Rupert Abbott

With vaccines rolled-out and restrictions lifted in wealthier nations, many of us are looking forward to a more social summer. Pride events are set to take place throughout the U.S. and Western Europe. But as we celebrate, several countries are facing devastating new waves of COVID-19 in which LGBTQI people are suffering more than most. If ever there was a time to support our community worldwide - to mark Pride with Purpose - it is now.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown on a global scale that LGBTQI people are disproportionately affected in crisis situations. But the pandemic may prove to be a dress rehearsal for the greatest challenge of our time: the climate emergency.

Research by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows that people who are marginalised – including those facing discrimination – are especially vulnerable to climate change.

GiveOut projects that LGBTQI communities will be among the… Show more

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown on a global scale that LGBTQI people are disproportionately affected in crisis situations. But the pandemic may prove to be a dress rehearsal for the greatest challenge of our time: the climate emergency.

Research by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows that people who are marginalised – including those facing discrimination – are especially vulnerable to climate change.

GiveOut projects that LGBTQI communities will be among the most vulnerable to the direct impacts of climate change. This will be the case especially for LGBTQI people in countries that are most threatened by climate change and where LGBTQI identities are also illegal or repressed. Show less

In this personal piece, I reflect on my hopes for life after the coronavirus crisis.

As an LGBT+ sector, we know the importance of resilience and community in challenging times. And working collaboratively with shared values in mind, we can ensure that any sector level response is inclusive and plural, with the intention of leaving no one behind.

Leading organisations such as Stonewall and Consortium are already playing a role in providing sector level coordination. But all of us need to reach out even as we stay home to maximise the chances of our sector getting through… Show more

As an LGBT+ sector, we know the importance of resilience and community in challenging times. And working collaboratively with shared values in mind, we can ensure that any sector level response is inclusive and plural, with the intention of leaving no one behind.

Leading organisations such as Stonewall and Consortium are already playing a role in providing sector level coordination. But all of us need to reach out even as we stay home to maximise the chances of our sector getting through 2020 and springing back, even stronger than before, to serve those who rely on our support. Show less

Often against the odds, LGBTQI activists around the world are defending our community and campaigning for equality, but they are woefully underfunded. This is why we launched GiveOut early last year, for our community here in the UK and elsewhere to help provide the resources that the global LGBTQI movement needs so urgently.

Around the world, LGBTQ people face appalling human rights abuses for being themselves. Activists are fighting back but require resources to do so.

In this op-ed, we argue that elections in Cambodia will gauge the state of democracy in the country and, in a new era of U.S. isolationism, will be a key test for the West’s commitment to human rights.

Writing in The Diplomat, Ou Virak and I have call on the United States to forgive Cambodia's war-time debt. A compromise, we suggest, would be a "debt swap", whereby some of the debt repayments are channelled in to a fund to bolster the country’s embattled human rights activists and wider civil society.

With wars raging across the world, from Syria to Nigeria, the corresponding refugee crisis, shrinking space for civil society, and the rise of right-wing populism, 2016 was annus horribilis for human rights. Behind this deteriorating situation are a number of trends, which suggest not only that worse may be yet to come but also amount to an existential crisis for the international human rights movement. Human rights international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) recognise that new… Show more

With wars raging across the world, from Syria to Nigeria, the corresponding refugee crisis, shrinking space for civil society, and the rise of right-wing populism, 2016 was annus horribilis for human rights. Behind this deteriorating situation are a number of trends, which suggest not only that worse may be yet to come but also amount to an existential crisis for the international human rights movement. Human rights international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) recognise that new challenges call for new responses. We join others in identifying strategies that will be crucial to defending rights in a changing world. Show less

This year marks 25 years since the U.N.-sponsored Paris Peace Agreements laid the course for an end to decades of conflict in Cambodia and a future based on the foundations of democracy and respect for human rights. Now, with Cambodia at a new crossroads -- with a deteriorating human rights situation and leaders struggling to keep up with the demands of a young, better-informed population -- it is time to put the spotlight back on the country and the expectations of its new generation.

Rupert Abbott has worked at the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, for the UN at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal and as the deputy Asia Pacific director at Amnesty International. He recently founded RightsStart, a human rights consultancy hub. He spoke with Brent Crane this week about the Phnom Penh places that have shaped his work.

