Human Rights Resource Centre

10/02/2019

Our deepest condolences for the passing of Ibu Lily Dorianty Purba, Indonesia's ACWC Commissioner for the period of 2015 to 2017.
May she rest in peace.

02/02/2019

Thank you for the fruitful discussion, Ibu Yuyun.

31/12/2018

Have a happy, healthy, wealthy and fulfilling New Year.
May your 2019 be filled with goodness and happiness.

30/08/2017

HRRC Highlights Crucial Role of 'Rule of Law' in ASEAN's 50th Anniversary

Manila, 8 August 2017 – On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Human Rights Resource Centre (HRRC), through its lead researcher for the "Update on the Rule of Law for Human Rights in ASEAN: The Road to Integration", Francis Tom Temprosa, presented the study before ASEAN academics, students, government employees, and civil society, highlighting the importance of a shared vision and concept of the rule of law as ASEAN enters its fifth decade.

In "ASEAN @ 50", Mr. Temprosa presented the report’s main findings in a seminar that was organised by the Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) in Miriam College, Philippines. He shared that ASEAN Member States have varying and diverse understandings of the rule of law as a concept. But if ASEAN is to move towards meaningful integration, there is a need for ASEAN to work on strengthening the rule of law. He suggests adopting a reimagined and shared concept of the rule of law -- one that builds on a common regional understanding, respect for human rights, and the more dynamic role of local and regional institutions.

ASEAN’s diversity is reflected in the variations in the state of rule of law in its Member States, said Mr. Temprosa. Since 2011, the region has exhibited some positive trends, including the hardening of the commitment to rule of law and human rights, as affirmed in the ASEAN Charter and through various ASEAN declarations. He added that the "region's first treaty," the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children (ACTIP), entered into force in February this year. This shows that ASEAN - as a regional bloc - is now more concerned with common human rights issues than before. At the same time, this proves that ASEAN states are more willing to find consensus using shared international commitments as platforms to institutionalise regional responses.

The challenge is for ASEAN to continue and foster its vision for the human rights of all through the lens of the rule of law, which was included in the ASEAN Declaration -- the ASEAN's first -- in 1967. The rule of law, he added, paved the way for human rights issues to find their place in the conversation between and among ASEAN Member States. However, more needs to be done to fulfil this vision, though ASEAN Member States have had many promising changes in legislation in the last few years.

The study, "Update on the Rule of Law for Human Rights in ASEAN: The Road to Integration", is HRRC's latest baseline report that analysed policy and legislative changes in the 10 ASEAN Member States since HRRC issued its first baseline report on Rule of Law in 2011. It enumerates the changes in law and policy as found by a group of legal scholars. ASEAN @ 50" was a seminar course that discussed key issues on the three pillars of ASEAN – political, economic and socio-cultural – using a gender lens perspective. It also looked into the challenges and barriers towards ASEAN integration.

24/07/2017

HRRC Presents “Update on the Rule of Law for Human Rights in ASEAN: The Path to Integration” in World Justice Forum

The Hague, 10-13 July 2017 – The Human Rights Resource Centre (HRRC) participated in the World Justice Forum V organised by the World Justice Project (WJP). An organisation known for its Rule of Law Index, the WJO seeks to advance Rule of Law through a multidisciplinary approach. The belief that Rule of Law is not only the domain of lawyers and judges, but rather of everyone as stakeholders, is reflected in the agenda of the forum. The forum availed a venue for hundreds of global and community leaders and agents of change from civil society, business, government, and the media to exchange ideas, develop strategies and collaboration to advance peace, opportunity and equity.

The first agenda item in the forum was the Plenary Keynote Conversation featuring Elizabeth Magill, the Dean of Stanford Law School, and US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The conversation highlighted the importance of judicial independence in maintaining rule of law. Justice Ginsburg also encouraged all to maintain a long-term perspective and persevere in the fight for justice in the current uncertain period. Recalling the past civil rights and racism issues in the US, she maintained “I have lived long enough to see remarkable changes… changes people say might never happen.”

