CHIANG RAI, 15 October 2018 – The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened the AICHR Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Symposium in Chiang Rai, Thailand on 13-15 October.
Representatives from AICHR, ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development, and 20 CSOs accredited with AICHR, national human rights institutions, and UN agencies attended in the symposium.
With the aim to foster understanding of the current development of human rights in ASEAN and to forge meaningful engagement between the AICHR and accredited CSOs, the Symposium provided a platform for interactive discussion on different human rights issues in ASEAN such as women and children’s rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, trafficking in persons, as well as business and human rights.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Barry Desker, representative of Singapore and Chair of the AICHR, highlighted that since the adoption of the Guidelines on the AICHR Relations with CSOs in 2015, the AICHR has been actively engaging with accredited CSOs through its activities and programmes which address various human rights issues pertinent to ASEAN. Currently there are 30 CSOs accredited to the AICHR.
The symposium also marked the second time the AICHR holds a roundtable discussion with the accredited CSOs. The discussion focused on the way forward to enhance consultation, coordination and cooperation between the AICHR and accredited CSOs in the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN. The discussion was made in a frank and open manner and included recommendations, among others, on how to institutionalise the round table discussion.
As part of the symposium, the participants visited Ban Pha Mee whereby members of the Akha tribe initiated a community-based tourism focusing on coffee produce and weaving. This form of tourism helps to showcase the local community culture while still preserving their values and lifestyle. They also visited the Mae Fah Luang University. Ranked as the 9th best university in Thailand, the university celebrated its 20th anniversary this year and adopts Sustainable Development Goals into its operations.
Dr. Seree Nonthasoot, the representative of Thailand to the AICHR, organised the symposium on behalf of the AICHR with support from the Government of Norway.
***
