By Ahmad Mukhsein Mukhtar | New Straits Times
Langkawi will host the retreat and 40th meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) from Feb 11 to 14, marking Malaysia’s first AICHR gathering as ASEAN chair.
The Foreign Ministry, in a statement today, said Malaysia’s representative and AICHR chair for 2025, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, will lead the discussions.
The ministry added that the agenda includes victims’ rights in conflict situations, peacebuilding efforts, and proposed ASEAN declarations on environmental rights, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.
All ASEAN member states will participate, with Timor-Leste’s AICHR representative attending as an observer.
“As ASEAN and AICHR chair for 2025, Malaysia will outline its priority areas and key deliverables in line with the broader ASEAN chairmanship theme, ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability.’
“This year, Malaysia aims to advance key thematic areas such as the right to peace, the right to development, business and human rights, environmental rights protection, and climate change.
“It also seeks to address pressing human rights challenges across the region through an ASEAN-led and ASEAN-owned approach while strengthening AICHR’s institutional framework to shift towards a more protection-centric body,” the ministry said.
Malaysia will also focus on increasing transparency and accountability to enhance AICHR’s processes and mechanisms while strengthening collaboration with ASEAN sectoral bodies and dialogue partners.
“Additionally, Malaysia aims to foster stronger engagement with civil society organisations, ensuring inclusivity through ongoing dialogues and collaborations.
Ahead of the meeting, a transition workshop will be held on Feb 10 to ensure a smooth handover between outgoing and incoming representatives, reviewing past initiatives and aligning future strategies.
“This workshop will bring together former and outgoing AICHR representatives to sustain momentum on ongoing and future initiatives.
“It will also include a dialogue with civil society organisations that have a consultative relationship with AICHR, ensuring diverse perspectives inform the discussions.
The ministry said the workshop’s outcomes will enrich AICHR’s deliberations, reinforcing ASEAN’s commitment to the rule of law, democracy, human rights, sustainability, and inclusive development.
