Human Rights Spotlight
Making Pacific communities more resilient
The impact of the global financial crisis in the Pacific cannot be fully addressed unless gender equality is integrated into all policy responses.
Journalists under fire in 2009
January 2010: Wars and elections constituted the chief threat to journalists in 2009, according to a review published by Reporters without Borders.
Battle against hunger can be won with right policies
November 2009: While the number of hungry people stands at a record one billion, the battle against hunger can be won with the right policies, investment and political will, says the UN.
Climate change creating deadlier disasters
October 2009: Climate change is contributing to more frequent and deadlier natural disasters and governments need to speed up measures to mitigate their impact, says a senior UN representative.
Independent body needed to represent Indigenous Australians
September 2009: A new organisation to represent Australia’s Indigenous people should be an independent private body headed by elected representatives, says the country’s Social Justice Commissioner.
Global survey highlights key challenges for NHRIs
August 2009: An OHCHR survey has found that national human rights institutions around the world face significant challenges to ensure their independence and effectiveness.
Violence against Afghan women widespread and unpunished
July 2009: 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.
NHRIs join forces to tackle abuse of workers
June 2009: Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission, along with other NHRIs in the region, is stepping up cooperation with regional partners to improve protection for migrant workers from abuse and mistreatment.
Improving food security in the Asia Pacific
May 2009: Any recovery from the current economic crisis will be incomplete if the related food crisis is not addressed, a new UN study has concluded.
New climate change study promotes rights basis
April 2009: Measures to address climate change should be informed and strengthened by international human rights standards and principles, a new study by the OHCHR has found.
Many crimes against children still go unpunished
March 2009: A landmark treaty adopted 20 years ago has transformed the way the world views children but greater efforts are needed to ensure that their rights are protected and advanced.
Journalist’s murder has ‘chilling effect’ on press freedom
February 2009: The brutal murder of journalist Uma Singh has had a chilling effect on press freedom in Nepal, with some leaving the profession out of fear for their safety and others shying away from investigative reporting.
Afghanistan’s human rights situation remains grim
January 2009: Millions of people in Afghanistan are living in poverty, lack access to basic services and are vulnerable to violence despite international help, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission says in a new report.
HRCM reports on Maldives housing crisis
December 2008: Housing has become so scarce in the capital Male’ that a quarter of all families share just one room, according to a major new report by the Maldives Human Rights Commission.
Respecting sexual orientation and gender diversity
November 2008: Nine APF member institutions will meet next year to begin planning a regional approach to address human rights issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity.
