The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened the Special Meeting 2/2024 of AICHR from 12 to 15 November 2024 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The Meeting was chaired by Ambassador Yong Chanthalangsy, Representative of Lao PDR to AICHR, also the Chair of AICHR in 2024, and attended by Representatives/Alternate Representatives of AICHR and the ASEAN Secretariat. Timor-Leste attended the Meeting as Observer. This Meeting was the last of the series of AICHR Meetings under the chairmanship of the Lao PDR in 2024. The Meeting was updated on recent developments on human rights in the region, including new laws and regulations at the national level related to human rights, and human rights initiatives by ASEAN Member States.
The Meeting discussed the implementation of AICHR’s Priority Programmes/Activities in 2024 and 2025 with a focus on the rights of persons with disabilities, women and children’s rights, human rights and policing in ASEAN, business and human rights, among others. AICHR also discussed measures for strengthening the governance of AICHR programmes and activities, and updated preparation of the AICHR Five-Year Work Plan (FYWP) for the period of 2026-2030 in alignment with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its strategic plans. On 14 November 2024, AICHR convened the interface with the Regional Support Office of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime (RSO) to discuss possible areas of cooperation in 2025.
On 15 November 2024, the Meeting concluded with a handover of AICHR Chairmanship from the Lao PDR as the Chair of AICHR in 2024 to Malaysia as the Chair of AICHR in 2025. The Meeting expressed appreciation to the AICHR Lao PDR for the successful assumption of the AICHR Chairmanship throughout the year and welcomed Malaysia as the Chair of AICHR in 2025. AICHR was established in accordance with Article 4 of the ASEAN Charter and inaugurated in 2009. The AICHR is the overarching human rights institution in ASEAN with overall responsibility for the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN.
