[JURIST] Human rights [JURIST news archive] abuses have worsened in countries around Asia due to authoritarian developments in "malfunctioning" democracies, according to a report [PDF; press release] by the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) [advocacy website] released Thursday. AHRC attributed failing legal systems to corruption and inadequate criminal justice systems, resulting in discontent among citizens. The report also expressed concern over continued extra-judicial killings, disappearances and torture throughout Asia.

The human rights report spanned eleven countries: Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It expressly singled out Nepal for its overthrow [JURIST news archive] of King Gyanendra [BBC profile], the bloodless coup [JURIST report] in Thailand that restored the military to power, extra-judicial killings in the Philippines [JURIST news archive], and the ongoing violence in Sri Lanka [JURIST news archive]. AFP has more.