Ahead of next week’s U.S.-ASEAN summit at California’s Sunnylands retreat, human rights groups and others are calling on President Barack Obama to use the occasion to publicly raise concerns about human rights and democratic regression in Southeast Asia. While human rights must be on the agenda at Sunnylands and should be amplified in the U.S.-ASEAN relationship, a focus only on Southeast Asia – ignoring human rights concerns in the United States – would be unprincipled and likely… Show more

Ahead of next week’s U.S.-ASEAN summit at California’s Sunnylands retreat, human rights groups and others are calling on President Barack Obama to use the occasion to publicly raise concerns about human rights and democratic regression in Southeast Asia. While human rights must be on the agenda at Sunnylands and should be amplified in the U.S.-ASEAN relationship, a focus only on Southeast Asia – ignoring human rights concerns in the United States – would be unprincipled and likely counterproductive. An authentic and balanced U.S.-ASEAN relationship should address human rights concerns in both ASEAN and the United States. And to ensure that human rights are a genuine, core tenet of the U.S.-ASEAN relationship, such discussions should be formalized in a regular U.S.-ASEAN “Human Rights Dialogue.” Show less

The assault on press freedom must end. Myanmar’s authorities must stop paying lip service to human rights and take genuine action – all journalists jailed for their peaceful work must be freed, and attempts to silence the media must end immediately. It is equally crucial that the international community does not stand by watching silently from the sidelines. Engaging with Myanmar does not mean turning a blind eye to human rights violations – other governments should speak out for those who have… Show more

The assault on press freedom must end. Myanmar’s authorities must stop paying lip service to human rights and take genuine action – all journalists jailed for their peaceful work must be freed, and attempts to silence the media must end immediately. It is equally crucial that the international community does not stand by watching silently from the sidelines. Engaging with Myanmar does not mean turning a blind eye to human rights violations – other governments should speak out for those who have been silenced and demand an end to the crackdown on press freedom. Change must start now, before even more media workers are thrown into jail or forced into silence. Show less

This report reveals a pattern of human rights violations in the context of assemblies: the imposition of arbitrary restrictions on freedom of peaceful assembly; the unnecessary and excessive use of force by security forces; and the use of the judiciary to harass and imprison those who organize and participate in them. A culture of impunity surrounds human rights violations committed in the context of assemblies, with not a single official or member of the security forces held to account for the… Show more

This report reveals a pattern of human rights violations in the context of assemblies: the imposition of arbitrary restrictions on freedom of peaceful assembly; the unnecessary and excessive use of force by security forces; and the use of the judiciary to harass and imprison those who organize and participate in them. A culture of impunity surrounds human rights violations committed in the context of assemblies, with not a single official or member of the security forces held to account for the often violent repression of protests in Cambodia. Show less

During Amnesty International’s recent visit to Cambodia, the new “culture of dialogue” was discussed in many of our meetings, with some expressing cautious hope it could provide an opportunity for reforms and improved respect for human rights. However, conversely, another main point of discussion was a raft of new, imminent and potentially regressive laws on associations and NGOs, trade unions and cybercrime. The next steps taken on this draft legislation by the governing CPP and the opposition… Show more

During Amnesty International’s recent visit to Cambodia, the new “culture of dialogue” was discussed in many of our meetings, with some expressing cautious hope it could provide an opportunity for reforms and improved respect for human rights. However, conversely, another main point of discussion was a raft of new, imminent and potentially regressive laws on associations and NGOs, trade unions and cybercrime. The next steps taken on this draft legislation by the governing CPP and the opposition CNRP will be a key test for the culture of dialogue. Show less

Rupert Abbott, research director of Southeast Asia and Pacific for Amnesty International, answers questions from renowned critic of human rights Eric Posner of the University of Chicago.

For the Cambodian public – including victims – to remain engaged with the tribunal and be brought closer to the criminal justice process, the co-investigating judges must lift the lid on Cases 003 and 004 and exercise their discretion to disclose information about critical developments in these cases.

