APHR appeals to G7 for immediate action on Myanmar, Cambodia’s eroding democracies

The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) issued an urgent plea to G7 nations, highlighting the “grave concerns” about deteriorating human rights and democratic values in Myanmar and Cambodia, and calling for decisive international action.

Over 100 global media heads and RSF demand release of Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai

More than 100 media leaders from around the world have joined Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in signing an unprecedented joint statement expressing support for detained Apple Daily founder and publisher Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong, and calling for his immediate release. Among the signatories are publishers, editors-in-chief, and senior editors from 42 countries, including two Nobel Peace Prize laureates. A laureate of RSF’s Press Freedom Prize, 75-year-old Jimmy Lai has worked over the past 25 years to uphold the values of freedom of speech and press through his independent media outlet Apple Daily. Detained since December 2020 in a maximum security jail and repeatedly refused bail, Lai is already serving concurrent sentences on charges of attending “unauthorised” pro-democracy protests and allegations of fraud. Most alarmingly, he now faces a possible life sentence under the draconian national security law, with his trial scheduled to start on 25 September.

FORUM-ASIA and CIVICUS condemn Cambodia’s decision to disqualify main opposition party from upcoming General Election

Cambodia’s National Election Committee’s disqualification of the main opposition Candlelight Party from the 2023 general elections has drawn global criticism. Human rights groups FORUM-ASIA and CIVICUS argue this undermines democratic rights, suggesting the move is part of an ongoing campaign of bureaucratic intimidation to silence dissent.

ASEAN Parliamentarians urge Thai military to respect election outcome amid coalition talks

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) hailed the Thai general elections results, urging Thai authorities to respect voters’ call for democratic reform. Despite opposition parties’ win, APHR warned against potential governmental formation blocks due to military-appointed upper house influence.

MARUAH launches essay contest inviting young Singaporeans to envision a future beyond Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy

MARUAH, a human rights organization in Singapore, is launching an essay contest ahead of the 100th anniversary of Lee Kuan Yew’s birth. The competition invites young Singaporeans to reflect on Lee’s legacy and share their vision for a post-Lee Kuan Yew Singapore. With cash prizes and a desire to include diverse perspectives, MARUAH aims to inspire critical evaluation and thoughtful insights about the country’s future. Winning essays will be published online, fostering a broader dialogue on Singapore’s trajectory. Submissions must be made online by 15 July 2023.

PAP’s overwhelming dominance makes civil rights advocacy challenging, says Jolovan Wham

Prominent Singaporean activist Jolovan Wham asserts that advocating for civil rights will remain challenging in Singapore due to the ruling party’s dominance. In a podcast interview with Asia Centre, Wham discussed the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) and the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), saying progress against such laws will require civil society groups, citizens, and political parties to unite and push back collectively.

UIA-IROL condemns suspension of human rights lawyer M Ravi, urges Singapore to uphold rule of law

UIA-IROL condemned the suspension of Singaporean human rights lawyer M Ravi, calling it a grave violation of UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. The organization expressed concern over the chilling effect of disciplinary proceedings, urging the Law Society of Singapore to review its practices and implement a moratorium on all disciplinary proceedings pending such a review.

Labour Day Rally at Hong Lim Park demands fairer working conditions in Singapore

Over 300 workers gathered at a Labour Day rally organised by Workers Make Possible (WMP) in Hong Lim Park Singapore on 1 May. The event demanded decent working conditions, living wages, and basic necessities for all. The first independent Labour Day rally in decades, it united workers to advocate for a fair, compassionate, and equitable society where everyone can enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Civil society welcomes special review of junta’s Myanmar national human rights commission’s status in global body

The CSO Working Group and the Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI) welcome the decision to initiate a Special Review of Myanmar’s military junta-controlled human rights commission in October. This comes after repeated calls to revoke its membership and strip its ‘B’ status. The Special Review aims to address the commission’s non-compliance with international human rights standards and its involvement in the junta’s atrocity crimes.

Join the Labour Day Celebration at Hong Lim Park on 1 May: Rally for Workers’ Rights

Gather at Hong Lim Park on May 1st from 3 pm to 7 pm for a Labour Day Rally celebrating the hard work and sacrifices of Singapore’s workers. Featuring live bands, comedians, and inspiring speeches from working-class heroes, the event aims to bring awareness to workers’ struggles and advocate for a fairer, more equitable society.