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David Rowan, editor of the UK edition of WIRED magazine, highlights 30 things that he learned at the Oslo Freedom Forum.

The power of the event — whose sponsors include Sergey Brin’s and Peter Thiel’s charitable foundations — lies in the seamless mix of grassroots activists, many of whom have risked their lives to speak out, and the top-level policymakers and influencers who can act on what they learn. You might run into Hollywood glamour in Julia Ormond, or world-class philanthropists such as Omidyar Network’s Pam Omidyar — but the real stars were the former political prisoners, child slaves, torture victims and tribal-rights campaigners who had in many cases taken big risks in order to travel to Norway. And each one I spoke to made me understand just how vital the role of the western media can be in articulating their stories and, in an oft-heard phrase, speaking truth to power.

More at the link here.

Click on the link below to see an article by Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn on the ASEAN declaration of human rights.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/275923/towards-an-asean-declaration-of-human-rights

Indonesia handed over the chairmanship of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to Cambodia during a symbolic transfer at the closing ceremony of the 19th ASEAN Summit in Bali, on 19 November 2011.

The Cambodian 2012 ASEAN website can be found below.

http://www.asean2012.mfa.gov.kh/

Defending a region’s rights can be a balancing act
Bangkok Post, 14th October 2009

Sriprapha Petcharamesree has been endorsed as Thailand’s representative to the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.

The 53-year-old yesterday spoke to Achara Ashayagachat immediately after being given the three-year AICHR posting.

How will you live up to the different expectations of the civil society and the government?

Expectations vary from one country to another. Launching the commission is a state obligation and needs the involvement of more than one ministry, not just the Foreign Ministry alone. There are also other ministries and agencies that have a role to play in promoting human rights, including the National Human Rights Commission .

Regionally, the AICHR is expected to serve as a link between the state and the civil sector. It could even be asked to offer advice and technical assistance on how to organise fair and free elections in Burma next year.

Do you feel the agency has a limited scope of authority, and what are its shortcomings?

As a voice of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, I think we should only defend Asean when we really need to in the international arena, but not if they are not taking good care of their people as the spirit of the Asean charter demands. Neither should member states expect the AICHR to act as their mouthpiece if things are not in line with our mandate.

If you ask me whether I feel heavy-hearted or am afraid of conflict, the answer is no.

This is because the Asean governments and the AICHR share the same goals in promoting and protecting Asean people’s rights.

But I need to make clear that I am not the representative of the Thai government but of the Thai civil sector, which was involved in the selection process.

For controversial terms of reference, we may have to borrow Dr Vitit Muntabhorn’s guidelines which state that things that are not prohibited (by the terms) are not forbidden.

I try to encourage myself to interpret our job description more creatively so that we will not be easily discouraged. After all, the promotion aspect remains important in the region.

We could gather information and commission certain bodies to prepare studies on such issues as child soldiers – now also a problem in southern Thailand – migrant workers, violence against women, human rights violations, and development projects.

How could the AICHR and the NHRC collaborate?

The NHRC has a larger mandate as it can receive petitions and undertake investigations, while we could not move on such things without the consent of the hosts. Yet, I believe there are issues that carry cross-border impacts which the NHRC cannot grapple alone. On issues like dam construction impacts, such problems are rather common in the region, and the AICHR is in a good position to handle them.

How will the AICHR get started?

After the Asean leaders meeting in Cha-am next week, Thailand as the chair of the meeting will propose the establishment of a human rights fund.

I realise that from NGOs’ point of view, Burma might be on top of the agenda. But there are also other more important issues to be addressed, and we need to make sure none of the member governments are offended.

What will happen if the AICHR’s consensus is not in line with the governments’ expectations?

Autonomy is important, but communications and consultation with Asean foreign ministers is also key.

Are you afraid of losing your identity as a strong and principle-oriented person?

I certainly do not like to compromise my principles but will offer my cooperation in working out the details and the procedures.

I don’t have the diplomatic skills to compromise if those skills mean I must offer blank promises without an honourable commitment. Certainly, it is not an easy job.

See below for a newspaper commentary on the new ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission for Human Rights (AICHR)

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/08/31/opinion/opinion_30111033.php
Making AICHR work for Asean citizens
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation
Published on August 31, 2009

FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, Thailand will be on the look-out for an ideal person to serve as the Thai representative of the upcoming Asean Intergovernmental Commission for Human Rights (AICHR). The candidate must be willing to work for free and be keen to promote human rights in the most diverse, if not difficult, region in the world. Knowledge of Asean affairs, especially the human rights situation, a good track record of human rights protection and an excellent command of English are a must. During the three-year stint, the successful candidate will be given a free hand in managing a Bt1-million fund to support activities or plan of actions related to human rights within the country and Asean. Other expenses related to AICHR will be paid by the government.

