Latest news with #AICHR
The Star
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
AICHR gathers in Jakarta to boost regional human rights agenda
JAKARTA/KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- The Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) will convene its 41st Meeting at the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta from May 12 to May 16, chaired by Datuk Edmund Bon Tai Soon, Malaysia's Representative to AICHR and the Commission's Chair for 2025, according to Malaysia's Foreign Ministry. The ministry, widely known as Wisma Putra, said Malaysia's leadership of this meeting underscores its commitment to advancing human rights promotion and protection through regional dialogue and the exploration of new avenues for collaboration. "The meeting will strengthen ASEAN-wide cooperation on human rights, bringing the region closer to the goals enshrined in the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration 2012 and ASEAN's community vision,' said Wisma Putra in a statement on Monday. According to Wisma Putra, the meeting will bring together 10 AICHR Representatives/Alternate Representatives, Timor-Leste's Representative (as Observer), and officials from the Asean Secretariat. "The meeting will discuss recent human rights developments in ASEAN and the proposed Asean Declarations on the Rights to Development, Peace, and a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment,' it said. It said the meeting will also deliberate on the AICHR Five-Year Work Plan (FYWP) for 2026 to 2030 and its Priority Programmes for the next year. In preparation for the 15th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) interface with AICHR scheduled for July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, AICHR will also finalise its 2025 Annual Report to brief the AMM on its progress, challenges and future direction. Further, AICHR will hold meetings with the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR); The Working Group for an Asean Human Rights Mechanism (WGAHRM); representatives of Child Rights Coalition Asia, including children and Asean Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC); Asean University Network-Human Rights Education (AUN-HRE); and dialogue partners - Australia, Norway, Japan, the European Union, Switzerland, and the Republic of Korea - the statement said. - Bernamna
The Star
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysia leads AICHR in shaping future human rights plan
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) is in the final stages of drafting its Five-Year Work Plan (2026-2030), aimed at strengthening the protection and promotion of human rights across Southeast Asia amid evolving regional and global challenges. Chair of AICHR and Malaysia's Representative to AICHR, Edmund Bon Tai Soon ( pic ), said the new work plan, once finalised, would serve as a strategic framework guiding AICHR's activities over the next five years, in line with the Asean Community Vision 2045 and various strategic plans of action under the Asean framework. He said that the rapidly changing global landscape has made it imperative for the new work plan to address emerging non-traditional security threats such as artificial intelligence (AI), climate change, forced migration, statelessness, and refugee crises, all of which have significant human rights implications. "This work plan is very important because it will shape the direction and future of human rights in the region. "It forms part of the Asean architecture, and once adopted, it will be submitted to the Asean foreign ministers at the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) this July in Kuala Lumpur," he told reporters here on Tuesday (April 29). Bon said the new plan would also focus on strengthening AICHR's institutional capacity and governance, enhancing cooperation with national bodies, and ensuring better policy implementation and monitoring, while respecting the 'Asean Way' of consensus and non-interference. He also stressed the importance of securing political will across Asean member states as well as mainstreaming human rights into Asean sectoral bodies to ensure the success and continuity of human rights initiatives beyond Malaysia's chairmanship. Meanwhile, the programme director for the Secretariat for the Working Group for an Asean Human Rights Mechanism, Maria Paula Villarin, in welcoming Malaysia's leadership, expressed optimism that the new work plan would include stronger measures for transparency, civil society engagement, and structured communication mechanisms. She highlighted that despite operating