AICHR unveiled, for the betterment of all ASEAN peoples

On 23 October 2009, the Heads of State/Government of ASEAN presided over the Inaugural Ceremony of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), during which they also announced the “Cha-am Hua Hin Declaration on the Inauguration of the AICHR” to pledge full support to this new ASEAN body and emphasize their commitment to further develop cooperation to promote and protect human rights in the region.

The ASEAN Leaders also pledged to provide US$200,000 start up fund to support activities of the AICHR during its first year of operation, which will be topped up later by annual contributions from Member States as well as contributions from external sources. They also announced their commitment to review the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the AICHR every 5 years to further develop and strengthen the mandate and function of the body in the promotion and protection of human rights and to reinforce the AICHR as the overarching framework for cooperation on human rights in ASEAN.

The establishment of the AICHR is yet another significant milestone in the evolution of ASEAN as it provides the concrete expression of Article 14 of the ASEAN Charter and ASEAN’s commitment to build a more people oriented ASEAN Community. The body is mandated to promote and protect human rights by promoting public awareness and education, providing advice and capacity building to government agencies and ASEAN bodies, developing regional norms, obtain information from Member States, engaging with stakeholders and other institutions, conducting studies on thematic issues as well as preparing reports to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, in accordance with its TOR prepared by the High Level Panel and approved by ASEAN Foreign Ministers in July.

The AICHR is composed of Representatives appointed by ASEAN Member States, namely, 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), who shall serve for a term of 3 years, which may be renewable once. The body will be chaired by the Representative of the Member State holding the Chairmanship of ASEAN. It will also hold an Introductory Meeting on 24 October 2009, at the Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa.