Overview
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December, as the date marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDH) in 1948. The UNDR stipulates a certain set of basic human rights for all people to be protected and promoted. These rights are as relevant to us today as they were in 1948. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the exercise of fundamental human rights, namely freedom of expression, assembly and association. Even before the pandemic, a number of countries in Southeast Asia have already experienced democratic backsliding. Popular and nationalistic leaders use hate speech to divide communities. Critical reporting by journalists is branded as fake news and thus criminalized by a number of anti-fake news legislation. Online discussion and communication is disrupted as governments impose internet shutdowns or suspend telecommunication connectivity. In commemorating the Human Rights Day, Asia Centre and its partners take stock of the latest developments in the region, raise awareness of rights violations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and advocate for human rights promotion and protection for all.

Speakers:
Lorraine Finlay,  Commissioner
Australian Human Rights Commission

Retty Ratnawati
National Commission on Human Rights, Indonesia

Karen Gomez Dumpit, Commissioner
Commission on Human Rights, Philippines

Pornprapai Ganjanarintr, Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission of Thailand

Eric Paulsen, Representative for Malaysia
ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)

Date : 9 December 2021

Time : 2 PM-3.30 PM (Bangkok, Thailand GMT+7)
           
Registration from
1.45 (Bangkok, Thailand GMT+7)

About the conveners:
Asia Centre is a not-for-profit social enterprise that seeks to create human rights impact in Southeast Asia. The Centre achieves this by undertaking evidence-based research on critical human rights challenges and develops knowledge toolkits, such as books, reports, baseline studies, policy briefs, commentaries which are used for advocacy purposes to promote and protect democracy and human rights.

Address: 128/183, Phayathai Plaza Building, Fl. 17, Phayathai Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Tel: +66 2 129 3773
Email: contact@asiacentre.org
Website: http://asiacentre.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asiacentre.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asiacentre

Thank you for registering for this event. The information collected is for statistical purposes and will be stored in accordance with Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act (2019).