From Maruah:
Dear Friends,
MARUAH (The Singapore Working Group for ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism) would like to invite you to a Consultation Workshop etitled “Engaging the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) – The People’s Views”.
Since 1993 ASEAN has been talking about establishing a Human Rights Body. In 2007 under the ASEAN Charter there was provision for such a body to be formed. Then last month the Terms of Reference were accepted and this body now has a name – The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on ASEAN Human Rights. By October 2009, this Commission will be born at the ASEAN Summit in Thailand.
This is a considerable breakthrough. The work is also cut out for all stakeholders. We all have a role to play to make this instrument credible.
Just within the next three months ASEAN governments will be selecting their representative to the Commission. How will this group shape this body over the next few years and how will civil society actors interact with the Commission? How will governments/civil society deal with the Commisision?
In this evolutionary process how do the stakeholders ensure that the Commission will only grow in strength and that the human rights of people are preserves, promoted and protected.
With the help of our partners – the Institute of South East Asian Studies, ASEAN Studies Centre and the kind sponsoring of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung – we are able to put a programme together to update stakeholders on the discussions and to gather views.
This is an opportune moment for us to get engaged on human rights and to look for synergies. We believe this Workshop would be a critical event for stakeholders. As such, we take this opportunity to encourage you to attend this Workshop and to contribute to the reflection on the issues of engaging appropriately and effectively with AICHR.
Please look at the following attachments and join hands with us in this process. We look forward to meeting you at this event.
Best Wishes,
Braema Mathi
Chairperson/Coordinator
MARUAH( Singapore Working Group for ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism)
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Visit Maruah’s website to sign up for the workshop.
The event is planned to start at 8:20 am on Aug 22, 2009 at Novotel Hotel, Clarke Quay.
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