19th Meeting of the LAWASIA
HR Lawyers' Network
Wednesday 2 September 2026 | Zoom Meeting
The Crisis of UN Human Rights Mechanisms - How We Can Respond?”
We are delighted to announce the third edition of the Human Rights Lawyers’ Network Meeting for 2026 –– the 19th Meeting of the LAWASIA Human Rights Lawyers' Network is scheduled for Wednesday, 2nd September 2026, online via Zoom.
Ahead of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, join us for a discussion on “The Crisis of UN Human Rights Mechanisms - How We Can Respond?”
Over the past several years, there is a growing sentiment of questioning the effectiveness of UN Human Rights mechanisms (such as the OHCHR, Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures), especially as they enter an unprecedented period of financial distress. The UN deputy rights chief signalled, “there is no longer any fat in the system; I am afraid we are cutting into the bone.”
This session aims to examine how this crisis undermines the protection of fundamental rights and to explore how lawyers and human rights defenders can adapt their strategies in light of reduced UN capacity and effectiveness.
The session will also discuss practical approaches, potential reforms and possible ways to overcome financing difficulties within the human rights ecosystem.
Our panel of esteemed speakers from Thailand, Malaysia and Switzerland, will lead the discussion on the topic. Please mark your calendars and pre-register your participation today by clicking the link below.
Your perspectives would be immensely valuable to this discussion. We hope you will join us!
Webinar Details
Date: Wednesday 2 September 2026
Cost: Complimentary
TIME:
- 23:00 - 00:30 September 1st (USA-PDT)
- 00:00 – 01:30 (USA-MDT)
- 07:00 - 08:30 (London)
- 08:00 – 09:30 (Brussels/ Berlin)
- 10:00 – 11:30 (Baku/ Tbilisi)
- 11:00 – 12:30 (Islamabad/ Male)
- 11:30 - 13:00 (Delhi/Colombo)
- 11:45 – 13:15 (Nepal)
- 12:00 – 13:30 (Dhaka/ Thimphu)
- 13:00 – 14:30 (Bangkok/Hanoi/Jakarta)
- 14:00 - 15:30 (Hong Kong/Singapore/KL/Beijing/Taipei/ Perth)
- 15:00 - 16:30 (Tokyo/Seoul)
- 15:30 – 17:00 (Adelaide)
- 16:00 - 17:30 (Sydney/Canberra)
- 18:00 - 19:30 (Suva/ Wellington)
👉 REGISTER HERE
Agenda & Panelists
Moderator: Pillkyu Hwang, Co-Vice Chair, LAWASIA Human Rights Committee | SOUTH KOREA
Opening Remarks: Shanmuga Kanesalingam, Co-Chair, LAWASIA Human Rights Committee | MALAYSIA
Topic 1: The Crisis of UN Human Rights Mechanisms - How We Can Respond?
Presentations and Panelists:
Advocating for Human Rights in Asia-Pacific: Lessons from Migrant Rights Advocacy, Challenges, and Opportunities:
- Izza Leghtas, Human Rights Officer Office, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Bangkok | THAILAND
Beyond the Crisis: Rethinking Strategies for Human Rights Protection:
- Firdaus Husni, Director, Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) | MALAYSIA
UN Human Rights Reforms and the Role of Asian Civil Society
- Ahmed Adam, UN Advocacy Programme Manager, FORUM-ASIA | SWITZERLAND
Topic 2: Future Network Activities Open discussion/ Jurisdictional updates