Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
1.1 The Evolving International Order
1.2 The United Nations and National Human Rights Institutions in the Asia -Pacific Region An Overview
1.2.1 The United Nations
1.3 The 1993 World Conference on Human Rights
1.4 The Process of Establishment
CHAPTER 2: MANDATES POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
2.1 Mandates
2.1.1 The Importance of International Instruments
2.2 Powers and Functions
Note to the FOLLOWING Tables
CHAPTER 3: OTHER ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
3.1 Independence
3.2 Accessibility
3.3 Adequate Resources
3.4 The Membership of the Institution
3.5 Cooperation with Non Government Organisations (NGOs)
CHAPTER 4: RELATIONS WITH THE EXECUTIVE PARLIAMENT THE JUDICIARY AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS
4.1 Relations with the Executive
4.2 Relations with the Parliament
4.3 Relations with the Judiciary
4.4 Relations with Other Institutions
CHAPTER 5: COOPERATION BETWEEN NHRIS, THE INTERNATIONAL TREATY BODIES, THE U.N COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND OTHER CHARTER-BASED MECHANISMS
5.1 The International Treaty Bodies
5.2 Special Procedures
5.3 The United Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
CHAPTER 6: REGIONAL COOPERATION
6.1 Background
6.1 The Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human RIGHTS Institutions
CHAPTER 7: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES
7.1 Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
7.2 NHRIs in Conflict Situations
7.3 National Inquiries
7.4 National Human Rights Action Plans
CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSION
APPENDICES
APPENDIX I
Principles Relating to the Status and Functioning of National Institutions for Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (The Paris Principles)
APPENDIX II
Amnesty International's Recommendations for Effective Protection and Promotion of Human Rights Institutions
UNITED NATIONS TREATY BODIES'GENERAL COMMENTS
APPENDIX III
CESCR General Comment No 10 The Role of National Human Rights Institutions in the Protection of Economic Social and Cultural Rights (17/12/98. E/C.12/1998/25)
APPENDIX IV
CERD General Recommendation No XVII Establishment of National Institutions to Facilitate Implementation of the Convention (25/03/93 Gen Rec No 17)
APPENDIX V
CRC General Comment No 2 The Role of Independent National Human Rights Institutions in the Protection of the Rights of the Child (15/11/2002 Crc/Gc /2002/2)
OTHER RELEV ANT DOCUMENTS AND TABLES
APPENDIX VI
The Millennium Development Goals and Targets
APPENDIX VII
The Maastricht Guidelines on Violations of Economic Social and Cultural Rights
APPENDIX VIII
The Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (CAT)-Part
APPENDIX IX
Special Rapporteurs of the Commission Human Rights
APPENDIX X
The Homeless Children Inquiry
APPENDIX XI
The Racial Violence Inquiry
APPENDIX XII
Summary of the National Inquiry on Human Rights and Mental Illness
LEGISLATION
AUSTRALIA
FIJI
INDIA
INDONESIA
REOUBLIC OF KOREA
MALAYSIA
MONGOLIA
NEPAL
NEW ZEALAND
PHILIPPINES
SRI LANKA
THAILAND

Burdekin (Melbourne U. Law School, Australia) analyzes the legislative mandates and operational aspects of current national human rights institutions established in the Asia-Pacific region, assessing them against the United Nations Principles relating the status of National Institutions (the 1991 Paris Principles) at a minimum. Following an introduction and overview, his chapters address mandates powers and functions; independence, accessibility, resources, and other essential characteristics; relations with government institutions; cooperation with international treaty bodies, the UN Commission on Human Rights, and other charter-based mechanisms; regional cooperation; and challenges of protecting economic, social, and cultural rights and operating in situations of armed conflict. Some 400 pages of the volume contain relevant legislation from Australia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, as well as other documentary materials. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)