Annual Report 2011
The state of the world's human rights

Regional News

from Asia and the pacific

10 April 2009
Nepal's government fails to protect women human rights activists
A year into its rule, the Maoist government has failed to live up to its commitments to improving women's human rights, including protecting women human rights defende
09 April 2009
Taiwan signs up for human rights
Taiwan’s legislature has ratified two of the most important international conventions for the development of human rights.
09 April 2009
Sikh massacre victims await justice in India, 25 years on
Twenty-five years after the massacre of thousands of Sikhs in India, the country's government has failed to bring to justice those responsible.
07 April 2009
UN provides welcome support to Bangladesh war crimes investigations
The government of Bangladesh has sought and received UN assistance in its efforts to investigate and prosecute crimes against humanity and other serious violations o
02 April 2009
Chinese activist detained for reporting on the Sichuan earthquake
A Chinese environmental activist and writer is currently detained on suspicion of "inciting subversion of state power".
30 March 2009
Notorious Khmer Rouge commander on trial in Cambodia
One of Cambodia's most notorious suspected killers still alive finally faces trial for crimes committed while he was a Khmer Rouge commander 30 years ago.
27 March 2009
Border guards die in custody in Bangladesh
Four detained border guards have died in Bangladesh in the past two weeks.
27 March 2009
Renewed calls for humanitarian truce in Sri Lanka
Calls for a humanitarian truce between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan Armed Forces grow as fighting intensifies and the number of cas
25 March 2009
Malaysian opposition newspapers suspended in ongoing government crackdown
The suspensions appear to be part of an ongoing government led crackdown on an array of perceived opponents, just days before Najib Tun Razak is appointed Prime Minis
25 March 2009
Journalist detained since Sunday in South Korea
A South Korean television journalist and trade unionist has been held by police after he was arrested on the eve of a strike over wage disputes and government interf
23 March 2009
Cruel, discriminatory, unfair and degrading – the death penalty in 2008
More people were executed in Asia than in any other part of the world in 2008. By contrast, in Europe, only one country continues to use the death penalty: Belarus.
20 March 2009
China's detention system under pressure after inmate deaths
At least six inmates have died this year, amid increasing reports of torture by police officers or bullying by fellow prisoners.
17 March 2009
Cycle of impunity raised with Nepal's President and UN High Commissioner
Amnesty International has written to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights following a meeting between a delegation from the organization and the Nepalese Presid
17 March 2009
Eight charged in Malaysian internet clampdown
Eight people have been charged with criticizing Malaysia's Sultan of Perak on the internet, as the authorities stepped up a crackdown on the country's bloggers.
16 March 2009
Judge Chaudhry to be reinstated in Pakistan
Amnesty International has welcomed the announcement by President Asif Zardari of Pakistan that Iftikhar Chaudhry will be reinstated as a Supreme Court judge.
13 March 2009
Freedom of expression in Afghanistan faces increasing threats
Journalists and media workers now vulnerable to violence and intimidation by both the government and anti-government forces.
10 March 2009
Transparency on Bagram detentions needed from Obama administration
A US federal judge has ordered the US government to provide updated information on the detainees held in Bagram airbase in Afghanistan by 11 March.
10 March 2009
Unrest in Tibet continues as human rights violations escalate
The Chinese authorities' failure to address the long-standing grievances of the Tibetan people, has fuelled protests that have continued over the past 12 months.
05 March 2009
Sri Lankan journalist's year of detention for reporting on the war

Saturday marks the first anniversary of the detention of Sri Lankan journalist and human rights activist, Jayaprakash Sittampalam Tissainayagam.

05 March 2009
International Criminal Court "working to protect African victims"
The International Criminal Court Prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, discusses the ICC's work in the wake of the court's decision to issue an arrest warrant for Sudan's Pr

Human rights news by region

World Regions Asia PacificMidde East and North AfricaAmericasEurope and Central AsiaAfrica
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Americas »
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Three men are expected to be executed in Indonesia in what would be a...
Asia And The Pacific »
Activists worldwide target...
On 17 May, to mark the International Day against Homophobia and...
Europe And Central Asia »
Egypt: Fears of spurious...
There are credible fears that the charges against a well-known...
Middle East And North Africa »