Rather than mentoring a new generation of Lao community leaders, Sombath is missing - a victim of enforced disappearance - and Lao civil society is fractured and fearful. An enforced disappearance takes place when a person is arrested, detained or abducted by the state or agents acting for the state, who then deny that the person is being held or conceal their fate or whereabouts, placing them outside the protection of the law. And this serious human rights violation, recognised as an… Show more

Rather than mentoring a new generation of Lao community leaders, Sombath is missing - a victim of enforced disappearance - and Lao civil society is fractured and fearful. An enforced disappearance takes place when a person is arrested, detained or abducted by the state or agents acting for the state, who then deny that the person is being held or conceal their fate or whereabouts, placing them outside the protection of the law. And this serious human rights violation, recognised as an international crime since the aftermath of World War II, is ongoing as long as Sombath's fate and whereabouts remain unknown. Show less

Governments across Southeast Asia, of all political persuasions, are closing down space for dissenting voices.

Indonesia has come a long way on human rights since the end of the Suharto era. But despite the progress, there have been some serious setbacks over the past decade — not least when it comes to the issue of freedom of religion and expression.

On 22 May 2014, two days after declaring Martial Law, Thailand’s military took power for the second time in eight years. Under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) the military abrogated all but one section of the 2007 Constitution, sacked the government, dissolved parliament and assumed full control of the country. As this report will show, the NCPO has undertaken a series of measures that have altered Thailand’s institutional and legal framework. The human rights violations… Show more

On 22 May 2014, two days after declaring Martial Law, Thailand’s military took power for the second time in eight years. Under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) the military abrogated all but one section of the 2007 Constitution, sacked the government, dissolved parliament and assumed full control of the country. As this report will show, the NCPO has undertaken a series of measures that have altered Thailand’s institutional and legal framework. The human rights violations detailed in this report also reflect long-standing human rights problems in Thailand. Show less

Amnesty International has accused the Thai junta of grave human rights violations since the May 22 coup. The rights group's Rupert Abbott says in a DW interview people are unwilling to speak out in fear of repercussions.

Elections in Cambodia will gauge the state of democracy in the country and, in a new era of U.S. isolationism, will be a key test for the West’s commitment to human rights.

How will the growing protests over alleged vote rigging impact the country's political landscape? Inside Story, with presenter Kamahl Santamaria, discusses with guests: Sourav Roy, an Asian affairs political analyst and columnist for the Huffington Post; Chheang Vannarith, a senior fellow at the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace; and Rupert Abbott, an Asia researcher for Amnesty International.

Should the Cambodian people choose to exercise their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and participate in demonstrations and other assemblies, the authorities must respect and facilitate this decision, abide by their human rights obligations and ensure that unnecessary or excessive force is not used against participants. Political leaders, meanwhile, should call on their supporters – including those joining demonstrations – not to commit human rights abuses against others.

According to official figures, more than a third of registered voters (over 3.5 million) are aged between 18 and 30. Described by one human rights activist as the “post-Khmer Rouge baby boomers,” these young people were not around for the horrific Khmer Rouge period, and their childhood memories of the political violence of the 1990s are hazy. Threats of a return to the horrors of the Khmer Rouge or civil war just don’t resonate in the same way as they do for older generations.

Sombath Somphone, a well-known member of civil society in Laos, was stopped by traffic police on 15 December 2012 then taken away in a pick-up truck. Six months on, his fate and whereabouts remain unknown. This report provides information about Sombath’s work in Laos, and reviews the facts of his disappearance and the Lao authorities’ subsequent investigations. The report concludes with recommendations to the Lao government and the international community, with the aim of ensuring Sombath’s… Show more

Sombath Somphone, a well-known member of civil society in Laos, was stopped by traffic police on 15 December 2012 then taken away in a pick-up truck. Six months on, his fate and whereabouts remain unknown. This report provides information about Sombath’s work in Laos, and reviews the facts of his disappearance and the Lao authorities’ subsequent investigations. The report concludes with recommendations to the Lao government and the international community, with the aim of ensuring Sombath’s safe return to his family. Show less

Now it seems further analysis of the CCTV footage has revealed fresh details about just what happened on the evening of the 15th December 2012. They're contained in a report from Amnesty International called 'Caught on camera - the enforced disappearance of Sombath Somphone'.

Lawyer Cu Huy Ha Vu is protesting at what he claims has been his mistreatment at the hands of prison authorities in northern Thanh Hoa province.

