The Guardian: Imprisoned, Threatened, Silenced: Human Rights Workers in Asia

Human rights and civil society representatives across the Asian continent face increased repression and government scrutiny in recent months. As UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Andrew Gilmour observes for the Guardian, “advocates the world over are increasingly threatened, attacked and silenced. The message is clear. No one is immune and many advocates across the region will be unable to operate freely and without fear of retaliation.” In the Philippines, environmental activists and human rights advocates have been labeled “terrorists” with some forced to flee the country. In the lead-up to the 2018 national elections in Cambodia, the government has publicly taken aim at the independent media and civil society, accusing those individuals of taking part in UN activity or sharing information targeted for reprisals or intimidation. In Myanmar, civilians who met with a UN independent expert on Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, were reportedly subjected to violent reprisals – including murder, beatings and rape – carried out by the armed forces. “This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Gilmour writes, “the most translated document in the world, available in more than 500 languages, and it is as relevant today as it was on the day that it was proclaimed.” –YaleGlobal