Asian Human Rights Commission

Asian Human Rights Commission
Traditional Chinese亞洲人權委員會
Simplified Chinese亚洲人权委员会
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYàzhōu Rénquán Wěiyuánhuì
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingaa3 zau1 jan4 kyun4 wai2 jyun4 wui6*2

The Asian Human Rights Commission Limited (AHRC) is an independent, non-governmental body that promotes human rights in Asia and mobilizes Asian and international public opinion to obtain relief and redress for the victims of human rights violations. Headquartered in Ho Man Tin, Hong Kong, it was founded in 1984 by a prominent group of jurists and human rights activists in Asia and serves to promote civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights.

AHRC endeavours to achieve the following objectives stated in the Asian Charter: "Many Asian states have guarantees of human rights in their constitutions, and many of them have ratified international human rights instruments. However, there continues to be a wide gap between rights enshrined in these documents and the abject reality that denies people of their rights. Asian states must take urgent action to implement the human rights of their citizens and residents."

Its sister organization, the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC), holds General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The AHRC and ALRC are both based in Hong Kong.