Topic: Establishing the National Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism

Joint Communique, AMM, Kuala Lumpur, 25 July 2006

22. We noted the outcome of the Fifth Workshop on an ASEAN Regional Mechanism on Human Rights held on 29-30 June 2006 in Kuala Lumpur and viewed it as an important forum for continuous dialogue on the establishment of a regional human rights mechanism in ASEAN. We also noted the work carried out by the non-governmental Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, including the meeting between the open-ended ASEAN SOM Troika and the Working Group at the sidelines of the 39th AMM with the objective to facilitate the implementation of the activities under the promotion of human rights component of the VAP. We further noted that the National Human Rights Commissions of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand are prepared to collaborate with the Working Group and other civil society organisations, with the view to facilitating the establishment of an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism.

23. In accordance with the Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN Security Community, the Ministers also agreed to begin discussions on the elaboration of an ASEAN Instrument on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.

Joint Communique of the 39th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting,[AMM] Kuala Lumpur, 25 July 2006

The Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism is an informal coalition of individuals and groups within the region who are working with government institutions and NGOs in the field of human rights. It is organized into national working groups in ASEAN states which are composed of representatives of government institutions, parliamentary human rights committees, the academe, and NGOs. Its primary objective is the establishment of an intergovernmental human rights mechanism in Southeast Asia

The Focal Point for the Singapore Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism (Think Centre) in coordination with the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism is inviting you [and your organization] to participate in the "Roundtable Discussion on Establishing an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism" on 20 October 2006 at the Seminar Room, at Asia-Europe Foundation.

This Roundtable aims to achieve the following, among others:

Panel Discussion Mr. Marzuki Darusman Co-Chairperson of the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism Member of Parliament, Indonesia Former Attorney-General of Indonesia Former Chair of the Indonesian Commission on Human Rights (KOMNAS HAM) Mr. Carlos P. Medina, Jr. Secretary-General of the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism Vice Chair of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines Monitoring Committee on the Implementation of the Peace Talks Agreements with the Communist Party of the Philippines Executive Director of the Ateneo Human Rights Center Professor of Law of the Ateneo de Manila School of Law Mr Sinapan Samydorai President of the Think Centre, Singapore focal point of the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism Executive Committee Member of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development Independent Consultant on Human Rights, Labour and Migration Former Programme Coordinator of the Asian Human Rights Commission