Establishment of ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism is OHCHR's Highest Priority

Southeast Asia Regional Representative Dr. Homayoun Alizadeh reiterated the U.N Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) full commitment to pushing for the establishment of an ASEAN regional human rights mechanism last February 5, 2007 in South Korea. In a speech delivered at the Second Asia Human Rights Forum on Regional Human Rights Cooperation for Combating Sexual Exploitation of Children in Asia, Dr. Alizadeh urged stakeholders from overnments, civil society and the academe to push for the inclusion of the regional human rights mechanism in the ASEAN Charter. The first draft of the Charter, which is being written by a high-level taskforce composed of ASEAN leaders and statesmen, will be presented in November 2007.

He also recognized South Korea’s great potential, as a member of the ASEAN Plus Three grouping, to engage the ASEAN so it may put human rights in the agenda. Noting South Korea’s political and economic vantage point, Dr. Alizadeh recommended, “South Korea may start a regular dialogue and
consultation with the ASEAN Plus Three Unit at the ASEAN Secretariat on human rights issues, including the establishment of an ASEAN human rights mechanism”.

Read Dr. Alizadeh’s report on the forum and speech here.