Practical steps to prevent torture and ill-treatment, especially through ratification of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture, were key topics of discussion at workshops held in Tokyo and Seoul.

An independent national human rights institution in Papua New Guinea is a step closer to being established, following a recent workshop to finalise the legal framework for the proposed body.

A major research project is examining whether human rights are more effectively advanced by ‘horizontal’ peer networks, such as the APF and its work with individual NHRIs.

With more refugees on the move but few Asian countries welcoming them, civil society groups from across the region have met to develop strategies to press for stronger refugee rights.

A UN-backed meeting in Korea has called for improved access to Internet and mobile phone technologies, among others, for the 400 million persons with disabilities living in the Asia Pacific region.

Climate change is contributing to more frequent and deadlier natural disasters and governments need to speed up efforts to mitigate their impact, says a senior UN representative.

The Commission’s Secretary has a history of taking on challenging roles and delivering positive results.