ANFREL Launches Int’l Election Observation Mission to the 2020 Myanmar General Elections

Press Release Yangon, Myanmar 29 October 2020 The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) formally launched its international election observation mission to the 2020 Myanmar General Elections with the deployment of 13 long-term observers (LTOs) on 26 October 2020. As the country is set to hold its general elections on 8 November

Joint Statement: End Enforced Disappearances in Bangladesh

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 Hopes for Peaceful Polls in Sri Lanka

On August 5, over 16 million Sri Lankan voters are invited to cast their ballots in South Asia’s first major elections since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially scheduled for April 25, the polls had to be postponed twice. On the eve of this exercise in democracy, the Asian Network for

Joint Statement: 4 Years On, No Effective Investigation into Kem Ley’s Unlawful Killing

Today, on the fourth anniversary of the killing of prominent political commentator and human rights defender Kem Ley, we, the 30 undersigned organizations, call on the Cambodian authorities to create an independent Commission of Inquiry to conduct an effective and impartial investigation that is long overdue into Kem Ley’s death. We further

A Call to Defend Democracy

This is a joint statement signed by various organizations and individuals. See endorsers here. The COVID-19 pandemic threatens more than the lives and the livelihoods of people throughout the world. It is also a political crisis that threatens the future of liberal democracy. Authoritarian regimes, not surprisingly, are using the crisis to

STATEMENT: ANFREL joins call for immediate resolution of Ampatuan Massacre case, enjoins int’l community to be vigilant

It has been 10 long years since the Ampatuan Massacre happened in Ampatuan town of Maguindanao, south of the Philippines where 58 people were killed, including 32 journalists and media workers, in one of the most brutal election-related violence recorded. On November 23, 2009, Genalin Mangudadatu, her sisters-in-law, and other relatives made

Joint Statement: Civil Society Organizations condemn the continued investigation of ex-RFA journalists Yeang Sothearin and Uon Chhin

Phnom Penh, 04 October 2019 – We, the undersigned civil society organizations strongly condemn the decision by the Municipal Court judge to continue the investigation into unsubstantiated espionage charges against Yeang Sothearin and Uon Chhin. The pair were arbitrarily arrested, detained and charged for the peaceful exercise of their freedom of expression

Joint Letter: UN Human Rights Council should address human rights crisis in Cambodia at its 42nd session

To Members and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council 30 August 2019 Re: UN Human Rights Council should address human rights crisis in Cambodia at its 42nd session Dear Excellency, The undersigned civil society organizations, representing groups working within and outside Cambodia to advance human rights, rule of law,

De-escalate violence in Hong Kong, respect freedom of peaceful assembly and association

[Joint Statement] (Bangkok, 16 August 2019) – We, the undersigned civil society organisations, express our deep concerns on the escalating violence in Hong Kong, and urge the authorities to ensure conditions for peaceful assembly and association are present, and the protestors to exercise their rights to protest peacefully. We call on the

Joint Open Letter to Prime Minister Modi on Situation in Jammu & Kashmir

PDF Version: Open_Letter_-_Kashmir_-_August_2019_Final-WITH SIGNATORIES-Updated 13.08 (1) Prime Minister Narendra Modi New Delhi 12 August 2019 Dear Prime Minister Modi, We, the undersigned civil society activists and organizations, human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, and academics from around the globe, write to express our deep concern regarding the recent actions your government has taken over

Cambodia: Three years and still no effective investigation into Dr. Kem Ley’s killing

[JOINT STATEMENT] 9 July 2019 (Bangkok, Thailand) --- Today, on the third anniversary of the killing of prominent political commentator and human rights defender Kem Ley, the 24 undersigned organizations renew calls on the Cambodian government to establish an independent and impartial Commission of Inquiry to conduct a thorough and effective investigation

Statement on the 2019 National and Local Elections of the Philippines

For Immediate Release Bangkok, Thailand May 17, 2019 The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) congratulates the people of the Philippines for the generally peaceful elections and their continued participation in exercising their universal rights last May 13, 2019. The voter turnout was encouraging and will surely be within the 78 %

From Hope to Ballot: Thailand’s Advance Vote on March 17, 2019

For immediate release Bangkok, Thailand In a remarkable expression of their faith in democracy, eighty-seven percent of Thai voters registered for advance voting turned out to vote. Advance Voting Day remained peaceful and orderly but punctuated by instances of mismanagement, inconsistencies in the application of electoral rules by polling staff, and complaints

Joint Statement Against the Undemocratic Electoral Environment in Bangladesh

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

ANFREL statement on the termination of its mission in Bangladesh

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

Maldives: Obstruction of observers and media latest sign of polling misconduct

Bangkok/Colombo, 22 September 2018 The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) denounces recent developments in the island nation of Maldives, which ensure that the upcoming presidential election of September 23 cannot be considered free and fair. Among others, intimidation of local civil society organizations, media, and members of the opposition, the lack

FORUM-ASIA and ANFREL concerned about human rights violations and lack of conducive environment for free and fair elections in Bangladesh

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

Joint Statement: Fake Observers and the Cambodian Legislative Elections

We, as domestic and international election monitors, denounce the attempt by the Government and the National Election Committee (NEC) of Cambodia to legitimize the upcoming July 29 general election by accrediting large numbers of biased election monitors. It is our opinion that the 80,000 domestic observers authorized by the NEC show neither

Grim political climate, dictatorship rubber-stampers take over Cambodian Elections

As legislative elections will take place in Cambodia on July 29, ANFREL will not deploy observers in the country, since we believe the repressive political environment prejudicial to a truly democratic electoral process. In doing so, we stand in solidarity with our members NICFEC and COMFREL, as well as other Cambodian civil

People of Malaysia Mark Historic Elections; ANFREL Calls on New Government to Strengthen Electoral Democracy

Bangkok, 10 May 2018 – The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) congratulates the people of Malaysia for actively participating in the country’s 14th general elections. It is commendable that the Malaysian people were able to overcome all obstacles that could have prevented them from exercising their democratic right to vote. Civil

Joint Letter to the ASEAN Member States Regarding Cambodia’s Political Instability

For Immediate Release April 25, 2018 For the PDF copy of the letter, please click link: Joint Letter on Cambodia's Political Instability Bangkok, Thailand – On the occasion of the 32nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, seven international non-government organizations wrote a letter to H.E. Dr. Vivian Balakrishan, Foreign Minister

Response on the inaccurate portrayal of ANFREL published by two Cambodian media portals

Bangkok, Thailand -- The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) wishes to correct and clarify the information included in articles published by Swiftnews Daily and Freshnews Asia regarding ANFREL activities as they relate to the July 28, 2018 Cambodian National Assembly Elections. The two media portals published information which inaccurately portrayed ANFREL

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