Joint Statement: Immediately Release and Drop Charges Against CCFC staffers

The arrest of three staffers from the Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (CCFC) and the unfounded charges of incitement and plotting against the nation marks yet another case of Cambodian authorities imprisoning human rights defenders for their peaceful activism. We, the undersigned groups, demand an end to the persecution of human rights

Open Letter: 413 Civil Society Call on Timor-Leste to Retract Invitation to Illegal ‘Myanmar Election Agency’

Download the open letter here: Open Letter: 413 Civil Society Call on Timor-Leste to Retract Invitation to Illegal 'Myanmar Election Agency' His Excellency Dr. Jose Ramos-HortaPresidentDemocratic Republic of Timor-Leste Open Letter: 413 civil society call on Timor-Leste to retract invitation to illegal “Myanmar Election Agency” 7 April 2023 Dear Mr. President: The

ANFREL e-Bulletin (January-March 2023)

ANFREL trained leaders of domestic election observer groups in Thailand and Timor-Leste ahead of the upcoming elections, released the final report on the observation of the 2022 Nepalese elections, and concluded the second media fellowship on election reporting program during the first quarter of 2023. Some 35 leaders of election observer groups

ANFREL submits election observations, recommendations ahead of Sri Lanka ICCPR review

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) submitted to the UN Human Rights Committee election-related issues concerning human rights in Sri Lanka ahead of the country's ICCPR review on 8-9 March 2023. ANFREL said the postponement of the local government elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about its legitimacy given

Joint Statement by International Election Experts and Organizations on Myanmar

We, the undersigned organizations specializing in election observation, electoral and democracy assistance, committed to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation1 and to upholding the integrity and credibility of such endeavours, denounce and distance ourselves from the sham “election” that the illegal and illegitimate military junta of Myanmar, the State Administrative

Harassment of women in politics on the rise

Election monitors and activists express concern that digital harassment of female politicians will increase when the local council elections campaign gets into full swing in the coming weeks. According to the preliminary results of a survey conducted by the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), more than 70 percent of female

Registered, Not Represented: The Fate Of Pakistan’s Non-Muslim Voters

The current electoral system and the incentive structures it creates effectively disenfranchise Pakistan's non-Muslim voters As Pakistan gears up for general elections this year, the country’s religious minorities appear dejected over their parliamentary representation. Beset by a spate of issues ranging from underemployment, a dwindling population and undercounting to victimization at the

2023 Elections: Policy Advocacy for LGBTQIA+, Women, and Children or Just an Election-Campaign Scheme?

Story by Attachai Had-anCover illustration by Kittiya On-in In preparation for the upcoming election on May 7, 2023, “The Opener” has studied the spread of misinformation and how it might impair the quest for a free and fair election in Thailand. Lessons from the 2019 election campaign until now indicate that while

CMEV condemns ‘undemocratic’, ‘violent actions’; expresses concern over efforts to postpone local polls

The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) learnt that it is alleged that two members of the Election Commission, Mr. K.P.P. Pathirana and Mr. S.B. Divaratna were threatened with death if they did not resign from the Commission, last evening via WhatsApp. CMEV vehemently condemns such undemocratic and violent actions and calls

MARUAH celebrates 15th anniversary, NEOC chairperson recognized for human rights work

ANFREL member in Singapore, MARUAH, celebrated their 15th year anniversary while the chairperson of Nepal member National Election Observation Committee (NEOC) received the Human Rights Award. MARUAH, whose work seeks to uphold human rights through research, advocacy, and public education, celebrated their 15th year anniversary this year. Through partnerships with various regional

Church-based group says 2022 Timor-Leste Presidential Election ‘free, transparent, fair and reliable’

The 2022 Timor-Leste Presidential Election was "free, transparent, fair and reliable observing international standards of election", said the Observatory of the Church for Social Affairs (OIPAS) in final report of their election observation effort. OIPAS, under the National Commission of Justice, Peace, and Integrity Criation (JPIC-TL), observed the presidential election (19 March

