ASEAN celebrates 10 years of Human Rights Declaration
SIEM REAP, 28 November 2022 – The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) and the Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the AHRD on 18 November in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Over 100 participants from ASEAN Member States (AMS), ASEAN Organs, ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, UN agencies and various stakeholders of ASEAN, national human rights institutions, and representatives from Cambodia’s national line ministries attended the event.
The Representative of Cambodia and Chair of AICHR, Keo Remy, highlighted that to enable ASEAN to advance the promotion and protection of human rights in the region, AICHR has made significant efforts to develop regional human rights standards and norms in the context of diversities of political, economic, cultural, and social regimes.
The event aimed to raise awareness on the AHRD and the Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the AHRD, as well as to garner inputs from ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and relevant stakeholders to mainstream the promotion and protection of human rights across the three community pillars of ASEAN. It also aimed to create a platform to strengthen regional cooperation through the exchange of views, knowledge, and good practices on the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN.
The Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi emphasised that besides the significant progress in the implementation of the AHRD, there is still much to do to fully realise the rights set forth in the Declaration. The 10th Anniversary provides a timely opportunity to redouble ASEAN collective efforts to champion and mainstream human rights, while setting the standard of conduct for all in the ASEAN community.
The participants discussed key issues including overview of achievements, progress, and challenges in the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN. They also shared observations, and deliberated challenges and opportunities in mainstreaming human rights through the strengthening of ASEAN cross-pillar cross-sectoral collaborations.
At the close of the celebration, the Representative of Cambodia and Chair of the AICHR Keo Remy expressed the commitment and renewed dedication to promote and protect human rights in ASEAN pursuant to the AHRD and the Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the AHRD along with other relevant documents through the continuation and strengthening of close cooperation and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
This event was hosted by AICHR-Cambodia and supported by the ASEAN Development Fund.
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