Regional Offices and Centres in Asia-Pacific |
Pacific (Suva, Fiji)
South-East Asia (Bangkok, Thailand)
South and West Asia
OHCHR - Pacific Regional Office |
The Pacific region is primarily composed of small island communities that are extremely isolated, both geographically and politically, and face widespread social and economic problems and ethnic tensions that have, at times, resulted in instability and civil unrest. In most instances, the national capacity to address these problems is low. Some of the most pressing human rights issues in the region include widespread poverty, violence against women and children, lack of judicial independence and ill treatment in detention. These issues are compounded by political and social instability and weak justice systems. There are also significant instances of racial discrimination. Processes of social reconciliation and peacebuilding in the Solomon Islands, civil unrest and emergency rule in Tonga, and a political crisis in Fiji all affect those nations’ key institutions.
More...
OHCHR - South East Asia Regional Office |
OHCHR’s Regional Office for South-East Asia covers Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The South-East Asia region is diverse in terms of political systems and economic development. Despite on-going economic growth in the region, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar remain three of the least developed countries in the world. Furthermore, within countries there is a vast difference in the share of national income going to the richest 20 per cent of households compared to the poorest 20 per cent. Inadequate social security nets leave the poor particularly vulnerable to economic downturns and high food commodity prices. Common concerns include unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions on freedom of expression; impunity for serious human rights violations, including torture; the treatment and poor legal protection of undocumented migrants, asylum seekers and refugees; human trafficking; and discrimination against women , persons with disabilities and persons living with HIV/AIDS. Positive developments include increased engagement by States with international human rights mechanisms, including the UPR process; on-going efforts by States to advance the nascent Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) human rights system; as well as promising reforms at the domestic level in countries such as Myanmar.
More...
OHCHR - South and West Asia |
The OHCHR Headquearters covers countries in the South and West Asia region, including: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The South and West Asia subregion hosts a diverse set of human rights opportunities and challenges. Countries like Afghanistan and Nepal are in the midst of post-conflict transitions but face significant problems of insecurity, exclusion and impunity. Democratic institutions and the rule of law are on the brink of reform in Bangladesh and the Maldives. Conflicts persist in several countries, including Afghanistan, regions of India and Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, with resulting human rights violations and displacement.