https://forum-asia.org/din2324/
Across Asia, the civic space continues to shrink as governments deploy increasingly repressive tactics to silence dissent and criminalize human rights defenders (HRDs). From judicial harassment and transnational repression to digital censorship and violent crackdowns, HRDs have faced mounting risks to their lives, liberties, and livelihoods. Defending in Numbers 2023 to 2024 sheds light on this troubling landscape, documenting 1,577 cases of harassment across 23 countries. Despite the challenges, defenders, especially those from marginalized communities, remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice, dignity, and accountability.
Now in its sixth edition, this biennial report by FORUM-ASIA offers both data-driven insights and human-centered narratives of courage and resistance. Built on contributions from partners in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, and anchored by the Asian HRDs Portal, the publication maps out the most common violations, the perpetrators behind them, and the wide spectrum of defenders targeted, including environmental activists, WHRDs, students, and pro-democracy advocates. This year’s edition also features an expanded analysis of national contexts and emblematic case studies to deepen understanding and inform action.
In a time marked by authoritarian resurgence, digital surveillance, and impunity, Defending in Numbers is more than a report. It is a call to action that urges the international community, policymakers, and civil society to stand with HRDs and protect the spaces that allow them to thrive. Above all, it celebrates the unbroken voices of those who continue to speak truth to power, even when doing so comes at great personal cost.
