GENEVA (11 May 2012) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillayon Friday offered her encouragement to ASEAN (the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations) in drafting a regional human rights declaration, but calledfor a meaningful consultation on the draft with the widest spectrum ofpeople in the region before it is presented to ASEAN’s foreign ministersin July.
As the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commissionon Human Rights (AICHR) concludes its latest drafting meeting in Bangkok,Pillay expressed her hope that the Declaration will play an important rolein improving the enjoyment of human rights for people in South-East Asia.
“Regional human rights instruments shouldcomplement and reinforce international human rights standards,” Pillaysaid. “But my hope is that that the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration willgo further by setting the bar higher for governments to ensure full protectionand promotion of human rights through their policies, legislation and practices.”
While welcoming the consultation AICHR hashad with ASEAN sectoral bodies as well as the planned consultation withNGOs at the end of June, Pillay emphasised that engaging early, in a transparentprocess of inclusive and meaningful consultation will help the Declarationto acquire the status and popular support it deserves.
“The process through which this crucial Declarationis adopted is almost as important as the content of the Declaration itself,”Pillay said. “I very much hope that AICHR recognises the value of holdingmeaningful consultations with people from all walks of life, in every countryacross the South-East Asia region.”
“This will help to ensure that the ASEANHuman Rights Declaration will have the distinction of embedding internationalhuman rights standards in the local context and representing the interestsand aspirations of the people in the region.”
Pillay met with AICHR members as well as civilsociety groups and national human rights institutions from the region duringher visit to the Indonesian island of Bali last November.
“During my visit last year, I heard aboutthe fast pace at which the countries of the region are moving in termsof political reform and economic development, and how increased regionalintegration towards an ASEAN community in 2015 is reinforcing and complementingthis process of change,” the High Commissioner said. “It is vital thatuniversal human rights standards and principles shape this process of change– making the adoption of a credible ASEAN human rights instrument extremelysignificant and timely.”
The ASEAN Human Rights Declaration is scheduledto be adopted by leaders during the ASEAN Summit this November.
ENDS
Learn more about the UN High Commissionerfor Human Rights, Navi Pillay:
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