informally, the Working Group has been advocating for a credible human rights mechanism in Asean since 1996, working closely with various Asean bodies, including AICHR, the Asean Senior Officials' Meeting, and the Asean Ministerial Meeting. Villarin noted that one area that needed urgent improvement was the transparency of AICHR's proceedings, including making its reports public. She also called for the strengthening of AICHR's "communications mechanism", a process that enables individuals, groups, or organisations to submit reports on human rights violations for AICHR's consideration, which is an initiative that is still in discussion. Villarin said civil society organisations (CSOs), especially those without consultative status, must be included in regional dialogues to ensure that policies reflect ground realities. "AICHR can play a vital role as a bridge between grassroots CSOs and Asean policymakers. We acknowledge that decision-making at AICHR requires consensus, but creating more spaces for dialogue would strengthen the legitimacy of Asean's human rights initiatives,' she told Bernama. She expressed hope that Malaysia's proactive leadership would set a strong precedent for future AICHR chairs to continue building more open and inclusive mechanisms. "Malaysia's leadership is a good start. But the real test is whether future representatives will continue to push for greater participation, transparency, and protection of human rights. That is the hope embedded in this work plan,' she added. The final draft of the AICHR Five-Year Work Plan (2026-2030) is expected to be completed by May or June before being presented to Asean foreign ministers at the upcoming AMM in July. – Bernama
Barnama
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Malaysia Leads AICHR In Shaping Future Human Rights Plan
KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 -- Chair of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and Malaysia's Representative to AICHR, Edmund Bon Tai Soon (second from right), during AICHR Regional Consultation to support the development of the AICHR Five-Year Work Plan (2026-2030), today. -- photoBERNAMA (2025) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) is in the final stages of drafting its Five-Year Work Plan (2026-2030), aimed at strengthening the protection and promotion of human rights across Southeast Asia, amid evolving regional and global challenges. Chair of AICHR and Malaysia's Representative to AICHR, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, said the new work plan, once finalised, would serve as a strategic framework guiding AICHR's activities over the next five years, in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and various Strategic Plans of Action under the ASEAN framework. He said that the rapidly changing global landscape has made it imperative for the new work plan to address emerging non-traditional security threats such as artificial intelligence (AI), climate change, forced migration, statelessness, and refugee crises, all of which have significant human rights implications. bootstrap slideshow 'This work plan is very important because it will shape the direction and future of human rights in the region. 'It forms part of the ASEAN architecture, and once adopted, it will be submitted to the ASEAN foreign ministers at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) this July in Kuala Lumpur," he told reporters here on Tuesday. Bon said the new plan would also focus on strengthening AICHR's institutional capacity and governance, enhancing cooperation with national bodies, and ensuring better policy implementation and monitoring, while respecting the ASEAN Way of consensus and non-interference. He also stressed the importance of securing political will across ASEAN member states as well as to mainstream human rights into ASEAN sectoral bodies in order to ensure success and continuity of human rights initiatives beyond Malaysia's chairmanship. Meanwhile, the programme director for the Secretariat for the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, Maria Paula Villarin, in welcoming Malaysia's leadership, expressed optimism that the new work plan would include stronger measures for transparency, civil society engagement, and structured communication mechanisms. She highlighted that despite operating informally, the Working Group has been advocating for a credible human rights mechanism in ASEAN since 1996, working closely with various ASEAN bodies, including AICHR, the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM), and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM).
