HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS AND RELIGIOUS CONFLICT IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION

2004 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 713-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Evans
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Asia Pacific Region ◽  
Significant Development ◽  
Human Rights Abuses ◽  
National Human ◽  
Protection Of Human Rights ◽  
National Human Rights Institutions ◽  
National Human Rights Commissions

The last decade has seen the rise of a potentially significant development in the Asia-Pacific region in regard to human rights—the establishment of National Human Rights Institutions (particularly Human Rights Commissions) in numerous States.2 National Human Rights Commissions (hereafter NHRC) established in compliance with United Nations standards have been established in Australia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.3 In many of these States, however, human rights abuses are still widespread and serious. The establishment of NHRC, which generally do not have the power to make enforceable decisions, could easily be derided as an attempt by governments to create a fac.ade of respect for human rights while failing to take the enforcement of those rights seriously.4 While this criticism has a degree of validity, NHRC have played a constructive, if limited role, in the promotion and protection of human rights in the Asia-Pacific region.

scholarly journals Rachel Murray, The Role of National Human Rights Institutions at the International and Regional Levels: The Experience of Africa; Brian Burdekin, assisted by Jason Naum, National Human Rights Institutions in the Asia-Pacific Region, The Raoul Wallenberg Institute Human Rights Library

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
Linda C. Reif
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Pacific Region ◽  
Asia Pacific Region ◽  
National Human ◽  
Protection Of Human Rights ◽  
National Human Rights Institutions

National Human Rights i nstitutions [NHRIs] are created by “a Government under the constitution, or by law or decree, the functions of which are specifically designed in terms of the promotion and protection of human rights.” Human rights commissions, ombudsman i nstitutions, hybrid single-office holder human rights ombudsman/commissioners, and specialized i nstitutions such as the children’s ombudsman are types of NHRIs.

Making Human Rights a Reality

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilie M. Hafner-Burton
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
International Law ◽  
World Population ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Legal Norms ◽  
Human Rights Protection ◽  
National Human ◽  
The World ◽  
Protection Of Human Rights ◽  
National Human Rights Institutions

In the last six decades, one of the most striking developments in international law is the emergence of a massive body of legal norms and procedures aimed at protecting human rights. In many countries, though, there is little relationship between international law and the actual protection of human rights on the ground. This book takes a fresh look at why it's been so hard for international law to have much impact in parts of the world where human rights are most at risk. The book argues that more progress is possible if human rights promoters work strategically with the group of states that have dedicated resources to human rights protection. These human rights “stewards” can focus their resources on places where the tangible benefits to human rights are greatest. Success will require setting priorities as well as engaging local stakeholders such as nongovernmental organizations and national human rights institutions. To date, promoters of international human rights law have relied too heavily on setting universal goals and procedures and not enough on assessing what actually works and setting priorities. This book illustrates how, with a different strategy, human rights stewards can make international law more effective and also safeguard human rights for more of the world population.

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