PHOTO: L-R Atty. Regina Padilla-Gerald, Secretary General of ASEAN Law Association; Associate Justice Zaldy V. Trespeses of the Sandiganbayan (anti-graft court of the Philippines); Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang of the Sandiganbayan, in behalf of Chief Justice Sereno; Ms. Amihan Abueva, CRC Asia Regional Executive Director; and H.E. Leo Herrera Lim, AICHR Chair and Philippine representative to AICHR
Kuala Lumpur — As a Civil Society Organization with consultative relationship with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the Child Rights Coalition Asia was invited to join the Judicial Colloquium on Good Practices Regarding International Human Rights Law in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 13-15 March 2017.
The colloquium gathers Judges across ASEAN Member States (AMS), public prosecutors, and attorney generals, representatives of law associations, representatives of AICHR, and other relevant ASEAN bodies.
Through this meeting, AICHR aims 1) to develop strategies in promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms to complement the building of the ASEAN Community 2) to promote capacity building for the effective implementation of international human rights treaty obligations undertaken by the AMS, and 3) to promote the full implementation of ASEAN instruments related to human rights.
It is important to note that all AMS have signed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD).
During the colloquium, the participants will also share experiences and ideas on the implementation of Article 5 of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration 2012 and Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals (peace, justice, and strong institutions) insofar as they relate to judicial remedies and building effective judicial institutions.
On 1 April 2016, the ASEAN Chief Justices collectively announced the formation of a Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ) which will soon be accredited to the ASEAN Charter to enhance co-operation in the judicial sector.
