Press Release of the Special Meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) 2013

ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia
8 – 10 March 2013

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) concluded its Special Meeting on 8 – 10 March 2013 at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia. The Special Meeting was chaired by H.E. Pehin Dato Dr. Awang Hj. Ahmad bin Hj. Jumat, the Representative of Brunei Darussalam and the Chair of AICHR. The Meeting focused on the work programme and the organisational support to the work of AICHR. The Meeting also discussed cooperation with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with the relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies. The AICHR Representatives met with the European Union (EU) to discuss avenues of cooperation.

AICHR finalised the “Priority Programmes/Activities for 2014” as well as discussed the organisational support for the work of AICHR and the establishment of a dedicated AICHR unit within the ASEAN Secretariat.

AICHR met with representatives of relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, namely the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW), the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW), the Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) and the Senior Officials Meeting on Health Development (SOMHD). The discussion focused on how to further promote synergy and coherence in the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN.

The AICHR Representatives had an exchange of views with the EU Delegation to ASEAN on how to pursue ASEAN-EU cooperation on human rights.

The Meeting expressed their appreciation to the ASEAN Secretariat for the hospitality and excellent arrangements. The next Meeting of AICHR will be their Twelfth Meeting, to be convened on 6 – 10 May 2013 at the ASEAN Secretariat.