Human Rights Correspondence School

This lesson will discuss visiting prisons as a way to protect and promote human rights. Prisons throughout Asia are rife with abuse and violations, denying their occupants numerous basic rights, including adequate food, sanitation and dignity. In fact, prisons are places where detainees' rights are further violated.

This lesson introduces a means to internationally monitor and assess the human rights situation of United Nation member states, the Universal Periodic Review. As human rights are legally based on United Nations’ principles and treaties, so the evaluation of a state’s committment and action towards realizing these rights is now based on this system established by the United Nations in 2006.

Discrimination of any kind, be it racial, religious or gender based, is a gross violation of basic human rights. Such discrimination directly affects the realization of all human rights, including civil and political rights, as well as economic and social rights. Caste discrimination--most commonly occurring in South Asia -- is discrimination based upon descent, whereby individuals are marked by their caste from birth, and are obliged to follow various rules regarding occupation, housing and other social customs. These rules, particularly when dealing with those of a ‘lower’ caste, denies persons free will and choice regarding their lives. They also result in violations of the right to food, to land, to housing and shelter, to vote, to participate in public and social life.

Corruption and its ill effects can be found throughout Asia, from government officials, politicians, social welfare institutes to business practices and routine daily affairs. The prevalence of corruption is directly linked to a breakdown in the rule of law. On the one hand, when justice institutions are not functioning, when the law is not upheld, there is no mechanism to check and prevent corruption. On the other hand, the existence of corruption renders law meaningless, as law is now dependent on money or personal connections.

This lesson introduces the right to the truth, which is an inherent part of international law. This right is fundamental in situations of human rights violations, and is closely linked to the realization of many rights. The lesson outlines various international law provisions making up the right to the truth. It also examines various cases and countries in Asia where the right is commonly denied.

This lesson will discuss the issue of arbitrary detention, which is a prevalent practice in the Asian region. It is used by state agents for various means, including instilling fear, silencing dissent, and even extortion. The lesson will examine cases of arbitrary detention, and how they inevitably lead to further rights abuses, including torture and disappearance. The lesson will also look at various international norms and standards preventing arbitrary detention

While international principles endorse an absolute prohibition against torture, the practice is prevalent throughout Asia. This lesson discusses the act of torture, its relationship to other human rights and international provisions against it. The lesson also examines the situation regarding torture in 10 Asian countries. In this way, the lesson is an attempt to increase public awareness and debate on the nature of torture and its consequences for society as a whole, for democracy and the rule of law.

This lesson series discusses the concept of militarization, which exists in differing degrees in various countries of Asia. In particular, the lesson examines the impacts of militarization on human rights and social structures. The lesson also comprises a table comparing the different political, legal, social and moral premises of democracy and militarism. In a region where violence, instability and repression is rising, the study of two opposing systems of governance can facilitate discussion on the effective protection of human rights and rule of law.rights work

This lesson looks at the dire situation of human rights defenders throughout Asia, who face violence, intimidation or implication in false cases for their work. The lesson also discusses who is a human rights defender and the international norms that are meant to afford them protection. Particular experiences of how local human rights defenders were given protection are also shared in the lesson. These experiences may be applied in different countries, as well as serve as an opportunity for further discussion on human rights work.

Equality for all, especially before the law, is crucial for a pluralistic and democratic society. This lesson examines the new race discrimination law passed in Hong Kong. By looking at various instances of racial discrimination, the lesson underlines the need for effective legislation in protecting the rights of all peoples.