16th Meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights

Yangon, Myanmar, 3 – 4 October 2014

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened its 16th Meeting, in Yangon, Myanmar on 3 to 4 October 2014. The meeting was chaired by H.E. U Kyaw Tint Swe, the Representative of Myanmar to AICHR and the Chair of the AICHR.

The Meeting discussed their Report to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, reviewed their Work Plan, and adopted a number of initiatives on the promotion and protection of human rights.

The Meeting finalized their report on the assessment of the work of the AICHR and its recommendations for the consideration of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the future efforts that could be undertaken in the promotion and protection of human rights within ASEAN consistent with the principles and purposes of the ASEAN Charter and its TOR.

The Meeting discussed the AICHR’s input to the development of the Gender Sensitive Guidelines for Handling of Women Victims Trafficking in Persons and to the ASEAN-UNDP Work Plan. The AICHR adopted the Concept Note on the Workshops for Strengthening AICHR’s Protection Mandate by Exploring Strategies to Protect Women and Girls from Violence, which is led and sponsored by the Government of the Philippines.

The AICHR deliberated on its contribution to the commemoration of the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015, including the proposed initiative the “ASEAN Peoples’ Award” by Malaysia.

The Meeting thanked the Representative of Myanmar and the Government of Myanmar for the hospitality and excellent arrangements for the meeting. The AICHR will hold another Special Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand in November 2014.