The Southeast Asia Desk | The Working Group on Solidarity for Migrant Fishers called for decisive action to end modern slavery and protect migrant fishers’ rights in Southeast Asia’s fishing industry. The coalition of 20 civil society organisations from eight countries warned that forced labour, trafficking, and abuse remain widespread in the region’s billion-dollar fisheries sector.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia | AICHR, led by Malaysia, will convene two workshops to focus on identifying key actors, safe spaces, and effective processes needed for constructive dialogues that build trust and lead to better outcomes in conflict situations.
ASEAN | The policy dialogue facilitated a robust exchange of views on human rights in ASEAN and the EU, as well as on global developments and challenges, with implications on the promotion and protection of human rights.
AICHR | The 6th ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights, co-chaired by AICHR Chair Edmund Bon, marked another milestone in strengthening interregional cooperation on human rights, the rule of law, good governance and democratic values for both regions.
Bernama | The European Union (EU) commended Malaysia’s ASEAN 2025 chairmanship, describing it as tremendous and impressive while also expressing hope to strengthen cooperation with the region by enhancing human rights values within future economic and trade agreements.
BEBESEA | AICHR Chair Edmund Bon attended a workshop conducted by the CSOs Working Group on the Solidarity for Migrant Fishers, which made recommendations to ASEAN and EU and their member states for the improved protection of migrant workers in the fishery sector.
The Edge Malaysia | Edmund Bon explained that unless the principle of “free, prior and informed consent” (FPIC) is actually expressly stated in Malaysian law or the Constitution, indigenous peoples will have a very difficult time implementing that principle against the government. Without FPIC, land conflicts are likely to intensify.
AICHR | Delegates considered the intersection of human rights, drug policy implementation and reform measures in Southeast Asia. It was led by Edmund Bon, AICHR Chair and the Representative of Malaysia to AICHR, and furthers Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN agenda of inclusivity and sustainability.
AICHR | Discussions in this AICHR programme will move beyond predominantly punitive models to examine evidence-based strategies such as community support while considering how criminalisation and legal prohibition affect people who use drugs and their access to essential health services.
Free Malaysia Today | AICHR Chair Edmund Bon said human rights issues were far more difficult to discuss in the past, with certain member states opposed to making the commission’s findings publicly available. There has been significant improvement from this cautious approach, as the countries have grown more confident in addressing such issues over the past decade.
Khmer Times | The Cambodian delegation at AICHR’s 3rd Special Meeting of the year was led by Pa Ponnarada, representing the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC). Among other matters, he raised Cambodia’s concerns regarding Thailand’s recent military incursion into Cambodia, and reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to peaceful resolution.
The Edge Malaysia | Speaking about Malaysia’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR) 2025-2030, Edmund Bon urged that human rights due diligence (HRDD) be mandated for companies; legal aid be expanded to foreign workers; and anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) and anti-greenwashing laws be introduced.
Free Malaysia Today | The sessions court ordered that RM169 million in cash linked to former PM Ismail Sabri and his ex-political secretary Anuar Yunus be forfeited to the government. The judge granted the MACC’s application as neither Ismail nor Anuar contested the forfeiture. They were represented by lawyers Ragunath Kesavan and Joshua Tay.
AICHR | AICHR recognises that telecommunication network fraud and online scamming exploit vulnerable individuals and violate fundamental rights. AICHR notes that law enforcement efforts to combat these activities can be strengthened by taking human rights principles into consideration.
AICHR | AICHR’s Special Meeting 3/2025 from 23 to 26 September 2025 agreed on the proposed ASEAN Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and the Right to Peace Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development, which aims to advance the right to development and the right to enjoy peace through an ASEAN-led, ASEAN-owned, and whole-of-ASEAN approach.
AICHR | AICHR Chair Edmund Bon underlined the importance of preparing ASEAN human rights mechanisms for the future, with enhanced institutional capacity and effectiveness, and that are future-ready to address global and regional challenges, cross-cutting issues, and urgent situations.
AICHR Malaysia | Discussions during the consultation will centre on AICHR’s progress and challenges since its establishment, review the implementation of its mandates and functions, and identify opportunities to strengthen its role in protecting human rights.
AICHR | AICHR convened three interlinked peace pathways workshops from 13 to 15 August in Jakarta as part of Malaysia’s agenda as the ASEAN Chair, leading the region to explore a human rights-based approach to conflict prevention, conflict management, reconciliation, and peacebuilding.
Mission of Japan to ASEAN | Discussions at the network session focused on enhancing stakeholders’ understanding of implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and related laws, as well as fostering an informal network among ASEAN-Japan business stakeholders.
AICHR | We need to move beyond the government-to-government approach and build new as well as strengthen existing alliances with the private sector, which drives much of our economy, said AICHR Chair Edmund Bon. Businesses are already expected to be transparent on their human rights impacts.
