The Singapore Working Group on ASEAN (SWGA), a civil society group led by Think Centre, make recommendations on the national process of selecting the representative for the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.
Singapore Working Group on ASEAN is the Singapore focal point for the coalition of 70 organizations under the umbrella of the Solidarity for Asian People's Advocacy Task Force on ASEAN and Human Rights (SAPA TF-AHR)is concerned about the national selection process of the representative to the AICHR.
SWGA welcomes the ASEAN leaders decision to issue the political declaration for the AICHR.
SWGA believes that an independent, impartial, professional representative with high integrity, recognized competence in the field of human rights, be elected and/or appointed in a transparent, participatory and inclusive process.
SWGA hopes that the process would involve consultation with inputs from all stakeholders. This is to ensure the effectiveness and credibility of the AICHR in fulfilling its mandate as the overarching body tasked with the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN.
SWGA urge the Singapore government to nominate, select, and elect or appoint a member to the AICHR.
Letter to the Singapore Foreign Minister 10 September 09 H.E George Yeo RE: Civil society's recommendations on the national process of selecting the Singapore representative for the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Your Excellency, We are the Singapore Working Group on ASEAN (SWGA), a civil society group working on issues related to ASEAN, and we would like to submit our recommendations on the national process of selecting the Singapore representative for the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. SWGA believes that an independent, impartial, professional representative with high integrity, recognized competence in the field of human rights, be elected and/or appointed in a transparent, participatory and inclusive process. We hope that the process would involve consultation with inputs from all stakeholders. This is to ensure the effectiveness and credibility of the AICHR in fulfilling its mandate as the overarching body tasked with the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN. We would like to propose the following recommendations for your kind consideration. 1) Criteria for the choice of Country Commissioner: 2) We also hope the Singaporean public would be informed regarding the process of nomination, selection and eventual election or appointment of the Country Commissioner. We thank you for your kind attention. Yours sincerely, Sinapan Samydorai |
The SWGA held a series of small workshops on ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) the Terms of Reference and the Political Document.
15 August 2009, small workshop where 17 members of Singapore's civil society engaged in discussion to understand the workings of civil society in the region with regards to the AICHR. SWGA made a presentation on the terms of reference (TOR) for the AICHR highlighting salient features for the participants' attention.
The small workshop is a continuation from the 4th April 2009 workshop that discussed the "Terms of Reference" of the ASEAN Human Rights body. The Workshop participants express concern that there is an absence of a time frame to realize the many goals set out in the TOR and the painfully incremental pace at which change was to be implemented.
Sources and Relevant Links:
Forum Asia Frequently asked questions about the ASEAN human rights body
Forum Asia ASEAN's Political Declaration: Wanted - full fledged regional human rights mechanism 25 August 2009
Forum Asia Malaysian civil society presents detail recommendations on the national process 17 September 2009
Jakarta Post RI begins selecting candidates for ASEAN rights body 15 August 2009
Reuters U.N rights chief disappointed on new ASEAN body 22 July 2009
ASEAN Sec Terms of Reference of ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights
Forum Asia 200 civil societies demand for an ASEAN human rights body with protection mandates 23 June 2009
SAPA TF-AHR ASEAN should establish a human rights body that is not below international standards 20 June 2009
Forum Asia ASEAN Must Ensure Independence and Effectiveness of the body 03 March 2009