Odhikar publishes Bangladesh 2Q 2022 human rights report

ANFREL member in Bangladesh, Odhikar, published the findings of their monitoring of the human rights situation in the country during the second quarter of 2022. From April to June 2022, Odhikar recorded five cases of extrajudicial killings, five cases of enforced disappearances, 19 deaths in jails, among many other human rights violations

Myanmar Situation Update (27 June -3 July 2022)

A junta court in Mandalay sentenced an elected lawmaker to three years in prison for incitement due to her alleged involvement in organizing anti-regime protests and encouraging government employees to join the civil disobedience movement. Win Mya Mya ran under the National League of Democracy (NLD) during the 2020 general election and

ANFREL Newsletter (April-June 2022)

In the second quarter of 2022, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) observed elections in Timor-Leste and the Philippines, released reports on elections in Hong Kong and Cambodia, and continue to shed light on the situation in highly restrictive and repressive countries in Asia. ANFREL released the final comprehensive report about

PK-7 Swat-VI By-Election: Low Female Turnout, Vote Secrecy Issues Persist — FAFEN

Islamabad, June 29, 2022: Abysmally low female turnout and inadequate arrangements to protect secrecy of vote coupled with widespread instances of campaigning and canvassing on Election Day remain major issues clouding the by-election in PK-7 Swat-VI that was otherwise peaceful with generally compliant voting and counting processes, observes Free and Fair Election

Press Statement: Transparency Maldives condemns draft bill encroaching on freedom of expression

Transparency Maldives condemns the draft amendment bill to the Penal Code Act (9/2014) proposed by the Government that encroaches on freedom of expression. This bill is yet another step backwards by the Government, undermining democratic consolidation and fundamental human rights in the Maldives. While we are deeply concerned by the increasing intolerance,

2022 Timor-Leste Presidential Election: A Celebration of Democracy amid COVID-19

The 2022 Timor-Leste Presidential Election demonstrated how democracy is celebrated and strong in the country, said the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) in the final comprehensive report on its observation of the election. ANFREL released the report on Tuesday, 28 June 2022, and thanked the electoral stakeholders for their commitment to

Myanmar Situation Update (20-26 June 2022)

Ousted President U Win Myint, ousted State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and former Union Minister U Min Thu pleaded not guilty to the charge under Section 130(a) of Myanmar’s penal code for allegedly influencing the Union Election Commission (UEC) in connection with the November 2022 general election. A crime management meeting

Protest Is Not Only A Fundamental Constitutional Right But An Integral Part Of Our History — BERSIH

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) reiterates that peaceful assembly is a fundamental right of all citizens guaranteed under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, along with the right to freedom of speech, expression and to form associations. Furthermore, the freedom to protest without violence is enshrined in our supreme

NA-240 Karachi By-Election: Violence, Abysmal Turnout Overshadow Generally-Compliant Voting, Counting Processes — FAFEN

ISLAMABAD, June 20, 2022: Election on a working day deterred a majority of voters from casting their ballots in NA-240 (Korangi Karachi-II) by-polls that largely remained orderly, but was overshadowed by two high-profile incidents of violence widely covered on national media, reports Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). According to FAFEN observers,

Myanmar Situation Update (13-19 June 2022)

A junta-controlled court sentenced former Mandalay Region Chief Minister Dr. Zaw Myint Maung, second vice president and spokesperson of National League for Democracy (NLD), to 21 years in prison for five corruption charges. The ASEAN Special Envoy will not be allowed to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi on his second visit

Joint Statement: International Democracy Advocates Denounce Odhikar’s De-registration in Bangladesh

We, the undersigned international democracy advocates, strongly denounce the Government of Bangladesh’s decision to deregister prominent human rights NGO Odhikar and express our unwavering solidarity with the group. In early June 2022, Bangladesh’s NGO Affairs Bureau under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Office denied the group’s application for renewal of registration.

Myanmar Situation Update (6-12 June 2022)

A junta court in Myanmar ruled that prosecutors presented sufficient evidence against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Australian economist Sean Turnell and three former cabinet members to continue the trial on charges of violating the Official Secrets Law. In the coming weeks, the court will hear the defense arguments, including a

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