Asia Team

In-Transit: The Cross-Border Human Trafficking in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand provides an in-depth analysis of human trafficking within the Greater Mekong Subregion, focusing on Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. The report examines the socio-economic factors, legislative frameworks, and enforcement challenges that contribute to the persistence of trafficking in persons across these countries. It also considers the regional and international dynamics that influence trafficking flows and demand.

2025 has, and will be facing, severe implications on human rights globally, from the decline of democracy under authoritarian regimes to suffering caused by conflict, discrimination, migration, and the climate crisis. These issues pose a grave threat to human rights worldwide and require grave efforts on the international front to be improved.

Voices Unveiled: Tracking Women’s Rights Across Southeast Asia and the Pacific offers an in-depth examination of the evolving status of women’s rights in Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. This report delves into both enduring and emerging issues shaping gender equality in the region, spanning legal reforms, social movements, cultural barriers, and institutional responses.

Globalisation and overconsumption have negative effects on millions of people working for clothing manufacturers. Subpar working conditions, low wages, and modern slavery situations are rampant in the factories where our clothes are made.Many people understand slavery as something society has evolved from, a very dark chapter in humanity that we collectively left behind. For around 400 years, the transatlantic slave trade saw 15 million people, of all genders and ages, sold to another person as property. While the practice of slavery, defined as a “condition in which one human being was owned by another”, seems rare nowadays, it is very much present in today’s society under a different label: forced labour. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimated in 2022 that 27.6 million people worldwide were in situations of forced labour.

Nike, Inc., a global manufacturer of athletic footwear and apparel, has long relied on its manufacturing hub in Vietnam, as nearly 50 percent of the company’s footwear production originates from this source (Nike Inc., 2023). However, this dependency has come at the expense of utilising inexpensive labour, putting the company under constant criticism due to ongoing claims of breaches of international labour rights standards. Said claims are based on the utilisation of child labour, exploitative working conditions, the infringement of labour rights, and wage theft. These instances not only highlight the systemic issues surrounding supply chain manufacturing obligations and accountability standards but also raise fundamental questions regarding corporate responsibility and the international obligations that multinational corporations hold in ensuring ethical and fair labor practices.
Despite Nike, Inc. addressing previous controversies with the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, critics argue that the implementation of these reforms fails to address the fundamental issues of these problems. This report addresses the complexity of Nike’s supply chain, their efforts towards accountability on the presence of past and current labour rights infringements, as well as the broader ramifications for their corporate responsibility. Additionally, the international legal frameworks, in combination with the advocacy for consumer protection, will be addressed in order to assess how multinational corporations are supervised and held accountable for their supply chain operations.

Humanitarian aid acts as a safety net to communities endangered by instability, whether that instability is caused by a climate disaster, a war, or any other cause outside of the affected community’s control. This aid contributes to the immediate needs of the affected populations and helps to lay the foundations for lasting development and recovery. It is estimated that over 362 million people worldwide require humanitarian aid to survive.

Gender-based violence (GBV) and discrimination within corporate supply chains and workplaces remain a critical and under-addressed human rights issue in South and East Asia. From garment factories in Bangladesh to electronics assembly lines in Malaysia and agricultural plantations in the Philippines, women and gender minorities frequently experience harassment, unsafe working conditions, unequal pay, and restricted access to justice. Multinational corporations (MNCs), local businesses, and subcontractors often operate in environments where legal protections for women are weak, poorly enforced, or undermined by corrupt and patriarchal systems. In many cases, economic dependency, fear of retaliation, and the absence of grievance mechanisms prevent victims from reporting abuse.

Workplace discrimination remains a persistent challenge across industries, affecting employees’ rights, well-being, and professional opportunities. Despite legal frameworks designed to prevent discrimination, individuals continue to face unequal treatment based on factors such as age, gender, race, disability, and sexual orientation. These discriminatory practices not only violate fundamental rights but also create barriers to career progression, fair compensation, and workplace inclusion. Addressing these issues is not just a matter of legal compliance but an essential step toward fostering a work environment that is diverse, fair, and equitable.

Throughout recent history, Western societal expectations have increasingly influenced labour market standards in Southeast Asia. Western nations utilise the implementation of trade agreements, chain demands, and consumer activism practices to promote their industry expectations. With this, prioritising protecting human rights and implementing corporate social responsibility customs, enforcing ethical labour practices.

Japan is confronting a profound demographic crisis characterised by an ageing population and declining birth rates. As of 2024, approximately 30 percent of Japan’s population is aged 65 or older, making it one of the world’s oldest societies. The total fertility rate remains at 1.26 children per woman, far below the replacement level of 2.10. These demographic shifts have resulted in critical labour shortages across various industries, and raised concerns about the nation’s economic sustainability.

This report examines Japan’s evolving immigration policies in response to these demographic challenges, focusing on the human rights implications for foreign workers. It explores the historical restrictions on immigration, recent policy reforms, their impact on key industries, and the ongoing human rights concerns arising from these changes. Additionally, it assesses government initiatives supporting foreign workers, the challenges in enforcing labour protections, and Japan’s future immigration outlook.

In recent years, Japan has gradually transitioned toward a more open immigration policy to address labour shortages. The abolition of the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) in 2024 marked a significant shift, highlighting the government’s response to domestic and international criticism regarding human rights violations. However, while reforms are being implemented, ensuring that foreign workers receive adequate protections remains a pressing concern.