ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue 2021 was convened successfully.
Jakarta, 21 September 2021, video conference
The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, hosted the ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue 2021 on 21 September 2021 via video conference.
The Dialogue was attended by ten ASEAN Member States (AMS) to provide a regional platform for dialogue on human rights among the AMS and share best practices and experiences in promoting and protecting human rights in their respective countries.
The Chair of the AICHR, H.E. Hajah Nor Hashimah Haji Mohd Taib opened the event by emphasizing that the Dialogue is a good platform to exchange information and best practices on the implementation of human rights commitments in accordance with ASEAN Human Rights Declaration and obligations under regional and international human rights instruments.
In his keynote speech, H.E. Mahendra Siregar, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia appreciated the Dialogue as a testament that ASEAN has matured enough to move the issue of human rights in the region forward. He hoped the discussion in the Dialogue will be deliberated in a problem-solving manner and can help shape the development of a Post-2025 Vision.
Some of the areas of human rights discussed at the dialogue include freedom of religion and belief, freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of association, rights of migrant workers, the rights of women, the rights of children, trafficking in persons, the rights of persons with disabilities, SDGs, business and human rights, older persons, measures in addressing COVID-19, poverty eradication, right to health, right to education, right to peace, racial discrimination, and right to life.
The delegates also discussed the progress of their countries’ ratification of international human rights conventions, cooperation with the United Nations and strategies in implementing the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations.
The AICHR Representatives reaffirmed the respective countries’ commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and the fundamental freedoms. They noted the proposal to continue the Dialogue in the future. END