The Working Group
Meets the High Level Panel on the ASEAN Human Rights Body
In a consultation in Manila, Chairperson Sihasak Phuangketkeow
of the High-Level
Panel on the ASEAN Human Rights Body (HLP) pledged
that “the body would not only be an empty shell
but will have a heart and a soul” and that “meaningful
dialogues will continue to take place in the future”.
The HLP consultation was held on 11 September 2008 with
the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism
(Working Group), the four National Human Rights Institutions
(NHRIs) in ASEAN (collectively known as the ASEAN NHRI
Forum), the Solidarity
for Southeast Asian Peoples Advocacy (SAPA), and the
Women’s Caucus for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism.
All organizations informed the HLP that they would like
the ASEAN human rights body (AHRB) to be institutionalized
as a “Commission”, its members to have solid
human rights expertise, and for them to regularly consult
with civil society organizations. For their part, the
Working Group presented proposed
elements for the terms of reference of the AHRB. One
of the most discussed issues during the consultation was
the idea of the AHRB developing through an evolutionary
process. For the Working Group, this evolutionary process
could involve both evolution of the Commission’s
capacity as an institution and the evolution of the system
for comprehensive promotion and protection of human rights.
The HLP representatives thanked the organizations and
said that it would consider their submissions. For his
part, Prof. Vitit Muntarbhorn, the Thai HLP alternate,
advised the organizations to give the HLP further input
on the value added by the AHRB, the suggested ways by
which ASEAN’s previous human rights commitments
in the Vientiane
Action Programme can be linked with the AHRB, the
relationship of the AHRB with the NHRIs in the region,
and the steps needed for the AHRB to evolve in a credible
and doable manner. In conclusion, HLP Chair Sihasak said
that another consultation was in the works for December
2008 and that this could be another opportunity where
further input can be given.
The consultation, which took place on the occasion of
the HLP’s
Third Meeting, was held so that the HLP could learn
the views of relevant stakeholders in ASEAN and incorporate
these into the first draft ToR of the AHRB. ASEAN has
been in dialogue with the Working Group on the issue of
an ASEAN human rights mechanism since 1996.
Read the Draft
Terms of Reference for the AHRB submitted by the NHRIs
and the Submission
on ASEAN and Human Rights to the HLP from SAPA here.
