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The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights : An Update

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights : An Update. Honey Tan Lay Ean Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti, Selangor (EMPOWER) National Consultation on ASEAN Structures and Processes Tuesday, 15 September 2009 Shah’s Village Hotel, Petaling Jaya. How it began….

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The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights : An Update

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  1. The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights : An Update Honey Tan Lay Ean Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti, Selangor (EMPOWER) National Consultation on ASEAN Structures and Processes Tuesday, 15 September 2009 Shah’s Village Hotel, Petaling Jaya

  2. How it began… • Article 14 of the ASEAN Charter • High Level Panel - Appointment – Tan Sri Fuzi (HLTF) - Consultation with CSOs National: Suaram, Empower, Komas Regional: WG, NHRIs, SAPA and WC

  3. What is the AICHR Article 3 • Intergovernmental body • Integral part of ASEAN organisational structure • Consultative bodies

  4. Purposes • Promotional • Article 1.4: “ To promote human rights within the regional context… mutual respect for different historical, cultural and religious backgrounds…”

  5. Purposes • Cultural relativism • Universality • Cultures and religions subject to human interpretation: not static, contextual in time and place

  6. Principles • Areas of potentially contradictions e.g., non-interference (Article 2.1b), sovereignty (Article 2.1a) and decision making by consensus (Article 6.1) V adherence to rule of law and good governance (Article 2.1d) and principles of human rights (Article 2.2)

  7. Principles • Non-discrimination, avoidance of double standards (equality?) and politicisation (Article 2.2) • Evolutionary approach to the development of human rights, norms and standards in ASEAN (Article 2.5)

  8. Mandates & Functions • Mostly promotional • Engage in dialogue and consultation with CSOs and other stakeholders (Article 4.8) • Obtain information from ASEAN members on the promotion and protection of human rights (Article 4.10)

  9. Mandates & Functions • To prepare studies on thematic issues (Article 4.12) • Draft ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (Article 4.2) • Nothing about inquiries, redress mechanisms

  10. Composition • Representatives, not Commissioners • Accountable to the appointing government – not independent (Article 5.2) • Consider gender equality (?), integrity and competence • 3 years + 1 renewal

  11. Modalities • Reports to the Foreign Ministers (Article 6.6) • Overarching human rights institution in ASEAN with overall responsibility for promotion and protection of human rights (Article 6.8)

  12. Modalities Article 6.9 • Work with all ASEAN sectoral bodies for ultimate alignment with the AICHR (?) • Closely consult, coordinate and collaborate to promote synergy and coherence in ASEAN’s promotion and protection of human rights • ACWC / ACMW – what about them?

  13. Role of Sec-Gen Article 7 • ASEAN Secretariat is to be secretariat for AICHR • Sec-Gen may bring relevant issues to AICHR, but shall concurrently inform the Foreign Ministers of these issues

  14. Review Article 9 • 5 years

  15. What’s next in 2009 - AICHR October, Thailand • Political Declaration • Appointment of Commissioners • Establishment and Launch of AICHR

  16. What’s next in 2009? – Malaysian NGOs • National Coalition • National strategies for engagement with AICHR (objectives, operationalising decisions, identifying cases for reference, engagement with Commissioner) • Regional Coalitions: SAPA and WC (migrant workers, indigenous peoples, environment, people with disabilities)

  17. Thank you

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