Government and civil society groups from across the region have contributed their views on the effectiveness of human rights protection systems in the Asia Pacific, as part of an Australian Government inquiry.

The inauguration of an ASEAN human rights body is expected to take place in October this year, an official from Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told a recent forum of the region’s four national human rights institutions.

Recently-appointed members of the Philippines Commission on Human Rights have had an opportunity to discuss and reflect on their unique roles within a national human rights institution.

Officials from Pacific countries have shared experiences and ideas for participating in the UN Human Rights Council’s new Universal Periodic Review process.

A delegation of 20 officials from the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights visited Australia earlier this month to see first-hand how different countries meet their human rights obligations.

The brutal murder of Uma Singh has had a chilling effect on press freedom in Nepal, with some journalists leaving the field and others turning away from investigative reporting.

“I want to fight for the women of Nepal and I want them to know their rights," says the woman responsible for monitoring and coordinating efforts to counter trafficking.