Is it, therefore, possible for the regional grouping to develop some kind of Asean human rights law in this context? This list is mentioned in a number of Asean documents ranging from the Asean Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) and the terms of reference of the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). The international human rights treaties are the backbone of international human rights law; there are nine core conventions. The only substantive article on human rights in the Asean charter is Article 14, which calls for the establishment of an Asean human rights body. The primary instrument on human rights from the Asean (governmental) perspective was then drafted by the AICHR in the form of the Asean Human Rights Declaration 2012.

Source: Bangkok Post May 10, 2017 21:33 UTC