Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA – The democratic recession has become severe all across Asia. In this respect, SEACA (Southeast Asian Committee for Advocacy), FORUM-ASIA (Asia Forum for Human Rights and Development), and ADN (Asia Democracy Network) held the session on how to strengthen democracy in Asia and the role of the Community of Democracies (CD) with a focus on five countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The session took place as part of ACSC/APF at 14:00-16:00 on April 24, 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The guiding questions include:
- What are the key emerging trends and challenges to upholding democracy and human rights in your country?
- What role can the Community of Democracies (CD) and international community such as UN, ASEAN and SAARC take to support your struggle for democracy and human rights?
- What kinds of international solidarity action are required by civil society in Asia?
The session includes the following panelists as well as moderators:
- Corrina Lopa, SEACA
- Atnike Sigiro, FORUM-ASIA
- Anselmo Lee, Co-Convener, ADN
- Theng Savoeun, Coordinator, CCFC Coalition of Cambodia Farmers Community
- Huynh Thuc, Vietnamese Women for Human Rights
- Lucia Phan, Con Dau Parishionets Association
- Samson Salamat, Director, Centre for Human Rights Education
- Ruki Fernando, Advisor, INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre
- Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, Voice from Thais
Through the session, it is addressed that there is more need for solidarity and cooperation at the sub-regional level as well as for the increasing representation of Community of Democracies in providing support and assistance in the region of Asia.
Click here to download for program booklet.
Click here to watch Ms. Huynh Thuc’s speech on the challenges of defending democracy in Vietnam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aenvnd1U8pc
