now facing imminent threat of cultural genocide and total annihilation of Tibetan identity. ”
“ By legitimizing this criminal junta and providing direct support to them, ASEAN, the USA, and other dialogue partners are enabling them to continue waging a terror campaign against Myanmar people. ”
“ The situation in Xinjiang remains of concern. Laws and policies assessed in our report are still in place ... (O)ur 2022 assessment was clear on the need for accountability. We continue to stand by that,
publicly and bilaterally.”
“ The city government gets involved in stuff it shouldn't, indiscriminately. They have destroyed the legacy left
by our ancestors. ”
“ Every day, a Dalit person is killed or attacked. Dalit women are stripped, raped and murdered. ”
“ Whenever a batch of prisoners is sent to a labour camp, it is common to see one or two political
prisoners among them.”
“ Enforced disappearance is a serious human rights violation that has frequently been used to spread terror. ”
“ (T)he government must really pay attention to agriculture. Else, only landowners and proprietors, not farmers and farm workers, will benefit. ”
“ The climate crisis is a child rights crisis.”
“ I have decided, with the guidance of legal counsel, to cease all operations of the Societas Linguistica Hongkongensis, effective immediately, in order to ensure the safety of my family and former members. ”
“ Rohingya refugees continue to tell us they want to return to Myanmar when it is safe for them to
do so voluntarily.”
“ There are so many criminal acts involving weapons that people are afraid to even speak face to face. ”
“ Fighting for LGBT rights in the Muslim dominated south, especially in the Bangsamoro region, has always been very challenging because we risk our lives every time we travel to armed-conflict areas. ”
“ #Today, the Taliban group prevented the flight of 37 girls to study in the United Arab Emirates.... Under their rule, girls are prohibited from continuing their education outside of Afghanistan. ”
“ The Yoon administration practically acted as a spokesperson for Japan, even as it was going to pollute our waters with radioactive waste. ”
“ I worry it’s more difficult for young people to know the truth… I don’t know how long we can exist. We will continue to sell books as long as possible. ”
“ If villagers violate concession rights, they should answer to Lao authorities, not the investors. This country has laws to protect Lao people. ”
“ This is very unfair as heterosexual couples can get visas as long as they can get by financially, but
same-sex couples cannot. ”
“ A peaceful world can only be achieved by someone willing to change the world, that's why we are here. ”
“ India's persistent detention of human rights defender GN Saibaba is an inhumane and senseless act.... It bears all the hallmarks of a State seeking to silence a critical voice. ”
“ It's always a risk going out in drag.... They see us as sexual deviants or sinners. ”
“ It's unacceptable and points to a larger, more worrying pattern of state-sanctioned violence against people exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly. ”
“ This isn’t about relaxation, but human rights – the right to live and the right to health. ”
“ We keep on saying we have to create jobs. And here we are among the government bureaucracy itself, we have 240,000 unfilled positions. ”
“ Freedom, independence and justice are ideals that are never attained without sacrifice. The people of East Turkistan have borne a heavy burden in pursuit of these ideals. ”
“ What on earth is the UN thinking? ”
“ It reflects in the current society that restrictions from the government on citizens’ freedom of speech and expression are tight, which makes freedom of speech limited, and some people no longer dare to speak. ”
“ My major in university is in environmental design, but with the rise of AI, I don’t have much hope in
the design industry. ”
“ Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been tortured and harassed having been falsely accused of violating the Holy Quran. We cry for justice and action from law enforcement ... ”
“ Although our income has not increased, commodity prices never decline. It is not easy to get a meal if you don’t earn 10,000 kyats a day. ”
“ They are utterly terrified of Gao Zhisheng. They're afraid that he will shine his light across the whole of China, and the Chinese Communist Party fears that more than anything. ”
“ It proves that he [Xi Jinping] is firmly in control, a manifestation of arrogant power. He's not even willing to stage-manage [relief and rescue efforts]. ”