Participants at the 5th ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue in Jakarta. (Photo: asean.org) Jakarta (VNA)🥀 – The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission onHuman Rights (AICHR) has recently held the 5th ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue inJakarta, Indonesia, two months after the adoption of the ASEANLeaders’ Declaration on the ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue during the 43rd ASEANSummit.
The November 6 event attracted the participation of representatives of theASEAN member states (AMS), AICHR, the Committee of Permanent Representatives toASEAN, and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from some AMS, andinvited stakeholders including the civil society organisations (CSOs) havingconsultative relationship with AICHR, and the ASEAN Secretariat. Speaking at the opening session, Indonesia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi underscored thatthe ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue signified an important milestone in ASEAN onhuman rights framework. The convening of the dialogue marked a significantdevelopment in advancing a culture of openness to develop a deeperunderstanding of human rights issues and challenges in ASEAN and promoteinclusivity by ensuring participation of different stakeholders. Furthermore,the human rights dialogue helps bridge differences, build understanding, andforge a path toward meaningful change, he said. Participantsat the dialogue exchangedbest practices to promote and protect human rights and ways to overcomechallenges to implement the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD).They also shared experience on the accession and implementation of the international human rightsconventions by the AMS including reporting requirements and follow-ups onrecommendations, as well as their participation in the Universal PeriodicReview process.
Thedialogue also included thematicdiscussions on theissues of freedom of religion and belief, protection of journalists, the rightsof migrant workers, the rights of women, children, and persons withdisabilities, gender balance and equality, business and human rights, humanrights past abuses, death penalty, the environment and climate change, onlinesexual violence against children, disinformation and misinformation, andsustainable development goals.
🐟 In commemoration of the 11th anniversary of theAHRD on November 18, 2023 and the 75th anniversary of the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10, 2023, theparticipants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in thepromotion and protection of human rights in the region in line with the AHRDand UDHR./.
