Basil Fernando: A curriculum vitae (CV)

A curriculum vitae (CV)

WATTALA PEDIGE JOSPEH BASIL FERNANDO
Sri Lanka Passport Holder and a permanent resident of Hong Kong with HKIC # K978860(3)

Curriculum Vitae

Contact details:
(Work)
Asian Human Rights Commission
Unit 701A, Westley Square
48 Hoi Yuen Road
Kwun Tong, KLN
Hong Kong, China

Tel: (852) 2698 6339
Email: basil.fernando@ahrchk.org

(Home)
25 G/F
Tai Wai New Village
Shatin, N.T.
Hong Kong.
Tel: (852) 2696 9130
Born on 14 October 1944 in Sri Lanka, he has been active in human rights and social action issues continuously from his youth years.
He graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of Ceylon, Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1972 and then taught English to second language students at the University of Sri Jayawardanapura, Sri Lanka, for eight years.
He practiced law from 1980 to 1989 at the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka with an emphasis in Criminal Law, Employment Law and Human Rights Law.
He was an Appeals Counsel for Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong, for a project sponsored by the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) from 1989 to 1992.
From 1992 to 1993, he was a Senior United Nations Human Rights Officer-In Charge of the Investigation Unit in Cambodia under the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). Grade P 5 (2)
He was the Officer In Charge and the Chief of the Legal Assistance at the Cambodia Office of United Nations Center for Human Rights from 1993 to 1994. Grade P5 (3)
He has been the Executive Director of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) from 1994 up to the present.
He is the author of several books on Human Rights related issues and legal reform issues and he is the Chief Editor Human Rights SOLIDARITY, a monthly magazine and article 2 published by the Asian Legal Resource Centre.
Mr. Fernando has conducted numerous workshops and consultations on Reconciliation issues as well as on diverse aspects of Human Rights and Legal Reform.
He initiated the Judicial Assistance programme for Cambodia and the Religion and Human Rights Programme of the Asian Human Rights Commission.
Mr. Fernando is also the author of several books of poems and short stories, which focus on general human rights issues.
He was awarded the 2nd Kwangju Prize for Human Rights in 2001 in Kwangju, South Korea.
He was selected as a Senior Global Ashoka Fellow by the Ashoka Fellowship based in the United States in 2005.

