Thailand, like many South-East Asian countries, has large numbers living in extremely poor, crowded and unhealthy conditions. The Aids epidemic, factional fighting, refugees fleeing from Ethnic and religious persecution in the neighbouring countries of Laos, Burma, Cambodia and China leaves many children orphaned and homeless.

Several years ago, Rev. Jonathan Vickers, the National Chairman of Thailand Christian Outreach Centre, [COC], happened across a sick and dying child in a village. The parents had been unable to care for the child due to their extreme poverty and their own sickness. The problem would have been easily remedied just a few weeks earlier with a little food and s ome simple medicines but now had put the little child at the edge of life. Unfortunately, although the child was transported to a remote regional hospital the child died overnight. The day Jonathan carried that precious little boy back to his inconsolable Mother changed his life and the work of COC in Thailand. Soon, the First Destiny Home was launched with a few orphaned and abandoned children, but now has expanded to three Homes and 54 children.

Click Here to read complete article .....

A north Wales man who has been released from jail in Japan after serving nearly four years for manslaughter has had an emotional reunion with family and friends.

Patrick Loughlin, from Wrexham, was jailed for the killing of a man in 1999.

The 34-year-old was finally released from jail on Friday and is now back in the UK with his family.

Mr Loughlin, who was working as an English teacher before his arrest, maintains he was wrongly convicted of killing the man in bar brawl.

He says his Japanese lawyer, who could not speak English, entered a guilty plea on his behalf.

Click Here to read complete article .....

9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M., Wednesday, October 15, 2003
U.S. House of Representatives - Washington, D.C.

Draft 2.3 - News Advisory & Agenda
(Including Text of New Legislation)

Click here to read whole article including Key Points & Speakers ....

In 2002 Nick Baker, a 32 year old British chef, and father of a one year old son, traveled to Japan in advance of the World Cup. He was arrested at Tokyo's Narita Airport when ecstasy pills and cocaine were found in the false bottom of a suitcase. Nick protested he had been duped by a traveling companion, James Prunier, but Japanese police allowed Prunier to leave the country without questioning him. While Nick was spending some 10 months in solitary confinement for apparently "refusing to confess", it happened that Prunier was arrested in Belgium for allegedly tricking three other British travelers into smuggling drugs. (The "Mules" were released by Belgian authorities without charges).

Click Here to read complete article .....

Click Here to Sign the Justice For Nick Baker Petition

Click here for website created by Nick's family... details of his case available there

By Richard Phillips - 19 September 2003

Families of four of the more than 660 prisoners held at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba have intensified their action against the Bush administration and its flagrant breach of democratic rights. On September 2, their lawyers lodged an appeal with the US Supreme Court over the illegal imprisonment of two Australian citizens, David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib, and Safiq Rasul and Asif Iqbal from Britain.....

The 26th September 2003 Court hearing for convicted child sex offender Clint Betteridge, has been adjourned for one month.

Stay tuned for futher updates.

ADHOC - Association for the Defence of Human Rights in Cambodia
LICADHO - Cambodian League for Human Rights
MLDH - Lao Movement for Human Rights in Laos
PAHRA - Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates
SUARAM - Suara Rakyat Malaysia
TFDP - Task Force Detainees of the Philippines
UCL - Union for Civil Liberties (Thailand)
FIDH- International Federation for Human Rights

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its member and partner organisations in ASEAN countries,

call on ASEAN member states to take the opportunity of the forthcoming summit in Bali to address the serious human rights issues in the region and take decisive steps in this regard.

In particular, our organisations are concerned about the instrumentalisation and politicisation of the "fight against terrorism", which often becomes a mere fig leaf for a severe repression of any form of peaceful dissent.

We also consider that the situation in Burma can no longer be resolved with the long-standing policy of non-interference adopted by ASEAN.

More generally, we consider the lack of a regional human rights charter with an effective supervisory mechanism to be a factor of destabilisation of the region, as well as a factor of impunity and unchecked state violence. We call the 9th ASEAN Summit to launch an initiative aiming at the elaboration of an ASEAN Charter of fundamental rights as the guiding principle of regional integration.

In addressing these serious concerns, ASEAN countries will merely be abiding by the "ASEAN declaration", the founding charter for the association. Indeed, the ASEAN declaration states, in its article 2, that the aim of the Association is "to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development (…), to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law".

