Business & Human Rights agenda in ASEAN takes a leap forward

Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, 4 February 2015 “As ASEAN continues to improve its competitive strength in the business area and integrates itself into the global economy, there is a necessity that this region is able to maintain appropriate standards in corporate governance, accountability and transparency in respecting environment, human rights and fundamental freedoms,” the Indonesian Representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), Rafendi Djamin said.

"... every party should be transparent and be accountable of their actions. State has the role to provide with the relevant policies and regulations as well as their enforcement.  Business has a role to follow the policies and regulations.  Civil society has the role in assisting those of voiceless to be heard by the State and Business so that appropriate actions and remedies are in place," Rafendi Djamin, Indonesian Representative to ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).

The Indonesian Representative to AICHR was addressing more than 100 speakers and participants as the keynote speaker at the Consultation co-organised by ASEAN CSR Network and the Singapore Management University School of Law.  The Consultation saw AICHR representatives from Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia, Commissioners of National Human Rights Institutes from Myanmar and the Philippines as well as members of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights representing Asia and Africa taking part in the discussion.

The discussion centred on the development of National Action Plans as a strategic roadmap to carry out the United Nations Guiding Principles of Business and Human Rights, “Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework (Guiding Principles).  The Guiding Principles have become the main reference for streamlining efforts to address adverse corporate-related human rights impacts.

Noting the Guiding Principles delineation on the role of the State to protect, the business to respect, and that access to remedy, judicial and non-judicial, be provided, the Indonesian Representative said that “this should be the common goals where every effort made should lead to this objective”.

“In doing so, every party should be transparent and be accountable of their actions,” he said.

The Indonesian Representative later shared that Indonesia already has plans in place to develop a National Action Plan and expects the process to be completed this year.

At the closing session of the Forum, Economic Advisor to the President of Myanmar, Prof. Aung Tun Thet, also announced his country’s intention to develop National Action Plan on implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.  He emphasised the importance for Myanmar, being a latecomer to the global economy, to engage at the regional and international levels in order to learn lessons from the experience of others and ‘leapfrog’ its development.

	Prof Aung Tun Thet, the Economic Advisor to the President of Myanmar, on the government's commitment to develop a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights http://business-humanrights.org/en/myanmar-other-govts-commit-to-develop-national-action-plans-on-business-human-rights-at-asean-conference
	Prof Michael Addo, Chairpeson of UN Working Group on Business & Human Rights, on the announcement to develop National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights made by Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia and Phlippines at the ASEAN Next-Gen Forum. http://business-humanrights.org/en/myanmar-other-govts-commit-to-develop-national-action-plans-on-business-human-rights-at-asean-conference

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