Press Release of the Special Meeting 2/2024 of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)
The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened the Special Meeting 2/2024 of AICHR from 13 to 15 November 2024 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Ambassador Yong Chanthalangsy, Representative of Lao PDR to AICHR, and Chair of AICHR in 2024, and was attended by Representatives/Alternate Representatives of AICHR, and the ASEAN Secretariat. Timor-Leste attended the Meeting as Observer.
During the meeting, AICHR received updates on recent human rights developments across the ASEAN region, new national laws, regulations and developments presented by AICHR Representatives from Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore. Recent developments across the three ASEAN Community pillars, such as on sustainability agenda, climate change, and digitalisation, among others, were also highlighted.
The Meeting discussed the implementation of AICHR’s Priority Programmes and Activities for 2024 and 2025, with a particular focus on thematic areas such as the right to development, the right to peace, the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities, human rights and policing, prevention of torture, combatting trafficking in persons, business and human rights, and matters concerning rights of migrant workers and youth engagement. During its deliberations, the meeting reiterated the importance of strengthening cross-sectoral and cross-pillar collaboration to address growing challenges in the region and effectively support ASEAN Community-building initiatives.
AICHR also deliberated on the outline and timeline for the development of the AICHR Five-Year Work Plan 2026–2030 and discussed the modalities of a working group established by AICHR. Furthermore, to ensure the continuity of AICHR’s work, AICHR discussed arrangements for a transition workshop between the outgoing AICHR Representatives (2022–2024) and incoming AICHR Representatives (2025–2027), to take place in early 2025.
On 14 November 2024, AICHR held its first meeting with the Regional Support Office of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons, and Related Transnational Crime (RSO), aimed at exploring synergies and identifying areas of mutual interest for potential cooperation.
The Meeting concluded with a handover ceremony of the AICHR Chairmanship from Lao PDR to Malaysia. The Meeting expressed appreciation to H.E. Ambassador Yong Chanthalangsy and the national Secretariat for excellent arrangements and leadership as the Chair of AICHR in 2024 and welcomed Malaysia as the incoming Chair of AICHR in 2025.