Books

The Right to Speak Loudly – Essays on law and human rights - published in March 2004 by the Asian Legal Resource Centre. 125 pages - ISBN 962-8161-0509.
Demoralization and Hope, (to be published in May 2000), by the Asian Human Rights Commission, ISBN - 962-8314-08-4. The book is a comparative study of the ideas of N. F. S. Grundtvig (1783 -1872) Denmark and B. R. Ambedkar (1881-1956) India on social foundations for sustainable democracies.
Problems Facing the Cambodian Legal System, Published in July 1998 by the Asian Human Rights Commission, 160 pages, ISBN - 962-8314-03-3; the book argues that the socialist system of justice still exists in Cambodia despite many attempts to reform.
POWER vs. CONSCIENCE - The Excommunication of Fr. Tissa Balasuriya, published in May, 1997, by the Asian Human Rights Commission, 142 pages, ISBN - 962-8161-04-0. The book studies the introduction and development of Vatican II teachings in Sri Lanka and the division of the Catholic Church that has occurred as a result. The book further studies religious power from the point of view of human rights and democracy.
The Inability to Prosecute: Courts and Human Rights in Cambodia and Sri Lanka, published in 1993 by Future Asia Link, Hong Kong; the book discussed judicial systems which are controlled and directed by legislature of the executive and emphasize on separation of power. It also discuss human rights questions arising from defects in judicial systems especially in Cambodia and Sri Lanka.
Asian Refugees - A Search For Solutions, published in October 1991 by Christian Conference of Asia, Hong Kong, 51 pages. The book discuss explanation of the community concern for refugees, situation of Burmese refugees in Thailand, refugee options, reparations, Asian responses to refugee problem and human rights of refugees.
Sri Lanka: Militarization vs. Modernization, published in 1991 by Asia Monitor Resource Centre, Hong Kong, ISBN - 962-7145-13-X and ISSN-0258-0268, pages 101; the book discusses extensively about militarization in the context of modernization in Sri Lanka and its effects on human rights. The book has correctly predicted deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka to come if no remedies are to be taken.
Crime and Justice; A Critique of the Recommendations by the Committee on Reform of the Criminal Justice System in India-2003-published By Jananeethi, Thrissur, Kerala ,India
Manava Himicun Pahana - A book written in the Sinhala language – 151 pages – ISBN 978-955-1468-06-4. It was published by People against Torture in Sri Lanka. Printed and distributed by Raveya Publishers. This book consists on a series of articles dealing particularly with the cultural problems relating to the protection and promotion of human rights in the Sri Lankan context. It particularly highlights the impact of the caste system in Sri Lanka particularly since the 10th century. This study is related to the global campaign against caste discrimination.
Another book in the Sinhala language on the court system of Sri Lanka in relation to legal redress on human rights issues is with the printers. This book compares the human rights protection mechanisms within the Hong Kong criminal justice system with those in Sri Lanka.
Also
An editor of Human Rights SOLIDARITY, monthly magazine, which is the only regular human rights publication in Asia, published by the Asian Human Rights Commission.
An Editor of Bimonthly magazine Article-2 (ICCPR) published by the Asian Legal Resource Centre
The Village at the Mouth of the River, by Le Roy Robinson, published in 1994 by English Writers' Cooperative of Sri Lanka, ISBN 955-95718--X, pages 138. This book is like a partial biography of Basil Fernando based on interviews conducted by the author.
Books edited
An X-ray of the Sri Lankan policing system & Torture of the poor. – Published by the Asian Human Rights Commission in September 2005 – 321 pages - ISBN 962-8314-25-4. This book is a collection of writings on the policing system in Sri Lanka. Edited with Shyamali Puvimanasinghe.
The Other Lanka – a collection of writings from 2005. Published by the Asian Human Rights Commission. 184 pages – ISBN 10: 962-8314-29-7 ISBN 13: 978-962-8314-29-4

Chapters in Books;

Police and Human Rights In Asia; In Human Rights and The Police in Transition Countries Edited by the Danish Centre for Human Rights; Published by Kluwer Law International. 2003 IBSN 90 411 1781 4
Examination of Caste Discrimination in India; In Discrimination and Toleration- New Perspective Edited by Kirsten and George Ulrick Published by Martinus Nijhoff Publishers 2002 Kluwer Law Institute-IBSN 90-411-1711-3
Harmonizing Cultural Values and Human Rights; Sri Lanka Experience; In Human Rights In Asian Cultures-Continuity and Change- Edited and published by Hurights-Osaka-Japan; IBSN 81-7525-057-7
Torture In Asia; In Papers for the International Symposium on Human Rights Protection and Anti- Torture in 21 Century published by Institute of Law of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Danish Institute of Human Rights-2001
The Role of NGOs in policy making; campaigns against torture as an illustration. Published by the Danish Institute for Human Rights in 2004.

Studies for publication in the near future

A Baseline Study in collaboration with Redress Trust, London in an initiative supported by the EU.
A series of essays on policing in Asia as a key issue in promoting and protecting human rights.

