Asia is the only area in the world that does not have a human rights court or commission covering the region as a whole. However, a close look at recent developments in the region, especially in East Asia, shows that a human rights system is emerging. Various activities and initiatives for human rights cooperation are developing in Asia at the regional, sub-regional and national levels. Since the establishment of the ASEAN human rights body (AICHR) in 2009, the need for a review of the regional human rights mechanisms in Asia is stronger than ever. With a primary focus on twenty-three East Asian states, Tae-Ung Baik highlights the significant changes that have taken place in recent decades and demonstrates that the constituent elements of a human rights system (norms, institutions and modes of implementation) are developing in Asia.
1. Assessment of the extent of regional cooperation in Asia brings the reader up to date with recent developments
2. The analysis of the norms, institutions and implementation processes allows one to also consider what the future might hold
3. Consideration of human rights in particular societies will assist efforts to build regional human rights institutions in the region

Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Analytical framework: human rights systems in Asia
3. Human rights norms in Asia
4. Emerging human rights institutions in Asia
5. The implementation of human rights in Asia
6. Conclusion.