14 December 2018: On the eve of the sixth anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Lao civil society leader Sombath Somphone, we, the undersigned organizations, reiterate our calls for the Lao government to conduct an independent, impartial and effective investigation to reveal his fate and whereabouts.
Complete title: SEZs and Value Extraction from the Mekong: A Case Study on the Control and Exploitation of Land and Labour in Cambodia and Myanmar's Special Economic Zones
This case study report has been written to present and reflect on the Lor Peang land conflict with KDC International, from the perspective of the Lor Peang community activists.
December 3 marks the first death anniversary of Datu Victor Danyan, his two sons, son-in law, and 4 other tribal members and indigenous rights defenders of the T’boli community in Brgy.
A public event was held on 17 to 18 November 2018 at Thammasat University, Bangkok to discuss and share the land issues in relation to inequality in Thailand.
Pasay City, Philippines - Around 200 rice farmers, farmworkers, rural youth and women from various national and local organizations held a protest at the gates of Senate to oppose the approval of SB 1998 or the Rice Tariffication Bill scheduled for deliberation at the Bicameral Committee meeting today.
This case study report documents the long struggle of the communities affected by the 315,000-hectare land concession of Pheapimex Company in Kampong Chhnang and Pursat provinces. It describes the 17-year history and impact of the land conflict from the time the concession was awarded in the year 2000.
Members from Cambodia's Action Research Teams (ART) network who come from fishing communities investigate and analyse illegal fishing in the Tonlé Sap, Cambodia's 'great lake'.
Report from a forum on corporate concentration in agriculture and food, and its implications on food sovereignty in South East Asia
The Global Network for the Right to Food and Nutrition launches 'When Food Becomes Immaterial: Confronting the Digital Age”, a report exploring the impact of technologies on what and how we eat, as well as on how food is produced.
Media Contacts:
Public Statement, 4 June 2018
For Immediate release
On the day of his birthday, 17th September, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sardar Sarovar Dam, and dedicated this act to the nation.
Malolos, Bulacan— Around 150 farmers, women, senior citizens, and children who were part of a "Lakbayan" (march) from Bataan to Malacanang to request President Rodrigo Duterte to help get the lands
Civil society organizations from Indonesia, Philippines, and Europe criticized the European Union’s Multilateral Investment Court proposal as an attempt to multilateralise the investor-State disput
22 February 2017, Manila, Philippines - Civil society and grassroots organizations from across Asia gathered in Manila for a two-day strategy meeting, February 21 and 22, to discuss a global campai
Complete title: SEZs and Value Extraction from the Mekong: A Case Study on the Control and Exploitation of Land and Labour in Cambodia and Myanmar's Special Economic Zones
This case study report has been written to present and reflect on the Lor Peang land conflict with KDC International, from the perspective of the Lor Peang community activists. It utilizes information collected by the community and their supporters over the last 16 years and focuses on the events of the conflict and the resistance actions taken by the com- munity.
This case study report documents the long struggle of the communities affected by the 315,000-hectare land concession of Pheapimex Company in Kampong Chhnang and Pursat provinces. It describes the 17-year history and impact of the land conflict from the time the concession was awarded in the year 2000.
Members from Cambodia's Action Research Teams (ART) network who come from fishing communities investigate and analyse illegal fishing in the Tonlé Sap, Cambodia's 'great lake'.
The Global Network for the Right to Food and Nutrition launches 'When Food Becomes Immaterial: Confronting the Digital Age”, a report exploring the impact of technologies on what and how we eat, as well as on how food is produced.
Walden Bello traces the rise of the present-day Hindu nationalist movement from its marginal origins at the time of Indian independence to its formidable present domination of the political landscape.
Focus is pleased to release online its newest publication Repormang Agraryo at Pagbabago? Narratives on Agrarian Conflicts, Transitions, And Transformation; the launch of the book edition took place on September 11, 2018 in Quezon City, Philippines.
Focus on the Global South releases the 4th edition of Focus Newsletter, which tackles the issue of democracy in Asia and its different facets--elections, constitutions, (extreme) nationalism, populism, majoritarian rule, press freedom. Why democracy?
