Malaysian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs extends support to Working Group
The Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism
(Working Group) met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Malaysia on November 17 to discuss the implementation
of the human rights provisions of the Vientiane Action
Programme (VAP). Also discussed were and the preparations
for the 5th Workshop on the ASEAN Regional Mechanism on
Human Rights scheduled in early 2006 in Kuala Lumpur.
Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi extended the support of the Malaysian
Foreign Ministry in the eventual creation of an ASEAN
Human Rights Commission. Fuzi said that Malaysia was one
of the ASEAN countries who supported the idea to have
an ASEAN Human Rights Commission during the discussion
on the ASEAN Security Community.
The Working Group also discussed with the Ministry the
possibility of ASEAN funding the implementation of the
human rights provisions of the VAP, particularly the establishment
of a commission on women and children, elaboration of
an ASEAN instrument on migrant workers, and the promotion
of education and public awareness on human rights in the
region. During the 38th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Vientiane,
Lao P.D.R. (July 2005), ASEAN signed an Agreement on the
Establishment of an ASEAN Development Fund (ADF) to support
the financing of the VAP. The Ministry, however, expressed
that the fund is still not big enough to fund the implementation
of the VAP.
Malaysia is currently the chair of the 39th ASEAN Standing
Committee.
