5th Roundtable on Human Rights in ASEAN

Bangkok, Thailand – The Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism wrapped up the 5th Roundtable Discussion on Human Rights in ASEAN with renewed determination to forge ahead and do its part in developing a responsive and credible human rights system in the region.

The Roundtable discussed topics ranging from other regional human rights systems to the three pillars of the ASEAN Community; from the challenges facing the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) to the lessons it could take away from earlier ASEAN processes (e.g., the drafting of the Charter). These discussions triggered fruitful exchanges of opinions between the speakers and the participants and made for very interesting conclusions.

The Roundtable also drew attention the current status of the AICHR and other ASEAN bodies such as the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC); the urgent need to resolve issues such as these bodies’ alignment; as well as the relevance of the developments in ASEAN to human rights given the current global and regional contexts.

The 5th Roundtable was held in Bangkok, Thailand on 15-16 December 2009. It was co-organized and co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand and the Working Group.

View the Summary of Proceedings of the 5th Roundtable Discussion on Human Rights in ASEAN – Towards an ASEAN Human Rights System: Roles of Institutions and Related Activities – here.