Regional overview

In 2024, the Asia-Pacific region continued to grapple with rule of law deficits, with several countries, including Afghanistan, Cambodia and Myanmar facing persistent challenges, ranking among the lowest in the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index.

Progress on SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) remained slow, justice gaps deepened and human rights violations intensified, particularly for women, minority groups, LGBTIQ+ individuals, Indigenous Peoples, human rights defenders and environmental activists. A 112 percent rise in female incarceration, driven by punitive drug laws and excessive pre-trial detention, highlighted the disproportionate impact of justice policies on marginalized communities.

Amid these challenges, 11 countries held critical elections, reflecting increased civic engagement. While Sri Lanka saw a peaceful transition, in Bangladesh, following a month of deadly anti-government protests, August 2024 saw the establishment of an Interim government.

With the region hosting over 40 percent of the world’s migrants, humanitarian crises are worsening. Myanmar’s Rakhine State faces famine, while 42 million people across the country live near or well below subsistence levels. In Afghanistan, 75 percent or 32 million people cannot meet their daily basic needs. Ninety percent of the households lack a cushion for economic shocks, compared to 65 percent in 2023. By 2025, 18.9 million people are projected to be displaced, including those in the world’s largest refugee settlement in Bangladesh.

Climate action remains stalled, as extreme weather, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation – identified by the World Economic Forum as long-term risks – pose serious repercussions for climate and environmental justice

The business and human rights (B+HR) landscape is evolving amid new global regulations like the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Malaysia and Thailand are advancing sustainability policies, but shrinking civic space, economic-driven policy and high compliance costs challenge small and medium enterprises.

Enhancing access to justice and legal empowerment

In Bhutan, UNDP supported the establishment of the country’s first legal aid centre, providing access to justice to over 100 indigent individuals. The Justice Sector Strategic Plan II, supported by UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (the Global Programme), secured an additional €1 million from the European Union to enhance access to justice and civil society engagement.

In Viet Nam, with the Global Programme’s support, UNDP strengthened legal awareness, mediation and access to justice for women, children and ethnic minorities, while enhancing the country's engagement with international human rights mechanisms.

In Sri Lanka, the UNDP justice reform programme (JURE) supported by the European Union, is accelerating the digitalization efforts in the country illustrated by the launch of the Commercial High Court digital platform which provides transparency and access to information for court users.

Advancing people-centred justice

Across the region, people-centred justice approaches have expanded access to justice in rural communities. In Bangladesh, Village Courts provide efficient and affordable dispute resolution, while mediation offers a measure of cohesion for the Rohingya living in Cox’s Bazar. In Myanmar, collaborative dispute resolution mechanisms continue to support ethnic communities in Kachin and Rakhine states.

A key milestone was the Regional Conference on “Achieving Just Societies”, hosted by UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub with 300 participants from 27 countries. The conference focused on people-centred justice, including climate and environmental justice, digital justice and gender justice, and marked the launch of the Regional Community of Practice on Governance, Rule of Law & Peacebuilding, engaging 18 UNDP Country Offices in strategic collaboration.

Strengthening national human rights systems

In partnership with the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) and the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), UNDP advanced national human rights institutions (NHRIs) under the Tri-Partite Partnership (TPP).

In Timor-Leste, UNDP supported a human rights and justice perception survey, shaping policy responses. In Maldives, efforts focused on institutional capacity-building for NHRIs, strengthening their effectiveness and alignment with international human rights standards. The capacity assessment of the National Human Rights Commission in Nepal will further enhance human rights oversight.

As co-chair of the Asia-Pacific Human Rights Working Group, UNDP facilitated inter-agency coordination on business and human rights, access to justice and human rights protections.

Advancing Business and Human Rights (BHR)

In 2024, UNDP expanded its BHR programming from nine to 14 countries, deepening engagement with governments and the private sector.

UNDP’s Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) training supported institutions in India, Indonesia, Mongolia and Thailand, equipping stakeholders with HRDD implementation tools. Additionally, labour inspectors in Bangladesh and India benefitted from gender equality and HRDD training, while financial institutions and regulators in Malaysia and Thailand integrated HRDD into sustainability and climate action, reinforcing long-term regulatory impact.