"I don't give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way." - Mark Twain

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An upcoming event:

Engaging the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AIGCHR) – The People’s Views
22nd August

"Aims of This Meeting:
1. To raise awareness on the functions and roles of the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights,
2. To reflect on the implications of rights-based perspectives on stakeholders
3. To make recommendations on the following:
a. Selection process on the government representatives to the AIGCHR,
b. The role of government representatives within the Commission, and
c. The process of stakeholders’ engagement with the Commission"

Registration form


I won't be there, but readers are invited to attend to give ideas about how to ensure that the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights will be a toothless body with a selective and political agenda (like the United Nations Human Rights Council and its predecessor, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights) significantly less than 100% of the time.


From the Terms of Reference of ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights:

"The purposes of the AICHR are:

1.2 To uphold the right of the peoples of ASEAN to live in peace, dignity and prosperity...

1.4 To promote human rights within the regional context, bearing in mind national and regional particularities and mutual respect for different historical, cultural and religious backgrounds, and taking into account the balance between rights and responsibilities...

The AICHR shall be guided by the following principles:

2.1 Respect for principles of ASEAN as embodied in Article 2 of the ASEAN Charter, in
particular:

a) respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all ASEAN Member States;

b) non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States;

c) respect for the right of every Member State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion...

g) respect for different cultures, languages and religions of the peoples of ASEAN, while emphasising their common values in the spirit of unity in diversity...

2.4 Pursuance of a constructive and non-confrontational approach and cooperation to enhance promotion and protection of human rights; and

2.5 Adoption of an evolutionary approach that would contribute to the development of human rights norms and standards in ASEAN."