Over two years ago, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that the Khmer Rouge Tribunal’s second trial (Case 002) would be its last. Since then, investigations in Cases 003 and 004 – which involve five individuals suspected of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes – have barely progressed. Mark Harmon, a seasoned prosecutor of war crimes at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, has recently been appointed as the… Show more

Over two years ago, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that the Khmer Rouge Tribunal’s second trial (Case 002) would be its last. Since then, investigations in Cases 003 and 004 – which involve five individuals suspected of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes – have barely progressed. Mark Harmon, a seasoned prosecutor of war crimes at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, has recently been appointed as the new International Co-Investigating Judge at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), as the UN-backed Tribunal is officially known. His arrival provides a window of opportunity for prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations in Cases 003 and 004. But should Judge Harmon be obstructed, as his predecessors were, it may not just be Cases 003 and 004 that are undermined. Rather, the entire Tribunal, and its role in strengthening the rule of law in Cambodia will be put at risk. Show less

We've seen an escalation in some of these forced evictions, a crackdown on those who are trying to defend themselves against these forced evictions and those supporting them - NGOs, human rights defenders, speaking up for these communities.

As world leaders gather in here in Cambodia’s capital for the summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations and the East Asia Summit, much of the attention is expected to be on Myanmar. But they should not overlook the continuing human rights challenges their host country faces. Cambodia continues to have a darker side, despite the sheen of progress

In May 2012, 13 women community representatives from Boeung Kak Lake in Phnom Penh were sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. Amnesty International considers them to be prisoners of conscience and human rights defenders, imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression. The women have been peacefully protesting for years for a final resolution for the community at Boeung Kak Lake, where thousands of people have been forcibly evicted from their homes… Show more

In May 2012, 13 women community representatives from Boeung Kak Lake in Phnom Penh were sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. Amnesty International considers them to be prisoners of conscience and human rights defenders, imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression. The women have been peacefully protesting for years for a final resolution for the community at Boeung Kak Lake, where thousands of people have been forcibly evicted from their homes since August 2008. This report gives an update on their struggle and ongoing concerns for the community. Show less

The Bavet shootings are the latest in a series of violent incidents in Cambodia, where increasing protests are being dispersed with potentially lethal force. Cambodia is suffering from a vicious cycle of failing justice, protests and violence, with the Cambodian government not meeting its obligation to respect and protect the human rights of the Cambodian people.

A serious clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers near the Preah Vihear temple on the northern Cambodian border in early April resulted in the Thai Army shelling and destroying a civilian market and homes adjacent to the temple

For NGOs working to improve the situation of human rights in Cambodia, last year’s milestone – as much as a cause for celebration – serves as an opportunity to take stock and consider how we can develop new approaches to maximise our contribution to Cambodia’s development and democratisation. Together with the ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression, recent and proposed legislation – including the planned NGO Law – threatens to impede NGOs by imposing worrying restrictions and shrinking the… Show more

For NGOs working to improve the situation of human rights in Cambodia, last year’s milestone – as much as a cause for celebration – serves as an opportunity to take stock and consider how we can develop new approaches to maximise our contribution to Cambodia’s development and democratisation. Together with the ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression, recent and proposed legislation – including the planned NGO Law – threatens to impede NGOs by imposing worrying restrictions and shrinking the space within which we work. Meanwhile, the global economic recession is impacting on the funds available to NGOs. In this context, the need for human rights NGOs to self-reflect and develop new approaches is all the more pressing. Show less

The time is right for the ECCC, relevant UN agencies, NGOs, the Cambodian judiciary and other justice sector stakeholders to work together with the RGC to plan and implement concrete policies and activities to ensure that this unique opportunity to secure a strong ECCC legacy is not wasted.

The purpose of this Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) short report (the “Report”) is to analyze the international legal implications of the recent events of 3 April 2009 (the “Recent Events”) at the Temple of Preah Vihear the (“Preah Vihear Temple”), Preah Vihear Province, in the Kingdom of Cambodia (“Cambodia”). The Recent Events saw the village known as Psar Cheung Prasat (Market at the Foot of the Mountain) (the “Village”) completely destroyed and the Preah Vihear Temple damaged by… Show more

The purpose of this Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) short report (the “Report”) is to analyze the international legal implications of the recent events of 3 April 2009 (the “Recent Events”) at the Temple of Preah Vihear the (“Preah Vihear Temple”), Preah Vihear Province, in the Kingdom of Cambodia (“Cambodia”). The Recent Events saw the village known as Psar Cheung Prasat (Market at the Foot of the Mountain) (the “Village”) completely destroyed and the Preah Vihear Temple damaged by the armed forces of the Kingdom of Thailand (“Thailand”). Show less