For Immediate ReleaseApril 26, 2022Seoul, South Korea The Asia Democracy Network (ADN) and its partner civil society organizations in Asia are deeply concerned regarding the economic crisis experienced by the people of Sri Lanka. We are deeply moved to see men and women struggling to find essential food including lifesaving medical items
The undersigned organizations express their concern about the rapidly unfolding developments occurring in Afghanistan, including the entrance of Taliban troops in the capital Kabul on 15 August in violation of their February 2020 agreement with the government of the United States of America, the exile of President Ashraf Ghani, and growing numbers
Today, in advance of the fifth anniversary of the unlawful killing of prominent political commentator and human rights defender Kem Ley, the 45 undersigned organizations reiterate their call for the Cambodian authorities to create an independent Commission of Inquiry tasked with conducting an independent, impartial and effective investigation into Kem Ley’s death.
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
We, the undersigned organisations, strongly condemn the killing of elections monitor and democracy advocate Mohammad Yousuf Rasheed in Afghanistan and urge the authorities to bring those responsible to justice. On the morning of 23 December 2020, Rasheed, executive director of the Free and Fair Election Forum of Afghanistan (FEFA), was shot by
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,
Statement by International NGOs on Pro-Democracy Protests on November 17 and 25, 2020 We, the undersigned organizations, condemn the Thai police’s unnecessary and excessive use of force against peaceful protesters marching to the national parliament in Bangkok on November 17, 2020. We are concerned that authorities could employ similar measures when facing
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
21 July 2020 Your excellency, We, the undersigned 33 civil society organizations, urge the Governments of Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America to echo the European Union (EU) in its call for the
We, the undersigned 27 civil society organisations, are deeply concerned with the introduction of the National Security Law in Hong Kong. We call on the Governments of China and Hong Kong to repeal this law, which severely clamps down on the rights of the Hong Kong people. A year after protests against
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is alarmed by the quickly deteriorating election environment in the run-up to the Hong Kong Legislative Council elections scheduled for 6 September 2020. The new National Security Law that came into effect on 30 June has exacerbated a climate of fear in Hong Kong’s electoral
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
27 March 2020 As the world continues to face the severe outbreak of COVID-19, states across Asia are taking measures to tackle the epidemic and protect the health of their population, which is obviously the foremost concern. At the same time, while everyday life is disrupted, elections and democratic processes are also
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) condemns the murder of an election observer in Afghanistan and urges the authorities to bring perpetrators to justice. Shaheed Ali Naqi, a youth member of the Afghan Civil Society Forum Organization (ACSFo), was reported to have been abducted by the Taliban a few days after
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
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
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
Bangkok, Thailand -- The Asian Network for Free Elections (Anfrel) considers the arrest of Adil Rahman Khan, without citing any justification, as an effort by the Malaysian Government to silence rights defenders. Our network of organization across Asia stands in solidarity with Mr. Adil and demands for his immediate release.
Our organizations express serious concern over the threats to launch an inquiry into the activities and legality of the Situation Room on Cambodian Commune Council Election in 2017, a platform of non-governmental organizations formed to monitor the country’s recent local polls. Such comments contribute to a repressive environment which hinders the legitimate
On 20 February 2017, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) enacted amendments to the Political Party Law which empower the Ministry of Interior and Supreme Court to suspend political parties, or ultimately dissolve parties upon determination of violation. The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) supports the call of the Cambodian civil
For Immediate Release: 30 June 2016 Bangkok, Thailand Thailand Referendum: Ban on monitoring and free speech against International Norms and Fair Play ANFREL expresses its serious concern on the Thai government’s decision to ban election monitors and its imposition of strong restrictions against freedom of speech in the light of the
For Immediate Release 28 June 2016 Bangkok ANFREL Condemns Police Action against South Korean electoral reform group, Change 2016 The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) expresses solidarity with South Korea’s Citizen’s Network for General Election of 2016 (Change 2016) and supports its appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur on the
BANGKOK – The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) Foundation joins the rest of the world in support of the protesters on the streets of Hong Kong that are standing up for their basic rights. ANFREL further calls on security forces to avoid further violations of the peoples’ right to protest. Protesters
For Immediate Release: ANFREL Statement on Afghanistan’s 05 April 2014 Elections Hope, Not Fear: Exemplary Courage Shown by the People of Afghanistan KABUL, 08 APRIL 2014 – The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) Foundation wishes to enthusiastically commend the people of Afghanistan for their participation in the 05th of April’s Presidential
BANGKOK, 03 February 2014 – The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) commends today those that participated in Thailand’s 02nd February Election. Voters with diverse views, including those voting for parties as well as those exercising their right to “vote no” on the ballot, should be complimented for engaging in such a
BANGKOK, 27 January 2014 – The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) views with grave concern all acts of violence and violations of human, civil, and political rights that took place on January 26th, Advanced Voting Day in Thailand. Regarding the shooting of protest leader Suthin Tharatin and the injuries that took
BANGKOK, 26 January 2014, 10:00am – With over two million Thais eligible to vote on Sunday the 26th of January’s advanced voting day, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) calls on all groups to respect the sanctity of the vote and not take provocative actions at polling centers which disrupt and
BANGKOK, 13 JANUARY 2014 - ANFREL is deeply saddened by the loss of life brought by security forces recent crackdown on protesters in Cambodia. The tragic loss of life demands an impartial and thorough investigation designed to bring justice to the families of the deceased. The action against labor protesters on the
Below, find the letter ANFREL sent on 7 January 2014 to Khaosod newspaper regarding its recent representation of ANFREL's position on the political and electoral situation in Thailand: Download Here [embed width="650" height="850"]https://anfrel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Open-Letter-to-Khaosod-Newspaper.pdf[/embed]
For Immediate Release: BANGKOK, 23 DECEMBER 2013 – The ANFREL Foundation wishes to express its ongoing concern about street protests in Bangkok, in particular, the recent attempt by protesters to forcibly block elections scheduled for 02 February 2014 as well as their call for an unelected and unrepresentative body to govern the