The subsequent days saw sessions that discussed pertinent issues starting from the importance of monitoring in criminal justice reform, corruption eradication, furthering gender equality and women’s rights, to designing effective media communication. The significance of civic participation, transparency, and checks and balances in strengthening rule of law became one of the recurring themes in the sessions. World Justice Forum provided ample opportunities for participants to actively participate, including by availing sessions for organisations to discuss innovative ideas to further rule of law in local contexts. HRRC assisted in coaching the session on youth-oriented innovations. On the last day of the Forum, the shortlisted participants pitched their ideas before all the Forum’s attendees who in turn voted for one to be supported by WJP. The winner of this year’s Forum was an initiative to provide free legal aid and consultation in Kyrgyzstan to put an end to bride kidnapping in rural areas.

During the Forum, the HRRC also had the opportunity to present its latest baseline report, the “Update n the Rule of Law for Human Rights in ASEAN: The Path to Integration.” The study analysed policy and legislative changes in the 10 ASEAN Member States since HRRC issued its first baseline report on Rule of Law in 2011. Ms. Aviva Nababan, HRRC’s Board Member, presented the report’s main findings in the World Justice Forum before academics, former judiciary, and civil society actors from a number of ASEAN and European countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Holland, and Poland. Ms. Nababan highlighted how ASEAN’s diversity is also reflected in the variations in the state of rule of law in its member states. Since 2011, the region has exhibited some positive trends, including the hardening of the commitment to rule of law and human rights affirmed in the ASEAN Charter through various ASEAN declarations, most recently of which is the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children (ACTIP) that entered into force in February this year. The ensuing discussion touched upon the need for the region to balance its long-held non-interventionist policy with closer, more practical human rights cooperation, including in the field of humanitarian aid.

14/06/2017

HRRC's First Consultative Meeting with AICHR

Jakarta, 18 May 2017 – The Human Rights Resource Centre (HRRC), led by Prof. David Cohen, Special Advisor to HRRC and Director of the WSD Handa Center for Human Rights and International Justice at Stanford University (Handa Center), met with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) on 18 May 2017 during the AICHR’s 24th Meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.

The AICHR, through its Chair H.E. Leo M. Herrera-Lim, welcomed HRRC to the meeting and conveyed heartfelt congratulations for the approval of HRRC’s Consultative Relationship with the AICHR. He also expressed appreciation for the work that the organisation has been doing through the years in support of the AICHR. Further, he reiterated the AICHR’s serious commitment to fulfil its mandate for protecting and promoting human rights in the region for a truly “people-centred” ASEAN.

Prof. Cohen then presented before the AICHR a proposal for a study on “Understanding and Promoting Government-Led Good Practices on Human Trafficking Data Collection in ASEAN” that will be jointly conducted by HRRC and the Handa Center. The proposed study aims to contribute to the development of initiatives to support the effective implementation of the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP) by identifying and assessing positive steps and good practices in four ASEAN countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand), particularly in the area of data collection and analysis. The presentation was followed by an informative exchange between the AICHR representatives and Prof. Cohen that clarified the details of the project.

This is the first meeting of HRRC with the AICHR since the grant of its consultative status in November 2016. The human trafficking data collection study is being proposed in line with the objectives embodied in the ACTIP, which has entered into force on 8 March 2017, and in support of the AICHR’s Five-Year Work Plan 2016-2020.

14/06/2017

Regional Workshop in Business and Human Rights held in Bangkok

Bangkok, 1-2 June 2017 – The Human Rights Resource Centre took part in the Regional Workshop on Business and Human Rights: Moving Ahead with National Action Plans, which gathered 200 key representatives from states, businesses, civil society, and trade unions at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, to discuss how decision-makers from all sectors, in particular governments, can work hand-in-hand to mainstream human rights practices in business operations, and drive momentum for an ASEAN Community that protects not only profits, but also people and the planet.

Ms. Valerie Cliff, Deputy Regional Director, United Nations Development Programme in Asia and the Pacific, welcomed participants and expressed that the growing multi-stakeholder community of supporters of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs/Guiding Principles) “affirm the principle that economic growth, Human Rights and Environmental Protection are not contradictory to each other. They are actually mutually reinforcing. A business environment respectful of Human Rights attracts further long-term sustainable investments and manages risks better. More investments create opportunities for economic growth which translates into more means for the States to help disadvantaged communities and fulfil their rights.”