The Star
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysia leads push for Asean declaration on peace, development and sustainability
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Malaysia is spearheading efforts for Asean to adopt a landmark declaration affirming the right to peace, development, and sustainability, aiming to strengthen human rights and build an inclusive and resilient Asean community. Chair of the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and Malaysia's Representative to AICHR, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, said the proposed "Asean Declaration Promoting Peace, Inclusive Growth, Sustainable Development and the Right to Development" is expected to be tabled during the Asean Summit in May, alongside the adoption of Asean Vision 2045. "Our focus is to link peace, development, and sustainability as interconnected rights. "Growth must not be for its own sake but must include all people and ensure lasting peace. Malaysia is pushing for this declaration to guide Asean's future actions," he said at a press conference on Monday, after the opening of the 2nd AICHR Consultation on the Human Right to Development. When asked about Asean's principle of non-interference, particularly in sensitive situations such as Myanmar, Bon emphasised that humanitarian assistance must transcend political barriers. He cited Malaysia's deployment of medical teams to Sagaing in Myanmar following the recent earthquake, highlighting that assistance was provided after securing safety assurances from parties on the ground. "This is not about interference but about humanitarian solidarity. Malaysia's position is clear: we uphold the Asean Five-Point Consensus and continue to advocate for peace and humanitarian access. Safe, secure conditions for aid workers must be guaranteed,' he said. Meanwhile, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, Professor Dr Surya Deva, has lauded Malaysia, the Asean Chair for 2025, for its efforts in driving a rights-based development agenda across the region - a move that could set a global example. "We must not view the right to development merely in terms of economic growth or rising GDP. Rather, we should aim to create a dignified life for each and every person, without sacrificing environmental sustainability or exacerbating inequality,' he said. Surya stressed that achieving inclusive and sustainable development requires broad-based engagement from society. "If we truly want to achieve inclusive and sustainable development, it requires the participation of people, active, free, and meaningful participation in the decision-making process,' he added. For the first time since its establishment, AICHR Malaysia has invited civil society and stakeholders to contribute to the development of its next five-year work plan (2026-2030). Malaysia is proposing that Asean align its human rights and development agenda with the broader Asean Vision 2045, setting strategic goals that prioritise peace, inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience across the region. The 2nd AICHR Consultation brings together stakeholders from Asean's three community pillars to provide early input on the draft declaration and explore strategies to integrate human rights into Asean's development frameworks. Malaysia's initiative aligns with AICHR's Terms of Reference, including enhancing human rights awareness, engaging with stakeholders, and developing collective ASEAN positions on human rights. - Bernama
Barnama
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Malaysia Leads Push For ASEAN Declaration On Peace, Development, And Sustainability
GENERAL Undersecretary (Special Functions), High-Level Task Force ASEAN Community Post 2025 Vision, Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Jaafar (centre), AICHR Chairman and Malaysia's Representative to AICHR, Edmund Bon Tai Soon (right), and United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, Professor Dr Surya Deva (left), during the 2nd AICHR Consultation on the Human Right to Development to Enhance the ASEAN Community: Realising Article 35 of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration 2012. KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is spearheading efforts for ASEAN to adopt a landmark declaration affirming the right to peace, development, and sustainability, aiming to strengthen human rights and build an inclusive and resilient ASEAN community. Chair of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and Malaysia's Representative to AICHR, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, said the proposed "ASEAN Declaration Promoting Peace, Inclusive Growth, Sustainable Development and the Right to Development" is expected to be tabled during the ASEAN Summit in May, alongside the adoption of ASEAN Vision 2045. 'Our focus is to link peace, development, and sustainability as interconnected rights. 'Growth must not be for its own sake but must include all people and ensure lasting peace. Malaysia is pushing for this declaration to guide ASEAN's future actions," he said at a press conference on Tuesday, after the opening of the 2nd AICHR Consultation on the Human Right to Development. When asked about ASEAN's principle of non-interference, particularly in sensitive situations such as Myanmar, Bon emphasised that humanitarian assistance must transcend political barriers. He cited Malaysia's deployment of medical teams to Sagaing in Myanmar following the recent earthquake, highlighting that assistance was provided after securing safety assurances from parties on the ground. 'This is not about interference but about humanitarian solidarity. Malaysia's position is clear: we uphold the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and continue to advocate for peace and humanitarian access. Safe, secure conditions for aid workers must be guaranteed,' he said. Meanwhile, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, Professor Dr Surya Deva, has lauded Malaysia, the ASEAN Chair for 2025, for its efforts in driving a rights-based development agenda across the region — a move that could set a global example. 'We must not view the right to development merely in terms of economic growth or rising GDP. Rather, we should aim to create a dignified life for each and every person, without sacrificing environmental sustainability or exacerbating inequality,' he said.
