Report: Consultation Workshop by Maruah (Singapore Working Committee for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism)

By Amanda Lian, Social Correspondent

As I was invited to this consultation workshop by Maruah on the 22 August 2009, I decided that our readers should be let in on the various issues that came up for discussions and ultimately, what I learnt from the whole day event at Novotel, Clarke Quay in Singapore. Held privately in the Phoenix room on the 6th floor of the hotel, we were seated orderly in front of the main speakers at 9am sharp.

Followed closely was a welcome address by Ambassador Rodolfo C. Severino, Dr. Wilhelm Hofmeister and Ms. Braema Mathiaparanam. How are they connected to this forum you might ask? Ambassador Rodolfo C. Severino is the head of the ASEAN Studies Centre at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore and more than qualified to be present.

Next, we have Dr. Wilhelm Hofmeister who is the Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s Regional Programme, Political Dialogue Asia. Last but not least on the welcome speech was Ms. Braema Mathiaparanam, the Chairperson of Maruah Singapore and also the foundation of this whole event. Known to us was that they are all well-read and published writers on various human rights issues in Asia.

If you have been an avid follower on the ASEAN movement or the recent human rights issues, then you would be delighted to find out that many issues have been brought up and addressed at this forum by the speakers.

The speakers present include Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree, Ms. Shanthi Dairium and Mr. Arpee Santiago. The papers presented by them are “Singapore’s participation in the AICHR establishment process”, “Challenges in the AICHR”, “Role of Sectoral Bodies in the AICHR” and “Going Forward”.

Ambassador Ong Keng Yong:

Many issues are brought up during the presentation and therefore, the Question and Answer segment was prolonged to accommodate to the needs of the participants – to be able to find out more about ASEAN human rights.

One thing to take away from all the replies was that women’s rights are not discrimination and women are not natural victims to equality or other social issues.

We have to marry democratic values to human rights and ASEAN has achieved that. How can we be sure? Before, when there was no ASEAN, we were governed only by common law.

Now, we have the ASEAN charter and so, we have more obligations and responsibilities and among all the countries involved, if any one country were to disagree on a term or clause, the rest cannot proceed to the next step until the current problem has been resolved.

In Asia, of the countries in ASEAN, there have been many changes to the human rights issues. Thailand who used to be very conservative is opening up and while certain issues which used to be taboo in the Singaporean context are slowly gaining exposure. So while the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights is here to stay, we must stay informed about how it is going to aid us and make it a meaningful addition to our society.

On a lighter note, albeit having discussed about the serious issues, participants were treated to a catered lunch and rejuvenated as a result.

During lunch, we were given the chance to mingle with the speakers and I took the chance to gather more insight on the ASEAN human rights issues. When asked about his take on all these changes in ASEAN, “Life’s a ploy,” mused Ambassador Ong Keng Yong.

For now, at least Singaporeans are ranked high in the happiness index. The future of human rights in Singapore is in the hands of the younger generation, individuals between the ages of 20-35.

 

Key Points to Note:

Maruah means dignity in Malay

Acronyms like AICOHR, TOR, CEDAW, AICHR

 

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