Forum to educate the public on the ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, Establishment of Singapore Working Committee

The ASEAN Summit that will be held in mid-November will see the signing of the ASEAN Charter in Singapore.

During the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Manila last 30-31 July 2007, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers agreed to include a provision in the ASEAN Charter that mandates the creation of a human rights body.

As such, an ASEAN Human Rights Working Group (AHRWG) was established whose goal is to push for an intergovernmental human rights commission for ASEAN. At the moment, countries that have national Working groups and are part of the (AHRWG) are Cambodia, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.

Human rights advocates in Singapore are looking to establish a national working group. As such a forum will be held to discuss the process towards the formation of such a group here.

The forum will look to educating the public on the ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism and also the establishment of a Singapore Working Committee. Public consultation, input and participation are important if the group hopes to represent views of civil societies, NGOs, interest groups and human rights bodies.

Date: 23 September 2007, Sunday
Time: 2.00 pm
Venue: Allson Hotel, Victoria Room, Level 2

Speakers:
M Ravi, human rights lawyer
Jolovan Wham, social worker
Alex Au, gay rights activist
Isrizal, arts community representative
Chee Soon Juan, politician & political activist

Admission: Free and open to the public