ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the prospects of establishing a regional human rights mechanism in East Asia, focusing on the contributions of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to its development. In addition to exploring the progress and obstacles in creating a regional human rights mechanism in Asia, it reports the results of a survey and a series of interviews conducted to assess the attitude of NGOs toward the creation of an East Asian regional inter-governmental human rights organizations (RIGHRO). Realizing the limitations of states in the creation of a RIGHRO, based on past relations among Asian states and the strong levels of attachment to the concept of 'national sovereignty', the chapter also explores the extent and methods by which NGOs can assist in its creation. East Asian governments raise many arguments objecting to the elevation of human rights protection to a regional level. These arguments illustrate the tenacity of the difficulties involved in coming to a regional consensus on this issue.
