AICHR’s forum in Banten, Indonesia, highlights the importance of protecting the right to peaceful assembly as part of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration.

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) hosted an ASEAN Forum on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly to promote the implementation of Article 24 of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) on July 15-16, 2024, in Banten, Indonesia. The forum aimed to share measures and build the capacity of relevant actors to implement Article 24, which protects the right to peaceful assembly.

During the event, Wahyuningrum, the Representative of Indonesia to AICHR, stressed the importance of protecting the right to peaceful assembly in various settings, including outdoors, indoors, online, and in both public and private spaces. She emphasized that this right is intertwined with other rights, such as freedom of expression, association, and participation.

Ambassador Chilman Arisman from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia highlighted that promoting and protecting the right to freedom of peaceful assembly is essential for ASEAN as a people-centred community. He noted that this right allows people to express their aspirations and is crucial for equitable social progress.

The forum saw over 60 participants attending both online and in person. They shared best practices and challenges in upholding the right to freedom of assembly across ASEAN member states. Discussions included issues related to countering violent extremism, trafficking in persons, and promoting the rights of various groups, including migrant workers, refugees, children, women, and persons with disabilities. Participants also addressed restrictions and procedural issues concerning the right to freedom of assembly and made several recommendations for AICHR, including raising awareness, developing guidelines for law enforcement, and encouraging a human rights-based approach to policing assemblies.

The UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association, Gina Paola Romero, led a session on the Practical Toolkit for Law Enforcement Officials to Promote and Protect Human Rights in the Context of Peaceful Protests.

AICHR Indonesia and Thailand organized the forum with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, demonstrating a collective commitment to advancing human rights within the ASEAN region.

Source: ASEAN