Asean holds special meeting on human rights protection
THE Philippines joined other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Member States at the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Special Meeting from August 25 to 27. AICHR is the overarching human rights body in ASEAN mandated to promote and protect human rights in the region.
The Philippine delegation, headed by Office of Asean Affairs Executive Director Marian Jocelyn Tirol- Ignacio, advocated for children’s rights at the meeting, including AICHR Philippines’ priority activity for 2020 and 2021 on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
AICHR discussed thematic human rights areas and ongoing efforts to promote and protect human rights in Asea, including the importance of continuing AICHR’s work during the Covid-19 pandemic. The thematic areas for implementation in 2020 were adjusted to focus on business and human rights, right to health, rights of the child, rights of migrant workers, and the right to life. AICHR also agreed to the conduct of its activities online as well as the enhancement of its outreach, visibility and representation at international fora and events.
During the three- day meeting, AICHR Representatives
held interfaces with the Asean Secretary General, the Committee of the Permanent Representatives to Asean (CPR), the Working Group for an Asean Human Rights Mechanism, and Australia.
Asean Secretary General Dato Lim Jock Hoi emphasized the importance of AICHR’s role in Asean’s collective response and recovery to Covid-19. AICHR also discussed future cooperation between AICHR and the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, including the implementation of the AICHR Five-Year Work Plan (2021-2025).
AICHR’s Meeting with the CPR was also attended by Ambassador Noel Servigon, the Philippine Permanent Representative to Asean. AICHR and CPR discussed areas of cooperation, as well as efforts to improve engagement with sectoral bodies and external partners on human rights.
At the Meeting with Australia, the Philippines called on Australia’s continued support for AICHR activities, including the Philippines’ advocacies on the rights of the child. Australia also discussed potential areas of cooperation with AICHR as well as its priorities in the Plan of Action to Implement the Asean-Australia Strategic Partnership for 2020-2024.
AICHR Philippines is slated to participate in the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with AICHR next month.