Elaine Pearson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division, supervises work across Asia, especially South East Asia, Nepal and North Korea. Pearson has specialized expertise in human trafficking and migration. She has lived and worked in Asia for six years including Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Kathmandu.

Prior to joining Human Rights Watch in 2007, she worked as a consultant to various institutions including the International Labour Organization, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, and Oxfam GB. She led the first Trafficking Program at Anti-Slavery International in London, was advocacy officer for the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women and has written many articles, reports and books on the issues of human rights, human trafficking and migration. She graduated in law from Murdoch University, Australia.

Commentary

"We should take the lead on human rights in South-East Asia," The Age, January 19, 2010  

"A Blot on Bangkok's Humanitarian Record," The Wall Street Journal, December 31, 2009  

"For Refugees, Australia Should Rethink the Indonesia Solution," The Jakarta Globe, November 6, 2009 

"South Asian Nightmare: As U.S. Prepares Greater Outreach to Burma, a Marylander is the Junta's Latest Victim," The Baltimore Sun, October 2, 2009

"Philippine Death Squads: Obama Should Press Arroyo on Extrajudicial Killings," The Washington Times, July 30, 2009

"The Rohingya Test-ASEAN's Human Rights Responsibilities," The Nation, February 27, 2009 

"No Sanctuary: Trafficking of Burmese people at the ThaiMalay Border," The Nation, February 12, 2009

"Burma's Forgotten Victims," Far Eastern Economic Review, February 5, 2009

"Japan's Responsibility As a Newly Elected Security Council Member," JanJan News, October 18, 2008

"Roadmap to Autocracy," The Nation, May 8, 2008