Some important Papers

Threatened Rights in ASEAN Countries, a paper presented at a a conference held by University Sains Malaysia in Penang, Malaysia in 1998.
The Advantages of Introducing Human Rights Education into School Curriculum, a paper presented at the Human Rights Training Programme for School Principals and Staff, 7 - 9 September, 1996, Bangalore, India.
Teaching of Human Rights in Cambodia (1992 - 96) - AN OVERVIEW, a paper prepared on human rights training
Regional Activities Related to Local Realities in the Context of Internal Contradictions within the Global Human Rights Framework, a paper presented at Human Rights Experts' Meeting organized by Human Rights Information and Documentation Center (Hu-Rights) Osaka, Osaka, Japan, in July, 1995.
Problems Related to Human Rights Education with Special Emphasis on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, a paper presented at a Workshop on Tasks for the United Nations Decade for Human Rights in the Asia Pacific Region - Sydney 22-25 August 1996
National Security Laws as Social Encephalitis in Asian Societies, a paper presented at the International Conference on National Security Laws in the Asia-Pacific, 22 - 24 November, 1995, Seoul, Korea
Kwangju: A Model for Genuine Democracy, a paper prepared at an international conference on Building Kwangju as International City of Human Rights in the 21st Century, on 11 June 1999, Kwangju, South Korea
Human Rights and Globalisation, a paper presented on a North-South Conference on Globalization held in Hong Kong in 1998
Human Rights and Asian Values, a paper presented at International Conference on Human Rights & Values in East Asia organised by the Fujien Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan, 1998
Human Rights - Emerging Trends in the Region, a paper presented at a conference organised by Jesuit Conference of East Asia in Bangkok in November 1994
Growing Human Consciousness and Human Rights Discourse in Asia, a paper presented at the New Zealand-Asia Policy Consultation on Human Rights, Sovereignty and Migration, organized by the University of Auckland, July 1998.
Engagement of Civil Society in APEC Process - Human Rights as an Agenda for APEC, a paper presented at the International Conference in the Engagement of Civil Society within the APEC Process, organised by University of Penang, Malaysia, in 1998
1997 Transition and The Place Of Hong Kong in the Asian Debate on Democracy and Human Rights, a paper presented at an International Conference on Human Rights Situation in Hong Kong, held in July 1997.
Return To Liberal Democracy ; A Precondition for Ending Sri Lanka’s Civil War- Article-Vol.1.No.1-2002 February
Behold the Throne of Anarchy; The Constitution of Sri Lanka and Failure of Law Enforcement Agencies- Article-Vol.1.No.1-2002 February
Towards 50 Years of Human Rights Implementation - Article-Vol.1.No.2-2002 April
Contemporary Problems in Administration of Justice In India- Article-Vol.1.No.2-2002 April
Trying to Understand the Police Crisis in Sri Lanka- Article-Vol.1.No.4-2002 August
The International Criminal Court and Its Effect on Asia- Vol.2.No.1-2003 February
Studies on all aspects relating to the prevention of torture in Sri Lanka – a paper submitted to the Rehabilitation of torture victims (RCT) Denmark in May 2007
Sri Lanka: What police reform initiatives are possible within a dysfunctional system? – a paper presented to a workshop organized by the Commonwealth Initiative in New Delhi, India in March 2007.

Articles to newspapers and on-line publications

Hundreds of articles written by the author have been published in many newspapers in several Asian countries and also in several on-line publications.
He writes a weekly column for UPI Asia On-line on human rights issues in Asian countries.

Seminars, workshops and training programs conducted

Year 1995
South Asia: South Asian Consultation on the Draft Asian Human Rights Charter, 14-17 January, 1995, Subodhi - Institute for Integral Studies, Piliyandala, Sri Lanka.
India: Indian Consultation on the Draft Asian Human Rights Charter, April, 1995, Bangalore, India.
Southeast Asia: Southeast Asian Consultation on the Draft Asian Human Rights Charter, 8 - 11 August, 1995, Catholic Institute for Religion and Society (CIRS), Kowloon, Hong Kong
Cambodia: Investigation and Monitoring of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - A Training Programme, September, 1995, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Asia: Eradication of Poverty is a Basic Human Rights Issue – Workshop, 24 - 28, October, 1995, Watersmeet Centre, Mutuwal, Sri Lanka

Year 1996
Sri Lanka: Human Rights Related Judicial Reforms in Sri Lanka – Workshop, 6 - 8 January, 1996, Ecumenical Christian Centre (ECC), Bangalore, India
East Asia: East Asian Consultation on the Draft Asian Human Rights Charter, January 1996, Catholic Institute for Religion and Society (CIRS), Kowloon, Hong Kong
Dialogue of Religions on Human Rights – Workshop, April 1996, Catholic Institute for Religion and Society (CIRS), Kowloon, Hong Kong
The Preliminary Meeting on National Human Rights Commissions/Mechanisms in Asia, April, 1996, Catholic Institute for Religion and Society (CIRS), Kowloon, Hong Kong
Human Right to Housing – Workshop, May 1996, Catholic Institute for Religion and Society (CIRS), Kowloon, Hong Kong
Redrafting Meeting of the Asian Human Rights Charter, May 1996, Catholic Institute for Religion and Society (CIRS), Kowloon, Hong Kong

