"If the ASEAN is concerned about human rights and democratic norms, its member nations must act in tune with their commitment outlined in the ASEAN 2025 blueprint: Forging Ahead Together," Indonesian representative for the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Yuyun Wahyuningrum noted at a "High Level Dialogue on ASEAN Human Rights" in Jakarta on Thursday.
ASEAN nations should thereafter seeks ways to offer restitution, compensation, and rehabilitation.
"Moreover, the ASEAN community should make assurance of no further cases of violation of human rights in backing the judiciary and non-judicial measures to resolve such matters pertaining to violations," Wahyuningrum explained.
During the same event, Eric Paulsen, the Malaysian representative for AICHR, laid emphasis on the fact that ASEAN nations should together advance and uphold the protection of human rights.
"If you are looking to venture ahead at a fast pace, then do so on your own. However, if you envision going far, then go together," he pointed out.
He noted that the fate of ASEAN nations is closely interlinked.
"The ASEAN's future will become brighter if all collaborate to realize socio-economic development, peace, and security as well as uphold human rights," he noted.
"In the ASEAN, we are upbeat that through our efforts, we would be able to boost the mandate of promotion and protection of human rights," he stated.
As stipulated in the AICHR terms of reference Article 1, the AICHR's goals are to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedom of the people of ASEAN; uphold the rights of the bloc's people to live in peace, dignity, and prosperity; contribute to realizing the ASEAN goals; promote human rights by taking into account national and regional specificities; boost regional cooperation to back efforts at the national and international scale; and uphold the international standard of human rights as specified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Vienna Program of Action and Declaration, as well as in international instruments of human rights.
Reporter: Azis Kurmala
Editor: Sri Haryati
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