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“Fact Sheet on ASEAN Community,” ASEAN Secretariat. asean. org/storage/2012/05/7.-fact-sheet-on-asean-community.pdf

The report states: “Avoiding human rights violations will help maintain positive community relations and contribute to a more stable and productive business environment.” Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, “Business and Human Rights: A Progress Report,” OHCHR, www.ohchr.org/documents/publications/ Businesshren.pdf

oritize the health conditions of the people and to ensure the right to social security of those who are hit the hardest during the pandemic, including through equal assistance.

Conclusion and recommendations

to improve ASEAN’S response to the pandemic, there are four recommendations listed below.

first is regional reprioritization. ASEAN member states need to prioritize the right to health and social protection, or security, for everyone, including the most marginalized and vulnerable. Reforming the system of social protection and incorporating it into the economic recovery plan post covid-19 is essential to reduce the increasing poverty rate as a result of the pandemic. learning from best practices in other countries is also important, especially in forming policies that include wider social and economic opportunities. ASEAN can facilitate the sharing of best practices from other developing countries while taking into account its human rights commitments, such as the ASEAN Economic community (AEC) Blueprint and the ASEAN consensus on the Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers, among others. Without neglecting international obligations arising from being parties to international legal frameworks, ASEAN member states should also fulfil their international human rights obligations.

second is establishing more targeted consultation and co-operation on public health policy, such as the regulations for quarantine, lockdowns or social movement restrictions and other related elements. this should be facilitated among ASEAN member states to further contain the pandemic and stop the spread to other regions within ASEAN. consultations on public health policy to narrow the gap in health services among member states, and to better enhance the preparedness for future pandemics, should also be co-ordinated.

third is reutilization of the ASEAN Intergovernmental commission on Human Rights along with other relevant experts to monitor and advise member states on whether their medical, food and other needs have been distributed equally to ensure that no one is left behind. AICHR can also monitor gradual improvements made by member states to the right to health, such as minimizing the gap between healthcare capacity and preparedness for pandemics, while also improving access to healthcare services for all. As mentioned above, harmonization of AICHR work and existing health mechanisms in ASEAN can narrow the gaps in the fulfillment of the right to health among member states.

fourth, citing a recommendation by OXFAM, the ASEAN Business Advisory council can partner in the regional response to “engage the private sectors in delivering essential services and supplies and to support displaced workers in their value chains.” At the same time, the ASEAN

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Business Advisory council and the AICHR can co-operate to provide guidelines to ensure the fulfillment of the un Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights and other international human rights standards. finally, the AICHR can work closely or under the auspices of the ASEAN co-ordinating council to ensure that the efforts are well-co-ordinated and integrated among all ASEAN member states.

the post-pandemic era will determine whether ASEAN will move one step ahead or be left behind, and this is the right time to start realizing the dream of the ASEAN community through incorporation of human rights within its policymaking process.

dominique Virgil is the executive director of the sandya institute in Jakarta. roberto lie is the vice executive director of the sandya institute.