Issues
Despite good progress in recent years, the Asia Pacific continues to face significant human rights challenges. Some issues are specific to individual countries, while others span the region.
This section provides an overview of the main human rights issues addressed by the APF. It also sets out how the APF has responded to these challenges.
The APF has a strong record in developing programs and initiatives that genuinely improve the human rights of individuals and vulnerable groups in the Asia Pacific.
Our work includes organising regional workshops and training programs, developing jurisprudence for the Asia Pacific through our Advisory Council of Jurists and establishing regional networks of human rights workers.
We also respond to requests from individual APF members, governments and civil society groups to provide advice or capacity building programs on specific issues.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Discrimination and violence against people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity is a serious problem in many countries across the Asia Pacific.
Disability
The World Health Organization estimates that there are about 650 million people with disabilities; about 10 per cent of the world’s population
Environment
The connection between environmental protection and the protection of human rights has been recognised
Human Rights Defenders
‘Human rights defenders’ is a term that describes individuals or groups of people who promote and protect human rights
Internally Displaced Persons
Internal displacement has come to the fore in recent years as one of the most pressing humanitarian, human rights, political and security issues facing the global community
Terrorism and the Rule of Law
Terrorism is a violation of victims’ human rights. Terrorist acts, particularly against civilians cannot be justified, regardless of the motive, and States have a duty to protect potential victims from such gross violations of human rights
Torture
Torture is a crime under international law. It is prohibited under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and other international human rights law
Trafficking
Every year, thousands of people in the Asia-Pacific region become the victims of trafficking, a widespread, secretive and destructive criminal enterprise that amounts to modern-day slavery
Women's Rights
Women make up just over half of all people in the Asia Pacific region. However, they continue to suffer a disproportionate amount of discrimination and barriers to equal participation in society
