Malaysia Welcomes ASEAN’s Push for Human Rights Declarations

By Farah Solhi and Hidayath Hisham

Photo Credit: Bloomberg

Malaysia welcomes ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights’ (AICHR) ongoing efforts to develop human rights declarations, as it reaffirms unwavering commitments to advance human rights in ASEAN.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan said these declarations would highlight the people’s urgent and pressing concerns, especially those who are vulnerable to environmental harm, inequality and instability.

The declarations in the making, namely the “ASEAN Declaration of the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment” and the “Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and Peace, Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development” would address both present and future challenges in a timely and relevant manner.

“These efforts are key to advancing human rights and regional cooperation, in support of both the national and international commitments of ASEAN member states.

“Our efforts to promote and protect the wellbeing of our people should remain ASEAN-led and ASEAN-owned,” he said in his opening remarks at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ interface with AICHR representatives today.

Mohamad added that efforts to promote and protect the people’s wellbeing should reflect the values and norms of ASEAN member states, while ensuring alignment with the ASEAN Charter and ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD).

He urged ASEAN member states to continue upholding its human rights commitments in realising the vision adopted at the 46th Summit in May, which is “ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future”.“The aspiration for a resilient, dynamic and people-centred ASEAN will only be meaningful, if the country’s members ensure the rights and dignity of their people.

“True regional integration can only be achieved if ASEAN empowers its people so that they may collectively enjoy the fruits of shared prosperity, equitable growth and social justice,” he added.

The ASEAN’s Foreign Ministers interface with AICHR representatives was one of the meetings held alongside the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (58th AMM) held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 8 till 11.

On July 6, Foreign Ministry Secretary General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin told reporters that the 58th AMM is set to see the adoption of five key documents, namely the joint Statement of the 58th AMM; chairman’s statement on the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMC) with 10 ASEAN Dialogue Partners (10+1); the chairman’s statement on the 26th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting; chairman’s statement on the 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting; and the chairman’s statement of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

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