More Needs To Be Done To Fully Realise AHRD -- ASEAN Sec-gen

JAKARTA, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- ASEAN secretary-general Jock Hoi welcomed the region’s steps to advance ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD), but urged all stakeholders to do more to champion human rights. “Besides the significant progress in the implementation of the AHRD, there is still much to do to fully realise the rights set forth in the Declaration,” he said. “The anniversary provides a timely opportunity to redouble ASEAN collective efforts to champion and mainstream human rights, while setting the standard of conduct for all in the ASEAN community,” he said. Lim said this at the 10th Anniversary of the AHRD on Nov 18 in Cambodia, organised by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). ASEAN member states adopted unanimously the AHRD at its Nov 18, 2012 meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which details ASEAN nations’ commitment to human rights for its over 600 million people. AICHR chair Keo Remy said the commission has made significant efforts to develop regional human rights standards and norms in the context of diversities of political, economic, cultural, and social regimes. The event aimed to create a platform to strengthen regional cooperation through the exchange of views, knowledge, and good practices on the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN. Participants also shared observations and deliberated challenges and opportunities in mainstreaming human rights through the strengthening of ASEAN cross-pillar cross-sectoral collaborations, he said. -- BERNAMA