OCTOBER LAUNCH FOR ASEAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

By D. Arul Rajoo

PHUKET, July 20 (Bernama) -- Asean has decided to name its much-awaited
human rights body as the Asean Inter-Govermental Commission on Human Rights, and
agreed to review or amend the Terms of Reference (TOR) every five years after
it is enforced.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said the name was decided after
a lengthy discussion during the Foreign Ministers Meeting with the High Panel
Level which drafted it.

He said, some of the provisions were not agreed upon initially by the
foreign
ministers who later agreed to compromise, and struck a balance between
protection and promotion of human rights in the 10-member countries with over
560 million population.

According to him, Indonesia wanted the body to have more power to ensure
protection of human rights, adding that the final TOR would not have any
provision that allowed for sanction against any member countries.

"We are happy with the outcome...we put lot of arguments as we dont' want
window-dressing. That is the reason the ministers agreed to have a review every
five years and if necessary, foreign ministers can ask for a review if there is
a necessity at any time," he said.

The ministers kicked-off their annual 42nd Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM)
here Sunday, which would be followed by the Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMC)
and the Asean Regional Forum (ARF).

Although the word 'protection' was not inserted, Anifah said it would be
included in the political declaration to be issued at the 15th Asean Summit here
in October, where the 10 Asean leaders were expected to launch the commission.

"There will be mechanism for amendment and any country can request for
amendment. But the most important thing is to implement and safeguard human
rights in good faith," he said.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who chaired the meeting, told a press
conference that they hoped to endorse the TOR at AMM Retreat Monday so
that each member country could start national selection of the members of the
body immediately.

The members, one each from member countries, will serve a three-year term.

Kasit said the purpose of the commission was to promote and protect human
rights in Asean countries, with tasks including enhancing public awareness of
human rights, and engaging with other Asean bodies like civil society
organisations.

He said that foreign ministers also endorsed the draft agreement on
privileges and immunities of Asean, aimed at giving such provisions in the
same manner that was accorded to other regional and international organisations,
such as the United Nations.

The Asean secretary-general would be given the power to make transactions on
Asean's behalf.

Kasit said ministers were also briefed on the progress of the legal experts'
work regarding dispute settlement mechanisms (DSM), adding that Asean currently
had DSM for economic agreements such as Asean Comprehensive Investment
Agreement, as well as for political and security agreements under the Treaty of
Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

The new DSM would cover disputes arising from the Asean Charter which came
into force last December, existing agreements that do not have provisions for
dispute settlement mechanism and future agreements.

Kasit said the DSM was to make Asean rule-based, having mechanisms and rules
to resolve disputes among the member countries.

-- BERNAMA