Commentaries
National Human Rights Institutions must safeguard digital rights of human rights defenders
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many regimes in Asia were already reluctant to promote civic space, fearing that it might empower democratic forces. The onset
Covid-19 and the erosion of civic space in Asia: An urgent call for democratic vigilance
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many regimes in Asia were already reluctant to promote civic space, fearing that it might empower democratic forces. The onset
COVID-19 applications infringed Southeast Asians’ right to privacy during and after the pandemic
In the attempts to keep the COVID-19 pandemic under control, Southeast Asia governments introduced contact-tracing applications to help manage people’s movement and decrease the risk
Learning from the Pandemic: Bipartisanship needed for rights protection
In preventing future abuse of power during times of emergency, the Pheu Thai Party (PTP), which leads the coalition government, should exercise leadership and consider
ผู้หญิงนักปกป้องสิทธิมนุษยชนในไทยต้องการแรงสนับสนุน
ผู้หญิงนักปกป้องสิทธิมนุษยชน (WHRDs) ในไทยกำลังเผชิญกับความท้าทายด้านสิทธิมนุษยชนจากทั้งภาครัฐและตัวแสดงที่ไม่ใช่ภาครัฐ
Thai Women Human Rights Defenders Need Support
Women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in Thailand need special protection as they are encountering significant human rights challenges created by state and non-state actors.
Vague Fake News Laws Lead To Over Criminalisation In South East Asia
Since 2017, ASEAN member states have either introduced new legislation, revised existing laws or are using current regulations to penalise individuals and organisations for disseminating
Quality Journalism Not Effective Against Fake News
Quality journalism has been thrown up in discussions that search for measures to combat fake news on social media. Proponents argue that if quality journalism
Malaysia’s Fake News Bill Delay Chance to Manage Racial Disinformation
The politics of delay around the repeal of Malaysia’s Fake News Bill offers an opportunity to manage racial disinformation that can lead to social tensions.
ASEAN’s non-interference policy hinders Rohingya justice
In spite of the United Nations (UN) Fact Finding Commission’s indictment on 28 August 2018, recommending Myanmar’s military officials “be investigated and prosecuted” for “genocidal
ASEAN’s Fake News Declaration Neglects State Propaganda
ASEAN’s framework to minimize the harmful effects of fake news has a serious omission if we look at the issue of disinformation holistically. What is
Establish a Malaysian Democracy Foundation
Following Malaysia’s dramatic election in 2018, a range of efforts involving legal, institutional and cultural reforms are currently being initiated to consolidate democracy in Malaysia.
Region’s human rights watchdogs lack bite
Are Southeast Asia’s national human rights institutions protecting anyone? A new report by Dr. James Gomez and Dr. Robin Ramcharan gives a bleak assessment (15
The ASEAN Way and Human Rights
The ASEAN way affects the protection aspect of human rights in Southeast Asia, Dr James Gomez and Dr Robin Ramcharan, explain how. (19 February
Democratic values and human rights in ASEAN
Written by Dr James Gomez and Dr Robin Ramcharan, this article first appeared on 9 February 2015 in the Asian Sentinel.
ASEAN needs formal civil society engagement mechanism on human rights
Written by Dr. James Gomez and Dr. Robin Ramcharan, this article first appeared on 19 November 2012 in The Malaysian Insider.