Leading international human rights experts, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion, will be among the featured speakers at the APF’s 14th Annual Meeting, to be held in Jordan from 3 – 6 August.

The human rights body – to be inaugurated in October – will initially focus on human rights promotion, drawing criticism that it lacks effective provisions to protect ASEAN's 500 million citizens.

A law to re-activate Bangladesh’s National Human Rights Commission, including amendments that strengthen the watchdog’s role, was passed earlier this month.

The United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict recently completed two rounds of public hearings, hearing harrowing stories from people directly affected by the fighting.

The High Court in New Delhi issued a landmark ruling earlier this month to decriminalise gay sex between consenting adults, overturning British colonial-era legislation that outlawed homosexuality.

A new UN report documents the extensive and increasing level of violence directed at Afghan women taking part in public life, as well as the ‘widespread occurrence’ of rape.

With over 12 years experience at the APT, Barbara remains passionate about the importance of bringing transparency and independent monitoring to places of detention.