EU-ASEAN POLICY DIALOGUE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

EU-ASEAN POLICY DIALOGUE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

AICHR, ACWC, ACW, ACMW, ASEC VISIT TO BRUSSELS,

19/23 OCTOBER 2015

Joint Press Release

ASEAN

Brussels, BELGIUM

Tuesday, 27th October 2015

Link to photo

On 19 and 20 October 2015, the EU and ASEAN held a first policy dialogue on Human Rights as part of a one-week visit in Brussels of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the ASEAN Commission on the promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW), the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Migrant Workers (ACMW) and the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC).

This policy dialogue results from the agreement of EU and ASEAN Ministers at the 20th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting held in Brussels on 23 July 2014, to promote respect for human rights and the rule of law through exchange of good practices, information, dialogues, seminars and capacity building initiatives. In doing so, it built on the study visits to EU undertaken by the AICHR and ACWC in 2011 and 2013 as well as visits of the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Stavros Lambrinidis, to Jakarta in 2013 and 2014.

The first policy dialogue allowed for open and constructive exchanges on themes of common interest, including recent human rights developments in the EU and in ASEAN, the rights of migrants, the rights of women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons, interaction with civil society, corporate social responsibility as well as economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development. Both sides saw the merits of encouraging dialogue and exchange of experience between civil society organizations from the two regions. They exchanged documents on their respective work. The ASEAN Delegation had an exchange of views with Members of the European Parliament and attended a seminar on “pan European human rights mechanisms” hosted by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the participation of representatives from the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The ASEAN Delegation also met the Brussels-based Human Rights and Democracy NGO network and engaged with European businesses on Corporate Social responsibility, in a round table hosted by The Shift and CSR Europe. Site visits of Belgian institutions dealing with migrants, persons with disabilities and equal opportunities completed the one-week programme.

Ending this week of dialogue and events, the two sides expressed satisfaction on their mutual engagement and agreed to explore further regular dialogues on human rights issues of mutual interest. Some of the potential areas for bilateral and multilateral cooperation identified include: corporate social responsibility and human rights, strengthening accessibility for persons with disabilities, child protection systems, gender mainstreaming, promoting economic rights of women, violence against women and children, rights of older persons and trafficking in persons. The two sides also looked forward to further exchanges on freedom of expression and how it deals with the advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred and the incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

ASEAN Supports Efforts for Peace, Stability and Prosperity in the Korean Peninsula and the Region

ASEAN Supports Efforts for
Peace, Stability and Prosperity
in the Korean Peninsula and the Region

ASEAN

Jakarta, INDONESIA

Tuesday, 13th October 2015

ASEAN supports efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula which will contribute to promoting peace, stability and prosperity in Northeast Asia and the wider region. This position was conveyed by Secretary-General of ASEAN H.E. Le Luong Minh to the Vice Chairman of the Presidential Committee for Unification Preparation (CPUP) of the Republic of Korea (ROK), H.E. Chung Chong Wook, during a courtesy call yesterday.

Vice Chairman Chung briefed Secretary-General Minh on the work of CPUP which was established in 2014 by President Park Geun-hye to prepare a comprehensive and systematic plan for unification of the Korean Peninsula.

Secretary-General Minh reiterated ASEAN’s support for the Trust-Building Process on the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative in promoting lasting peace in the Korean Peninsula and cooperation and trust in Northeast Asia. ASEAN called for the early resumption of Six-Party Talks which would pave the way for the complete and verifiable de-nuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.

Secretary-General Minh and Vice Chairman Chung discussed the progress in ASEAN-ROK relations and noted that both sides are committed to further strengthening the strategic partnership as agreed at the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit in Busan last year. Secretary General Minh also noted that the ROK has been an active Dialogue Partner in ASEAN-led frameworks such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus which aims at promoting peace and stability in the region.

Further, SG Minh briefed Vice Chairman Chung on recent developments in ASEAN, including preparations for the formal establishment of the ASEAN Community at the end of this year and formulation of a new vision for the next 10 years.

MERDEKA - Ya dan Tidak! ( Merdeka - YES and NO! )

POLITICS - Column: " from THE fringes "

oleh Amirul HM

Dataran Merdeka-KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

Tuesday, 1st September 2015 

( Bendera - bendera Malaysia Berkibar Megah ) 

" NegaraKU, Tanah Tumpahnya DarahKU.

Negara KITA, Tanggungjawab KITA "

Note: Amirul HM writes partially in the Malay language this week to capture the spirit of and in conjunction with the 58th year of Merdeka. Main body of article, was written on Merdeka Day itself.

When I was studying in the UK, I loved Merdeka Day even though it was not a holiday. Reason being, I loved to tell the story to any Brits who would listen of how the so-called high and mighty and often-claimed intellectually superior British Empire allowed the Japanese Army into Malaya and ultimately Singapore via the backdoor just because the guns were facing the wrong way. To add insult to injury, the Japanese Army were mainly riding bicycles! To see more grimace on the Brits' faces I would add 'spices' like headless chickens sending warships like the battleship HMS Prince of Wales and cruiser HMS Repulse...Repulse? seriously? Repulse what?

Of course my Merdeka story to the Brits gets better with every telling and in my naivety I'd used words like stupid and idiots which wasn't very well received but I felt needed to use to drive home the point(s) and for that I am sorry. I am still naive now and that's why I prefer to use words like mentally-challenged and asinine for my Merdeka story. This week though, I feel compelled to write in my mother's tongue as a mark of respect and solidarity with those who had strived for Persekutuan Tanah Melayu or Malaya's "Independence"! Here's a tribute to those who had, is and will be doing to protect Malaya's sovereignity:-

31 Ogos setiap tahun adalah hari untuk semua warga negara Malaysia untuk bukan sahaja menyambut dengan rasa syukur dan gembira tetapi juga adalah hari untuk mengambil kira sejarah nan lepas.

