Pacific Centre For Human Rights

Many publications dealing with human rights contain a wealth of materials from the United Nations, Europe, and even the Inter-American and African regional human rights systems, but none cover the geographical region which encompasses Asian and Pacific states. The collection of documents contained in this volume is an attempt to rectify this situation. A unique reference tool to those with an interest in human rights in Asia and the Pacific, be they students of law, Asian studies or international relations, or lawyers or researchers using human rights materials, this volume contains various inter-governmental and non-governmental documents, as well as a section on numerous human rights organisations and resources. Despite the Asia-Pacific area now being the world's only region without a human rights instrument, the volume of constitutional provisions, treaty provisions, governmental and non-governmental declarations on human rights as well as other types of relevant documents is very substantial, putting to lie the argument that human rights are of little concern or secondary to other considerations. This huge amount of material has made it necessary to edit certain documents to their most essential elements. Other documents are included in their entirety where they are deemed to be of particular significance.

New policies are needed if the Pacific is to realise its potential as a peaceful, prosperous region, where the Pacific's citizens enjoy good standards of health and education, long lives and many opportunities; where Pacific economic growth is constantly improving, driven by environmentally sustainable service industries; where coups, civil conflict and the dangers of failed states have been relegated to the past; where the Pacific is integrated into the wider region, and is an influential voice in world affairs. Argues that Pacific countries including Australia, need to embrace regional integration to realise this vision. The book sets out a comprehensive plan for realising a Pacific regional community dedicated to promoting sustainable development, security, human rights, the rule of law and democracy.

Is there universalism of human rights? If so, what are its scope and limits? This book is a doctrinal attempt to define universalism of human rights, as well as its scope and limits. The book presents tests of universalism on international, regional and national constitutional levels. It is maintained that universalism of human rights is both a ‘concept’ and a ‘normative reality’. The normative character of human rights is scrutinized through the study of international and regional agreements as well as national constitutions. As a consequence, limitations of normativity are identified, usually on the international level, and take the form of exceptions, reservations, and interpretations. The book is based on the General and National Reports which were originally presented at the 18th International Congress of the International Academy of Comparative Law in Washington D.C. 2010.

There are more than 400 Commonwealth law schools, all having an entry within the latest edition of The Directory of Commonwealth Law Schools. Each entry includes full contact details, courses offered, law journals published and research centres. This edition has been thoroughly revised, updated and expanded to take account of changes over the last two years. This directory also contains full details of the activities of the Commonwealth Legal Education Association together with a section devoted to law in the Commonwealth. This includes copies of the major Commonwealth instruments and details of Commonwealth activities of particular interest to law teachers and practitioners, making it a valuable resource and reference work.

Citizenship education is now a statutory part of the secondary school National Curriculum, and R.E. is one of the subjects through which it can be taught. This book has been written for student teachers and teachers who are looking for guidance.

Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada.

The Asia-Pacific region is known for having one of the least developed institutional mechanisms for protecting human rights. This edited collection makes a timely and distinctive contribution to contemporary debates about strengthening the institutional protection of human rights in the Asia-Pacific region, in the wake of ASEAN’s announcement in 2009 of an ASEAN regional human rights mechanism. Drawing together leading scholarly voices including Surya Deva, V.T. Thamilmaran, Tom Zwart and Catherine Renshaw, the book focuses on the systemic issue of institutionalizing human rights protection in the Asia-Pacific. It critically examines the prospects for deepening and widening the institutionalization of human rights monitoring in the region, challenging the orthodox scepticism about whether Asia is "ready" for stronger institutions. The volume analyses the impediments to institutions, whilst questioning the need for them.