Year 1997
China: 1st Training Workshop on Due Process Issues for Judges and Lawyers from China, 3-7 March 1997, Bangkok, Thailand
Sri Lanka: Seminar on Provisions in the Draft Constitution and the Independence of Judiciary, 10-11 May 1997, Colombo, Sri Lanka
China: 2nd Training Workshop on Due Process Issues for Judges and Lawyers from China, 17-23 May 1997, Bangkok, Thailand
Journalists Training Workshop on Democracy and Human Rights, 9-16 August 1997, Bangkok, Thailand
Philippines: Human Rights and Spirituality 2nd Workshop, 17-22 October 1997, Baguio, The Philippines
Philippines: Human Rights and Spirituality 3rd Workshop, 25-29 November 1997, Tagaytay, The Philippines
Cambodia: Brainstorming Session on Human Rights Strategies in Cambodia, 16-19 December 1997, YWCA Kowloon, Hong Kong

Year 1998
China: 3rd Training Workshop on Due Process Issues for Judges and Lawyers from China, 7-17 January 1998, Bangkok, Thailand
Cambodia: Consultation on Urgent Actions for Cambodia, 2-3 February 1998, Thailand
Sri Lanka: Seminar on Right to Information, 16-22 February 1998, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Cambodia: Seminar to Prepare Recommendations for Judicial Reforms in Cambodia, 13-20 March 1998, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
International Conference to Commemorate Kwangju Uprising and to Declare Asian Human Rights Charter - A People's Charter, (Jointly organised with Kwangju Citizens Solidarity (KCS)), 14-18 May 1998, Kwangju, South Korea
Sri Lanka: Seminar on Legal Reforms Relating to Workers’ Rights, 30 July-3 August 1998, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Cambodia: 1st Seminar on Democratisation & Human Rights, 17-28 November 1998, Shatin, Hong Kong
Philippines: Seminar on the Needed for Human Rights Related Reforms, 17-20 December 1998, Manila, Philippines

Year 1999
Cambodia: 2nd Seminar on Democratization and Human Rights: Police Reform’s 5-9 January 1999, LTS, Shatin, Hong Kong
Cambodia: 3rd Seminar on Democratization and Human Rights: Rule of Law, 22-28 March 1999, LTS, Shatin, Hong Kong
Sri Lanka: Workshop on Human Rights and Police Reforms, 7-10 April 1999, Bangalore, India
Burma: People’s Tribunal on Food Scarcity and Militarization in Burma-Tribunal Hearings, 11 April 1999, Bangkok, Thailand
China: 4th Training Workshop on Due Process Issues for Judges and Lawyers from China, 23-29 May 1999, Bangkok, Thailand
Consultation on Human Rights Urgent Appeals in Asia, 30 August-3 September 1999, YMCA, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Cambodia: Workshop on Lawyers' Training for Human Rights, 1-6 September 1999, Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Cambodia: Workshop on Democratization and Human Rights, 6-11 September 1999, Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Cambodia: Workshop on Democratization and Human Rights, 11-17 September 1999, Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Asian Seminar on Fair Trial, 6-12 November 1999, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Year 2000
Regional Workshop on UN Convention Against Torture, Bangalore, India, 20–25 February 2000
People’s Tribunal on Food Scarcity and Militarization in Burma – Follow-up/Strategy Meeting [with Burma Issues], Bangkok, Thailand, 28–29 February 2000
5th Asian Consultation on Due Process Issues [China], Bangkok, Thailand, 7–17 July 2000
10th Consultation on Due Process Rights in Cambodia [with CDP], Sihanoukville, Cambodia, 14–17 August 2000
Seminar on “Using Technology for Human Rights Advocacy” for the Conference of East Asian Educators, Hong Kong, August 2000
Workshop on UN Convention Against Torture, Bangkok, Thailand, 5–10 November 2000
Launching of Chinese Version of the Asian Human Rights Charter, Central, Hong Kong SAR, 8 December 2000
Human Rights, Child Justice and Judicial Reforms, Manila, The Philippines, 1-4 February 2000
International Workshop on “Rebuilding Global Justice in the 21st Century, Undoing Past Injustices within Social & Ethnical Orientation”, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 3–7 April 2000
National Workshop on UN Convention Against Torture, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 30 April–1 May 2000
Human Rights Education on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Hanoi, Vietnam, 22–24 June 2000
The Role of NGOs in the Investigative Function of the Human Rights Commission [of Malaysia], Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 27–30 July 2000
National Workshop on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 3–5 August 2000
Consultation on Advocacy on Justice & Peace, Pattaya, Thailand, 28 August–1 September 2000
Human Rights Training Seminar for Staff Members of the National Human Rights Commission of the Philippines, Manila, The Philippines, 2–6 October 2000

