Asia Centre

Asia Centre is a research institute in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council.

The Centre undertakes evidence-based research, convenes events, and advocates for human rights issues through media and social media engagement.

21/08/2026

Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez, examines democracy and governance in Asia through his op-eds in international publications, highlighting political challenges, democratic backsliding, and the role of international engagement in strengthening democratic institutions.

Read all the op-ed articles here:
https://tinyurl.com/msrydnrb
https://tinyurl.com/ymnhuhxp
https://tinyurl.com/2kbsbwfc
https://tinyurl.com/5bdpnp54

20/08/2026

Through an op-ed published in The Diplomat, Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez, explores Asia Centre’s AI Hub and its role in advancing democracy and human rights amid the growing impact of artificial intelligence.

Read the op-ed article here: https://tinyurl.com/3v93jhu7

19/08/2026

Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez examines the spread of fake news and disinformation across Southeast Asia through op-eds published in leading international outlets, highlighting its growing use against dissidents and its impact on public discourse.

Read all the op-ed articles here:
https://tinyurl.com/2bjs24hh
https://tinyurl.com/2ecdrd2z

18/08/2026

Through op-eds published in leading international outlets, Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez, examines human rights and discrimination in Southeast Asia, highlighting the challenges faced by minorities and marginalised communities and the need for stronger protections.

Read all the op-ed articles here:
https://tinyurl.com/ktjy4m2u
https://tinyurl.com/2uv67wk5
https://tinyurl.com/2xptnfm3

Rights

17/08/2026

Asia Centre’s report, “Climate Disinformation in Thailand: Negating Indigenous Peoples’ Identity,” was featured in Cofact.org’s news report, “Indigenous Identity in Thailand Distorted by Misinformation.” The article highlights how misinformation about environmental issues, land rights, and cultural identity fuels discrimination against Indigenous Peoples, including the blaming of Karen communities for forest fires and PM2.5 pollution.

Read the full news: https://blog.cofact.org/th/report-indigenous-people-14082026/

Read the full report on “Climate Disinformation in Thailand: Negating Indigenous Peoples’ Identity": https://tinyurl.com/2runkm8u

15/08/2026

A Regional Overview of “Situation of Hate Speech and FoRB Violations” is the sixth and final factsheet in Asia Centre’s “Hate Speech and FoRB Violations” series.

This factsheet examines recurring patterns of hate speech and freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) violations across Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand, highlighting religious intolerance, online hate speech, and hostility towards minority religious practices.

Read the full factsheet: https://tinyurl.com/3t78fhww

14/08/2026

“Situation of Hate Speech and FoRB Violations” in Thailand is the fifth of six factsheets in Asia Centre’s “Hate Speech and FoRB Violations” series.

This factsheet examines the situation in Thailand, highlighting hate speech incidents, FoRB violations, and challenges faced by religious minorities and vulnerable communities, including anti-Muslim rhetoric, religious intolerance, forced repatriation, and discrimination against Indigenous beliefs.

Read the full factsheet: https://tinyurl.com/2nwd6k39

13/08/2026

“Situation of Hate Speech and FoRB Violations” in Myanmar is the fourth of six factsheets in Asia Centre’s “Hate Speech and FoRB Violations” series.

This factsheet examines the situation in Myanmar, highlighting hate speech incidents, FoRB violations, and challenges faced by religious and ethnic minorities, including hate speech against religious leaders and women human rights defenders, destruction of religious properties, and restrictions on religious and ethnic minorities.

Read the full factsheet: https://tinyurl.com/23myr7jz

12/08/2026

Asia Centre’s Regional Director, Dr. James Gomez, was quoted in KiriPost’s news, “Why Young Cambodians are Thinking Twice Before Posting Online.” The article highlights growing concerns over Cambodia’s online environment, with Dr. Gomez noting that the country’s Facebook environment is “no longer safe” for online freedom of expression, reflecting the continued erosion of democratic values and citizens’ ability to participate openly in public debate.

Read the full news: https://kiripost.com/stories/why-young-cambodians-are-thinking-twice-before-posting-online

12/08/2026

“Situation of Hate Speech and FoRB Violations” in Malaysia is the third of six factsheets in Asia Centre’s “Hate Speech and FoRB Violations” series.

This factsheet examines the situation in Malaysia, highlighting hate speech incidents, FoRB violations, and challenges faced by religious communities, including verbal harassment, online incitement, religious conversion barriers, and restrictions on interfaith participation.

Read the full factsheet: https://tinyurl.com/47kr3tk4