ASEAN intergovernmental CHR convenes in Boracay Island

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened its first meeting under the Chairmanship of the Philippines from February 13 to 15, 2017 in Boracay, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday. (Photo: Boracay International/Facebook)

MANILA—The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened its first meeting under the Chairmanship of the Philippines from February 13 to 15, 2017 in Boracay, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

The meeting was chaired by H.E. Leo Herrera-Lim, the Representative of the Philippines to the AICHR.

The 23rd Meeting of the AICHR deliberated its commemorative activities for the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN, namely the AICHR Youth Debate on Human Rights, the 50th Anniversary Edition of the AICHR Booklet and Video, and the Launch of the Regional Action Plan (RAP) on the Mainstreaming of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the ASEAN Community.

The RAP will be a joint undertaking between the AICHR and the Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD).

During its three-day meeting, the AICHR extensively discussed its 2017 Priority Programs that have expanded to new areas including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), access to education, judiciary and human rights, and right to safe drinking water and sanitation.

The meeting was also updated on the development of several ongoing thematic studies which are expected to be launched this year, namely on Legal Aid, the Right to Education, and on Women Affected by Natural Disasters.

On cross-pillar/cross-sectoral cooperation, the Meeting discussed their regular consultation with Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crimes (SOMTC) on the human rights-based approach to the implementation of the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP).

Other topics discussed included the proposed AICHR-ACWC Training Workshop on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the potential engagement with Senior Officials Meeting Responsible for Information (SOMRI).

The meeting agreed to convene the 2nd ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights back-to-back with the AICHR Meeting in May 2017 at the ASEAN Secretariat.

The 24th Meeting of the AICHR will be convened at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta from May 15 to 17, 2017.