ASEAN Secretary-General Pledges Support for the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism

 

Recognizing that “the issue of human rights is currently defining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)”, Secretary-General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan held a meeting with the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism (Working Group) at the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Singapore on July 19, 2008.

He noted the efforts of the Working Group- which span a period of more than ten years- in bringing about an intergovernmental human rights mechanism. Dr. Pitsuwan encouraged the Working Group to “keep exerting pressure” on stakeholders especially since the ratification of the ASEAN Charter, is coming within sight. “The Charter, which will give ASEAN a legal personality and will consolidate ASEAN member-states into a single community, will legitimize (the enforcement of) human rights practices in the region,” he said. The Charter also contains a provision which promises the establishment of an ASEAN human rights body.

Dr. Pitsuwan offered the support of the ASEAN secretariat in co-organizing activities with the Working Group which will contribute to the development of the ASEAN human rights body.

In response, Working Group Secretary-General Carlos Medina Jr. thanked Dr. Pitsuwan and said that they were looking forward to a fruitful partnership with the ASEAN secretariat. He said the Working Group will also look into ways they can support the ASEAN secretariat in implementing its human rights projects.