Indonesia , Philippines and Malaysia, which have their own national human rights commissions, are expected to do the same. The remaining members would either stick to their High Level Panel (HLP) members who helped draft the AICHR terms of reference or pick a new government representative. At least half of HLP members will probably return as the commissioners. They consider themselves the gatekeepers.
Read the rest of this entry »

The Bangkok Post recently commented on the proposed ASEAN Human Rights Body, see below.

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Toothless in infancy, but the victory is in being born

How will you see the situation in Burma, where the Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is facing the possibility of a five-year prison term? That will be the first litmus test for the new human rights body.
Read the rest of this entry »

Amnesty International, in the section on Singapore, part of its worldwide review for 2008, highlighted “heavy penalties and restrictive measures imposed on opposition activists, journalists and human rights defenders”. It also noted Singapore’s formal dissociation from the UN General Assembly’s resolution calling for a worldwide moratorium on the use of the death penalty

Tex of report follows:  Read the rest of this entry »

ASEAN Charter enters into force next month

Jakarta (18 November) — Thailand delivered the tenth and final instrument of ratification of the ASEAN Charter when Ambassador Don Pramudwinai, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations, deposited the document with Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN, at the Thai Mission here on early Friday, 14 November.

“This is certainly an occasion to celebrate for the 570 million people of ASEAN,” said a beaming Secretary-General, upon receiving the Thai document.

“This means that when the ASEAN Leaders gather at their annual Summit in mid December, the ASEAN Charter will have come into force,” Dr Surin told reporters.

Two days earlier, on 12 November, Philippines deposited its instrument of ratification of the ASEAN Charter and a day later on 13 November, Indonesia deposited its instrument of ratification.

The ASEAN Leaders signed the ASEAN Charter last November at the 13th ASEAN Summit. They urged their member states to fully ratify it by the end of 2008. All member states have now responded to their call.

When they meet again in Chiang Mai, Thailand for their 14th ASEAN Summit on 15-18 December, they will celebrate not only the full ratification of the ASEAN Charter but also the entering into force of the new basic law of ASEAN. It will be a rules-based and people-oriented organisation with its own legal personality.

Source: Philippine Information Agency press release, 18 Nov 2008.

A commentary piece in the Straits Times, calling for more countries to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is one of the newest international UN conventions.

For more details on the convention, visit the sites below.
Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Sep 12, 2008
RIGHTS OF THE HANDICAPPED
Go for gold – ratify UN treaty
By Khalid Malik
EVEN as we celebrate the remarkable athletes who are participating at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, we should reflect on the rights of all people with disabilities. We should hail the 192 United Nations member-states who approved the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities two years ago, but keep in mind that only 36 of them have ratified the Convention thus far.

People with disabilities are the world’s largest minority. There are more than 650 million of them in the world. China alone, which signed the Convention in June, has 83 million people living with disabilities, of whom 20,000 are newly disabled as a result of the Sichuan earthquake.

If ratified by all nations, the Convention would create a better world for everyone. It aims to ensure that handicapped people enjoy the same rights and basic freedom as all others. If implemented, it could help fulfil the potential of roughly 10 per cent of the world’s population.

Countries that sign it are required to protect the rights of their handicapped in economic, social and cultural fields. It calls for equal access to primary and secondary education, the right to the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination, equal rights to work and equal participation in political and public life.

Unemployment among the disabled is as high as 80 per cent in some countries. Employers often assume that persons with disabilities are unable to work. Up to 90 per cent of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school.

The Paralympic Village, transformed from the Olympic Village, offers special facilities to meet the needs of physically challenged athletes. This includes access to apartments, a hospital, a bank, places of worship and shops. If only the world at large so complied with one part of the Convention, which requires countries to identify and eliminate obstacles and barriers, and calls for access to transportation, public facilities and services for people with disabilities.

We have witnessed remarkable achievements during these competitions that were once considered unattainable. These special Games exemplify the best of the human spirit. We have seen many firsts at the Paralympics. Rowing was added to the programme. More than 4,000 athletes from 148 countries joined to break barriers and attain dreams.

The International Labour Organisation is helping China to develop equal opportunity legislation for people with disabilities in the workplace. It has supported training for employment opportunities, including start-up businesses for entrepreneurs who are disabled. The United Nations Development Programme works closely with the China Disabled Persons’ Federation to promote rights protection for persons with disabilities. More than 500 social workers have been trained in promoting rights protection through better understanding of the law and international norms and services for disabled people. Unicef helped revise the Chinese law on the Protection of Persons with Disabilities, which entered into force in July, with a special provision on disabled children.

Everybody counts. And everybody has rights that must be upheld. Like the striving of a Paralympic champion, ratifying the Convention and safeguarding the rights of the handicapped are attainable, but would require hard work and determination.

We urge those countries which have not signed and ratified the Convention to do so. We urge the involvement of disabled persons organisations in incorporating the articles of the Convention into national legislations. We recommend developing national action plans, with concrete activities, projects and established timelines.

Why not go for the gold?

The writer is the United Nations’ resident coordinator in China