Examining the Sins of The State - the Online launch of SHAPE-SEA's "The Spectra of Authoritarianism in Southeast Asia" and the Online Expert Seminar on "Human Rights and Authoritarianism in Southeast Asia" was organized in May by SHAPE-SEA. SHAPE-SEA is a partner of NCHR, based in Bangkok.
Implementing Human Rights in Southeast Asia
The book cover themes like implementation of international human rights law, human rights organisations, popular authoritarianism, freedom of the press, extremism and democracy. It serves as a reminder that despite the optimism that Southeast Asia was progressing towards greater respect and protection of human rights as a result of the ASEAN Charter and the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, the situation has not improved – in many cases rather regressed. The expert seminar has critically examined impacts of authoritarian regimes on Covid-19 in Southeast Asia, and provide forecasts on social, economic, political implications of policies seeking to mitigate this health crisis.
Covid-19
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on life worldwide. This outbreak is particularly detrimental to members of social groups in the most vulnerable situations, and may also increase inequality, exclusion and discrimination in the medium and long term. Within this context, this book launch and corresponding expert seminar is timely.