Business and Human Rights in Asia: Duty of The State to Protect

Business and Human Rights in Asia: Duty of The State to Protect

Buy Now Abstract In this book the authors examine the State’s duty to protect human rights in Asia amidst rising concern over the human rights impact of business organisations in Asia. States in the region have recently begun to consider the need for rules and policies in this area. This work examines the upswing in interest in business and human rights (BHR). It focuses on the duty of the State in the region to uphold their existing obligations, which has hitherto been understudied. It examines a range of inter-connected issues: the advent of international standards, the UN Guiding Principles on…

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National Human Rights Institutions in Southeast Asia: Selected Case Studies

National Human Rights Institutions in Southeast Asia: Selected Case Studies

Buy Now Abstract This book reviews Southeast Asia’s National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) as part of an emerging assessment of a nascent regional human rights architecture that is facing significant challenges in protecting human rights. The book asks, can NHRIs overcome its weaknesses and provide protection, including remedies, to victims of human rights abuses? Assessing NHRIs’ capacity to do so is vital as the future of human rights protection lies at the national level, and other parts of the architecture—the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), and the international mechanism of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)—though helpful, also have…

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Asia Centre Builds Momentum for Malaysia Branch

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Asia Centre Builds Momentum for Malaysia Branch

Since 2016, Asia Centre’s has undertaken a series of Malaysia-related activities to build momentum for a new branch in Johor Bahru. To date the activities include discussions on Malaysia’s political transition, co-convening events on fake news, engagement with Malaysian media and exploratory partnership meetings with institutions based in Malaysia. Collectively these efforts form the basis upon which Asia Centre Malaysia, first publicly announced in 2018, will build its programme of activities moving forward. Asia Centre began discussing Malaysia’s political transition as early as May 2016, when the Centre hosted Professor William Case, a well-known Malaysian studies scholar, who shared his analysis…

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Fake News and Elections in Southeast Asia

Fake News and Elections in Southeast Asia

Abstract Elections in Asia are increasingly witnessing a rise in information manipulation to influence voter views and behavior. Behavioral manipulation takes place as electoral candidates, political parties and interest groups take to social media to spread fake news with the aim of discrediting their opponents and gaining support for their electoral candidates and/or political parties. In this book, the authors will assess the impact of fake news on electoral outcomes in Southeast Asia from the years 2018-2020. The aim is to provide an understanding of the evolving issues related to fake news and elections and to review its implications for…

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Asia Centre’s Dr. Gomez Awarded 2020 Taiwan Fellowship

Asia Centre’s Dr. Gomez Awarded 2020 Taiwan Fellowship

Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez has been awarded Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), 2020 Fellowship, to undertake research on disinformation operations, fake news and hate speech in Southeast Asia.  Known as the Taiwan Fellowship, it is awarded to foreign scholars and experts who plan to undertake part of their research at Taiwanese universities or academic institutions. The 2020 Taiwan Fellowship is the third in three years for Dr. Gomez. In 2019, Dr. Gomez received a Sumitomo Foundation Grant and in 2018 he was awarded the Korea Democracy Foundation Research Fellowship both times to undertake research on fake news…

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Strengthening Relationships with Taiwanese Institutions, Think-Tanks and Universities

Strengthening Relationships with Taiwanese Institutions, Think-Tanks and Universities

In December 2019, Asia Centre Directors Drs. James Gomez, Robin Ramcharan, and Partnership Coordinator, Charlotte Yuchun Tseng participated in a series of events and meetings in Taiwan to strengthen relationships with Taiwanese institutions, think-thanks and universities in both Taipei and Kaohsiung. Starting in Taipei with the SEASIA biennial conference from 5-7 December at Academic Sinica, Drs. Gomez and Ramcharan presented their joint paper, “The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR): Normative and Institutional Pathways towards an Enhanced Protection Role” during the panel on Human Rights in Southeast Asia. On the sidelines of the SEASIA conference, Asia Centre’s Dr. Gomez,…

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Malaysia Launch: Journalism for an Equitable Asia

Malaysia Launch: Journalism for an Equitable Asia

The impact of media business sustainability and fear on journalists became the point of contention during the Malaysia launch event of the Journalism for an Equitable Asia Award on 18 December 2019.  Co-convened by Asia Centre and Oxfam in Asia and supported by local partners Gerakbudaya and Orchan Consulting Asia, the event brought together 30 participants from the media, academia and civil society to discuss the challenges of reporting on inequality. The aim of organising the Journalism for an Equitable Asia Award is to promote strong journalism and acknowledge the hard work of journalists who have persisted in reporting on…

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Asia Centre Malaysia To Enhance Collaborative Experience

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Asia Centre Malaysia To Enhance Collaborative Experience

Asia Centre aims to enhance the collaborative experience of its partners at its second Centre in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The new Centre’s design, a multifunctional facility for seamless co-working, meetings, networking and project administration, was finalised in December 2019 following discussions with interior renovation firms and feedback from partners. Asia Centre Malaysia located at ION 2, CI Medini Complex, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, will occupy a 20’ by 60’ intermediate corner three-storey lot with a total floor area of 3209 square feet. The ground floor will spot a reception counter and waiting lounge, wall mounted desks and freestanding tables and chairs,…

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Sumitomo Grant Aids Asia Centre’s Engagements in Japan

Sumitomo Grant Aids Asia Centre’s Engagements in Japan

Asia Centre’s Regional Director Dr. James Gomez delivered 5 public lectures, signed 2 MOUs and met with academics, researchers, politicians, lawyers and civil society representatives in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka from 17-28 November 2019. This Japan visit is part of Asia Centre’s “Research on Fake News and Lessons from Japan for Southeast Asia,” supported by the Sumitomo Foundation. The primary purpose was to present the findings of Asia Centre’s initial baseline study on fake news in Southeast Asia to Japanese institutions.  The trip started off with a technical briefing on 18 November 2019 at the Headquarters of Liberal Democratic Party…

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Asia Centre and Thai Media Fund Sign MOU

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Asia Centre and Thai Media Fund Sign MOU

Dr. James Gomez, Regional Director, Asia Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mr. Wasan Paileeklee, CEO, Thai Media Fund (TMF) on 1 November 2019 to formalise both institutions’ cooperation on activities and research to promote digital and media literacy on challenges related to online disinformation such as fake news and hate speech. The signing was witnessed by Asia Centre's Program Coordinator, Yawee Butrkrawee; Asia Centre’s Manager, Patcharee Rattanarong; TMF’s Director of Media Literacy, Weeraphong Kangwannavakul Department and International Collaboration Officer, Atthanat Khurat.The MOU signing follows engagements between the two organisations, starting from September 2018 when Dr. James Gomez…

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