Elaine Pearson

Elaine Pearson is Human Rights Watch's Asia director, overseeing the work of the Asia division in more than 20 countries. She has conducted numerous human rights investigations in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. Elaine writes frequently for a range of publications and her articles have appeared in the Guardian, Foreign Policy, and the Washington Post. She is on the board of the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women.

Elaine was formerly the Asia deputy director and Human Rights Watch’s inaugural Australia director, establishing the Sydney office in 2013. Prior to joining Human Rights Watch, Elaine worked for the United Nations and various non-governmental organizations in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kathmandu, and London.

Elaine holds degrees in law and arts from Murdoch University and obtained her master's degree in public policy at Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs.

Elaine is the author of Chasing Wrongs and Rights, published by Simon and Schuster in September 2022.