Latest news with #Bon
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
Free Malaysia Today
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Providing refugees a safe haven stretches resources, says Malaysian rep
Myanmar is currently ravaged by a civil war between the ruling military junta and a broad-based opposition, which includes numerous armed organisations. (Reuters pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysia's representative on the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) said taking in refugees would put a strain on a host country's resources, when calling for a solution to the crisis involving Myanmar nationals. Edmund Bon said Malaysia currently 'houses one of the largest numbers of Myanmar refugees'. Edmund Bon. According to data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are about 192,800 refugees and asylum-seekers registered in Malaysia, including 174,410 from Myanmar comprising Rohingya, Chin, and other ethnic groups as of March. The UNHCR also said about US$2.18 million is needed to provide for these refugees. 'It stretches our resources,' Bon told FMT. He said neighbouring countries are for most of the time caught between a rock and hard place when it comes to taking in refugees. He said no one wants to be a refugee, but persecution they face by their own governments forced them to flee. 'In general, the neighbouring countries feel compelled to provide these refugees a safe haven on humanitarian grounds and international law, but at the same time, there is a challenge when it comes to funding,' he said. Bon said he has conveyed the challenges that come with hosting refugees to AICHR's Myanmar representative. Myanmar is currently ravaged by a civil war between the ruling junta, led by Min Aung Hlaing, and a broad-based opposition, which includes numerous armed organisations. At an event earlier today, Bon said Malaysia is proposing for a declaration, tentatively titled 'Asean declaration on promoting the right to development and peace towards realising inclusive and sustainable development', at the AICHR's summit this year. The aim of the declaration is to anticipate and address root causes of regional problems early on and be more proactive in tackling Asean issues than just reacting to them. 'The declaration is based on core Asean principles, recognising human rights to peace and development towards ensuring intergenerational equity, fair distribution and cooperation,' he said.
News18
26-04-2025
- News18
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: All You Need To Know About Dates, Itinerary, What To Pack
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is undertaken by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and the followers of the Bon religion. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is set to resume this year after a five-year hiatus. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently announced that the pilgrimage will begin on June 30. The Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) has been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting this yatra. The MEA and the state government are in charge of coordination and security. The KMVN will be responsible for ground logistics, food, accommodation and travel arrangements. The first group to take this trip will enter China on July 10. The last group of pilgrims will leave for India on August 22. What Is The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra? The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a holy trek taken by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and followers of the Bon religion. The pilgrimage requires devotees to climb as high as 15,000 feet during the journey. Why Was The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Suspended? The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was halted five years ago in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The international travel restrictions resulting from the pandemic prevented devotees from taking the yatra. The trek's resumption was further delayed because of border tensions between India and China. How To Take The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra? The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a challenging pilgrimage that starts in Delhi. To enter Tibet, pilgrims must travel through the Lipulekh Pass situated in the Pithoragarh district. Around 250 yatris undertake the pilgrimage, extending over 22 days. These pilgrims are divided into five batches of 50 each. Gunji – Yatris must spend two nights here to get accustomed to the high altitude. Nabhidang – Another two-night stop before the pilgrims cross into Tibet. Taklakot (Tibet, China) – The entry point into Tibet. Bundi – Pilgrims must spend one night at this location. Chaukori – Another night to be spent here. Almora – The final stop before Delhi, yatris must spend a night here. Delhi – The final location of arrival. What Should You Pack For The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra? Pilgrims must only focus on packing essentials for a safe and worry-free journey. Ensure you have enough thermal clothing, such as jackets. Trekking boots and warm socks are also required to protect you from the cold. Personal care items like sunscreen and lip balm may come in handy. Keep basic medication and a first-aid kit as well. Battery packs and torches will come in handy when it gets dark.
Japan Times
24-04-2025
- Japan Times
Hokkaido fisher to hold memorial service for tour boat accident victims
A local fishing operator in Hokkaido is preparing to hold a shipboard ceremony to remember people involved in the fatal tourist boat sinking off the coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula in the prefecture three years ago. Kenji Sakurai, a 61-year-old fisher in the town of Rausu, volunteered his time to search for passengers and crew members who went missing when the Kazu I sightseeing boat sank on April 23, 2022. The incident left 20 people on board dead and six others still unaccounted for. "All we have left to do now is to pray for good weather on the day," Sakurai says, having completed almost all preparations to hold the event in July around where the boat went under. Sakurai instantly decided to organize the offshore memorial service when he saw photos recovered from a 34-year-old Kazu I passenger's digital camera he stumbled across when visiting the peninsula with some of his friends during the Bon holiday period in August last year. About 700 photos were recovered from the camera owned by the man from Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture. Of them, around 80 were taken on the day of the accident, with some featuring other Kazu I passengers. On his way home, many things went through Sakurai's mind, including the tearful faces of bereaved family members who boarded tour boats with other passengers to visit the site and statues of the Goddess of Kannon dotted around the peninsula due to many marine accidents in the area. The discovery of the camera more than two years after the sinking was "a message sent from those who died," Sakurai said. A digital camera belonging to one of the passengers on the sunken Kazu I boat was found off the tip of Shiretoko Peninsula in August 2024. | Courtesy of Kenji Sakurai / via Jiji The biggest obstacle in organizing the event was money. Along with friends who joined efforts to find items belonging to the victims, Sakurai asked for donations in a video uploaded to YouTube in October last year. Money sent from across Japan totaled some ¥13 million, exceeding the initial goal of ¥10 million. When Sakurai visited a local government office to complete the necessary paperwork, including filing for permits for port use, an official there offered full-fledged cooperation. The ceremony will be held on either July 12 or July 13, depending on the weather and sea conditions, with 43 members from bereaved families scheduled to attend. Participants will board two leased tour boats and offer floral tributes around what is believed to be the sinking point near Kashuni Falls. They will also land on the northern part of the peninsula, where many items belonging to the victims were found. "I want (the participants) to pray (for the victims) so they don't have any regrets," Sakurai said. On Wednesday, on the third anniversary of the Kazu I sinking, a memorial service was held in the town of Shari in Hokkaido. During the service, about 120 participants, including bereaved families, observed a moment of silence shortly after 1 p.m., when the incident is believed to have occurred. Shari Mayor Hiroaki Yamauchi said that the local community will reassess what needs to be done to make the Shiretoko area attractive and "build safety step by step." "Our biggest mission is to ensure (tourists') safety," said Katsunori Nojiri, head of the Shiretoko Shari-cho Tourist Association. "We'll work to ensure that people can enjoy nature and sightseeing without worrying." An altar was set up at the ceremony venue, where many Shari residents laid flowers. Among them was Toichi Sugiura, 63, who worked for an affiliate of the Kazu I operator and offered support to bereaved families at the time. "Three years have passed in the blink of an eye," Sugiura said. "I want to make sure that it (the incident) will not be forgotten with each passing year." "Nature has its risks," said Gen Terayama, 58, a tour guide. "Business operators are tasked with addressing the risks in a sincere way." At a news conference in Tokyo Wednesday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said that the government will "continue to work hard to ensure the safety of passenger ships so that tragic accidents will not happen again." Over the incident, Seiichi Katsurada, president of the boat operator Shiretoko Yuransen, was arrested by the 1st Regional Coast Guard Headquarters in September last year for alleged professional negligence resulting in death. He was indicted by the Kushiro District Public Prosecutor's Office the following month. Katsurada is also facing a civil lawsuit filed by the bereaved families. During a court hearing, he has denied his responsibility for the incident.
