Human rights body to make ASEAN "Community of Peoples": Thai FM

PHUKET, Thailand, July 23 -- The launching of a human rights body

of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be a testimony to the

resolve to make the ASEAN a "Community of Peoples," Thai Foreign Minister Kasit

Piromya said here Thursday.

Foreign ministers of the ASEAN adopted Monday a key document concerning the

setting up of a regional human rights body, paving the way for the inauguration

of the body at the 15th ASEAN Summit in October 2009.

"The adoption of the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the ASEAN

Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights provides us with a platform for

advancing ASEAN's efforts in the promotion and protection of human rights,"

Kasit said at the closing ceremony of the 42nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM)

and Post Ministerial Conferences.

The ToR has been drafted as part of the implementation of Article 14 of the

ASEAN Charter which came into effect in December2008.

"In conforming with the purposes and principles of the ASEAN Charter

relating to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental

freedoms, the ASEAN shall establish an ASEAN human rights body," reads the ASEAN

Charter.

"The purpose of the human rights body is the promotion and protection of

human rights in the ASEAN," said the joint communique issued after the AMM.

The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the

Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.