APF People
James Nayagam, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia
November 2011: Business has enormous potential to create opportunities and improve life chances when it respects human rights, says the SUHAKAM Commissioner.
Rosslyn Noonan, New Zealand Human Rights Commission
August 2011: After leading the Commission for the past ten years, Rosslyn Noonan formally ends her term as Chief Commissioner at the end of August 2011.
Prof Datuk Khaw Lake Tee, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia
May 2011: SUHAKAM’s Vice Chairperson has set herself a number of goals for her three-year term, all focused on improving outcomes for vulnerable groups in the Malaysian community.
Professor Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission
March 2011: He was recognised as the best law teacher in South Asia in 2010. Today he’s charting the path forward for one of the youngest national human rights institutions in the Asia Pacific region.
Hala Al Ali, Qatar National Human Rights Committee
January 2011: She turned her back on an acting career to work in the law. Today, Hala’s focus is to provide advice and support to the vast migrant labour force in the oil-rich Gulf country.
Vladlen Stefanov, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
November 2010: The new head of OHCHR’s National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section has spent much of the last decade working in different countries to strengthen human rights protection systems.
Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, National Human Rights Commission of India
October 2010: Starting from humble beginnings before progressing to the top of India’s judiciary, the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission has first-hand experience of the challenges faced by many in India.
Professor Byung-Chul Hyun, National Human Rights Commission of Korea
September 2010: One of Korea’s leading law professors, the new Chairperson of the national human rights commission has crafted a wide-ranging plan to foster greater respect and understanding for rights.
Tan Sri Hasmy Agam, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia
August 2010: Dealing with complex challenges is something the newly appointed Chairperson of SUHAKAM has confronted ever since beginning his career as a young diplomat.
Joris de Bres, New Zealand Human Rights Commission
July 2010: The energy and committment of community groups is a critical factor in building positive relationships between people of different backgrounds, says the Race Relations Commissioner.
Thuy Doan-Smith, APF Secretariat
June 2010: Donor organisations are crucial partners in the APF’s ongoing work to support and strengthen NHRIs in the region, says the Secretariat’s Development Manager.
Hesti Armiwulan, Indonesian NHRC
May 2010: Cooperation with other national human rights institutions is crucial in developing strategies to protect the rights of migrant workers and address other rights violations, says the Komnas Ham commissioner.
Chandra Ellawala, Sri Lanka HRC
April 2010: The Secretary of Sri Lanka’s human rights commission says it is crucial to build broad understanding and respect for human rights as the country emerges from 26 years of civil conflict.
Ahmad Fahim Hakim, Afghanistan
March 2010: Laying the foundations for peace in a country devastated by decades of conflict remains the driving focus of the AIHRC’s Deputy Chairperson.
Dr Silvia Casale, Expert on Torture Prevention
February 2010: Our societies are defined by how we deal with the people in our closed institutions, says the former Chairperson of the UN Subcommittee for Prevention of Torture.
Leila de Lima, Philippines CHR
January 2010: The Chairperson of the Philippines’ national human rights body was recognised as ‘Public Servant of the Year’ by the nation’s most popular television network.
Nisreen Zerikat, Jordan NCHR
November 2009: Nisreen, a lawyer, is coordinating a major national project to eradicate torture and ill-treatment in places of detention across Jordan.
Hashimah Nik Jaafar, Malaysia NHRC
October 2009: The Commission’s new Secretary has a history of taking on challenging roles and delivering positive results.
Professor Amara Pongsapich, Thailand NHRC
September 2009: The Commission’s new Chairperson plans to bring a collaborative and analytical approach to her six-year term.
Dr Sebastiao Dias Ximenes, Timor Leste PDHJ
August 2009: Taking a stand for human rights and good governance in Timor Leste does not come without personal challenges, says the country’s first Provedor.
