Indochina and South East Asia

Ko Aung, a student activist from '88, leads the crowd of demonstrators in a chant of 'Free Burma', Trafalgar Square, London. The demonstration was part of the Global Demonstration for Myanmar.

Grave violations of fundamental human rights are a daily reality throughout the region. Freedom of expression and association is routinely denied in many countries, with political dissidents often sentenced to long terms in prison following unfair trials. Legal frameworks for the protection of human rights are weak, allowing human rights abuses to be carried out with impunity and leaving victims, particularly women and members of ethnic minorities, with little opportunity for redress.

Human rights defenders across the region suffer violence, intimidation and imprisonment. The death penalty continues to be used in many countries, often after unfair trials,for crimes that include drug-related and economic offences.

Indonesia: Demand the release of prisoners of conscience

As the President of Indonesia visits the UK this week, please call on him to release all prisoners of conscience.

Filep Karma is a civil servant who was arrested and charged with treason in 2005, after taking part in a peaceful political ceremony at which a Papuan independence flag was raised. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Yusak Package, a student charged alongside him, was released in July 2010 but Filep remains behind bars. Call for his release

Johan Teterissa is a primary school teacher serving a 15-year sentence for leading a peaceful protest in 2007. He was arrested after protestors unfurled the Benang Raja flag, perceived by government authorities to be a symbol of the Republic of South Maluku independence movement. He continues to suffer from injuries sustained through torture. Act now

Vietnam: Health fears for detained blogger

Nguyen Hoang Hai, a popular Vietnamese blogger, has been detained on on charges of 'conducting propaganda' against the state. His family have not been informed of his whereabouts and he is being denied access to a lawyer. Take Action (pdf)

Latest news

Burma: President's promise over prisoners of conscience coincides with latest arrest 18 Jul 2013

Cameron must press Burmese president over human rights of Rohingya Muslims during UK visit 15 Jul 2013

Viet Nam: Urgent Amnesty appeal to halt 117 executions that could take place tomorrow 26 Jun 2013

More news

Good news: Yusak Pakage released

Indonesian Prisoner of Conscience, Yusak Pakage, was released on 7 July 2010 after serving half of a ten-year sentence for his role in a peaceful protest in 2004. On his release, Yusak thanked Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch warmly for campaigning on his behalf. Many thanks to the thousands of you who took action. Further information

Despite this great news, Yusak's friend Filep Karma, who was arrested during the same demonstration, is still serving a 15-year sentence. Take Action

Further information

Unfinished Business: Police accountability in Indonesia 24 June 2009
Cambodia: After 30 years Khmer Rouge crimes on trial 27 March 2009
Thailand: Torture in the southern counter-insurgency 13 January 2009

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