The Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF) convened its Technical Working Group Meeting in Yangon on 27-28 January 2016, hosted by the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC). Representatives from Indonesia (Komnas HAM), Malaysia (SUHAKAM), Myanmar (MNHRC), Philippines (CHRP), and Thailand (NHRCT) attended, while Timor-Leste’s PDHJ was absent.
Key Outcomes:
- Security and Human Rights Balance
- Adopted agenda included a statement emphasizing that counter-terrorism measures must respect fundamental human rights principles, particularly regarding preventive detention laws.
- Permanent Secretariat Progress
- Komnas HAM reported on legal registration process in Indonesia
- Assigned to continue registration and lead fundraising efforts
- Plans made for 2016 establishment and 2017 full operations
- Website administration to transfer from CHRP to Secretariat
- Rules of Procedure to be updated to reflect Secretariat’s role
- Operational Planning
- Focused on technical/administrative preparations for Secretariat
- Emphasized need for sustainability plan in project proposal
The meeting advanced SEANF’s institutional development while addressing contemporary human rights challenges in the region.