2nd ASEAN Dialogue on Human Rights and Policing, 26–27 January 2026

JAKARTA, 27 January 2026 – The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened the 2nd ASEAN Dialogue on Human Rights and Policing from 26–27 January 2026 at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta, held in a hybrid format.

The Dialogue brought together 54 participants from AICHR, national police forces, and relevant government agencies, national human rights institutions, civil society organisations, academia, and international partners. It aimed to advance practical cooperation on human rights-based policing across ASEAN.

Building on the inaugural Dialogue held in Bali in December 2024, the second Dialogue supported the implementation of AICHR’s priorities and regional commitments, particularly efforts to strengthen trust, accountability, and professionalism in law enforcement in line with the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD). It provided a forum for frank and constructive exchanges to deepen shared understanding of police integrity and human rights, identify ongoing challenges, and share knowledge, strategies, and good practices across ASEAN Member States.

In the opening session, Indonesia’s Representative to AICHR, Anita A. Wahid, emphasised that the Dialogue is a practical platform to bridge the gap between policy and implementation, strengthen professionalism and accountability, and build public trust. She stressed that it offers space to move beyond abstract commitments and consider how rights-based policy can be applied in practice under real constraints.

Mathias Domenig, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN, underscored that the Dialogue brings together diverse stakeholders to build trust, share good practices, strengthen cooperation, and advance the prevention of torture, including through relevant expertise.

Ali Murtado of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia likewise highlighted that embedding human rights is essential to effective and trusted law enforcement, including through integrity and accountability and by upholding legality, necessity, and proportionality.

Over two days, participants discussed regional and national approaches to strengthening integrity, accountability, and professionalism in policing. Sessions covered international and ASEAN human rights standards, integrity mechanisms, capacity-building, policing vulnerable groups and crisis situations, and enhanced intersectoral cooperation within ASEAN.

The Dialogue concluded by reaffirming that human rights and policing are interconnected, and that stronger accountability and policy harmonisation are vital to sustaining public trust amid existing and emerging challenges. Participants noted that progress requires sustained reform, inclusive engagement, and continuous learning, supported by shared principles and practical cooperation among ASEAN institutions, police agencies, and stakeholders.

AICHR expressed appreciation to all delegations, speakers, and partners for their contributions in making the Dialogue a valuable platform that links policy with implementation and advances ASEAN-wide cooperation towards policing that is professional, accountable, and grounded in human rights.