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is currently being negotiated between 16 countries in the Asia and Pacific regions. It includes China, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other key trading nations such as Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and India.
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Fishing workers, through the very nature of their work, are especially vulnerable to human trafficking as well as forced, bonded and slave labour, operating as they do in isolated and hazardous conditions.
Focus on the Global South Statement on the 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2018
Save the Mekong, a coalition of non-government organizations, community-based groups and concerned citizens within the Mekong region, wish to express our shock and concern at the recent collapse of the Xe Pian - Xe Nam Noy hydropower project in Laos, and ou
On the 20th of July 2018, 25 civil society organizations in Thailand in the sectors of health, agriculture, fishery, environment, internet, labor rights, women rights and climate change convened a meeting on the impact of RCEP and CPTPP.
The following open letter has been issued and signed by scholars, academics, and civil society members from across the world in support of the five academics and researchers who have been summoned by the military following the International Conference of Thai Studies (ICTS13), and to object to attempts by the state to control spaces of learning.
We the undersigned express our alarm and dismay at the Summons issued by Col Suebsakul Buarawong, deputy commander of the 33rd Military Circle in Chiang Mai, to Dr Chayan Vaddhanaphuti, Pakawadee Veerapatpong, Chaipong Samnieng, Nontawat Machai, and Thiramon Bua-ngam. They are accused of violating the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief's Order No.3/2015, Thailand’s military regime's ban on political gatherings of five or more persons. Conviction on the charges issued against these five scholars carries a potential six months in prison.
Statement from iDEFEND on the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, the Philippines
On Tuesday night, President Rodrigo Duterte declared Martial Law on the entire Mindanao Island while on a state visit in Russia, following the fighting between the military and the Maute group.
It has to be clarified that the clashes were triggered by law enforcement operation in Marawi. This is a situation started by the government itself. Similarly, the Maute group is a local terrorist group, and not ISIS, even as the former tries to ally itself with ISIS.
It’s been over a year since the late afternoon on 16 April 2016 when Den Kamlae went missing on his way to collect forest items. Material evidence was later discovered between 23-25 March 2017. Today, these important materials are still under examination by forensic scientists and the Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS).
On 14 March 2017, the International Day of Action for Rivers, we, the Save the Mekong Coalition along with civil society and community partners from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, make this statement to express our gratitude to the Mekong River and the way of life she supports. The Mekong is our mother river, home to unique biodiversity and a lifeline for millions of people throughout the river basin. We recognize the efforts of Mekong communities who are working to protect and preserve the unique ecosystems and resources of the river for future generations.
Joint Organizations
July 11, 2016 - We, the undersigned Cambodian civil society groups, are outraged at the brutal murder of independent political analyst and grassroots organiser Kem Ley yesterday morning, and call for a prompt, thorough and independent inquiry into his death.
Kem Ley, 46, was shot twice, in his chest and his head, in a heavily-frequented Caltex petrol station cafe in central Phnom Penh shortly before 9.00 on Sunday morning.
Secretariat: c/o NFBM #1066-B, Emerald St., Taglesville Subd., Balanga City, Bataan
Email: [email protected]
5th July 2016
Dear Friends,
5th July 2016
Translated from Filipino
Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KILUSAN) strongly condemns the treacherous murder of our comrade Gloria Capitan of Mariveles, Bataan!
Labor Day statement of Independent Senatorial Candidate Walden Bello
Today, I march side by side with our workers to affirm their struggle for labor rights and continue the fight for dignity for our working class.
Labor day is a celebration of what the labor movement has won over decades of struggle.
Not many people know this but the fact that it is illegal to force workers to work for more than 8 hours and that they have to be paid more if they work beyond that is something that workers—through collective action—achieved.
You may sign this statement by clicking here
Suffering the brunt of the ongoing El Nino, more than 6 thousand farmers converged along a national highway in Kidapawan in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines on March 30 to demand 15,000 sacks of rice and financial subsidy promised to them six months earlier by the provincial government. They urgently need this assistance to tide them over until they are able to plant and harvest rice again.