His Excellency Ambassador Yong Chanthalangsy, Lao PDR Representative to AICHR and Chair of AICHR.
Distinguished AICHR colleagues.
Good afternoon. I would first take the opportunity to express my appreciation to His Excellency Yong for his stewardship of AICHR over the past year.
Although Ambassador Yong is stepping down from this role as Chair, I know that his expertise and experience will continue to be available to guide the Commission and me as and when needed.
First, I would like to say a few words about the late Ambassador Hla Myint, who sadly passed on 8 November 2024. I served with him as representatives of AICHR in 2016. As our countries’ names both begin with “M”, we used to sit next to each other and would speak often. He was a man who cared deeply about human rights, and this was recognised when he served Myanmar’s National Human Rights Commission as its chairperson. We would constantly speak freely and openly on the difficult issues Myanmar was facing, including the influx of refugees and asylum-seekers to Malaysia, the impacts on the region, and the continuing conflict and human rights and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. He discussed these matters openly and briefed the AICHR on developments in Myanmar regularly. He did not block the discussions as he, too, was a human rights person and understood the multitude of challenges faced, seeking assistance from ASEAN.
We would criss-cross and travel on the same flights many times, sitting next to each other chatting. He loved his wife deeply and never failed to mention her when we met as he was also taking care of her. He would host me when I was in Myanmar. I last met him in Yangon, where he hosted lunch. Importantly, we discussed ways to advance human rights in the region. On Myanmar, we exchanged ideas moving ahead — and when Her Excellency Dinna Wisnu and I made the 2018 statement recommending a whole-of-ASEAN approach as to what ASEAN could do on the crisis in the Rakhine State, I consulted him on the statement.
Importantly, he, as Myanmar’s AICHR Representative, led initiatives on environmental rights. His proposed a regional environmental strategy and guidelines on environmental rights protection. He was keen to promote the greater use of environmental impact assessment (EIA) tools, and we all know the journey that the environmental rights framework has taken us today. We would strategise how to overcome challenges in the implementation of EIA as some countries were not for it. We cannot forget Ambassador Hla Myint and his contributions to this effort.
His presence and input have contributed immensely to AICHR, and he will be remembered well in the Commission’s good books as a human rights defender. He has been able to make a positive impact on human rights with his work and tireless efforts.
I am sure I speak for everyone by extending our condolences to the late Ambassador Hla Myint’s wife and family, and I hope that this message can be shared with his family.
In 2025, ASEAN will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN Community and 16 years of AICHR. This brings us closer to renewing the directions of ASEAN’s shared future, through the landmark ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
As we embark on this, we are here not only to accept the chairmanship of the AICHR but also to celebrate our shared journey towards a resilient, sustainable, inclusive, people-centred and forward-looking ASEAN.
AICHR is a unique body. It is creative and innovative, and as precedent has shown, it is not afraid to dissent; or be bound too strictly with the traditions of ASEAN. The flexible and constructive engagement approach while attempting to achieve centrality is key to AICHR’s success.
It is also unique because it is a mix of sitting or retired government officials, academics, civil society, lawyers, and activists. As far as I know, this is the only ASEAN body like this. The diversity of its membership allows a greater degree of contestation but also new ways of doing old things. We can see that there have been minority statements by representatives around the table on critical issues of human rights. Human rights diplomacy is the business of AICHR, and there is no other business than human rights diplomacy.
I believe our predecessors have made a change, and we will continue this journey. Even as many in ASEAN are still fearful of the term “human rights”, we continue to persevere in making them less afraid.
Last but not least, I acknowledge the contributions of the following Representatives:
Her Excellency Datin Paduka Hajah Nor Hashimah Haji Mohammed Taib, Representative of Brunei Darussalam who chaired AICHR in 2021, and today represented by Awang Ajman Meludin, Alternate Representative of Brunei Darussalam.
His Excellency Keo Remy, Representative of Cambodia who chaired AICHR in 2022, and today represented by Long Sonita, Alternate Representative of Cambodia.
Her Excellency Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Representative of Indonesia who chaired AICHR in 2023.
His Excellency U Nyunt Swe, Representative of Myanmar.
His Excellency Angelito A. Nayan, Representative of the Philippines.
His Excellency Shashi Jayakumar, Representative of Singapore, and today represented by Eugene Tan, Alternate Representative of Singapore.
Her Excellency Professor Dr. Amara Pongsapich, Representative of Thailand who chaired AICHR in 2019.
Her Excellency Ambassador Professor Dr. Nguyen Thai Yen Huong, Representative of Viet Nam.
And finally, again to His Excellency Ambassador Yong Chanthalangsy for his leadership and the work that he has done for AICHR.
I would also like to acknowledge His Excellency Rigoberto Monteiro, Representative of Timor Leste, as observer to AICHR, as well as the ASEAN Secretariat: Garry Ramlee Ibrahim, Le Thi Nam Huong, Hilda Suherman, Aldo Sitepu. Not forgetting too, the assistants and teams behind all of us.
Thank you.
These remarks were delivered to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) on 15 November 2024, at the Special Meeting 2/2024 of the AICHR held in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR from 13 to 15 November 2024. The press release of the Special Meeting can be accessed here.
