Philippine AICHR Representative Dialogues with CSOs on the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration



With the recent developments on the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD), the Philippine Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism saw it relevant and timely to organize a workshop and consultation with Ambassador Rosario G. Manalo, Philippine Representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), to engage civil society in a transparent and open discussion on the provisions and principles that should be reflected in the AHRD.

“I appreciate your inputs and the work you’ve put in today’s workshop,” said Ambassador Manalo to an audience of human rights advocates representing different sectors of society. She went on to highlight important points raised by the participants during the plenary presentations on civil and political rights, economic and socio-cultural rights. “I am happy that you have reminded me to include Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Indigenous Peoples (IPs). I will insist that [these] go in[to the Declaration], and we will also include the elderly,” she noted.

Ambassador Manalo also emphasized the common viewpoint of the participants, saying that human rights are cross-cutting and each right is relevant to all sectors. “When you say human rights are non-negotiable, you are right. Either you have them or you don’t have them. But when you practice your rights, make sure you don’t harm your neighbor. That is what you mean by duties and responsibilities. It is not about negotiable or non-negotiable. You don’t negotiate your rights.”

During the open forum, Ambassador Manalo addressed questions on the drafting process and presented a timeline of the activities relating to such process. She also reported on recent developments on human rights in ASEAN and the work plan of the AICHR. Following this, a question was raised on how CSOs should proceed with submitting communications to the AICHR, the appropriate process and corresponding protocol.

“You submit it to me. There is no definite process as of yet. You can send it to the ASEAN National Secretariats but you should send me a copy. There has to be a system on your part so that issues will not be repetitive,” Ambassador Manalo explained.

In the end, she encouraged civil society to continue organizing substantive discussions parallel to developments on human rights in ASEAN. She assured everyone that she will do her best to advance the concerns and points raised during the consultation.

The recommendations and inputs of the various civil society organizations collected from the workshop and consultation on the AHRD will be submitted to the official delegation of the Philippines to the Drafting Group. The said consultation has been the only one of its kind since the Drafting Group was convened in July 2011 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Drafting Group will be submitting its draft Declaration to representatives of the AICHR in December 2011, who will be conducting further deliberations and negotiations.