Malaysia Welcomes AICHR’s Work On Key Human Rights Declarations – FM Mohamad

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has welcomed efforts by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) to draft two key declarations aimed at addressing urgent human rights concerns.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the two documents are the ‘ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment’ and the ‘Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and Peace, Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development’. 

“These declarations highlight the urgent and pressing concerns of our people, especially those who are vulnerable to environmental harm, inequality and instability,” he said.

Mohamad said this in his opening statement at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Interface Meeting with AICHR representatives on Tuesday, held in conjunction with the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings.

He said the proposed declarations reaffirm AICHR’s unwavering commitment to advancing human rights in ASEAN in ways that are timely and relevant to both current and future challenges.

Mohamad also expressed anticipation for AICHR’s 2025 Annual Report, which will be presented during the Interface.

He said the report will offer an opportunity for the ministers to be updated on AICHR’s achievements, challenges and the way forward in advancing human rights across the region.

Noting that AICHR has now been in existence for more than 15 years, Mohamad hoped it would continue to evolve and strengthen its capacity to deliver impactful outcomes, while ensuring meaningful engagement and upholding ASEAN centrality and unity.

“These efforts are key to advancing human rights and regional cooperation, in support of both the national and international commitments of ASEAN member states.

“Our efforts to promote and protect the well-being of our people should remain ASEAN-led and ASEAN-owned,” he said, adding that they should reflect the values and norms of its member states, while ensuring alignment with the ASEAN Charter and the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD).

In his remarks, Mohamad said today’s interface is timely as ASEAN is entering its next phase of integration, following the adoption of the ‘ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future’ vision, during the 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025.

He said the vision recognises the promotion and protection of human rights as a fundamental component of ASEAN’s community-building efforts.

“As we work towards realising the vision, ASEAN must uphold its human rights commitments. Our aspirations for a resilient, dynamic and people-centred ASEAN will only be meaningful if we first ensure the rights and dignity of our people,” he said.

The 58th AMM and related meetings, held under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025 with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, will feature 24 ministerial-level meetings involving ASEAN Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners.

The four-day high-level events are expected to bring together around 1,500 delegates, including foreign ministers from ASEAN member states, Timor-Leste, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) participants, Sectoral Dialogue Partners and senior ASEAN Secretariat officials.

-- BERNAMA