"In this regard, the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council (APSC) must support the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)'s role in ACRF to mainstream human rights in the post-pandemic recovery process towards a resilient region," Mahfud MD said at the 23rd meeting of the ASEAN Political Security Community Council (APSC Council), held virtually on Monday.
This will make the ASEAN collaboration stronger in terms of developing and supplying much-needed COVID-19 vaccines and drugs, he explained.
At the meeting, Mahfud also highlighted counterterrorism cooperation among ASEAN member states through the active participation of the sectoral bodies of ASEAN and consistent implementation of the Bali Work Plan 2019-2025.
"The Bali Work Plan reflects our commitment to synergize inter-sectoral and inter-pillar collaboration among 19 sectoral bodies to thwart rising radicalism and prevent violent extremism," he said in a press statement.
The Indonesian delegation at the meeting comprised Mahfud MD and Vice Foreign Minister Mahendra Siregar.
Foreign ministers of ASEAN member states and ASEAN Secretary General Dato’ Lim Jock Hoi also attended the meeting.
At the meeting, Mahfud MD further reiterated the importance of cooperation among ASEAN member states in the legal sector.
"ASEAN leaders adopted the vision in Bali Concord in 1976 to create an extradition mechanism. For our part, we encourage all ASEAN member states to support the ongoing ASEAN Seniors Law Officials Meeting Working Group on ASEAN Extradition Treaty," he said.
He expressed the hope that ASEAN member states would adopt a flexible approach in negotiations, in the spirit of ASEAN cooperation.
"These all constitute a collective goal to prevent the ASEAN region from harboring criminals," he said.
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Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
