Press Release Special Meeting 1/2022 of AICHR, 30 July-2 August 2022, Phnom Penh
The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened its Special Meeting 1/2022 from 30 July to 2 August 2022 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Keo Remy, Representative of Cambodia to AICHR, and was attended by the Representatives/Alternate Representatives of AICHR, and the ASEAN Secretariat.
The Meeting finalised and adopted the AICHR Annual Report 2022, the Statement of AICHR to the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM). The Meeting also agreed for the AICHR Chair to submit the recommendations from the Regional Dialogue: Self-Assessment of AICHR Progress After 10 Years to the 55th AMM. The Priority Programmes/Activities of AICHR 2023 was finalised for submission to the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) and subsequently to the AMM for approval.
The Meeting was updated on recent developments on human rights in the region, such as new laws, regulations and initiatives, as well as shared views on issues of mutual interest and concern as presented by several AICHR Representatives.
The implementation progress of AICHR’s priority programmes and activities was discussed with a thematic focus on children rights, human rights and the environment, trafficking in persons, business and human rights, the right to safe drinking water and sanitation, and human rights education. The Meeting also deliberated on preparation for the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) and the Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the AHRD, the ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue, and the 4th ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights, which are scheduled to take place later this year.
At this Meeting, the AICHR Representatives held their annual interface with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, which deliberated on progress in the implementation of the Five-Year Work plan 2021-2025 of AICHR and the integration of human rights in moving forwards with the recovery programmes to address the impact of the pandemic.
On 2 August 2022, the AICHR Representatives had an interface with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers during the 55th AMM and Related Meetings. The Interface saw candid exchanges between the Ministers and the AICHR Representatives on human rights in the region. Recognising the important role of AICHR and its significant contribution to ASEAN Community-building, the AMM reaffirmed support to AICHR’s endeavours in the promotion and protection of human rights. The AICHR also delivered its Statement and submitted its Annual Report 2022 to the AMM at the Interface.
The Meeting expressed its appreciation to AICHR Cambodia for the excellent arrangements of the meeting.
