Having trouble reading this newsletter? Click here to view it in your browser.

Asia Pacific Forum - Advancing Human Rights in our Region APF Bulletin
July 2008




Welcome to the monthly newsletter of the APF, a round up of news, activities and events involving national human rights institutions in the Asia Pacific.
APF News
Human rights and corporate accountability heads agenda for APF 13

The power of the world's 78,000 transnational corporations to influence human rights for good and ill will be one of a number of key discussion topics at the APF's 13th Annual Meeting, to be held next week in Kuala Lumpur.

read more
Philippines, New Zealand launch joint human rights project

The national human rights commissions of the Philippines and New Zealand have launched a three-year project which aims to strengthen three marginalised indigenous communities in the Philippines. 

read more
APF training programs span the region

Three major training programs, involving around 80 representatives from ten APF member institutions, were delivered by the APF and its partner organisations during the last month.

read more
Human Rights Spotlight
 World public rejects torture

A new poll has found that 14 out of 19 nations favour a clear stand against torture, even in the case of terrorists who have information that could save innocent lives.

read more
APF People
Mohamed Fouad, National Human Rights Committee of Qatar

The Legal Adviser for Qatar's National Human Rights Committee brings to his diverse role a wide-ranging background in human rights and the law.

read more
Around the Region
Afghanistan: Top UN official highlights plight of children read 'ASEAN commits to human rights body'
Indonesia: Govt yet to honour some basic rights, says NHRC read 'Engaging with the UN: Korea hosts seminar for national institutions'
Palestine: Witnesses tell of worsening conditions read 'Malaysian team visits Australia and NZ'
Philippines: CHR probes Australian mining firm read 'Improve law enforcement to check crimes against women'
Australia: Govt ratifies UN Disability Convention read 'Improve law enforcement to check crimes against women'
Bahrain: Five point human rights action plan signed with UN  read 'Improve law enforcement to
check crimes against women'
Mongolia: NHRC calls on police to respect rights of detainees read 'Improve law enforcement to check crimes against women'
Events & Training
UN Treaty Monitoring Bodies: Training course 
Run by the International Service for Human Rights; 3-14 Nov 2008; Geneva, Switzerland »
Human Rights Fieldwork: Principles, Strategies and Skills
Training course run by International Human Rights Network; 26 Oct-2 Nov 2008; Maynooth, Ireland »
The Equal Status and Human Rights of Women in South East Asia
RWI training course; 10-21 Nov 2008; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; apply by 5 September »
Human Rights and People's Diplomacy Program for Human Rights Defenders
Run by the Diplomacy Training Program; 24 Nov -12 Dec 2008; Sydney & Canberra, Australia; apply by 5 September »
Resources
ICC 20th Session:  Conference papers
Presentations and papers from the latest meeting, held 14-18 April 2008 »
The Right to Health: UN Fact Sheet 
Published by OHCHR and WHO; fact sheets on the right to food and housing to follow »
Rape in War: UN Security Council Resolution
Historic UN resolution recognises sexual violence as a war crime that can be punished »
2008 Global Corruption Report
Transparency International report focuses on corruption in the water sector »
Opportunities
NHRI Fellowship, Harvard Law School
12 month appointment; based in Cambridge, MA, United States; apply by 8 August 2008 »
Development Programme Manager, Human Rights and Protection, NZAID
Based in Wellington, New Zealand; apply by  4 August 2008 »
Human Rights Officer, P-4, OHCHR
BHuman Rights Treaties Branch; based in Geneva; apply by 26 August 2008 »
Integrity Awards 2008
Recognises individuals and organisations tackling corruption; nominations close 31 August 2008 »


Unsubscribe from this newsletter