We underline the fact that no long-lasting and sustainable development can be achieved without respect for human rights, as is emphasised in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

We regret that, over the years, ASEAN countries limited themselves to a narrow and short-term interpretation of the ASEAN declaration, promoting rapid economic growth at the expense of universally recognised human rights, thus conveniently maiming the Declaration and cutting off some of its vital components: "peace and stability", "the respect for justice and the rule of law", are themselves fundamental human rights, and crucially depend on the realisation of all other human rights. Human rights defenders in Southeast Asian countries have too often been the object of severe repression for simply reminding governments of their international obligations in this respect.

We strongly denounce the political discourse aiming at discrediting human rights and their defenders. They emphasise the universality of human rights, as is accepted by all governments in the region (as parties to various international human rights treaties and covenants). As members of Southeast Asian and international civil society, our organisations deny such governments the monopoly of the understanding of "Asian culture" and "Asian values", unfortunately often used as a political tool. They strongly reiterate not only the compatibility of such culture and values to universally acknowledged human rights, but also their common foundation, based on respect for human dignity.

It is high time ASEAN fulfill the vision embodied in its founding document. Establishing a Regional Human Rights Charter, based on international standards, together with a supervisory mechanism, would be a crucial step in that direction.

Terrorism and human rights

After September 11, 2003, security has become the absolute priority ; this is notably the case for ASEAN countries - the motto of the 9th ASEAN Summit being "towards an ASEAN economic and security community".

The struggle against terrorism is legitimate and necessary. However, it has been politically subverted and instrumentalised by certain governments in order to strengthen their own power, to the prejudice of their human rights commitments.

The international campaign against terrorism has been an occasion for many states to adopt new legislation restricting fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, association and assembly. Those laws have allowed certain governments to silence legitimate and peaceful opposition as well as human rights defenders, considered as subversive or a threat to national security.

We recall the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2002, which emphasizes the importance of both combating terrorism and respecting the rule of law and individual freedom . We recall the UN Commission on Human Rights resolution on human rights and terrorism, which urges states to prevent, eliminate and combat terrorism "in strict conformity with international law, including human rights standards and obligations and international humanitarian law" .

We recall that justice must prevail on vengeance, and that the struggle against terrorism must necessarily be carried on in the framework of international human rights and humanitarian law. This notably includes the right to a fair trial.

Fighting against terrorism without abiding by the rule of law only serves to strengthen groups bent on violent action and weaken legitimate civil society groups working within the democratic framework.

Burma

Last but not least, our organisations want to raise the case of Burma, where Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her party have been attacked last May in the North of Burma. The military junta organized the attack of her convoy, leading to the death of 50 to 80 people and the disappearance of more than 150 others; most of them only sympathized with her party or were just bystanders. During the attack, Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi was hit over the head and on her arms. She was then detained in an unknown place and could not be visited.

Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi is again under house arrest since 26 September. Our organisations consider that ASEAN member states should exert the necessary pressures in order to ensure that the Burmese military junta free Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi and the other detainees in connection with the 30 May attack.

We recall that after the violent suppression of the 1988 demonstrations for democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi was put under house arrest for almost 6 years. Despite many political restrictions, the National League for Democracy (NLD) clearly won the elections in 1990 with almost 83% of its candidates elected. The military has always refused to acknowledge the result of these elections. After her release, Aung San Suu Kyi was continuously harassed by the Burmese junta and was again placed under house arrest for 19 months between 2000 and 2002.

We consider that her last arrest and the violence against her and the convoy are one more step by the military to make this important opponent powerless despite the reiterated demands by the international community. The junta has tried to silence her, including through violence, since fifteen years.

ASEAN must take strong action to secure the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political detainees. It must use all means at its disposal to force the regime in Rangoon to embrace the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

Washington, D.C., October 1, 2003
Contact: Ms. Anna Jones or Mr. Philip Smith
Tele. (202) 543-1444 Fax (202) 318-0266

A special session of the Congressional Forum on Laos will be held from 9:00 a.m.- to- 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 15, 2003, in the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Congress, Washington, D.C., in response to rapidly changing events in Southeast Asia and significant developments in Washington, D.C. regarding Laos.

Recent legislative and policy developments in the U.S. Congress regarding Laos will be discussed along with new reports by Amnesty International and other independent sources about the current humanitarian, human rights and ethnic cleansing crisis in Laos.

