AFAD Endorses FIDH Report on Enforced Disappearances in Bangladesh

20th April 2019

Manila: The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) endorses the reportManila: The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) endorses the reporttitled, “Vanished Without a Trace: The Enforced Disappearance of Opposition and Dissent inBangladesh” released by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) in Paris on 18th April 2019.

The report highlights the phenomenon of enforced disappearance in Bangladesh that has been onthe rise since 2009 after the political party Awami League came to power. Under this regime,enforced disappearance has been used as a strategy to curb any form of dissent and opposition.Opposite political views have been criminalized. Hence, most victims of enforced disappearancehave been those with a political opinion or belief contrary to that of the ruling government orthose that have criticized the government. These include non-partisan critical voices, intellectualfigures, academics, and journalists. There is nexus between the police and the military jointlycommit enforced disappearances.

Paying Tribute to Aasia Jeelani from Indian Administered Kashmir

On the occasion of her 15^th martyrdom anniversary, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) remembers Aasia Jeelani, a woman human rights defender from Indian administered Kashmir.

Aasia was martyred on the 20^th April 2004 while on assignment in the remote district of Kupwara in Indian administered Kashmir when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detonated that blew the car carrying her and her colleagues. The explosion killed her while injuring her colleagues.   

AFAD Commemorates the International Day for the Right to Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims

On the International Day for the Right to Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) remembers the countless victims of summary and extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, torture and other human rights violations that occur routinely. AFAD likewise honors the thousands of human rights defenders who raise their voices for truth and justice despite being persecuted and threatened. We remember those who lost their lives in the quest for justice.

AFAD Remembers and Demands Justice for Thai Lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit on the 15 Anniversary of this Disappearance

The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) remembers Somchai Neelapaijit who was disappeared today, 15 years ago in Bangkok, Thailand.

Somchai was Thai Muslim lawyer and human rights activist. He is the former chairman of Thailand’s Muslim Lawyers Association and vice-chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Lawyers Council of Thailand. He was last seen on the 11^th of March 2004 as he was being dragged from his car by 5 police men in a busy street in Bangkok. Before his disappearance, Somchai was actively involved in a campaign to end martial law and also helped victims of torture. One day before his disappearance, he petitioned the state agencies against torture.