Asia Catalyst was proud to sign onto this letter, organized by Burmese NGOs, calling on China to suspend its plans to build oil and gas pipelines in ethnic regions of Burma. Already, the pipeline has caused dislocation, abuses and instability in the region. The press release follows, and more information is available at www.shwe.org.
[REPORT] Nepal: Ensure rights for all castes
By the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at New York University School of Law, the Dalit NGO Federation (Nepal), and the International Dalit Solidarity Network. Republished courtesy Smita Narula, NYU.
In creating the new constitution for Nepal, the Constituent Assembly
has the opportunity to crystallize the country’s peace, advance Nepal’s
political, economic and social development, and demonstrate a
commitment to the inherent dignity of all individuals. In order to
fulfill these paramount goals, the rights of all of Nepal’s Dalit
population – especially women and “lower” Dalit castes – must finally
be realized.
[COMMENTARY] ASEAN’s Human Rights Commission: Where are your teeth?
It was unsurprising that the launch of the new Human Rights Commission of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was so ill-attended. Not only did leaders of several member states not bother to show for the ceremony; civil society leaders also walked out in protest.
[REPORT] Asian Drug Users Unite
An interesting development: drug users from around Asia met last week to formalize the Asian Network of People Who Use Drugs. ANPUD aims to create a network that can advocate for the rights of drug users. They’ll also, hopefully, provide some useful input into national and regional policies on narcotics, treatment, and HIV/AIDS. The full statement from ANPUD follows.
[COMMENTARY] President Obama: Meet with NGOs on China Trip
President Obama should meet with directors of independent
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) on his November trip to China,
Asia Catalyst said in an open letter today. They are likely to be
followed, threatened, or placed under house arrest during his visit. A
meeting with him would give them some political shelter.English press release (pdf) Letter to President Obama (pdf)