The United Nation's action regarding Laos--recently undertaken by the Commission on Racial Discrimination-- will also be detailed. Other new U.S. Congressional initiatives and policy issues will be discussed in the context of the emerging humanitarian and refugee crisis in Laos and the recent visit to the United States, and Washington, D.C., of a senior-level delegation of Lao Communist officials.

Developments and new information regarding the Hmong and Laotian refugee crisis at Wat Tham Krabok will also be discussed.

Speakers and participants include American policymakers, Members of Congress, policy experts, scholars, business and community leaders as well as leading Laotian and Hmong political and religious dissident organizations and opposition groups.

Seating is limited and by invitation only. Invited guests should fax confirmation of attendance and participation to (202) 318-0266.

A group of 12 Christians in Laos are under extreme pressure to abandon their faith while being held in prison.

The 12 were in a group of 21 Christians from the Bru minority tribe living in Muang Nong in Savannakhet Province in the south of Laos who were arrested and imprisoned in May 2003 for refusing to renounce their faith. Nine of them have now been released, but the 12 leaders remain in detention.

Click Here to read complete story .....

24/09/2003
An Indonesian envoy, Ali Alatas, says Burma's military junta has given him no indication of when democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be freed, despite his urging for her release.

Mr Alatas says during talks this week with Burma's top generals he had presented letters from Indonesia's president, Megawati Sukarnoputri, pushing for the issue to be resolved before next month's South East Asian summit in Bali.

He says despite being told the restrictions on the opposition leader were temporary, he was not given any timeframe for when they would end.

Ms Suu Kyi, 58, was arrested on May 30 and detained at a secret location after violent clashes between her supporters and a pro-junta gang in northern Burma.

She is currently in a private hospital in the capital, Rangoon, where she is recovering from major surgery.

24/09/2003 21:02:05 | ABC Radio Australia News

Online petition to free Burma leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

23/09/2003
In August 2002, while working as English language teachers in Cambodia, Australians Bart Lauwaert, 36 and Clint Betterridge, 35 were arrested in their Siem Reap apartment following complaints filed with police by five girls aged between 11 and 15. The two men were accused of recruiting under age girls as maids and then sexually abusing them. Lauwaert remains in Cambodia where he has been sentenced to 20 years in jail and must pay compensation to the victims and their families. Mr. Clint Betterridge [Grafton NSW] fled Cambodia at the end of January 2003 after he was granted bail three weeks before he was due to stand trial.

A Cambodian Court tried and convicted him in his absence, and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment.

The Cambodian Government has requested that the Australian Government instigate extradition proceedings on their behalf.

Mr Betterridge, who is to attend an extradition hearing on the 25th of September 2003 at the Southport Court {Gold Coast/Australia}, is currently being held in a Brisbane Correctional Centre.

The Honorable Senator Chris Ellison, Minister for Justice and Customs made these comments to the media;

"Both our Governments are engaged in serious efforts to bring child sex offenders to justice," Senator Ellison said.

"Australia is committed to protecting children from exploitation and abuse and has led international efforts to combat sexual offences against children."

If you would like more information on how you can lobby for greater child protection against sex offenders, contact M A K O Inc., an organisation dedicated to upholding 'Zero Tolerance' of child sex offenders. https://www.mako.org.au

NEWS UPDATE

25/9/03
Convicted child sex offender 'Clint Betterridge' will appear in the >Southport [Qld] court today. The Australian Government are seeking his >extradition to Cambodia where he and fellow Australian Bart Lauwaert >[already serving a 20 year sentence in Cambodia] were found guilty of >sexually abusing young girls.

Sunday August 31, 10:45 PM
The U.S. State Department said on Sunday that Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has gone on a hunger strike to protest against her detention by the country's military rulers. File photo [RIGHT] courtesy of REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

The following statement has been provided by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)

Click Here to read statement .....

Amina Lawal -- a Muslim woman -- was found guilty by a northern Nigerian court in March 2002 after bearing a child outside marriage. Under "Sharia Penal Legislations" Amina was convicted of the crime of adultery which carries a punishment of death by stoning.

After several adjournments of her case, the hearing of Amina Lawal is due to take place on 27 August 2003 in her home state of Katsina, northern Nigeria. Her lawyers are expected to be present at the hearing. The judicial process should follow its course if the quorum of judges is met this time.

