Submission to the ASEAN leaders on the recommendations
Of The Cambodian Independent NGOs
1. WE represent more than 50 independent Networks, Civil Society and People’s Organizations from Cambodia participating in consultation workshop on Relations between ASEAN and CSO organized by Advocacy Team and STAR CAMBODIA supported by SEACA in June 30, 2010 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
- We wish all Governments of ASEAN to have some forms of Dialogue Modalities between each Government and the representatives of the Independent CSO to discuss significant issues like Human Rights, Land and Natural Resources, Women and Children, Migrant Workers, and other Cross- Border issues in the ASEAN region.
On the Rule of Procedure of AICHR
- We would like the commissioner to adopt the ROP as soon as possible. The adopted ROP will enable it to work effectively for the protection and promotion of Human Rights in ASEAN in accordance with the international laws and standards.
- We strongly urge the AICHR to consider the proposal submitted by the SAPA TF on ASEAN and Human Rights on the ROP of AICHR during the 1st AICHR meeting in Jakarta in March 2010.
- In relation to the Work-plan of AICHR, we urge AICHR to include regular and frequent consultations by commissioners with CSOs in their respective countries in the work-plan.
- On the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (ADHR), we strongly suggest that the members of the TF that will draft the ASEAN HRs Declaration should be independent, competent and possesses the necessary expertise on HRs. The external independent experts working on different fields of HRs should be appointed to the TF to ensure the universality, invisibility and independence of all rights, in line with international standards, are safeguarded. The selection of the TF members should be conducted with the participation and consultation of the CSOs.
- The TOR of the ADHR should ensure that it complies with international human rights laws and standards, in line with AICHR ’s obligation under article 1.6 of its TOR.
On Freedom of Information
We would like each government in ASEAN to create the mechanism and adopted the FOI laws so that the peoples of ASEAN have easy access to the transparent and independent information.
On Labor, Migrant Workers Issue
1. We are concerned with the issues confronting migrant workers in the region. For instance, female migrant workers from underdeveloped countries of ASEAN suffered both physical and mental abuses from their employer such as rape, torture and other degrading human acts.
2. We would like the hiring company to provide immediate legal representation to distressed migrant workers who suffered from human rights abuses from their employers.
3. Each government should encourage its Embassy and consulate offices overseas to be more considerate in protecting the rights and freedom of its migrant workers such as observing the places where they work, live, stay and verifying employers’ identification.
4. We would like the destination country to immediately cease detention and deportation of migrant workers especially those who are pregnant and the people who are living with HIV.
5. We wish all governments in ASEAN to work to harmonize all policy and practices on HIV testing to ensure that any HIV testing provided to migrant worker adhere to internationally accepted standards.
6. We would like all parties to respect, protect and fulfill all migrant workers’ rights including the rights to health.
On Indigenous People Issue
1. We would like the government in ASEAN region to preserve the collective land ownership of the IPs, their culture and interests.
2. We would like the government in ASEAN to speed up the process of land titling and land mapping.
3. All government in ASEAN must quit granting the massive Land Economic Concession of the collective land which has been affecting the IPs seriously especially their basic rights.
4. We would like all government institutions in ASEAN to discuss and define the term of indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities precisely in any meetings or workshop of ASEAN.
5. To ensure freedom of association as well as meaningful and effective participation and representation of IPs in all processes, program and plans affecting them through mutually defined consultation mechanism at all levels.
On Environment Issue
We wish the ASEAN governments to launch a fourth pillar on Environment on each structures and governance that will place environmental sustainability, economic, gender, social and climate justice at the center decision-making, in response to urgent environmental crisis and climate change.
Hanoi, September 26, 2010
- Endorsed by APF-6 Participants:
1. Nay Vanda- The Deputy Head of the HR. Program of ADHOC
2. Sam Sokong– The Head of Advocacy Team in Cambodia
3. Chet Charya– The Executive Director of Star Kampuchea
4. Kay Leak, Executive Director of CDCam/UPDF(leakkay@yahoo.com )
5. Neang Sovathana, President of ICA ( Initiative of change Association)
6. Pen Somony, Executive Director of Cambodia Volunteer for society(CVS)
7. Ea Dara, Project Officer of Culture and Environment Preservation Association (CPA)
8. Seap Sinet, Youth and Powerment Assistant (YRDP) Youth Resource Development Program
9. Sim Samouem, Executive Director of Cambodia Center for Study and Development and Agriculture.
10. Joey Dimaandal, Program Officer of SEACA
Any information, please contact:
– Mr. Thun Saray, President of ADHOC
(saray@online.com.kh) +855-16 440 044
– Mr. Nay Vanda, The Deputy Head of the HR. Program of ADHOC
(nayvandaadhoc@yahoo.com) +855-12 599 106
– Mr. Sam Sokong, The Head of Advocacy Team in Cambodia
( samsokong@yahoo.com) +855-97 9999 894
– Ms. Chet Charya– The Executive Director of Star Kampuchea
(star-director@starkampuchea.org.kh) +855-12 802 460
– Ms. Debbie Stothard, (Debbie@altsean.org )
