Asean In Final Stage Of Forming Human Rights Body

PHUKET (Thailand), July 18 (Bernama) -- Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are expected to adopt a key document concerning the setting up a regional human rights body, ASEAN sources said Saturday.

In one of its long-awaited moves, the foreign ministers will adopt Terms of Reference (ToR) of ASEAN Human Rights Body on Monday, clearing way for the body's formal establishment at the 15th ASEAN Summit in October 2009, reports China's Xinhua news agency.

The ToR has been drafted as part of the implementation of Article 14 of the ASEAN Charter which came into effect in December 2008.

"In conforming with the purposes and principles of the ASEAN Charter relating to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, ASEAN shall establish an ASEAN human rights body," reads the ASEAN Charter.

Founded in 1967, ASEAN was aimed at accelerating economic growth, social progress, and promoting cultural development in Southeast Asia. Human rights had always been a sensitive issue given the cultural and political differences in member countries.

ASEAN has long followed the policy of non-interference in the activities of its member nations. But recent changes to the ASEAN' s charter now require member nations to govern according to certain principles -- including the rule of law, the protection of human rights, and the promotion of social justice.

The main principle adopted during drafting the ToR is being credible in terms of having a balance of promotion and protection of the human rights body, Vitavas Srivihok, Director-General of the ASEAN Affairs Department of the Thai Foreign Ministry, told Xinhua in an earlier interview.The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.--
BERNAMA