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The Star
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
AICHR aims for historic adoption of two human rights declarations under Malaysia's leadership
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) is aiming for a landmark achievement this year: the adoption of two major declarations on human rights under Malaysia's chairmanship. Malaysia's Representative to AICHR, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, said one focuses on climate change, while the other centres on the right to development and peace. 'If we are able to do it this year, it would be the first time in 13 years that Asean adopts two human rights declarations in a single year,' he told reporters after the Interface Between Asean Foreign Ministers and AICHR Representatives here on Tuesday (July 8). The proposals, which have been in negotiation for years, are expected to be tabled for adoption at the Asean Summit this October, he said. If adopted, Bon said they would mark Asean's first new human rights declaration since the 2012 Asean Human Rights Declaration, also spearheaded during Malaysia's chairmanship. The first was the Asean Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment, proposed in response to growing regional threats from climate change and displacement. 'Climate change in our region is very serious. There are a lot of displaced persons, a lot of climate refugees. 'This declaration, which Malaysia is leading, has received strong support. 'If adopted, it will give people in Asean a basis to claim their environmental rights,' he said. Bon explained that the draft includes core principles such as public participation in environmental decisions, access to justice for pollution victims and the right to freedom of information. 'It's not just about environmental protection. It's about embedding human rights into how we govern environmental issues,' he added. The second proposed declaration centres on the right to development and the right to peace, promoting inclusive and sustainable development that encompasses political, economic, social and cultural dimensions. Bon said the right to development was a unique Asean contribution to human rights, as it is not explicitly featured in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 'This right is already in the Asean Human Rights Declaration, but now we're expanding it into a full declaration. 'This will be for everyone in Asean, not just about economic growth, but about inclusive and people-centred development,' he said. Alongside the two declarations, AICHR was also calling for the establishment of a structured framework - or 'template' - for Asean's collective response to internal and regional conflicts, such as the protracted crisis in Myanmar. 'At the moment, Asean's responses to conflicts are very ad hoc. What we need is an institutionalised approach - a common Asean framework that guides how we respond when there's a crisis or hotspot,' said Bon. He said AICHR has begun a series of workshops to develop this mechanism, which would serve as a go-to guide for future Asean envoys and member states alike. 'It's not just for Myanmar, but for any future hotspot in the region. It must be Asean-owned, not externally imposed, and built from within existing Asean mechanisms,' Bon said. He stressed that the framework would help ensure a consistent and principled Asean approach to both intra- and inter-state issues. Separately, Malaysia was also proposing for Nov 18 to be designated as Asean Human Rights Day, to commemorate the date the Asean Human Rights Declaration was adopted in 2012. 'Just like how Dec 10 is recognised globally as International Human Rights Day, we're suggesting that Asean commemorates Nov 18 as our own human rights day. 'It's been 13 years since the declaration. This is the time to affirm our commitment,' he said.
Barnama
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Malaysia Leads ASEAN Push for Regional Peace and Human Rights Advancement
WORLD KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Bernama) -- ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) on Tuesday launched its Thematic Study on the Right to Peace, marking a significant milestone in ASEAN's move towards implementing a rights-based approach to peace agenda. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the study also offers key policy recommendations to support ASEAN initiatives to respect human rights and implement practices to secure regional peace and security in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. It also reaffirmed that the right to peace is a fundamental human right, and is essential for sustainable development, human dignity, and the enjoyment of all other rights. Speaking at the launch of the study, Malaysia's representative to AICHR and AICHR Chair 2025, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, commended the study, describing it as a springboard for actions that strengthen ASEAN's broad commitment to peace and respect for human rights. "This thematic study is very important as there are still many regional problems and conflict in ASEAN and also globally. "Spillover conflict issues that become region-centric cannot always be considered internal affairs of ASEAN Member States. This is reflected in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and ASEAN's initiatives on conflict prevention, as well as civilian and human rights protection.' He added that ASEAN is working to address regional and international challenges, including the situation in Gaza and situational conflicts within the region, by taking positions to improve conditions on the ground. Meanwhile, AICHR will organise a six-part AICHR Regional Training Programme on Human Rights on July 2 to build capacity of ASEAN officials in conflict prevention and to promote sustainable peace through the practical application of human rights principles. The programme, tilted 'Workshops on Intersection Between Conflict and Human Rights: Pathways and Approaches to Peace in ASEAN' also aims to strengthen ASEAN's collective ability to implement proactive peacebuilding strategies.
