United Nations
Statements
61st Human Rights Council
Item No.3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Enjoyment of a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment
On 6 March 2025, LAWASIA President TL Yap, presented an oral statement as part of Item No 3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Enjoyment of a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable during the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The Law Association of Asia and the Pacific (LAWASIA) states that recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment in Resolution 48/131 must translate into enforceable action.
Read full statement here.
61st Human Rights Council
Item No.3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Children
On 9 March 2025, LAWASIA President TL Yap, presented an oral statement as part of Item No 3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Children during the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The Law Association for Asia and the Pacific (LAWASIA) expresses grave concern at the systemic and escalating Violence Against Children (VAC) globally, specifically, in the Asia-Pacific region. Reports of grave violations in armed conflict, including Myanmar and other regions affected by airstrikes across the Middle East, continue to surface with alarming regularity.
Read full statement here.
59th Human Rights Council
Item No. 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers
On 26 June 2025, LAWASIA President Shyam Divan presented an oral joint statement with the Law Council of Australia as part of Item No 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers during the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
On 14 May 2025, the Maldivian Parliament voted to impeach two Justices of the Supreme Court of the Maldives, despite reports of serious procedural concerns and allegations that the disciplinary proceedings against the Justices had not been conducted fairly.
The Law Association of Asia and the Pacific (LAWASIA) and the Law Council of Australia express grave concern over the suspension and subsequent summary dismissal of justices of the Supreme Court of the Maldives without adherence to a credible, fair, and impartial process.
Read full statement here.
Read LAWASIA Quadrennial report 2021-2024 here
58th Human Rights Council
LAWASIA - LCA Statement on Myanmar | Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar
On 19 March 2025, LAWASIA President Shyam Divan presented an oral joint statement as part of Item No. 4: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar during the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
In this statement, LAWASIA along with the Law Council of Australia expressed deep concern over the Myanmar military’s systematic human rights violations. These include indiscriminate attacks, forced conscription (including children), torture, sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings, particularly targeting ethnic and religious minorities like the Rohingya.
The organisations strongly condemned the junta’s plan to hold an ‘election’ in 2025, citing widespread repression — including bans on opposition parties, detained politicians, restricted freedoms, and laws criminalizing dissent.
Read full statement here.