The 21st Annual Conference and Side Event of the Southeast Asian National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF) was held via hybrid mode in Dili, Timor-Leste, from 18 to 20 November 2024, under the lead of the Human Rights Commission of Timor-Leste, as alternate Chair. The conference was attended by U Paw Lwin Sein, Chairperson of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, Commissioners Dr Than Myint, and Dr Tin Maung Maung Than, and senior staff of the office of MNHRC via an online platform. Representatives from the Human Rights Commissions of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste, attended in person.
The Annual Conference was opened by Mr Virgilio da Silva Guterres, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Timor-Leste who is the rotating Chair of the SEANF for 2024.
The conference discussed the major developments and activities of the Forum’s member National Human Rights Institutions in promoting and protecting human rights since the 20th Annual Conference of SEANF, the matter included the implementation of the five priority areas outlined in the SEANF Strategic Plan (2022-2026), proposed amendments to the Forum’s Rules of Procedure (RoP), activities by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission related to the international transfer of prisoners (ITOP), the invitation to the “RightCon” conference by Chinese Taipei National Human Rights Commission, the rights of older persons and stateless persons in Sabah, Malaysia, and cooperative efforts between SEANF, the Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF), and Association of the Prevention of Torture (APT).
At the Conference, U Paw Lwin Sein, Chairman of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, presented updates on the Commission’s activities and major developments in promoting and protecting human rights since the 20th Annual Conference. Dr Khine Khine Win, Deputy Director-General of the Commission Office, provided details on the Commission’s implementation of human rights in business activities, which is Priority 2 of the SEANF Strategic Plan (2022-2026).
At the Conference, the Human Rights Commission of Timor-Leste handed over the Forum’s rotating chairmanship for 2025 to the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia.
On 20 November, the Forum held a side event entitled “International Seminar on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) in Southeast Asia’s Border (Sharing Best Practice and Cases”. The event featured an opening speech by Dr José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste.
The event was attended by the Chairpersons, Vice-Chairpersons, and members of the National Human Rights Commissions that are part of the Forum, along with representatives from Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, civil society organizations, and experts in the field. Dr Tin Maung Maung Than, a Commissioner of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, participated in discussions on the event’s topics.
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