Jakarta (ANTARA) - The deputy foreign minister highlighted that the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) should function autonomously to oversee stakeholders in connection with the promotion and protection of human rights.

"The AICHR should work in line with three principles, the first being that the Commission should work single-handedly to oversee all stakeholders, including the government, for the promotion and protection of human rights in Southeast Asia," Deputy Foreign Minister A. M. Fachir stated at the "High-Level Dialogue on ASEAN Human Rights" in Jakarta on Thursday.

The second principle calls for an open and transparent mechanism in the selection of the AICHR membership.

"AICHR's selection process and mechanism should be open and transparent," he affirmed.

The third principle emphasizes on the AICHR being the best in the Southeast Asian region in the protection of human rights.

"The AICHR's works must mirror the aspects and dimensions of Human Rights. The AICHR also has the opportunity to utilize its potential to forge cooperation with other stakeholders," he stated.

The AICHR is an ASEAN regional human rights institution tasked with promoting and protecting human rights in the ASEAN.

Fachir reiterated that the AICHR should not only be contributing to protecting human rights in the Southeast Asian region but also playing a broader role in promoting international peace.

"Indonesia will back the AICHR to collaborate with all stakeholders at the regional and international scale," he affirmed.

Reporter: Azis Kurmala
Editor: Sri Haryati
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