Ceremony to Inaugurate the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights

Dusit Thani Hotel, Cha-am
24 October 2009




The ASEAN Heads of State/Government have adopted the Cha-am Hua Hin Declaration to establish a new ASEAN body the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) to further develop cooperation through the promotion and protection of human rights in the region.

The leaders have committed to provide US$200,000 for the start-up fund to support activities during its first year of operation and to review the Terms of Reference of the AICHR every 5 years to further develop and strengthen the mandate and function of the body.

According to the Cha-am Hua Hin Declaration on the inauguration of the AICHR, the establishment of the AICHR is an important milestone in the ASEAN community-building process. It will serve as a vehicle for social development and justice for the ASEAN peoples.

The AICHR is composed of representatives appointed by ASEAN member states and shall serve a term of 3 years which may be renewable once.

Current chairwoman of the UNESCO National Commission in the Philippines Rosario Manalo is the Philippine representative. She chaired the HLTF (High-Level Task Force), which drafted the new ASEAN charter that carried the Philippine-initiative creating a human rights body.

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