ASEAN Leaders Adopt ASEAN Human Rights Declaration

 

By Jamaluddin Muhammad

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (NNN- Bernama) -- Asean leaders today adopted the Asean Human Rights Declaration in committing themselves to further promote and protect human rights in the region.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak signed the declaration on behalf of the Malaysian Government at the Peace Palace here, during the 21st Asean Summit.

The other nine Asean leaders also signed the declaration.

The declaration, among others, protects the rights of people from all walks of life, from children to women.

The declaration is one of the important outcomes of this summit as the 10 member nations move towards establishing the Asean Community by 2015.

Speaking to reporters later, Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan said the declaration was a commitment by the grouping's leaders in pursuing the promotion and protection of human rights in the region, not only based on "our way", but also conforming to the highest international standards. --NNN-BERNAMA