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Chasing Wrongs and Rights: A personal journey of fighting for justice around the world
The Australia Director at Human Rights Watch shares her experiences defending human rights – from human trafficking in Nepal to the 'drug war' in the Philippines to treatment of detainees in Papua New Guinea and in Australia – offering an extremely involving personal account of how far we’ve come, and how far we’ve got to go.
Growing up in Perth, Elaine Pearson always dreamt of the wider world. Her British father and Singaporean-Chinese mother meant that her family extended beyond our shores, but it wasn’t until later in life that she fully understood how her professional calling might have been influenced by personal she learned that her beloved maternal grandmother had been sold to an opera troupe as a child to save the family from starvation.
As soon as she could, Elaine followed her interest in women’s rights and people-trafficking, interviewing sex-workers and victims of trafficking on the streets of Bangkok and Amsterdam’s red light district. Her experiences in Nepal and Nigeria profoundly shaped her understanding of how governments and NGOs need to protect the rights of victims, as well as how poverty, corruption and war drive trafficking in the first place.
Elaine’s story takes us on a panoramic survey of human rights across the world – into the UN committee rooms of New York and Geneva, as well as to the front-lines of Sri Lanka’s search for those who disappeared in the country’s civil war, examining death squad killings on the Philippines island of Mindanao and the detention of asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea. And her work on the appalling treatment of prisoners, many of whom are Aboriginal, vividly demonstrates that human rights abuses are something that happens at home as well as out in that wider world.
In exploring human rights abuses and governments’ failure to address them, Chasing Wrongs and Rights sometimes shows humanity at its worst. Just as often, though, we see people at their best – compassionate, resilient, determined. Deeply informative and inspiring, Elaine Pearson’s story will leave you understanding how much needs to change, and how individuals can make a difference.
Growing up in Perth, Elaine Pearson always dreamt of the wider world. Her British father and Singaporean-Chinese mother meant that her family extended beyond our shores, but it wasn’t until later in life that she fully understood how her professional calling might have been influenced by personal she learned that her beloved maternal grandmother had been sold to an opera troupe as a child to save the family from starvation.
As soon as she could, Elaine followed her interest in women’s rights and people-trafficking, interviewing sex-workers and victims of trafficking on the streets of Bangkok and Amsterdam’s red light district. Her experiences in Nepal and Nigeria profoundly shaped her understanding of how governments and NGOs need to protect the rights of victims, as well as how poverty, corruption and war drive trafficking in the first place.
Elaine’s story takes us on a panoramic survey of human rights across the world – into the UN committee rooms of New York and Geneva, as well as to the front-lines of Sri Lanka’s search for those who disappeared in the country’s civil war, examining death squad killings on the Philippines island of Mindanao and the detention of asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea. And her work on the appalling treatment of prisoners, many of whom are Aboriginal, vividly demonstrates that human rights abuses are something that happens at home as well as out in that wider world.
In exploring human rights abuses and governments’ failure to address them, Chasing Wrongs and Rights sometimes shows humanity at its worst. Just as often, though, we see people at their best – compassionate, resilient, determined. Deeply informative and inspiring, Elaine Pearson’s story will leave you understanding how much needs to change, and how individuals can make a difference.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2022
19 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 21, 2025
Human rights is a concept thrown around casually in political circles. When I saw this book on the shelf, I realised I had very little idea what global activism work looked like beyond the pristine reports quoted in newspapers.
From arguing with SWERFs in UN meeting rooms to leading campaigns against Sharia law in Indonesia, Australian offshore detention, and war crimes in Sri Lanka and Ethiopia, Pearson does a commendable job painting a picture while covering a lot of ground.
Pearson's journey and reflections were less interesting. She wrote the memoiric portions with a level of didactic clarity that is better suited for legal reports. The voice was sharp, critical, and yet distant.
From arguing with SWERFs in UN meeting rooms to leading campaigns against Sharia law in Indonesia, Australian offshore detention, and war crimes in Sri Lanka and Ethiopia, Pearson does a commendable job painting a picture while covering a lot of ground.
Pearson's journey and reflections were less interesting. She wrote the memoiric portions with a level of didactic clarity that is better suited for legal reports. The voice was sharp, critical, and yet distant.
January 10, 2024
this was just so good. i want to be elaine pearson when i grow up
November 20, 2023
4.5 Stars
First and foremost, this book restored my faith in the role of NGO's and IGO's in responding to crises, and Human Rights violations. I learnt a lot from this book, and I was also surprised by how much Elaine's identity and familial history resonates with mine. As I would like to work in the field, this book was great and comprehensive in conveying just what that looks like (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and providing me with direction too. I like that it was done through a personal reflection/journey lens, as I also thought this avoided the ethical issues that may come from writing a text/book like this. I thought it was expertly done, and very informative.
