Rights Groups Advocate for Greater Transparency in ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), created in 2009, has yet to release a public report on its activities or findings, leading some rights groups to push for greater transparency and opportunities for public engagement. [Jakarta Globe]  Other groups have criticized the body’s lack of an independent secretariat and accused it of failing to fulfill its mission of human rights promotion and protection. [AsiaOne]  While the AICHR presented its first report to Member States’ foreign ministers earlier this month, that report has not been shared publicly. [Jakarta Globe]  ASEAN Secretary General, Surin Pitsuwan, is quoted as saying:

“I think it will take some time for the member [states] to feel comfortable about sharing issues that they have discussed because AICHR is still an intergovernmental organization.”.

“Some people might have wished for an independent organization or a human rights court to conduct a review, but that’s not what this is.”

[Jakarta Globe]  Read more about the AICHR here.