(13-05-2013)
The ASEAN Intergovernmental
Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened its Twelfth Meeting at the
ASEAN Secretariat from 6 to 10 May 2013. The Meeting was chaired by H.
E. Pehin Dato Dr. Awang Hj. Ahmad bin Hj. Jumat, the Representative of
Brunei Darussalam and the Chair of the AICHR. The AICHR welcomed the new
Representative of Cambodia to the AICHR, H.E. Mr. Srun Thirith. The
AICHR held several bilateral meetings, including with the Committee of
Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR), the Secretary-General of
ASEAN, the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, the
Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism and the
representatives of relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, namely the ASEAN
Committee on Women (ACW) and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and
Protection of Women and Children (ACWC).
The joint annual meeting between the
AICHR and the CPR takes place during the regular AICHR meetings. This
practice of a joint annual meeting began in 2010 when the AICHR held its
first meeting in the ASEAN Secretariat. The AICHR and the CPR discussed
how both ASEAN bodies can work together in the implementation of the
ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD). It was agreed by both parties
that a joint event on the AHRD would be held in conjunction with the
celebration of the 46th ASEAN Day in August 2013.
With the Secretary-General of ASEAN,
H.E. Le Luong Minh, the AICHR discussed how human rights could be
mainstreamed into the ASEAN community building efforts with the
involvement of all the ASEAN community pillars and the unique role the
Secretary-General has with regards to the promotion and protection of
human rights. The Secretary-General of ASEAN shared his views on the
challenges of ASEAN, which resonated with the challenges faced by the
AICHR in the promotion and protection of human rights and the
implementation of the AHRD. The Secretary-General also shared the ASEAN
Secretariat’s efforts on mainstreaming human rights by conducting human
rights training for the ASEAN Secretariat’s staff. He further expressed
his readiness to consider the proposal for a dedicated unit to support
the work of the AICHR in the context of the reorganisation of the ASEAN
Secretariat’s structure.
The AICHR warmly welcomed the EU Special
Representative for Human Rights, Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, and exchanged
ideas of possible cooperation between the AICHR and the EU. The AICHR
also met with the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, led
by Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree, and was informed of the activities and
efforts conducted by the Working Group in support of the AICHR’s
mandate. The Working Group reiterated their support to the AICHR in the
implementation activities on the AHRD and looked towards further future
cooperation.
The Meeting was informed of the latest
developments from the work plans of the ACW and the ACWC. The AICHR
commended the work of the Sectoral Bodies and discussed how to enhance
cooperation in the promotion of human rights and avoid duplication.
The AICHR Meeting finalised the AICHR’s
Annual Report for 2013 and their Priority Programmes/Activities for 2014
for submission to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in June 2013. The
AICHR Representatives also had an extensive discussion on the need to
establish a dedicated unit within the ASEAN Secretariat to support more
efficiently the increasing work of the AICHR.
The Meeting expressed their appreciation
to the ASEAN Secretariat for the hospitality and excellent
arrangements. The AICHR plans to conduct a special meeting in August
2013 in Viet Nam.
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น
หมายเหตุ: มีเพียงสมาชิกของบล็อกนี้เท่านั้นที่สามารถแสดงความคิดเห็น