Asia, unlike Africa, the Americas, and Europe, stands out as a region without a dedicated international human rights court or commission to enforce compliance with human rights standards. While some subregional systems are emerging, the absence of a comprehensive regional framework means that human rights issues must be pursued and contested within the confines of complex national legal systems. This presentation will explore one such challenging landscape through the case of Gwyneth Kwai-Lam Ho, a Hong Kong activist and former journalist who was convicted of subversion in May 2024 following the implementation of Hong Kong’s National Security Law.
Ho’s case provides insight into the strategic choices and constraints faced by lawyers, activists, and judges in Asia, and illustrates both the opportunities and limitations for advancing and upholding human rights standards in the region.