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TheAsian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is an independent,non-governmental body that promoteshuman rights in Asia and mobilizes Asian and international public opinion to obtain relief and redress for the victims of human rights violations. It was founded in 1984 by a prominent group of jurists and human rights activists in Asia and serves to promotecivil and political rights, as well aseconomic, social and cultural rights.
AHRC endeavours to achieve the following objectives stated in the Asian Charter: "Many Asian states have guarantees of human rights in their constitutions, and many of them have ratifiedinternational human rights instruments. However, there continues to be a wide gap between rights enshrined in these documents and the abject reality that denies people of their rights. Asian states must take urgent action to implement the human rights of their citizens and residents."
Its sister organization, theAsian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC), holds GeneralConsultative Status with theUnited Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The AHRC and ALRC are both based inHong Kong.
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On the eve of theInternational Day of the Disappeared in 2007, AHRC ranked thePhilippines among the top eight countries inAsia whereforced disappearances ofactivists are not just rampant but are carried out with impunity.Sri Lanka heads the list (statement posted on its website www.ahrchk.net). The activists took part in the Human Rights School Session of the AHRC for 2007. The AHRC listed the other countries where forced disappearances take place with impunity:Pakistan,Indonesia,Bangladesh,Nepal,[1]Thailand,Philippines, and parts ofIndia.[2]
Further, AHRC had evidence to show thatMyanmarjunta uses broom-wielding gangs or Swan-ar Shin heavies not guns to crush dissent (fuel price protests).[3]
On September 28, 2007, AHRC said that the newWrit of Amparo and Habeas Data (Philippines) in themselves are not enough to resolve the problems of extra-legal killings and enforced disappearances in the Philippines. It said that there must be a cooperative action on all parts of the government and civil society:
Though it responds to practical areas it is still necessary that further action must be taken in addition to this. Thelegislative bodies,House of Representatives andSenate, should also initiate its own actions promptly and without delay. They must enact laws which ensure protection of rights—laws againsttorture andenforced disappearance and laws to afford adequate legal remedies to victims.
AHRC also said that protection provided by the writ of amparo does not extend to non-witnesses whose lives may also be threatened.[4]
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