Year 2001
East Timor Human Rights Training of Trainers Programme (Co-organized with the Freedom House), Dili, East Timor, 6-21 January 2001
Workshop on Buddhism and Human Rights [Co-Organized with Khmer Institute for Democracy - KID], Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 27-30 January 2001
Cambodian Prosecutors’ Training Programme [Co-Organized with Cambodian Defenders’ Project - CDP], Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 19-20 February 2001
Human Rights Correspondence School Consultation (Co-organized with the Fokupers, Cannosian Sisters and Yayasan Hak in East Timor), Dili, East Timor, 2-7 April 2001
Training Programme in Forensic Medicine for Medical Officers in Cambodia, Cambodia, 14-26 May 2001
East Timor Judicial Training Programme (Co-organised with the Bar Association of Hong Kong and Hotung Foundation), Dili, East Timor, 7-11 June 2001
East Asia Workshop on International Criminal Court (Co-organised with the Forum Asia and Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor), Hong Kong, 11-14 August 2001
Inauguration of Monument for Universal Declaration of Human Rights [Co-organized with the Church of Ceylon, Colombo Diocese & Ecumenical Institute for Dialogue], Colombo, Sri Lanka, 10 December 2001
Review of the Progress in Justice System, [Co-organized with the Cambodian Defenders’ Project - CDP], Cambodia, 19 - 21 December 2001

Year 2002
Asian Conference of Tibet Support Groups, New Delhi, India, 7-8 February 2002
Human Rights Workshop on Police Reforms in Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 22-26 February 2002
1st Workshop on Torture for NGOs and Church Workers, Jakarta, Indonesia, 19 21 March 2002
The 2nd Human Rights Correspondence School Asian Human Rights Training Programme, Hong Kong, 21-27 April 2002
Human Rights Workshop on Torture for Buddhist Clergy, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 12-24 May 2002
Human Rights Workshop for Christian Clergy, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 12-24 May 2002
Human Rights Workshop for Human Rights Activists, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 12-24 May 2002
Workshop on Torture for People Against Torture (PAT), Colombo, Sri Lanka, 12-24 May 2002
Conference on Freedom of Information Law, Bangkok, Thailand, 23-27 May 2002
2nd Tibetan Human Rights Training Workshop, Dharmasala, India, 11-17 August 2002
Democracy and Security of the People-Regional NGO Workshop [jointly with SUARAM and Forum Asia], Bangkok, Thailand, 22-26 August 2002
2nd Workshop on Torture for NGOs, Jakarta, Indonesia, 7-10 October 2002
Workshop on Torture for NGOs and Church Workers, Calcutta, India, 15-20 November 2002
The 7th Consultation on Due Process Issues, Bangkok, Thailand, 2-6 December 2002

Other Special Inputs at International Conferences

Human Rights Day Hearing at Danish Parliament, organised by Danish daily, The Politiken 10 December 1998, Copenhagen, Denmark
The 65th Council and General Conference of International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), organised by IFLA, 20-28 August 1999, Bangkok, Thailand
International Council of Social Welfare (ICSW) Asia Pacific Regional Conference organised by ICSW, 14-17 September 1999, Sydney, Australia
Police reform in South Asia – a workshop facilitated by the Commonwealth human rights initiative – 23-24 March 2007 – New Delhi, India