PUTRAJAYA, 23 September 2025 – How can ASEAN’s human rights mechanisms be made more effective? This was the primary question in the 70-strong consultation hosted by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) from September 22 to 23 in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

“While AICHR is sometimes seen to deliberate on human rights at a high level, AICHR representatives are always aware of and alive to the real-world issues and challenges facing the region. Our concerns are reflected in every meeting where we share and seek information on human rights developments in the region, while considering the communications we have received. When appropriate, we have issued press releases such as on the earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand in 2025, and on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2020,” said Edmund Bon Tai Soon, the current ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Chair and Representative of Malaysia to the AICHR.

In his remarks, Bon underlined the importance of preparing ASEAN human rights mechanisms for the future in line with ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future that calls for an ASEAN Community “anchored in ASEAN Centrality with enhanced institutional capacity and effectiveness, with ASEAN organs, bodies, and mechanisms that are more decisive, responsive, innovative, agile, adaptive, and future-ready to address global and regional challenges, cross-cutting issues, and urgent and specific situations in a timely manner”.

He added that the consultation presents a timely opportunity to foster dialogue and explore ways to enhance AICHR’s effectiveness, ensuring that its work in the region remains relevant and impactful for the people who need it most.

Delivering a message virtually at the consultation, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, emphasised that inclusive dialogue and participation are essential for the credibility and effectiveness of ASEAN human rights mechanisms. He noted that sustained engagement with key and relevant stakeholders helps ensure that the mechanisms remain relevant and responsive to evolving challenges.  

Speakers and resource persons platformed discussions on the progress and challenges in ASEAN’s human rights journey while sharing lessons and good practices to strengthen AICHR and relevant bodies towards enhancing the ASEAN human rights architecture.

Following case studies and the identification of gaps, several recommendations emerged to improve the protection of human rights in the region. These include: (i) building stronger trust and coordination across ASEAN bodies, member states, civil society organisations, victims, survivors, rightsholders, and stakeholders; (ii) deepen collaboration between governments and civil society on human rights, balance purposefully the promotion and protection mandates of ASEAN mechanisms; (iii) increase media literacy and public engagement on human rights; (iv) improve clarity, inclusivity, and accessibility on the use of ASEAN human rights mechanisms; and (v) create more pathways for victim feedback and communications such as referral mechanisms.

The AICHR Regional Consultation on Enhancing ASEAN’s Human Rights Mechanisms for the Effective Promotion and Protection of Human Rights was built upon past activities related to ASEAN’s human rights mechanisms, which had consistently convened key ASEAN stakeholders over the past decade to explore pathways towards enhancing the effectiveness of ASEAN’s human rights architecture.

The programme brought together delegates from AICHR, ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, national human rights institutions, and civil society organisations alongside representatives and experts of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).

This consultation furthers Malaysia’s ASEAN agenda for inclusivity and sustainability in 2025. It was organised in partnership with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) and received support from ASEAN Member States through the ASEAN AICHR Fund, and the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism (WGAHRM), Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), and Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF).

Click here for more photos from the consultation.

Photo credit: AICHR Malaysia