STATEMENT : GENERAL DISCUSSION ON AGENDA ITEM 71: PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

STATEMENT BY

H.E. MR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA

TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK

ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS

AT THE GENERAL DISCUSSION ON

AGENDA ITEM 71: PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

THIRD COMMITTEE, 79^TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Mr. Chair,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

2. ASEAN is firmly committed to upholding the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA) in our collective efforts to promote and protect human rights in the region.  ASEAN Member States continue to work collectively to ensure that human rights are respected and protected, recognising that the promotion of these rights contributes to peace, stability, and sustainable development.

3. The ASEAN Charter serves as the foundational document which articulates the commitment to uphold the rule of law, and good governance, all of which are essential for the realisation of human rights.  ASEAN has also made significant strides in developing relevant human rights mechanisms that reflect the principles established in the ASEAN Charter. 

4. The 15^th Anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) is a key milestone which demonstrates ASEAN’s commitment to pursue forward-looking strategies to strengthen regional cooperation on human rights.  AICHR aimed, among other things, to promote and protect human rights within the regional context, bearing in mind national and regional particularities and mutual respect for different historical, cultural, and religious backgrounds, and taking into account the balance between rights and responsibilities.

5. In addition, the adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration in 2012 attests to ASEAN’s commitment to advance the promotion and protection of human rights in the region.  The Declaration defines a broad range of internationally accepted rights, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Furthermore, the right to development, as recognised in the Declaration, entitles people of ASEAN to participate in and contribute to the process of narrowing the development gap within ASEAN and promoting equitable and sustainable development, fair trade practice and effective international cooperation.

6. ASEAN member states have consistently participated in and contributed to the Human Rights Council (HRC). In this connection, we welcome the recent election of Thailand, as ASEAN candidate, to the HRC for the term 2025 – 2027 and thank member states for their support.  We also look forward to Member States' support for Viet Nam as ASEAN candidate for the term 2026-2028.

Mr. Chair,

7. ASEAN recognises that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, in which the principles of impartiality, objectivity, non-selectivity, non-discrimination and avoidance of double standards and politicisation must be exercised in our collective endeavour to promote and protect human rights.  It is crucial to balance competing rights and interests in the fulfilment of human rights, considering regional and national contexts, while bearing in mind different political, economic, legal, social, cultural, historical and religious backgrounds.  This approach is consistent with the fundamental principles of sovereign equality of all States and non-interference with domestic jurisdiction of any States as stipulated in the UN Charter.

8. We believe that the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms must be balanced with the performance of corresponding duties as every person has responsibilities to all other individuals, the community, and the society where one lives. We also underscore that it is important to foster a culture of dialogue in advancing the promotion and protection of human rights. 

9. To this end, ASEAN Member States will continue to share achievements, best practices, and challenges with a view to enhancing cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights through the convening of regular ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue which serve as a form of cooperative forum for dialogue on human rights thematic issues. 

Mr. Chair,

10. We acknowledged the importance of collaborative efforts in the promotion and protection of human rights in the region including through capacity-building initiatives and sustained engagement between the AICHR and the UN.  We thus welcomed the convening of the 1^st AICHR-UN Human Rights Dialogue in September 2023, and the 5^th AICHR-UN Interface in November 2023, which contributed to the implementation of the ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership towards ASEAN Community-building efforts, ultimately for the benefit of the people of ASEAN.

11. As we move forward, ASEAN member states will continue to work collaboratively to foster constructive dialogue and cooperation.  It is essential that we build upon the framework of sharing of best-practices and capacity building to advance our collective pursuit in the promotion and protection of human rights.  These measures will be integral to achieving the ASEAN Vision 2025 and beyond, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that no one is left behind in our pursuit of a just and equitable society. 

I thank you.