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'Perpetrators of violence against rights defenders in Asia have included military and paramilitary groups, armed rebels, thugs in the service of economic interests, socially powerful groups, as well as other vested interests.'
'We are working together and with members of the international community to find new ways to put an end to the threats and attacks.'
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 n the past year, many individuals in countries from India to Indonesia have been killed in the course of monitoring and reporting on rights abuses. Six aid and rights workers were killed in Acheh and another six activists working on environmental issues and community rights were killed in Thailand alone. Throughout the region, thousands of others continue to suffer from defamation campaigns, harassment, obstacles to freedom of association, threats, assaults, loss of liberty, and even murder and "disappearances," all because they are fighting for universally recognized rights.
In recognition of such threats to rights organizations and others who champion human rights, in Asia and across the globe, the U.N. General Assembly in March 1999 adopted the Declaration on the Rights and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups, and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Special Representative Hina Jilani began her work in September 2000.
Among the individuals and groups most often singled out for attack in Asia have been activists championing the environment, indigenous rights, women’s rights, labor rights, and basic civil and political rights in conflict areas such as in Sri Lanka, Acheh and Papua in Indonesia, and Mindanao in the Philippines. Individuals working to monitor abuses by military governments, including the Burmese military regime, in closed political systems such as China, and against minorities such as Dalits ("Untouchables") in South Asia have also been particularly vulnerable. Perpetrators of violence against rights defenders in Asia have included military and paramilitary groups, armed rebels, thugs in the service of economic interests, socially powerful groups, as well as other vested interests.
The fact that such abuses are increasing calls into question the commitment by Asian governments to protect and promote human rights. Such abuses also threaten to undermine some of the fragile democracies in the region, as democracy can only be consolidated where there is a strong and unrestricted civil society, of which human rights defenders are an indispensable part.
Participants at the conference also emphasized that many Asian governments are using the September 11 attacks in the United States as justification for new national security measures and anti-terrorism campaigns, in many cases directly eroding hard-won human rights protections that are needed by all citizens. The long-term consequences likely will be severe for human freedom. In these circumstances, the issue of the Palestinians is a major one affecting peace. We call for renewed attention to this issue, as an integral part of the defense of human rights defenders.
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A statement released by conference participants stated: "Respect for rights is always an important hallmark of a civilized society. Unfortunately, in much of Asia the rights situation has only grown worse since September 11, as concerns with national security and terrorism are being misused as a pretext for silencing critical voices. The lives of many of our colleagues are literally at stake: courageous rights defenders seeking to uphold basic human dignity in some cases are being labeled terrorists or terrorist sympathizers. We are working together and with members of the international community to find new ways to put an end to the threats and attacks. We therefore welcome the willingness and commitment of the Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders to attend this Consultation to improve protection of defenders in the Asian region. We urge all States in the region to follow her example and meet their obligation to help secure the full and effective protection of human rights defenders and their work."
Forum Asia, an Acheh Times' contributor, can be reached at 018995476; Contact person for media enquiries: Somchai Homlaor. Office: 109 Suthisarnwinichai Road; Samsennok, Huaykwang; Bangkok 10320. Thailand; Tel.: (662) 2769846-7; Fax: (662) 6934939; Email: campaigns@forumasia.org
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