Amina Lawal is not in detention and has good legal representation and her right to appeal is guaranteed at this stage. She is also being supported by a coalition of Nigerian women's groups and human rights groups like Amnesty International.

Online Petition: https://www.amnesty.org.au/e-card/petition.asp

The Communist Laos Army and Vietnamese governments have been reported as committing "crimes against peace and humanity" in Laos.

These two governments have been accused by various Human Rights organisations, of killing more than 300,000 people in Laos in the past 24 years, and as recently as August 2003.

Those responsible for the ongoing persecution of these families trapped within the "Killing fields of Laos," are in direct violation of the United Nations Declaration for Human Rights.

What are the World governments doing to end the genocide and ethnic cleansing war against the People of Laos?

View the Gallery of Sorrow and decide what you will do to support these men, women and children who only seek to live in peace!

Courtesy: https://www.factfinding.org

Plarm was abandoned by her parents in Thailand when she was six and since then she has lived with friends, strangers, even on the streets.

"Her parents are a couple of drug addicts who have dropped out. We haven't heard from them for six months now," Ken Ritchie said.

Click Here to read complete story .....

Amnesty International expressed its concerns at the news that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is being held in Insein Prison under the 1975 State Protection Law, Section 10(a).

"We strongly reiterate calls on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," Amnesty International said today.

Click Here to read complete story and sign petition .....

Online petition to free Burma leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

The International Lawyer's Network (ILN) is one of many networks and sections and structures working for the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) . Following the 60th ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which occurred in April 2002, significant progress has been made towards the establishment of the Court. The first 18 judges for the ICC were inaugurated at a ceremony in the Hague in February 2003, and the first Prosecutor for the Court was elected by the states who are party to the Statute in April 2003. The campaigning and legal work of AI working together as a movement has made a huge contribution to this achievement. The election of a Prosecutor for the Court means that the ICC may decide to begin investigations into allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in the coming months.

[Source: https://www.amnesty.org.au]

Xu Wenli, a prisoner of conscience, was released early on medical parole on 24 December 2002. Xu Wenli's health had deteriorated during his detention and he was suffering from hepatitis. Xu Wenli had been sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment. He was one of China's most prominent dissidents and one of the founders of the banned China Democracy Party. In a letter to a US Amnesty group who had worked for his release, Xu Wenli said "all thanks to your efforts, I have reached the other side of the Pacific ..... your friend Xu WenlI."

[Source: https://www.amnesty.org.au]

NEWS UPDATE Brisbane Lawyer to defend convicted Child Sex Offender… 30 October 2003 Brisbane lawyer Andrew Boe [see photograph right] was born in Burma and has a continuing involvement in the democratic movement in that country. He is married and has five children. According to reports, Andrew Boe is now representing Clint Betterridge who the Australian Government are seeking to extradite to Cambodia. It has been reported through media sources that Betterridge, 35, returned home to Australia, just days before a Cambodian court sentenced him in absentia to 10 years jail and fines of $8000 for raping six Cambodian girls aged between 12 & 14. Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer made this comment to the National Press Club: "My ambition is to get him back to Cambodia and get him to serve his sentence there," he said. Andrew Boe has taken over the Betterridge case from prominent Gold Coast lawyer, Chris Nyst [see Pauline Hanson case]. He has been granted time to prepare for the next hearing which is set down for March 31, 2004. Andrew Boe has a private legal practice in Brisbane [Australia] specializing in criminal law. He has appeared or acted in some of the most significant cases in Queensland and NSW including, the case against Australian Serial Killer Ivan Milat, and One Nation National Director David Ettridge. Pedophilia crackdown Prostitution is illegal in Cambodia, but officials have long turned a blind eye. Over the past 20 years, thousands of women and young girls have been coerced or enslaved into the sex trade. Last year Prime Minister Hun Sen launched a sweeping pedophilia crackdown, and many young girls have since been rescued. Despite this, some brothels and karaoke bars have eluded prosecution by changing their names to massage parlors, or bribing police and other authorities. By S.Walsh Note: Opinions expressed in articles within this site are the opinions of the authors and not necessarily the F.P.S.S, its advocates or volunteers. Christian Mission in Thailand gives hope to homeless children…