Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Introduction: National Human Rights Institutions in Southeast Asia: Challenges to the Protection of Human Rights

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover National Human Rights Institutions in Southeast Asia

  • 307 Accesses

Abstract

In this introductory chapter, the authors note the proliferation of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) around the world, including in Southeast Asia. This fact is well reflected in academic literature on NHRIs. This work focuses its analysis specifically on the region’s NHRIs in light of the contemporary context and focuses on their protection capacity, including quasi-judicial functions. They note a collective, normative call by contributors for NHRIs to purposively pursue their existing mandates and to pursue more vigorously quasi-judicial protection mandates.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Amitav A. 2004. How Ideas Spread: Whose Norms Matter? Norm Localization and Institutional Change in Asian Regionalism,” International Organization, Vol. 58, No. 2 (Spring), pp. 239–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • ANNI Report. 2010. ANNI Report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia. Bangkok: Forum Asia.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2011. ANNI Report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia. Bangkok: Forum Asia.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2012. ANNI Report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia. Bangkok: Forum Asia.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2013. ANNI Report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia. Bangkok: Forum Asia.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2014. ANNI Report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia. Bangkok: Forum Asia.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2015. ANNI Report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia. Bangkok: Forum Asia.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2016. ANNI Report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia. Bangkok: Forum Asia.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2017. ANNI Report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia. Bangkok: Forum Asia.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2018. ANNI Report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia. Bangkok: Forum Asia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aung Khaing Min and Kuan Joses. 2016. Human Rights Commission comes under fire over record. Myanmar Times, 03 February 2016. Available at: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/opinion/18786-human-rights-commission-comes-under-fire-over-record.html.

  • Ayeni, Victor, Reif, Linda, and Thomas, Hayden (eds.). 2000. Strengthening Ombudsman and Human Rights Institutions in Commonwealth Small and Island States: The Caribbean Experience. London: Commonwealth Secretariat with The International Ombudsman Institute, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brems, E., de Beco, G. and Vandenhole, W. (eds). 2013 National human rights institutions and economic, social and cultural rights. Cambridge: Intersentia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burdekin, B. 2007. National Human Rights Institutions in the Asia Pacific Region Volume 27 of Raoul Wallenberg Institute Human Rights Library, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardenas, S. 2003. Emerging Global Actors: the United Nations and National Human Rights Institutions. Global Governance, Vol. 9, No. 1, Jan.–Mar. 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2004 Adaptive states: the proliferation of National Human Rights institutions. Carr Center for Human Rights Policy Working Paper T-01-04. Available at: http://content.knowledgeplex.org/kp2/cache/kp/24.pdf.

  • ———. 2014. Chains of justice: the global rise of state institutions for human rights. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • De Beco, G. 2007. National Human Rights Institutions in Europe, Cellule de recherchĂ© interdisciplinaire en droits de l’homme, UniversitĂ© catholique de Louvain, FacultĂ© de droit, CRIDHO Working Paper 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Beco, G. and Murray, R. 2015 A commentary on the Paris Principles on national human rights institutions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eldridge, P. 2002. Emerging Roles of National Human Rights Institutions in Southeast Asia. Pacific Review: Peace, Security & Global Change, Vol. 14, No. 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, C. 2004. Human Rights Commissions and Religious Conflict in the Asia-Pacific Region. International and Comparative Law Quarterly, Vol. 53, July 2004, pp. 713–729.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forum Asia. 2015. The Future of Human Rights in ASEAN Public Call for Independence and Protection Mandates, A Report on the Performance of the ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism in 2014. Bangkok: Forum Asia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gomez, G. and Ramcharan, R. 2012. The Protection of Human Rights in Southeast Asia: Improving the Effectiveness of Civil Society Advocacy. Asia-Pacific Journal on Human Rights and the Law, Vol. 2, pp. 27–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2017 The Universal Periodic Review of Southeast Asia: Civil Society Perspectives. Palgrave.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, R. et al. (ed.) 2012. Human rights, state compliance, and social change: assessing national human rights institutions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hossain, K. 2000. Human Rights Commissions and Ombudsman Offices: National Experiences Throughout the World. Martinus Nijhoff.

