ASEAN Human Rights Body Finally Launched
AICHR Representatives |
The
Working Group for an ASEAN
Human Rights Mechanism has been
engaging the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since 1996. With
the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty, it
has been conducting workshops, roundtable discussions and meetings
with senior officials in order to
push for concrete action
on human rights protection. After more than 10 years of
interacting with ASEAN, their work has finally borne fruit.
The ASEAN leaders launched the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission
on Human Rights (AICHR) on 23 October 2009 during an inaugural
ceremony in Hua Hin, Thailand. The leaders endorsed the implementation
of the AICHR’s terms of reference as prepared by the High
Level Panel (HLP) on an ASEAN Human Rights Body. They also assured
the AICHR of their full support. The ASEAN heads
of state also acknowledged the contribution of stakeholders in
the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN and encouraged
their continuing engagement and dialogue with the AICHR.
The significance of the AICHR, the first such regional commission
in the Asia and the Pacific, was emphasized by Abhisit Vejjajiva,
the prime minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, in his remarks
during the inauguration: “[T]he success of AICHR goes beyond
the advancement of human rights and fundamental freedoms as envisaged
by the ASEAN Charter. Ultimately, it is all about the commitment
of Member States to enhancing the quality of the life of
ASEAN peoples, empowering and engaging them in
ASEAN’s community building process, all of which are the
fundamental basis of a genuine community for peoples.” Then
addressing civil society, he added that everyone should feel “a
sense of ownership in this new entity.”
Even if it the AICHR is an intergovernmental body, civil society
should be assured that they now have “a new partner
with whom to work.”
ASEAN
leaders also pledged US$200,000 as initial funds to support activities
of the AICHR during its first year of operation. This will then
be subsequently topped up by contributions from Member States
as well as external funding where appropriate.
A day after the body’s inauguration, the AICHR representatives
convened officially. Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree, Thailand’s
representative to the AICHR and immediate past chairperson of
the Thai Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, chaired
the introductory meeting. Representatives dialogued with members
of the HLP. They also used this as an opportunity to get to know
each other and to learn about their visions for the AICHR.
The roster of AICHR representatives is as follows: H.E. Pehin
Datu Imam Dato Paduka Seri Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Hamid Bakal
(Brunei), H.E. Om Yentieng (Cambodia), Mr. Rafendi Djamin (Indonesia),
H.E. Bounkeut Sangsomsak (Lao PDR), H.E. Datuk Muhammad Shafee
Abdullah (Malaysia), H.E. Kyaw Tint Swe (Myanmar), H.E. Rosario
G. Manalo (the Philippines), H.E. Richard Magnus (Singapore),
Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree (Thailand), and H.E. Do Ngoc Son
(Viet Nam).
