The Universal Periodic Review of Southeast Asia

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxv

   PDF

2. Introduction—The Universal Periodic Review of Southeast Asia: A Regional Mapping

   • James Gomez, Robin Ramcharan

   Pages 1-15

3. Regional Perspective

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 17-17

      PDF

   2. Addressing Human Rights Protection Gaps: Can the Universal Periodic Review Process Live Up to Its Promise?

      • Michael J. V. White

      Pages 19-35

   3. Universal Periodic Review on Southeast Asia Norm Building in Transition: A Hermeneutic Approach

      • Theodor Rathgeber

      Pages 37-74

4. Thematic Perspectives

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 75-75

      PDF

   2. The Abolition of the Death Penalty in Southeast Asia: The Arduous March Forward

      • M. Ravi

      Pages 77-96

   3. LGBTIQ Rights in Southeast Asia: Implementing Recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review

      • Destination Justice

      Pages 97-114

   4. Singapore’s Universal Periodic Review: Civil Society Trends and Themes

      • James Gomez, Michelle D’cruz

      Pages 115-136

5. National Perspectives

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 137-137

      PDF

   2. The Universal Periodic Review of Timor-Leste: Achieving Justice for Past Human Rights Abuses Under Indonesian Rule

      • Cristian Talesco, Brigette S. Valentine

      Pages 139-155

   3. Freedom of Religion and Belief in Indonesia: Raising Awareness Through the Universal Periodic Review

      • Hesty Dewi Maria Siagian

      Pages 157-170

   4. Non-Confrontational Human Rights Advocacy: Experiences from the UPR Process in Myanmar

      • Francesca Paola Traglia

      Pages 171-183

6. The UPR and Regional Mechanisms

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 185-185

      PDF

   2. Can NHRIs Bridge the Implementation Gap? Assessing SUHAKAM’s Effectiveness in Malaysia’s Universal Periodic Review

      • Ying Hooi Khoo

      Pages 187-199

   3. The UPR and Its Impact on the Protection Role of AICHR in Southeast Asia

      • Celine Martin

      Pages 201-212

   4. Conclusion—The UPR and Human Rights in Southeast Asia: The Critical Role of Civil Society

      • James Gomez, Robin Ramcharan

      Pages 213-221

7. Back Matter

   Pages 223-229

   PDF

The research presented in this book provides a stakeholder analysis of human rights protection at a time when the region appears to be regressing into an insidious and deep authoritarianism. As political space shrinks in Southeast Asia, the book provides an insight into how civil society engaged with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council during the first (2008-2011) and second (2012-2016) cycles. Through evidence-based research, the authors in this volume identify gaps in human rights reporting and advocacy during the UPR, notably on civil and political issues such as the right to life, freedom of expression, freedom of religion and belief, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention and claims for greater autonomy. In short, The Universal Periodic Review of Southeast Asia: Civil Society Perspectives, highlights the need for more engagement on civil and political issues during the third cycle of the UPR in 2017-2020. Failing this, the UPRprocess risks being reduced to a platform where civil society only engages on issues that States are willing to cooperate on. If this is the case, Southeast Asia's democratic transition will suffer a long term set back.

• ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights
• AICHR
• Civil Society in Southeast Asia
• Civil Society and Human Rights
• Death Penalty in Southeast Asia
• Freedom of Religion in Southeast Asia
• Human Rights in Southeast Asia
• Human Rights Council
• Human Rights Protection
• National Human Rights Institution
• Southeast Asia
• Universal Periodic Review
• United Nations

• Asia Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

  James Gomez, Robin Ramcharan

James Gomez is a researcher and human rights advocate with over 25 years of international experience working for international NGOs, intergovernmental organizations, public and private universities, research institutes and think-tanks. He is presently Regional Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific with Amnesty International. He co-founded Asia Centre and served as it's first Executive-Director.
 
Robin Ramcharan is a Professor of International Relations specializing in human rights and security issues in Southeast Asia.  He lectures at Thammasat University and Webster University in Thailand. He has previously worked in international development cooperation at the World Intellectual Property Organization.  He is a co-founder of the Asia Centre and presently serves as its Executive-Director.

Policies and ethics