PRESS RELEASE
Special Meeting 1/2024 of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights
Vientiane, Lao PDR, 23-26 July 2024 –The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened Special Meeting 1/2024 from July 23 to 26, 2024, in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Ambassador Yong Chanthalangsy, Representative of Lao PDR and Chair of AICHR for 2024. It was attended by Representatives and Alternate Representatives of AICHR, as well as the ASEAN Secretariat. Timor-Leste was represented by the Ombudsman for Good Governance of the Provedoria dos Direitos Humanos e Justiça, Rigoberto Monteiro, along with Alfaro Julio de Araújo from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Virgílio Faustino da Silva from the Ministry of Justice, who attended the meeting as observers.
The Meeting was updated on recent developments on human rights in the region, including new laws and regulations at the national level related to human rights, and human rights initiatives by ASEAN Member States as presented by the AICHR Representatives of Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore, respectively.
The Meeting discussed the progressive implementation of AICHR’s Priority Programmes/Activities, including business and human rights, the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, trafficking in persons, youth debate on human rights, prevention of torture, and implementation of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations. The Meeting deliberated initiatives to enhance the engagement of AICHR with ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and entities, relevant stakeholders, and dialogue partners, including the preparation for the 6th ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue and an official visit of AICHR to China.
The Meeting commenced discussions on the next Five-Year Work Plan of AICHR for the period of 2026-2030.
AICHR Interface With ASEAN Foreign Minister and the ASEAN Secretary-General
On 24 July, the AICHR Representatives had their annual Interface with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers during the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings. The Interface saw candid exchanges between the Ministers/Deputy Ministers and the AICHR Representatives on progress and ongoing efforts to promote and protect human rights in the region. The Chair of AICHR delivered AICHR’s Statement and submitted AICHR’s Annual Report 2024 to the 57th AMM during the Interface.
The AICHR Representatives also held their annual Interface with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn. The parties shared views and deliberations on AICHR’s ongoing works for the advancement of human rights cooperation and dialogue in ASEAN.
On 25 July, AICHR met with the ASEAN Environmental Rights Working Group (AER-WG) and expressed appreciation for their work. AICHR also met with the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF), which shared experiences and discussed possible areas of mutual interest for cooperation.
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