PASAY CITY 02 August 2021 – Temporary Representative of the Philippines to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Jaime Victor B. Ledda urged the ASEAN human rights body to discuss developments on human rights in the region at the Special Meeting of the AICHR 01/2021 held from 12 to 13 and 26 July 2021 via video conference.
“Developments on the promotion and protection of human rights in the region should be discussed regularly during AICHR Meetings, to strengthen AICHR as a platform for candid and productive discourse on human rights concerns,” emphasized Assistant Secretary Ledda.
The Philippines underscored how AICHR, as the overarching human rights body of ASEAN, should pave the way to a more open, honest, and friendly discussion on current human rights developments that affect ASEAN as a family of nations; and shared the recently launched United Nations Joint Program (UNJP) on Human Rights as part of Philippines’ efforts of promoting the fundamental rights and freedoms of Filipinos.
The UNJP is a substantive and forward-looking program that seeks to further strengthen the capacity of national institutions and stakeholders to promote and protect human rights, and strengthen Philippines’ compliance with its international human rights obligations in a spirit of partnership, trust-building, and constructive engagement.
AICHR Representatives of ASEAN Member States provided updates on their respective efforts in upholding and protecting the rights of ASEAN peoples, especially the vulnerable groups such as children, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and migrant workers.
AICHR Representatives are scheduled to meet with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) at the annual AMM-AICHR Interface next month.