Business and Human Rights in Asia

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxv

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2. Introduction: Business and Human Rights Asia—Examining the Duty of the State to Protect

   • James Gomez, Robin Ramcharan

   Pages 1-18

3. Norms and Policy

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 19-19

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   2. Does the Slipper Fit? National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights in South East Asia

      • Michael White

      Pages 21-34

   3. National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights: Norms, Procedures and Pitfalls

      • James Gomez, Robin Ramcharan

      Pages 35-49

4. Contemporary Issues in Asia

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 51-51

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   2. Multinational Corporations and Human Rights in Indonesia: The Need for Improvement in Legislation

      • Nukila Evanty, Nurul Ghufron

      Pages 53-69

   3. All Carrots and No Stick: Human Rights Regulation of Companies in Japan

      • Saul Takahashi

      Pages 71-89

   4. States’ Rights to Development of Natural Resources Versus Indigenous People’s Rights: Resource Corporations and Free, Prior and Informed Consent

      • Matthew Storey

      Pages 91-126

   5. Effect of the Minimum Wage on Employment Security: The Case of Precarious Workers in Myanmar

      • Hanh Nguyen, Min Zar Ni Lin, Samukelisiwe Ngwenya

      Pages 127-146

   6. Access to Remedy for Corporate Human Rights Abuses in Indonesia

      • Iman Prihandono, Fajri Hayu Religi

      Pages 147-165

   7. Land Grabs in ASEAN: Access to Remedies in Agribusiness Industry

      • Socheata Sao

      Pages 167-194

5. New Frontiers in BHR Studies

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 195-195

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   2. As Smart Worlds Collide: Citizen Agency and Human Rights in the Smart City

      • Jonathan Woodier, Andreas Zingerle

      Pages 197-215

   3. Towards an Empirical Understanding of Ethical Consumption in Southeast Asia

      • Daniel Polomski, Emily Klukas, Matthew Mullen

      Pages 217-238

   4. Designing a Human Rights Management Systems Standard: A Practical Approach to Business Enterprise Human Rights in Asia

      • Robert Sadleir

      Pages 239-256

   5. Conclusion: Duty of the State to Protect—New Issues in the Post-COVID-19 Era

      • James Gomez, Robin Ramcharan

      Pages 257-265

6. Back Matter

   Pages 267-272

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This book examines the State’s duty to protect human rights in Asia amidst rising concern over the human rights impact of business organisations in the region, a topic which has hitherto been understudied. It analyses a range of inter-connected issues: the advent of international standards, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the challenges inherent in the formulation of National Action Plans on business and human rights, the need for improved legislation and policies, access to remedies, and conflicts with indigenous peoples over business activities. The book also covers innovative themes such as BHR in the era of smart cities, ethical consumer behavior, and a human rights management system, which are emerging areas of enquiry in this field concluding with a range of critical issues to be addressed, including the need for an assessment of COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on BHR in Asia and beyond. This book is part of Asia Centre’s exploration of the nascent regional human rights architecture that is facing significant obstacles in protecting human rights and showcases the progress achieved and the ongoing challenges across Asia. 

• Business and Human Rights
• Business and Human Rights in Asia
• Business and Human Rights in South East Asia
• National Action Plans on BHR
• Multinational Corporations and Human Rights
• Multinational Corporations and Human Rights in Indonesia
• Human Rights Regulation of Companies in Japan
• States’ Rights to Development of Natural Resources
• Natural Resources and Indigenous People’s Rights
• Minimum Wage on Employment Security
• Minimum Wage in Myanmar
• Employment Security in Myanmar
• Access to Remedy in Business and Human Rights
• Arbitrary Takings of Land in the Agribusiness Industry in ASEAN
• Arbitrary Takings of Land in ASEAN
• Arbitrary Takings of Land in Southeast Asia
• Land Grab in Southeast Asia
• Citizen Agency in the Smart City
• Ethical Consumption in Southeast Asia
• Human Rights Management Systems Standard

• Asia Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

  James Gomez, Robin Ramcharan

James Gomez is Regional Director, Asia Centre (Bangkok, Thailand and Johor Bahru, Malaysia), a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to create human rights impact in the region. Dr. Gomez is a communications and human rights specialist having served in different academic and leadership roles in the last 25 years, working for international NGOs, intergovernmental organizations, public and private universities, research institutes and think-tanks. He represents the Centre in media and public speaking engagements and builds relationships with key stakeholders around the world. 


Robin Ramcharan is Executive Director, Asia Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. He specialises in human rights, intellectual property and security issues in Southeast Asia. Dr. Ramcharan is also Professor of International Relations with an extensive teaching and publications record. He has worked over the past two decades in the not-for-profit sector, the private sector, international organisations, and in research institutes and think-tanks. In Bangkok, Dr. Ramcharan represents the Centre in interaction with external partners and oversees the various research and publication projects.

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