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Civil Society

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Singapore Unbound and Mekong Review to host first-ever independent media fair in Singapore

Singapore Unbound and Mekong Review are set to host the inaugural independent media fair on 1 July 2023, featuring various media outlets, open forums, and interactive sessions to champion freedom of expression and equal rights.

Over 300 Myanmar civil society organizations condemn informal ASEAN talks hosted by Thailand’s caretaker government

Over 300 Myanmar civil society organizations have strongly condemned the proposed informal ASEAN meeting hosted by Thailand’s caretaker government, demanding its immediate cancellation due to the inclusion of Myanmar’s military junta.

UN Human Rights Chief calls on Cambodian government to protect free and fair elections

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk expressed concern over the curtailing of civil liberties in Cambodia ahead of general elections, urging the government to protect a conducive environment for a free and fair election process.

Prominent figure in Malaysian Chinese Education Movement, Bock Tai Hee, passed away at 79

Bock Tai Hee, the revered “guardian” of Chinese education in Malaysia, passed away at 79 due to COVID-19 complications. Detained under the ISA in 1975 for his advocacy, he dedicated his life to empowering Chinese-Malaysian students and ceaselessly shared his wisdom until the end. His legacy lives on.

PAS MP faces severe backlash over controversial remark on nurse attire

A Malaysian opposition MP faced backlash from medical workers and their associations for his remarks on the attire of female nurses. Amid concerns over the healthcare system, critics questioned the MP’s priorities and emphasized the practicality and functionality of current nurse uniforms.

Asia Centre highlights Myanmar’s alarming erosion of religious rights in new report

The 2021 military coup in Myanmar accelerated the decline of religious rights, particularly for ethno-religious minorities, says a new report by Asia Centre. The study highlights four main oppressive practices, including targeted violence, destruction of religious sites, arbitrary detentions, and escalated persecution of the Rohingya population. Despite the junta justifying these practices as national security measures, their impact is a rapid erosion of religious freedoms, especially post-coup This report is available for download here: https://tinyurl.com/mw6x9z4a

Vanished, shot, murdered: Laos activists spooked by spate of incidents

Laotian activists are facing alarming incidents including murder, attempted killing, and disappearances, fueling fears of a governmental crackdown. This wave of incidents has heightened concern within the country’s repressed dissident community. Laos, already recognized as one of the world’s most repressive states, is set to chair ASEAN next year. Critics suggest these incidents could be an effort to stifle dissent ahead of the international spotlight, demonstrating the limits of dissent in this tightly controlled state.

Myanmar lawyers face harassment, intimidation in junta courts: HRW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports that lawyers representing political detainees in Myanmar’s junta-run courts face harassment, intimidation, and even imprisonment. The junta has arrested tens of thousands in a widespread crackdown on dissent since seizing power over two years ago. The military is also accused of manipulating the legal system against opponents, including democracy icons Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint. The harassment is forcing many lawyers to cease accepting cases, exacerbating the crisis in the country’s justice system.

Student campaigners demand transparency and urgent improvements in NTU’s financial aid system

A student-led campaign group at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) called NTU Financial Aid Friends (NFAF) has embarked on a mission to advocate for transparency and improvements in the university’s financial aid system. The group has identified several key issues faced by students, such as a lack of clarity in the application process, late disbursement of bursaries, and insufficient needs-based subsidies. They have engaged in discussions with NTU’s administration, presenting their suggestions for enhancements. The campaigners are striving to ensure that students in need have better access to financial aid, reducing their financial burden and promoting fairness in the system.

Hong Kong police detain more than 20 on Tiananmen anniversary

Hong Kong police detained over 20 people, including pro-democracy activists, for attempting to commemorate the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Beijing’s national security law imposed in 2020 banned the annual vigil, leading to charges against organizers. Meanwhile, in Taiwan, hundreds gathered at Taipei’s Liberty Square to mourn and chant slogans in support of Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, police searched and detained individuals found with candles, a symbol of the banned vigil. Despite the crackdown, defiant acts, such as candle giveaways and displays of archival material, persisted. Worldwide, candlelit vigils were held, and protesters reenacted the crackdown in London.