    Google Scholar 

  • Human Rights Watch (HRW). 2008. Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission. February. Vol. 20, No. 1B.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Council on Human Rights Policy (ICHRP). 2000. Performance & Legitimacy: National Human Rights Institutions. ICHRP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koo, J.-W. and Ramirez, F. 2009. National Incorporation of Global Human Rights: Worldwide Expansion of National Human Rights Institutions, 1966–2004, Social Forces, Vol. 87, No 3, March 2009, pp. 1321–1354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsnaes, B. and Lindholt, L. 2000. National Human Rights Institutions – Standard setting and achievements,” in Lindsnaes et al., National Human Rights Institutions, Articles and Papers. Ed. Birgit Lindsnaes, et al., Copenhagen, Danish Human Rights Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mertus, J. 2009. Human rights matters: local politics and national human rights institutions. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morada, Noel. 2019. ASEAN and Human Protection in Myanmar: From Non-Interference to Non-Indifference? forthcoming. In Regionalism and Human Protection, Charles T. Hunt, Noel M. Morada (Eds.), pp. 98–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, R. 2007. The Role of National Human Rights Institutions at the International and Regional Levels: The Experience of Africa/Place. London: Hart, 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nasu, H. and Saul, B. (eds.) 2011. Human rights in the Asia-Pacific region: towards institution building. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • New Straits Times. 2018. Malaysia to have its own Ombudsman, replacing Public Complaints Bureau, 21 September 2018. Available at: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/09/413601/malaysia-have-its-own-ombudsman-replacing-public-complaints-bureau.

  • Peterson, C.J. 2004. The Paris Principles and Human Rights Institutions: Is Hong Kong Slipping Further Away From the Mark?, Hong Kong Law Journal, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 513–522.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramcharan, B. (ed.) 2005. The Protection Roles of National Human Rights Institutions. The Hague, Martinus Nijhoff, 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reif, L. 2000. Building Democratic Institutions: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions in Good Governance and Human Rights Protection. The Harvard Human Rights Journal Spring, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 1–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Renshaw, C. 2011. Testing the Mettle of National Human Rights Institutions: A Case Study of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia. Asian Journal of International Law, 1, pp. 165–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seong, H. (Marcellino). 2005. National human rights institutions in East Asia: impact of international cooperation on the effectiveness of national human rights institutions. Genève: Institut universitaire de hautes Ă©tudes internationales, 2005 DiplĂ´me d’études approfondies en relations internationales/IUHEI [265]. Mention Science politique.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokke, H. 2007. Taking the Paris Principles to Asia: A Study of Three Human Rights Commissions in Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Chr. Michelsen Institute, 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations. 2004. Effective Functioning of Human Rights Mechanisms: National Institutions and Regional Arrangements. National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. Report of the Secretary General. 28 January. E/CN.4/2004/101.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2011. National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights: Report of the Secretary General. A/HRC/16/76.

    Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2013. National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Human Rights Council. A/HRC23/L.15. 7 June 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wouters, J. 2013. National human rights institutions in Europe / [et al.] (eds.) Cambridge: Intersentia.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Asia Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

    James Gomez & Robin Ramcharan

Authors
  1. James Gomez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robin Ramcharan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to James Gomez .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. 128/183 Phayathai Plaza Building, Asia Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

    James Gomez

  2. 128/183 Phayathai Plaza Building, Asia Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

    Robin Ramcharan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Asia Centre

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Gomez, J., Ramcharan, R. (2020). Introduction: National Human Rights Institutions in Southeast Asia: Challenges to the Protection of Human Rights. In: Gomez, J., Ramcharan, R. (eds) National Human Rights Institutions in Southeast Asia. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1074-8_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation