13 September 2017, Geneva, Switzerland --- The ASEAN Secretary General (ASG), H.E. Mr. Le Luong Minh, addressed the ongoing 36th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) this morning at the Palais des Nations. UN member and observer states, together with representatives from national human rights institutions and civil society organizations, were present during the address of ASG Minh.

In his address, Ambassador Minh highlighted the progress and achievements of ASEAN and re-affirmed the role of the ASEAN Community on the promotion and protection of human rights in the region.

ASEAN Secretary General pointed out that the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration stresses that human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and that these rights must be treated in a fair and equal manner, on same footing and with the same emphasis.

He added that in the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the principle of impartiality, objectivity, non-selectivity, non-discrimination, non confrontation and avoidance of double standard and politicization should always be upheld.

Ambassador Minh also highlighted that all ASEAN members have ratified three of the eight core international conventions, namely: the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The Secretary General also made a courtesy call on the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Joaquin Alexander Maza Martelli, just before addressing the Council.

The Permanent Representatives in Geneva of all ten ASEAN member states joined him.

Ambassador Minh personally expressed to Ambassador Maza Martelli the ASEAN’s commitment on the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights in the ASEAN region.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, cited ASEAN’s engagement with the Geneva-headquartered Human Rights Council as one of the highlights of the visit of the ASEAN Secretary General in Switzerland.

ASEAN is comprised of 10 countries, namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The Philippines is the country chair of the ASEAN in 2017. END