“We now have to make the Guiding Principles a reality,” exhorted Dr. Michael Addo, Chair of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, in his Keynote Address. In doing this, there is a need for a common understanding of the Guiding Principles amongst leaders and to raise awareness amongst the various stakeholders. In addition, he said leaders need to be credible in putting forward the Guiding Principles in activities, downstream to stakeholders in affected communities and upstream within partnership communities, including governments and businesses.

Dr. Addo further underscored the need to take all opportunities in implementing the UNGPs, specifically encouraging participants to explore the convergence between UNGPs and Sustainable Development Goals. He reminded of the importance of leadership, both in the micro level and the macro level and the need to develop a shared vision. “We have no chance to fail, we have to succeed,” he stressed. Lauding the commitment expressed by the Prime Minister of Thailand during a conference the day before that saw the signing of the Declaration on cooperation in implementing the UNGPs in Thailand between the different stakeholders and ministries of the Thail Government, Dr. Addo ended his address with a call for action: “We need to seize the opportunity presented to us yesterday and drive this lesson to the rest of the ASEAN region, to make sure that all 10 ASEAN Member States share that common enthusiasm for the UNGPs.”

The two-day event featured insightful panel discussions on the following topics: (1) Update on global progress and challenges in implementing the UNGPs; (2) Update on ASEAN progress and challenges in implementing the UNGPs; (3) The State Duty to Protect: Opportunities and challenges in developing National Action Plans – the ASEAN Experience; (4) The Corporate Responsibility to Respect: Challenges and opportunities in implementing the UNGPs – The ASEAN experience; (5) Access to effective remedies: Exploring gaps and solutions; and (6) Exploring effective responses: Dialogue with civil society organisations, indigenous people groups and trade unions.

At the penultimate session of the workshop, the participants deliberated on the proposed Regional Strategy on CSR and Human Rights, which was drafted following the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Seminar on Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Human Rights in ASEAN held in Singapore on 3-4 November 2016. A second draft of the document will be produced as part of the outcomes of the event.

The Regional Workshop was jointly convened by the ASEAN CSR Network, the Ministry of Justice Thailand, AICHR Thailand, UNDP, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific “as part of the continuous effort to elevate the importance of the business and human rights cause in the region,” according to Ms. Yanti Triwadiantini, Chair of the ASEAN CSR Network.

28/11/2016

We are pleased to get the approval of Consultative Relationship with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). We are strongly determined to contribute in promoting and protecting human rights towards the establishment of a people-oriented, people-centred ASEAN Community.

The AICHR is pleased to announced the following list of  CSOs whose applications for Consultative Relationship with the AICHR are successful:

24/11/2016

Symposium on “Risks and Opportunities: The Rights of the Youth in the AEC”
Phnom Penh, Friday - 9 December 2016, 1.30 - 5.00 PM

The Human Rights Resource Centre and the The University of Cambodia - UC will be hosting a symposium on the theme, “Risks and Opportunities: The Rights of the Youth in the AEC.”

In view of the official launch of the ASEAN Community at the end of 2015, the symposium aims to disseminate knowledge on ASEAN policies, particularly those found in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025. It will specifically seek to highlight the AEC’s impact on the rights of Cambodian youth. The symposium will provide participants with the opportunity to discuss with experts and peers the implications of regional developments and how they can benefit from them while avoiding the common pitfalls of rapid economic integration or development.

To register, please email Mr. Travis Mitchell at [email protected], cc: Olivia Christina ([email protected]) by 5 December 2016.

14/10/2016

Deepest condolences to our Thai friends and families for the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. May his soul rest in peace.
(Photo (c): www.thephuketnews.com)

19/09/2016

Organisers of the 2016 Summer Institute in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights have issued a Meeting Report highlighting key discussion points from the proceedings, including views from participants on the “way forward” in regards advancing human rights in the ASEAN Economic Community.

The Summer Institute was held around the theme “Examining the Rights Impact of the ASEAN Economic Community” and was conducted from the 10th to the 12th of August 2016 in Bali, Indonesia. The Summer Institute this year was proudly hosted by the HRRC with the WSD HANDA Center for Human Rights and International Justice, the East West Center, and Udayana University. It was made possible with the generous support of the U.S. Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore, and private donors.

Access the Meeting Report here: http://bit.ly/2cJfzZi