Timor Leste | PDHJ hosted 2nd Technical Working Group of the South East Asian NHRIs Forum

The office of the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice of Timor-Leste hosted the 2nd Techincal Working Group (TWG) Meeting of the South East Asia National Human Right Institutions Forum (SEANF) in Dili, Timor-Leste, from 23 - 25 July 2019. SEANF is a Forum of National Human Rights Institutions from Indonesia (KOMNAS HAM), the National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC), the Human Rights Commission of the Philippines (CHRP), and the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT), and the Provedor for Human Right and Justice of Timor-Leste (PDHJ).

The first day of the meeting was dedicated to discuss the presentation of the Commission for Human Right of the Philippine’s experience on the Climate Change Inquiry including the sharing of thoughts and ideas on the concept of creating Inter-NHRI Inquiry Panels on common issues. This was followed by the presentation and discussion on the SEANF Guidelines on Tortures Prevention in South East Asia by the Association for Prevention of Torture.

The second and third day of the meeting were dedicated to discuss issues related to the SEANF Action Plan, namely rights of the movement of people, including migrant workers, trafficking in person, refugees and asylum seekers, Business and human rights (BHR), Environment and human rights, including climate justice and right to health, Preventing and countering violent extremism, The rights of vulnerable groups (persons with disabilities, women, children, indigenous peoples and minorities, older persons, LGBTI persons, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the right to water.

SEANF Members also discussed possible agenda for its annual meeting planned for 22 - 24 October 2019 in Dili, Timor-Leste. Chairpersons of SEANF members are expected to participate in the Annual Meeting which will discuss agenda items, among others, Adoption of Prevention Torture Guidelines, revision of rules and procedures for SEANF, especially on the provision of funding arrangment, NHRCT draft guidelines for use of the SEANF social media platforms, establishment of SEANF Permanent Secretariat, CHRP will present the framework of cooperation for the Inter-NHRI Inquiry Panels, Business and Human Right, baseline paper and statement the rights of person with disabilities in South East Asia. It is also expected that the Annual Meeting will also include KOMNAS HAM, SUHAKAM, and CHRP singing an agreement on statelessness.

Source: Office of the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice (Timor-Leste)