ASEAN and Human Rights
ASEAN and Human Rights

Summary/Abstract: The authors aim to provide an overview focused on recent institutional developments in the field of human rights within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), created in 1967. Special attention is paid to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), established in September 2009 as an advisory body. Its mandate is analysed in detail, and the most important events and legal aspects of its operation are critically examined. The assessments made by the UN, the ASEAN and ASEM Summits on significant institutional elements of human rights promotion in South-East Asia are briefly presented. The existing perspectives and difficulties in promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as regional cooperation in the field of human rights, are also examined in the light of the current challenges posed by the irreversible process of globalisation. The article concludes that addressing human rights with priority should be a major focus in the coming years on the political, economic, social, institutional and diplomatic agendas of ASEAN and the ten members of this prestigious regional organisation.

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