The Southeast Asia Desk | The Working Group on Solidarity for Migrant Fishers called for decisive action to end modern slavery and protect migrant fishers’ rights in Southeast Asia’s fishing industry. The coalition of 20 civil society organisations from eight countries warned that forced labour, trafficking, and abuse remain widespread in the region’s billion-dollar fisheries sector.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia | AICHR, led by Malaysia, will convene two workshops to focus on identifying key actors, safe spaces, and effective processes needed for constructive dialogues that build trust and lead to better outcomes in conflict situations.
ASEAN | The policy dialogue facilitated a robust exchange of views on human rights in ASEAN and the EU, as well as on global developments and challenges, with implications on the promotion and protection of human rights.
AICHR | The 6th ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights, co-chaired by AICHR Chair Edmund Bon, marked another milestone in strengthening interregional cooperation on human rights, the rule of law, good governance and democratic values for both regions.
Bernama | The European Union (EU) commended Malaysia’s ASEAN 2025 chairmanship, describing it as tremendous and impressive while also expressing hope to strengthen cooperation with the region by enhancing human rights values within future economic and trade agreements.
BEBESEA | AICHR Chair Edmund Bon attended a workshop conducted by the CSOs Working Group on the Solidarity for Migrant Fishers, which made recommendations to ASEAN and EU and their member states for the improved protection of migrant workers in the fishery sector.
The Edge Malaysia | Edmund Bon explained that unless the principle of “free, prior and informed consent” (FPIC) is actually expressly stated in Malaysian law or the Constitution, indigenous peoples will have a very difficult time implementing that principle against the government. Without FPIC, land conflicts are likely to intensify.
AICHR | Delegates considered the intersection of human rights, drug policy implementation and reform measures in Southeast Asia. It was led by Edmund Bon, AICHR Chair and the Representative of Malaysia to AICHR, and furthers Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN agenda of inclusivity and sustainability.
AICHR | Discussions in this AICHR programme will move beyond predominantly punitive models to examine evidence-based strategies such as community support while considering how criminalisation and legal prohibition affect people who use drugs and their access to essential health services.
Free Malaysia Today | AICHR Chair Edmund Bon said human rights issues were far more difficult to discuss in the past, with certain member states opposed to making the commission’s findings publicly available. There has been significant improvement from this cautious approach, as the countries have grown more confident in addressing such issues over the past decade.
Khmer Times | The Cambodian delegation at AICHR’s 3rd Special Meeting of the year was led by Pa Ponnarada, representing the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC). Among other matters, he raised Cambodia’s concerns regarding Thailand’s recent military incursion into Cambodia, and reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to peaceful resolution.
The Edge Malaysia | Speaking about Malaysia’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR) 2025-2030, Edmund Bon urged that human rights due diligence (HRDD) be mandated for companies; legal aid be expanded to foreign workers; and anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) and anti-greenwashing laws be introduced.
Free Malaysia Today | The sessions court ordered that RM169 million in cash linked to former PM Ismail Sabri and his ex-political secretary Anuar Yunus be forfeited to the government. The judge granted the MACC’s application as neither Ismail nor Anuar contested the forfeiture. They were represented by lawyers Ragunath Kesavan and Joshua Tay.
AICHR | AICHR recognises that telecommunication network fraud and online scamming exploit vulnerable individuals and violate fundamental rights. AICHR notes that law enforcement efforts to combat these activities can be strengthened by taking human rights principles into consideration.
AICHR | AICHR’s Special Meeting 3/2025 from 23 to 26 September 2025 agreed on the proposed ASEAN Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and the Right to Peace Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development, which aims to advance the right to development and the right to enjoy peace through an ASEAN-led, ASEAN-owned, and whole-of-ASEAN approach.
AICHR | AICHR Chair Edmund Bon underlined the importance of preparing ASEAN human rights mechanisms for the future, with enhanced institutional capacity and effectiveness, and that are future-ready to address global and regional challenges, cross-cutting issues, and urgent situations.
AICHR Malaysia | Discussions during the consultation will centre on AICHR’s progress and challenges since its establishment, review the implementation of its mandates and functions, and identify opportunities to strengthen its role in protecting human rights.
AICHR | AICHR convened three interlinked peace pathways workshops from 13 to 15 August in Jakarta as part of Malaysia’s agenda as the ASEAN Chair, leading the region to explore a human rights-based approach to conflict prevention, conflict management, reconciliation, and peacebuilding.
Mission of Japan to ASEAN | Discussions at the network session focused on enhancing stakeholders’ understanding of implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and related laws, as well as fostering an informal network among ASEAN-Japan business stakeholders.
AICHR | We need to move beyond the government-to-government approach and build new as well as strengthen existing alliances with the private sector, which drives much of our economy, said AICHR Chair Edmund Bon. Businesses are already expected to be transparent on their human rights impacts.
