The Singapore Working Group is progressing from Interim to Pro-tem Working Group and calls itself the Singapore Working Group for ASEAN.
The Singapore Working Group is progressing from Interim to Pro-tem Working Group and calls itself the Singapore Working Group for ASEAN.
Since 2003, Mr. Sinapan Samydorai, President of Think Centre, as the Singapore Focal point for the Working Group for ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, has convened several Round Table Discussions (RTD) on the Regional Human Rights Mechanism.
In December 2006, the RTD led to the formation of the Singapore Working Group. After organizing a series of 4 RTD since January 2007, we have moved towards the Pro-tem Singapore Working Group. We hope to become a National Working Group around July 2008.
Around June 2008, the Singapore government, as chair of ASEAN, will be co-hosting the annual Human Rights Workshop. This brings together officials from Foreign Affairs in the ASEAN, members of the Working Groups for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, and Civil Society Organizations. The Singapore government will co-host the Workshop with the Regional Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism.
The High Level Task Force (HLTF) drafting the ASEAN Charter, recently announced that the Foreign Ministers have decided to include a line on the "human rights body" in the charter. Since then, there is much expection among CSOs in ASEAN for a regional human rights commission.
In Singapore, the RTD's organized by the Singapore Working Group draw a regular number of 30. The recent RTD, on August 28, saw more then 50 participants. A few are keen to join the Singapore Working Group for ASEAN or to set up interest groups.
On 1st September, the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism organized a forum at the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) seminar room, where more then 40 participants gathered to listen and even to volunteer to be involved in the activities of the Working Group.
Ms. Braema Mathiaparanam, an activist on women's issues, volunteered herself to help "reform" the existing Singapore Working Group for ASEAN. Braema was seconded by Mr. Alex Au. Ms. Chee Siok Chin also volunteered to assist Ms. Braema.
Ms. Braema offered to call for a Interim Committee meeting to be chaired by herself, and also mentioned that she will work with Mr.Sinapan Samydorai and Mr. Michael Cheng of the Singapore Working Group for ASEAN. We really hope this will happen, leading towards the reformation - strengthening of the Singapore Working Group.
Mr.Sinapan Samydorai, Chair of the Interim Singapore Working Group, welcome the initiatives and encouraged participants to come forward to support the development of the Interim Group. The Working Group promotes awareness on the need for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism and greater respect for human rights in ASEAN countries.
The Working Groups do not act as a "complaint Mechanism" on local human rights issues. The members of the Working Group are expect to engage the government in "constructive dialogue" with a step by step approach and at a pace the government is comfortable with.
The primary goal of the Regional Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism (Working Group) is to establish an intergovernmental human rights commission for ASEAN. It is a coalition of national working groups from ASEAN states, which are composed of representatives from government institutions, parliamentary human rights committees, the academe, and NGOs.
Working Group follows a step-by-step, constructive and consultative approach when it engages governments and other key players in the region.
Sinapan Samydorai
Chair - Singapore Working Group for ASEAN
President - Think Centre
Sources and Relevant Links:
Working Group Interim Committee to Support the Establishment of an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism
Singapore Working Group for ASEAN Civil society kicks off ASEAN Charter involvement 05 September 2007
Working Group Fourth Workshop on an ASEAN Regional Mechanism on Human Rights 17-18 June 2004
ASEAN Sectariat Fifth Workshop on an ASEAN Regional Mechanism on Human Rights
CEC EU Sixth Workshop on the ASEAN Regional Mechanism on Human Rights16-17 July 2007
Forum Asia Sixth Workshop: Need for Greater Civil Society Involvement in ASEAN 09 August 2007
