SUBMISSIONS
COVID-19 and the Implications for Freedom of Expression in Southeast Asia
Asia Centre’s submission to the Thematic Report of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression to the UN Human Rights Council: “Freedom of Opinion and Expression and Sustainable Development – Why Voice Matters”. The Thematic Report that drew from Asia Centre‘s input can be found here.
Its inputs are drawn from the policy paper “Moving Beyond COVID-19 Restrictions in Southeast Asia: Pushing Back Against Authoritarian Pandemic Governance” (2023), produced by Asia Centre in partnership with the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). Read the full policy paper here.
Oral Statement (on Thailand) submitted to the 49th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
Asia Centre made an Oral Statement in the 49th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, general debate under Agenda Item 6: Universal Periodic Review on 24 March 2022. The purpose of the statement is to recommend improvements to internet freedoms in Thailand.
Watch the Oral Statement during the 45th meeting of the 49th Regular Session here.
Rights to Freedom of Opinion and Expression: Opportunities, Challenges, and Threats to Media in the Digital Age
Asia Centre contributed and is a co-sponsor of this joint submission: “Rights to Freedom of Opinion and Expression: Opportunities, Challenges, and Threats to Media in the Digital Age” to the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights to Freedom of Opinion and Expression on 25 January 2022. The submission analyses how legal and non-legal measures have affected those in media or those working in a journalistic environment in Thailand.
Oral Statement (on Myanmar) submitted to the 48th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
This statement on Myanmar is based on Asia Centre’s report Myanmar: Dismantling Dissent – Crackdowns on Internet Freedoms, launched on 2 July 2021.
It was submitted to the 48th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Agenda Item 4: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.
Oral Statement (on Cambodia) submitted to the 48th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
This statement on Cambodia is based on Asia Centre’s report Internet Freedoms in Cambodia: A Gateway to Control, launched on 1 September 2021.
Using the Centre’s UN ECOSOC special consultative status, it was submitted to the 48th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Agenda Item 10: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia.
Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Peaceful Protests During Crisis Situations
Asia Centre contributed and is a co-sponsor of this joint submission: “Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Peaceful Protests During Crisis Situations”, sent to the Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Assembly and of Association on 28 July 2021. The submission analyses the erosion of rights to peaceful assembly and related freedoms in Thailand in the context of the COVID-19-related emergency rule. Adding to curfews and restrictions to the freedom of movement, arbitrary arrests, stringent bail conditions, and a lack of access to remedy are highlighted as putting at risk peaceful activists and protesters.
Internet Freedoms Under Threat in Timor-Leste
Asia Centre has made a submission to Timor-Leste’s 3rd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle in November 2021, presenting recommendations related to 3 of Timor’s proposed draft laws that stand to affect internet freedoms – Draft Criminal Defamation Law (2020), Draft Cybercrime Bill (2021) and the Draft Data Privacy and Protection Law (2021). This UPR submission ‘Internet Freedoms Under Threat in Timor-Leste’ is informed by Asia Centre’s report, Timor-Leste: Internet Freedoms Under Threat, published on 14 July 2021.
Internet Shutdowns in Myanmar
Asia Centre submitted, “Internet Shutdowns in Myanmar”, to the Southeast Asia People- to-People Region Hall on the Political Crisis in Myanmar on 8 April 2021. This input, along with those of others, were integrated into the “Joint Declaration of the Southeast Asian People-to-People Region Hall on the Crisis in Myanmar” issued on the same day.
Human Rights Defenders and Fundamental Freedoms in Thailand
Asia Centre contributed and is a co-sponsor of this joint submission, “Human Rights Defenders and Fundamental Freedoms in Thailand”. The submission analyses fundamental freedoms in Thailand during its third UPR cycle from May 2016 until this submission’s date of 24 March 2021. It focuses on human rights defenders (HRDs) ranging from first-time protesters through to seasoned human rights advocates. The submission details how fundamental freedoms have been eroded in Thailand, particularly under the COVID-19 related emergency rule.