ANFREL started publishing the monthly brief on the countries under a restrictive environment in April 2021 to provide an insight into the human rights and democracy situation in these countries. In this issue, we will cover issues related to elections and civil and political rights in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar and Hong Kong.
03 May 2021 H.E. Michelle BacheletUnited Nations High Commissioner for Human RightsPalais Wilson52 rue des PâquisCH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland RE: Crackdown on Press Freedom & Freedom of Expression in Bangladesh Dear High Commissioner Bachelet, On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, we write to draw your attention to the escalating human rights
3 May is World Press Freedom Day, as recognised by the United Nations. This year’s theme for World Press Freedom Day, “Information as a Public Good”, serves as a call to affirm the importance of cherishing reliable information as a public good. However, while this day is being commemorated all over the
Many Asian countries, especially in South and Southeast Asia, saw democratic regressions in the pastyear. The governments took advantage of the global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic tofurther tighten the restraints on civil liberties and crackdown on dissenters and political opponents. Asa democracy advocate, ANFREL will start publishing the monthly
The Bangladeshi authorities must conduct prompt, thorough, impartial, and independent investigations into the death of at least 14 protesters across the country between 26 and 28 March, and respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, said 11 human rights organizations in a joint statement today. The organizations also called on the
The Bangladeshi authorities must end their escalating crackdown on human rights, and respect and protect people’s rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Bangladesh to curb protesters demanding justice for writer Mushtaq Ahmed’s death in prison on 25 February, the nine undersigned human rights organizations said in a joint statement
Human rights group Odhikar released their 2020 report on the human rights violations including the state of the electoral system in Bangladesh. Odhikar said in the report that "the Awami League government and the Election Commission have completely destroyed the electoral system depriving the people of their right to vote in all
The international community should take a strong stand for the protection of human rights in Bangladesh, seven human rights groups said on International Human Rights Day. As Bangladeshis grapple with the impact of Covid-19, the ruling Awami League has used the pandemic to tighten the screws on critics and the free press,
For Immediate Release (Dhaka, August 28, 2020) – Bangladesh security forces and law-enforcement agencies continuously commit enforced disappearances with impunity, targeting journalists, activists, and government critics, 12 human rights groups said today ahead of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The groups remember the victims of enforced disappearances and
ANFREL member in Bangladesh, Odhikar, said in their 2020 second quarter report on the human rights situation in the country that the persecution against them since 2013 continues until this day. The registration of Odhikar has not been renewed until now since they applied to the NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) under the
The confidence in the government and the electoral system of Bangladesh continue to decline as lack of interest in the local elections held in the first quarter of 2020 amid the rampant fraudulent activities was observed, human rights organization Odhikar said in their 2020 first quarter report. "Several by-elections of the Jatiya
Statement to commemorate International Women's Day Dhaka: March 06, 2020 Odhikar is observing International Women’s Day on 8th March 2020, with deep concern, as women in Bangladesh are subjected to unchecked, widespread gender-based violence. Domestic abuse against women are a routine phenomenon and forms of discrimination against them are prevalent in every
First published on the website of Odhikar. Dhaka, 09 October 2019: Odhikar was established on 10 October 1994, as an organisation of human rights defenders, by some activists who participated in the struggle against the autocratic regime of Lieutenant General Hussein Mohammad Ershad. Bangladesh gained independence after huge sacrifices and equality, human
Full Report: Annual HR Report 2018_Eng Odhikar has been diligently monitoring the human rights situation in Bangladesh since 1994, in order to promote and protect civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Bangladeshi citizens and to report on violations and defend the victims. Odhikar, being an organisation of human rights defenders in
Dhaka; 2 January 2019: In response to the statement issued by the United States of America,[1]expressing disappointment over the cancellation of the election observation mission of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), on 23 December 2018, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry issued a statement[2] in which it noted: “Odhikar is widely known
For Immediate Release December 29, 2018 We, the undersigned organizations, as advocates of human rights and democracy, express our concern regarding the restrictive electoral environment surrounding the 11th General Election in Bangladesh, set to be held on December 30, 2018. Ever since the election was announced, the government of Bangladesh has embarked
Full Report: Pre-election report_Odhikar This report has been prepared based on an analysis of the overall pre-electoral situation leading up to the 11th National Parliament elections. Odhikar has been under severe state-level oppression and harassment, due to its strong protests and campaigns against human rights violations and for publishing reports on the inactions
Bangkok, Thailand December 23, 2018 The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) expresses dismay with the manner in which the Bangladesh authorities have handled the accreditation application process for domestic and international election observers in Bangladesh’s 11th General Elections (Jatiya Sangsad) to occur on December 30, 2018. While the Bangladesh Election Commission
Full Report: Odhikar November 2018 HRR This report has been prepared based on the overall human rights situation in November 2018 where violations of civil and political rights, including state repression and deprivation of the right to life were analysed. Odhikar publishes this report at a time when false and baseless reports
Full report: October 2018 Odhikar Human Rights "This report has been prepared based on the overall human rights situation in October 2018 where violations of civil and political rights, including state repression and deprivation of the right to life were analysed. The country's human rights situation has been serious cause for concern since
Odhikar has, since 1994, been monitoring the human rights situation in Bangladesh in order to promote and protect civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Bangladeshi citizens and to report on violations and defend the victims. Odhikar does not believe that the human rights movement merely endeavours to protect the „individual‟
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), with the participation of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), conducted a fact-finding mission in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 7-10 September 2018. In light of the testimonies and data gathered during the mission, we express our utmost concern about the deterioration of human
Dhaka, 6 September 2018: Odhikar expresses its strong condemnation over the statement of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Mohammad Mahabubor Rahman regarding the extrajudicial killings taking place in the name of ‘anti-drug operation’ by members of the law enforcement agencies. On September 4, Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman stated in a meeting, “Drug dealers keep arms
Full Report: Odhikar August 2018 Human Rights Report The human rights situation of August 2018 has been reviewed in this report. The Awami League government, after reassuming power for a second term, through the 2014 controversial Parliamentary election, has created a state of fear in the country by suppressing people and violating civil
Full report: Odhikar Bangladesh July 2018 Human Rights Report The human rights situation of July 2018 has been analyzed in this report. The main element of democratic rule – the electoral system – has been destroyed through the farcical National elections of 2014 and the Awami League reassumed power for a second term,
Press Statement Quota Reform Movement: Immediately arrest the Chhatra League perpatrators; reform the quota! Odhikar would like to express its immense concern and condemnation regarding the horrific attacks by the Chhatra League leaders have unleashed on students protesting for the reformation of the quota on government jobs, since 30 June 2018; along
Foreword Odhikar has been monitoring the human rights situation in Bangladesh in order to promote and protect civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Bangladeshi citizens and to report on violations and defend the victims since 1994. Odhikar does not believe that the human rights movement merely endeavours to protect the
The human rights situation of May 2018 has been analyzed in this report. The country's human rights situation was found to be deteriorating since 2009, which has since become of serious concern due to the repressive attitude and policies of the government; while has returned to power through the farcical elections of
1-31 March 2018 Executive Summary The month of March is very significant in the history of Bangladesh. In 1971 the people of this country became resilient against the exploitation and suppression of the West Pakistan regime and developed a struggle for independence in order to destroy the undemocratic rule of West Pakistan.
Odhikar believes that democracy is not merely a process of electing a ruler; it is the result of the peoples’ struggle for inalienable rights, which become the fundamental premise to constitute the State. Therefore, the individual freedoms and democratic aspirations of the citizens – and consequently, peoples’ collective rights and responsibilities -
