Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The APF Regional Workshop on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was hosted by the Hong Kong Equal Opportunities Commission from 11-13 July 2001. The purpose of the workshop was to promote a better understanding of economic, social and cultural rights in the Asia Pacific region.

The specific objectives of the workshop were to increase the understanding of the role of national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights; develop practical strategies; and support the OHCHR in the development of the four areas identified under the Tehran Framework for Technical Cooperation: a) national plans of action for the promotion and protection of human rights; b) human rights education; c) national human rights institutions; d) strategies for the realisation of the right to development, economic, social and cultural rights.

Workshop participants included APF members and other national human rights institutions, representatives from the OHCHR, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and representatives from Hong Kong’s government, non-government and business community

The workshop was co-sponsored and financed by the OHCHR and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).