"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, the book focuses on the systemic issue of institutionalising 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. The collection provides a range of perspectives on the issues and many of the chapters bring a variety of interdisciplinary insights to bear. As such, the collection will be of interest to a scholarly and student audience in law, as well as to readers in international relations, political science, Asian studies, and human rights"-- Provided by publisher.