RWG Scores Double Victory in the 12th ASEAN Summit
The Regional Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism
(RWG) did not only have one but two good reasons for hailing
the 12th Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu,
Philippines as a success. Two of its core advocacies have
been significantly advanced in the Summit. First, an
ASEAN Declaration on the Promotion and Protection of the
rights of Migrant Workers was passed. Second was
the endorsement by ASEAN heads of state of a blueprint
for the ASEAN Charter. The blueprint, which contained
the recommendations of the Eminent Persons’ Group
(EPG), mentioned the need for a regional human rights mechanism.
RWG was highly encouraged by the acknowledgement of the
EPG, comprised of former ASEAN statesmen and leaders, of
the establishment of an ASEAN human rights mechanism as
a worthy idea that should be pursued. It is hoped that the
ASEAN accepts this recommendation and incorporates it in
the final drafting of the ASEAN Charter later this year.
Read the RWG Statement on the EPG’s Recommendations
for Inclusion in the ASEAN Charter here.
The Declaration on the Promotion and Protection of the
Rights of Migrant Workers is a pledge among ASEAN governments
to ensure decent working conditions, protection from all
forms of abuse and a guaranteed wage to migrant workers
within the region. Although the declaration is not legally-binding
and does not specifically say how it will implement its
provisions, RWG still sees it as a significant move towards
the creation of a sectoral mechanism that can protect migrant
workers. Read
the RWG statement on the ASEAN Declaration on the Promotion
and Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers here.
“These are positive developments,” said Working
Group Program Manager Ray Paolo Santiago. “It demonstrates
that ASEAN recognizes that human rights is a pressing concern
in the region that must be properly addressed,” he
said. “There are still many challenges ahead for the
Working Group,” he added. “We will continue
to meet with ASEAN, not merely to lobby for paper victories,
but to ask how we can work together to realize these commitments.”
