Get to know AICHR (ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights), the ASEAN’s intergovernmental cooperation on human rights. According to the ASEAN Charter, there is also an agreement to establish an ASEAN human rights institution, which is later called “AICHR” (Inter-ASEAN Commission on Human Rights), to work to promote and protect human rights at the ASEAN level.

How does AICHR work? What is the role of AICHR? Get to know AICHR through the human rights cartoon chapter 3 “AICHR, Inter-ASEAN Commission on Human Rights.”

ASEAN was officially established in 1967 at Saranrom Palace in Thailand. It was first started by five key member countries: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Singapore. Its main objective is to create cooperation in economics, society, culture, education, and various sciences, including promoting peace and stability.

In the beginning, ASEAN would meet only during times of necessity or when international conflicts occurred in Southeast Asia. There was no official annual meeting; the meetings were occasionally held.  The role of the ASEAN during its initial period was to reduce conflict between governments in the region.

After ASEAN had traveled for more than 41 years, it was agreed to write an ASEAN constitution called the “ASEAN Charter,” which systemizes the ASEAN States to create strong cooperation between governments.  

The ASEAN Charter establishes ASEAN meetings yearly at various levels, such as the ASEAN Summit, ministerial meetings, sectoral body meetings and others. However, the problem of the ASEAN Charter is the lack of a parliamentary and judicial mechanism, which excludes the role of the ASEAN people to engage with.

Essentially, Article 14 of the ASEAN Charter requires the existence of regional human rights institutions carrying out the duties of promoting and protecting human rights in ASEAN.

After establishing the AICHR, the TOR was created to specify the scope of the AICHR’s work. But there are still many restrictions on people’s participation. Anyone wanting to work with AICHR must go through the accreditation process approved by AICHR to work with AICHR. In summary, the AICHR is an intergovernmental body as a representative system appointed by the ASEAN member states to promote human rights issues in the region. 

Since the founding of AICHR in 2009 until 2021, Thailand has already had a total of three AICHR representatives during five terms: Dr. Sriprapa Phetchameesri (1 term), Dr. Seri Nonthasut (2 terms), and Professor Amara Phongsapitch (2 terms).

Each country has a different AICHR selection process. Regarding Thailand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appoints the selection committees to select Thai representatives of AICHR, consisting of nine representatives from the government, academics, civil society, and the media, to determine criteria and procedures for jointly selecting Thai representatives.

In summary, the AICHR was established in accordance with the ASEAN Charter in 2008. It is the regional mechanism through which each government in ASEAN appoints representatives to promote human rights. However, AICHR still has limitations on human rights protection, and most of its work could be done only by organizing regional seminars and human rights training.