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia leads ASEAN push for regional peace and human rights advancement
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) on Tuesday launched its Thematic Study on the Right to Peace, marking a significant milestone in ASEAN's move towards implementing a rights-based approach to peace agenda. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the study also offers key policy recommendations to support ASEAN initiatives to respect human rights and implement practices to secure regional peace and security in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. It also reaffirmed that the right to peace is a fundamental human right, and is essential for sustainable development, human dignity, and the enjoyment of all other rights. Speaking at the launch of the study, Malaysia's representative to AICHR and AICHR Chair 2025, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, commended the study, describing it as a springboard for actions that strengthen ASEAN's broad commitment to peace and respect for human rights. 'This thematic study is very important as there are still many regional problems and conflict in ASEAN and also globally. 'Spillover conflict issues that become region-centric cannot always be considered internal affairs of ASEAN Member States. This is reflected in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and ASEAN's initiatives on conflict prevention, as well as civilian and human rights protection.' He added that ASEAN is working to address regional and international challenges, including the situation in Gaza and situational conflicts within the region, by taking positions to improve conditions on the ground. Meanwhile, AICHR will organise a six-part AICHR Regional Training Programme on Human Rights on July 2 to build capacity of ASEAN officials in conflict prevention and to promote sustainable peace through the practical application of human rights principles. The programme, tilted 'Workshops on Intersection Between Conflict and Human Rights: Pathways and Approaches to Peace in ASEAN' also aims to strengthen ASEAN's collective ability to implement proactive peacebuilding strategies. Both initiatives demonstrate Malaysia's leadership as the ASEAN Chair in implementing its inclusivity and sustainability agenda, while reinforcing ASEAN strategic priorities to enhance regional peace, strengthen multilateralism, and foster a resilient, active, and people-centred ASEAN Community.
Barnama
30-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
ASEAN Urged To Infuse Gender Lens In Human Rights Agenda
PETALING JAYA, June 30 -- Chair of AICHR and Malaysiaâs Representative to AICHR, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, speaking to the media after chairing The AICHR Regional Workshop on Gender Lens Perspective on Business and Human Rights in ASEAN at Courtyard Kuala Lumpur South, today. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED By Muhammad Fawwaz Thaqif Nor Afandi KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- ASEAN must step up its efforts to incorporate gender perspectives into the business and human rights agenda to ensure inclusive regional development. Malaysia's Representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Edmund Bon Tai Soon said while ASEAN has progressed in promoting gender equality, the women across the region still face structural barriers that prevent their full participation in decision making and economic life. bootstrap slideshow 'Business and human rights are not solely about trade regulations or governance, but it impacts people especially women and girls, and those from vulnerable and marginalised communities whose voices have often been excluded from decision-making. 'These barriers remain deeply entrenched in our societies and too often, business structures and practices appear gender-neutral, but continue to reinforce inequality in effect,' he said in his remarks at the Regional Workshop on Gender Lens Perspective on Business and Human Rights in ASEAN here on Monday. He emphasised that gender discrimination in business settings remains both a cause and a consequence of broader inequality, particularly for women and girls, and should be recognised as a form of violence. 'We see on our TV screens, we see in the media, news about war and genocides, that is actual violence, that is physical violence, that is something that we are against. 'But structural and cultural discrimination is also a form of violence, and I think that is something that we need to localise,' he said. Bon added that ASEAN must ensure its frameworks reflect the lived realities of women and girls in line with international standards such as the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs) on Business and Human Rights.
The Star
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Asean urged to infuse gender lens in human rights agenda
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Asean must step up its efforts to incorporate gender perspectives into the business and human rights agenda to ensure inclusive regional development. Malaysia's Representative to the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Edmund Bon Tai Soon said while Asean has progressed in promoting gender equality, the women across the region still face structural barriers that prevent their full participation in decision making and economic life. "Business and human rights are not solely about trade regulations or governance, but it impacts people especially women and girls, and those from vulnerable and marginalised communities whose voices have often been excluded from decision-making. "These barriers remain deeply entrenched in our societies and too often, business structures and practices appear gender-neutral, but continue to reinforce inequality in effect,' he said in his remarks at the Regional Workshop on Gender Lens Perspective on Business and Human Rights in Asean here on Monday. He emphasised that gender discrimination in business settings remains both a cause and a consequence of broader inequality, particularly for women and girls, and should be recognised as a form of violence. "We see on our TV screens, we see in the media, news about war and genocides, that is actual violence, that is physical violence, that is something that we are against. "But structural and cultural discrimination is also a form of violence, and I think that is something that we need to localise,' he said. Bon added that Asean must ensure its frameworks reflect the lived realities of women and girls in line with international standards such as the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs) on Business and Human Rights. "As global standards such as the UNGPs continue to shape international expectations and up-and-coming regulations to reflect, Asean must also evolve to ensure that our frameworks reflect the lived realities of women and girls in our region and that they are not treated as an afterthought in economic growth,' he said. The two-day regional workshop, held in Kuala Lumpur from 30 June to 1 July, aimed to explore how a regional gender lens framework can help address gender-based barriers, tackle structural and cultural discrimination, and enhance the protection of the human rights of women and girls. It was jointly supported by Asean Member States through the AICHR Fund, the Government of Japan via the Japan-Asean Integration Fund (JAIF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with relevant Malaysian ministries and agencies, as well as the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM). - Bernama
