Latest news with #AseanHumanRightsDeclaration2012
The Star
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Human rights the top focus
KUALA LUMPUR: Upholding human rights remains central to Asean's community-building efforts as the region moves into its next phase of integration, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Speaking at the Asean Foreign Ministers' Interface Meeting with the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) yesterday, he said this focus aligns with the Asean Community Vision 2045 adopted in May. 'Our aspirations for a resilient, dynamic and people-centred Asean will only be meaningful if we ensure the rights and dignity of our people,' he said in his opening remarks. He welcomed efforts to develop two key human rights declarations: the Asean Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment and the Declaration on the Right to Development and Peace. 'These initiatives reflect urgent concerns, especially for those vulnerable to environmental harm, inequality and instability. 'They reaffirm Asean's commitment to addressing human rights challenges in a timely and relevant manner,' he said. Building on this momentum, AICHR is pushing for both declarations to be adopted at the Asean Summit in October, which would mark the first time in 13 years that Asean endorses two human rights declarations in one year. Meeting of minds: Mohamad (centre) delivering his speech during the Asean Foreign Ministers' Interface Meeting with AICHR representatives at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star Malaysia's representative to AICHR Edmund Bon Tai Soon said the proposals, which have been years in the making, carry significant weight. 'These two declarations are not only timely but vital. One affirms the right to a clean and sustainable environment, and the other promotes the right to development and peace,' he said. The first declaration, led by Malaysia, responds to escalating climate threats and displacement in the region. Bon said it outlines principles such as public participation in environmental decisions, access to justice for pollution victims and freedom of information. The second declaration seeks to strengthen the right to development – already referenced in the Asean Human Rights Declaration 2012 – by expanding it into a standalone commitment that encompasses political, economic, social and cultural development. 'This is not just about economic growth but about inclusive, people-centred development,' Bon said. AICHR is also working on a regional framework to guide Asean's response to conflicts, including the crisis in Myanmar. 'Currently, responses are too ad hoc. We need a consistent, Asean-owned mechanism grounded in existing structures,' Bon said. Separately, Malaysia has proposed that Nov 18 be designated Asean Human Rights Day to mark the adoption of the Asean Human Rights Declaration 2012. Bon said the move would help affirm Asean's commitment to advancing human rights.
The Star
27-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysia to host Asean Human Rights Consultations tp advance right to development
PUTRAJAYA (Bernama): Malaysia will host two regional consultations on human rights this week to strengthen Asean's commitment to a people-centred and inclusive agenda. The Foreign Ministry in a statement Sunday said the consultations, lead by Malaysia's Representative to the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Edmund Bon Tai Soon, will take place on April 28 and 29. The first consultation, the 2nd AICHR Consultation on the Human Right to Development to Enhance the Asean Community, to be held on April 28, will focus on realising Article 35 of the Asean Human Rights Declaration 2012, which reaffirms the right to development as a fundamental human right for all Asean citizens. Subsequently, Malaysia will also host the AICHR Regional Consultation to Support the Development of the AICHR Five-Year Work Plan (2026-2030) on April 29, in which this new plan will align with the Asean Community Vision 2045 and the Strategic Plans of Action. "These consultations are part of Malaysia's initiatives in the leadership of ASEAN this year and underscore AICHR's commitment to shaping a people-centred, people-oriented and forward-looking human rights agenda,' said the statement. The ministry added these consultations form part of Malaysia's broader initiatives in Asean this year, which carries the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability' and underscore the regional body's efforts to advance inclusive, sustainable, and gender-responsive programmes. These efforts aim to reduce poverty, protect human and environmental rights, and narrow development gaps across the region. The consultations will further deliberate on Malaysia's proposal for an Asean Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and Peace Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development. The proposal promotes an Asean-led, Asean-owned, whole-of-Asean approach to human rights, ensuring the right to development is not sidelined but championed at the highest level, the ministry added. Delegates will also engage in thematic discussions on the intersection of human rights, peace, and development, andformulate strategies to enhance the protection of the right to development across all sectors. Insights gathered from the consultations will contribute towards shaping the AICHR Five-Year Work Plan (2026-2030), positioning human rights advancement as a central pillar of Asean community-building efforts. - Bernama
