Amnesty International (AI) welcomes the declaration of the ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS CHARTER - A People’s Charter, saying the document reflects the growing strength and determination of the human rights movement in the Asia-Pacific region and the contribution it can make to the international debate on human rights.

In a public statement issued by AI’s International Secretariat on 15 May 1998, the human rights watchdog also notes that the Charter need to be strengthened in aspects like including an unreserved call for the abolition of death penalty. (Ed. note: The full text of AI’s statement will be published in the next issue of Human Rights SOLIDARITY.)