First and foremost, this book restored my faith in the role of NGO's and IGO's in responding to crises, and Human Rights violations. I learnt a lot from this book, and I was also surprised by how much Elaine's identity and familial history resonates with mine. As I would like to work in the field, this book was great and comprehensive in conveying just what that looks like (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and providing me with direction too. I like that it was done through a personal reflection/journey lens, as I also thought this avoided the ethical issues that may come from writing a text/book like this. I thought it was expertly done, and very informative.
February 9, 2023
This started off slow for me. All I could think was how human rights are bogged down in bureaucracy. Once I made it halfway through the first chapter, I appreciated the experiences and stories Elaine is sharing with the world. I enjoyed the format of the book being broken up into chapters covering a country, it’s conflict and Human Rights Watch’s involvement. I learnt a lot each chapter and feel inspired by the tireless work of activists and survivors. Worth a read especially as the content is so topical & up to date.
August 10, 2023
full transparency, elaine is a friend and one i've longed admirer. she has always been my friend that works at human rights watch, but i never knew exactly what her role entailed, but now i certainly do. it's an intimate look into the tireless time and effort that goes with human rights work. from the interviews and documentation to lots of research. bravo! elaine tackled human rights abuses in primarily asia but also as the noted on the cover - "a journey of fighting for justice around the world".
December 6, 2025
I listened to this after meeting Elaine and hearing her speak about the book, and I’m so glad I did. Chasing Wrongs and Rights is an engaging and honest look at what it actually means to work in human rights.
Several parts really stayed with me. The story of the Oba in Nigeria canceling the effects of the juju rituals was such a clever reminder that sometimes unconventional, locally grounded actions can achieve what big, well-funded projects may never be able to do. The image of Elaine standing in the brothel window in Amsterdam perfectly captures the importance of trying to understand the lived experiences of those affected. We may never fully grasp it but making the effort matters.
I also found the section about being on the bus in Nepal, wondering if she was a legitimate military target, incredibly powerful. It shows how easily legal or policy debates can lose sight of the real fear and vulnerability behind them.
As someone early in my own human rights career, I deeply connected with her reflections on luck, privilege, and race. She captures the “lottery of birth” idea in such a clear and relatable way. I have often wrestled with what my role can be as a white person from the Global North in this field, especially as naming and shaming becomes less effective. Her framing of how international actors can help create space for local voices, or say things they cannot safely say themselves, gave me some answers.
Overall, Chasing Wrongs and Rights is a thoughtful, grounded, and deeply human book about the realities of global justice work. It is inspiring without being naive, and reflective without being heavy-handed. It is a great one for anyone interested in the day-to-day realities of global justice work!
Several parts really stayed with me. The story of the Oba in Nigeria canceling the effects of the juju rituals was such a clever reminder that sometimes unconventional, locally grounded actions can achieve what big, well-funded projects may never be able to do. The image of Elaine standing in the brothel window in Amsterdam perfectly captures the importance of trying to understand the lived experiences of those affected. We may never fully grasp it but making the effort matters.
I also found the section about being on the bus in Nepal, wondering if she was a legitimate military target, incredibly powerful. It shows how easily legal or policy debates can lose sight of the real fear and vulnerability behind them.
As someone early in my own human rights career, I deeply connected with her reflections on luck, privilege, and race. She captures the “lottery of birth” idea in such a clear and relatable way. I have often wrestled with what my role can be as a white person from the Global North in this field, especially as naming and shaming becomes less effective. Her framing of how international actors can help create space for local voices, or say things they cannot safely say themselves, gave me some answers.
Overall, Chasing Wrongs and Rights is a thoughtful, grounded, and deeply human book about the realities of global justice work. It is inspiring without being naive, and reflective without being heavy-handed. It is a great one for anyone interested in the day-to-day realities of global justice work!
August 19, 2024
Read as an audiobook. This book is an important read. I provides perspectives and humanises the work being done around the world by NGOs to hold governments and others accountable for the treatment of human beings. I think it is easy to switch off and think it is too big a problem, too hard an issue, too many people. The work of Human Rights Watch and others in this area has made positive change for so many, even while there is still so much further to go.
January 5, 2023
I really enjoyed the range of cultures and countries that were covered in Elaine’s story. The work she does is vital and her book restores my appreciation of the work and importance of NGO activity. Those individuals she has assisted can count themselves fortunate that someone so dedicated is working to maintain fairness and equality in the face of repression and corruption.
January 18, 2023
Fascinating read! Some very interesting and insightful stories from Elaine. Would highly recommend for anyone who is interested in Law, Human Rights or world affairs.
February 2, 2023
A great insight into the exploitation of human rights around the world and domestically. Very interesting and inspiring to read.
December 8, 2022
Very insightful and inspiring
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews