Edmund Bon, AICHR Chair and Representative of Malaysia to AICHR, called on AICHR to pivot to a more action-oriented, resilient, and strategic institution capable of addressing complex and growing human rights issues in the ASEAN region, and to reimagine how ASEAN can do more and better in moving towards a shared future.
Edmund Bon said, among others, that it is an opportune time for ASEAN to declare and commemorate its “ASEAN Human Rights Day” on 18 November every year. This date is significant because the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration was adopted 13 years ago, on 18 November 2012.
Edmund Bon, Chair of AICHR and Representative of Malaysia to AICHR, said that AICHR commits to investing in institutional strengthening of modalities that respects ASEAN Centrality. This will enable AICHR to be a timely and future-ready body for safeguarding human rights in the region.
Edmund Bon, AICHR Chair for 2025, said that to enhance ASEAN’s peacebuilding capacity, AICHR is advancing a transformative initiative comprising six workshops on pathways to peace in ASEAN.
AICHR Chair Edmund Bon emphasised that spillover conflict issues that become region-centric issues cannot always be considered internal affairs of ASEAN Member States. He added that AICHR is well-placed and sufficiently flexible to platform and address peace and peacebuilding efforts.
AICHR Chair Edmund Bon said business structures and practices often appear gender-neutral but continue to reinforce inequality in effect. ASEAN’s frameworks must evolve to reflect the lived realities of women and girls in our region and that they are not treated as an afterthought in economic growth.
Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad explores the Sabah mining controversy by examining the legal complexities surrounding alleged corruption. He points out that the important element is the intention of both parties, that is, whether there was corrupt intention in the transaction. He urges the introduction of a political financing law.
If implemented as intended, the Guideline represents a vital human rights-based protection measure for victims and survivors, said Edmund Bon, AICHR Chair and Representative of Malaysia to AICHR.
Edmund Bon, Malaysia’s Representative to AICHR and AICHR’s Chair for 2025, highlighted that the deeply concerning rise in forced criminality has become a critical regional and global security issue. He emphasised that a coordinated ASEAN approach to forced labour and forced criminality is essential.
AICHR Chair Edmund Bon said that the regional consultation is the first one aimed at developing AICHR’s proposed work plan. It creates an open and safe space for dialogue on how AICHR can strengthen its human rights efforts and position itself among the leading commissions globally, while remaining relevant to current challenges.
Edmund Bon spoke on how AICHR is currently pursuing the adoption of the “ASEAN Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and Peace Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development”. This declaration links both the right to development and the right to peace with inclusive and sustainable growth and development.
The 2011 UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights call for a “smart mix of measures — national and international, mandatory and voluntary — to foster business respect for human rights”. This article looks at what this smart mix, based on a balanced, inclusive, and rights-centred approach, could look like in the Global South.
Edmund Bon underscored the significance of Malaysia’s ASEAN theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, emphasising its connection to the protection of the right to freedom of religion and belief in the region. Inclusivity ensures that everyone is free to practise, express, change, or reject religion without fear of discrimination, marginalisation, or violence.
Edmund Bon emphasised that ASEAN’s future lies in its ability to lead, not just regionally, but globally. ASEAN and AICHR’s position as a global reference point for multilateralism, partnership and peace should be elevated. Further, AICHR must assert its place in ASEAN to forge a common path based on shared values and aspirations.
AICHR Chair Edmund Bon said the proposed ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment should not only be a document of principles, but a platform for action — a step forward in ASEAN’s journey to protect its environment and uphold the rights of its peoples for generations to come.
AICHR Chair Edmund Bon highlighted that Malaysia is advocating for the adoption of two ASEAN declarations this year — on the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment; and on promoting peace, inclusive growth, sustainable development and the right to development.
The Federal Court allowed our clients’ appeal, and reversed the murder conviction and death sentence imposed by the Court of Appeal. It reinstated the decision of the High Court, which had sentenced them to 18 years’ imprisonment.
These remarks by Edmund Bon were delivered during the first occasion that an AICHR Chair has addressed the high-level segment of a UN Human Rights Council session. He commended the Council for its efforts to further its relationship with the AICHR, and called on the Council to fight for human rights together with the AICHR.
Edmund Bon, Chair of AICHR, emphasised that development is about improving the lives and well-being of people, allowing them to thrive in society. Economic growth must ensure that the benefits of growth are shared equitably and sustainably across the population. Finally, the right to peace is essential to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development.
AICHR Chair Edmund Bon pledged that AICHR will continue to advance the promotion and protection of human rights through its numerous programmes, in alignment with ASEAN’s vision to foster a people-oriented and people-centred community. Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability” is not merely a vision; it is a call to action.
Edmund Bon, AICHR Chair and Representative of Malaysia to AICHR, called on AICHR to pivot to a more action-oriented, resilient, and strategic institution capable of addressing complex and growing human rights issues in the ASEAN region, and to reimagine how ASEAN can do more and better in moving towards a shared future.
Edmund Bon said, among others, that it is an opportune time for ASEAN to declare and commemorate its “ASEAN Human Rights Day” on 18 November every year. This date is significant because the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration was adopted 13 years ago, on 18 November 2012.
Edmund Bon, Chair of AICHR and Representative of Malaysia to AICHR, said that AICHR commits to investing in institutional strengthening of modalities that respects ASEAN Centrality. This will enable AICHR to be a timely and future-ready body for safeguarding human rights in the region.
Edmund Bon, AICHR Chair for 2025, said that to enhance ASEAN’s peacebuilding capacity, AICHR is advancing a transformative initiative comprising six workshops on pathways to peace in ASEAN.
AICHR Chair Edmund Bon emphasised that spillover conflict issues that become region-centric issues cannot always be considered internal affairs of ASEAN Member States. He added that AICHR is well-placed and sufficiently flexible to platform and address peace and peacebuilding efforts.
AICHR Chair Edmund Bon said business structures and practices often appear gender-neutral but continue to reinforce inequality in effect. ASEAN’s frameworks must evolve to reflect the lived realities of women and girls in our region and that they are not treated as an afterthought in economic growth.
Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad explores the Sabah mining controversy by examining the legal complexities surrounding alleged corruption. He points out that the important element is the intention of both parties, that is, whether there was corrupt intention in the transaction. He urges the introduction of a political financing law.
If implemented as intended, the Guideline represents a vital human rights-based protection measure for victims and survivors, said Edmund Bon, AICHR Chair and Representative of Malaysia to AICHR.
Edmund Bon, Malaysia’s Representative to AICHR and AICHR’s Chair for 2025, highlighted that the deeply concerning rise in forced criminality has become a critical regional and global security issue. He emphasised that a coordinated ASEAN approach to forced labour and forced criminality is essential.
AICHR Chair Edmund Bon said that the regional consultation is the first one aimed at developing AICHR’s proposed work plan. It creates an open and safe space for dialogue on how AICHR can strengthen its human rights efforts and position itself among the leading commissions globally, while remaining relevant to current challenges.
Edmund Bon spoke on how AICHR is currently pursuing the adoption of the “ASEAN Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and Peace Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development”. This declaration links both the right to development and the right to peace with inclusive and sustainable growth and development.
The 2011 UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights call for a “smart mix of measures — national and international, mandatory and voluntary — to foster business respect for human rights”. This article looks at what this smart mix, based on a balanced, inclusive, and rights-centred approach, could look like in the Global South.
Edmund Bon underscored the significance of Malaysia’s ASEAN theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, emphasising its connection to the protection of the right to freedom of religion and belief in the region. Inclusivity ensures that everyone is free to practise, express, change, or reject religion without fear of discrimination, marginalisation, or violence.
Edmund Bon emphasised that ASEAN’s future lies in its ability to lead, not just regionally, but globally. ASEAN and AICHR’s position as a global reference point for multilateralism, partnership and peace should be elevated. Further, AICHR must assert its place in ASEAN to forge a common path based on shared values and aspirations.
AICHR Chair Edmund Bon said the proposed ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment should not only be a document of principles, but a platform for action — a step forward in ASEAN’s journey to protect its environment and uphold the rights of its peoples for generations to come.
AICHR Chair Edmund Bon highlighted that Malaysia is advocating for the adoption of two ASEAN declarations this year — on the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment; and on promoting peace, inclusive growth, sustainable development and the right to development.
The Federal Court allowed our clients’ appeal, and reversed the murder conviction and death sentence imposed by the Court of Appeal. It reinstated the decision of the High Court, which had sentenced them to 18 years’ imprisonment.
These remarks by Edmund Bon were delivered during the first occasion that an AICHR Chair has addressed the high-level segment of a UN Human Rights Council session. He commended the Council for its efforts to further its relationship with the AICHR, and called on the Council to fight for human rights together with the AICHR.
Edmund Bon, Chair of AICHR, emphasised that development is about improving the lives and well-being of people, allowing them to thrive in society. Economic growth must ensure that the benefits of growth are shared equitably and sustainably across the population. Finally, the right to peace is essential to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development.
AICHR Chair Edmund Bon pledged that AICHR will continue to advance the promotion and protection of human rights through its numerous programmes, in alignment with ASEAN’s vision to foster a people-oriented and people-centred community. Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability” is not merely a vision; it is a call to action.