( Peta  Lokasi Ketenteraan di Singapura semasa Perang Dunia Kedua )

Walaupun kita boleh rasa terhibur dengan "Keterancatan Akal" kerajaan dan askar Empayar British yang 'membiarkan' sahaja tentera Jepun masuk ikut pintu belakang dengan hanya menggunakan basikal walhal meriam-meriam besar Empayar British menghala ke laut, kita patut menghargai pengorbanan askar Melayu di Pasir Pinji dan Bukit Candu...Askar-askar Melayu yang hebat yang pada hemah saya akan lebih ulung lagi jika tidak dibawah pimpinan " Panglima Terencat Empayar British". Somalia dan pertempuran 'Black Hawk Down' di Mogadishu sudah cukup membuktikan kehebatan Angkatan Tentera kita.

Walaupun kita boleh rasa terhibur dengan Maharaja Lawak dan Akademi Fantasia kita perlu tentukan Si Tanggang atau Si Kitul versi alaf baru tidak menjelma kembali. Watak jelmaan Melayu alaf baru yang lebih teruk perbuatan dan bahasanya boleh kita kenali sebagai si TangTUL. Watak si TangTUL ini tidak boleh dibiarkan berleluasa kerana ketidakbendungan  campuran Anak derhaka dan 'Duri dalam Daging' inilah yang menyebabkan kita dijajah. Empayar Melaka yang tumbang pada 1511 serta percubaan menawan balik Melaka pada tahun 1517 dan 1521 patut dijadikan iktibar.

( Setem 10 sen. Persekutuan Tanah Melayu, salah satu dari 7 Wasiat Raja-raja Melayu. )

Walaupun pimpinan Melayu Islam melaungkan slogan - slogan kemerdekaan kepada rakyat marhaen seperti " Amanah Asas Kemajuan " pada tahun 1984, " Nilai Murni Jayakan Wawasan " di 1994, "Budaya Penentu Kecapaian " tahun 1996 dan " Negara Kita, Tanggungjawab Kita " pilihan peribadi saya semasa kegawatan ekonomi yang dahsyat 17 tahun yang lepas, kita perlu mengimbas sekali-lalu " 7 Wasiat Raja-Raja Melayu" sebelum Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! dilaungkan. Berapa dari 7 wasiat tersebut masih tinggal untuk diserahkan kepada generasi berikutnya?
Adakah Si Kitul atau Si Tanggang atau lebih buruk lagi watak jelmaan Melayu alaf baru si TangTUL sudah memainkan peranan?

Walaupun kita ada Rukun Negara, apa gunanya jika prinsip " Keluhuran Perlembagaan & Kedaulatan Undang-Undang" tidak diendahkan oleh puak-puak berkepentingan apatah lagi mereka yang diberikan amanah untuk digalas bagi pihak rakyat jelata!?

Akhir kalam dan megambil kira salah satu prinsip Rukun Negara Malaysia - "Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan", walaupun kita sudah Merdeka jika gembar-gembur media perdana boleh dipercayai tetapi hakikatnya kita masih lagi hambaNYA! 

MERDEKA - Ya dan Tidak!

Selamat Hari "Kemerdekaan" Ke-58! 

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

ASEAN Ministerial Statement on the Bombing at Ratchaprasong Intersection in Bangkok, Thailand

ASEAN Ministerial Statement on the Bombing
 at Ratchaprasong Intersection in Bangkok, Thailand

ASEAN
F.T. of Putrajaya - MALAYSIA
Tuesday, 25th August 2015

The ASEAN Member States extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Thailand and to the families of the victims of the bombing incident at the Ratchaprasong Intersection in Bangkok on the evening of 17 August, which resulted in the loss of lives and injuries.  

ASEAN strongly condemns the bombing as it had in the past condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever it is committed. 

ASEAN renews its commitment to work with the international community to further intensify its cooperation to combat all forms of terrorism. 

ASEAN expresses solidarity with the Government and people of the Kingdom of Thailand and supports the efforts to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice.    

Launch of The ASEAN 500.

EDITORIAL-ASEAN 500
Taman Tun Dr. Ismail-KL, MALAYSIA.
17 July 2015

 LAUNCH of " The ASEAN 500 "

MEDIA STATEMENT

Ever since my stint in a Directorate at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta-Indonesia brief involvement with an ASEAN periodical circulated mainly in Manila-Philippines and right through to my Hosting of TV programmes like the socio-political economic "To the Point" and the self-explanatory "Islamic Finance Today" amongst others with Capital TV, Damansara-Malaysia friends, acquaintances and even guests had requested that I provide coverage to certain media events.

Hence, heeding to requests from friends and such and aligning them with my network throughout ASEAN especially in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia as well as Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Brunei to a certain extent I would like to announce on this auspicious 1st day of Syawal 1436 Hijrah which falls on 17 July 2015 the debut of  " The ASEAN 500 ".

The ASEAN 500 essentially refers to the ever-growing ASEAN Economic Community or AEC population of 500 million people and growing. It is this potent force of more than 500 million ASEAN citizens which if harnessed well can lead to an improved general well-being of the citizens of ASEAN. The ASEAN 500 hopes to contribute towards this "improved general well-being" goal by working with selected partners.

Further enquiries can be directed to The ASEAN 500's editor at amirulaei@gmail.com.

Amirul HM

Editor

The ASEAN 500