Published: 18/11/2012 at 12:00 AM
PHNOM PENH : The Asean Human Rights Declaration was revised during the Asean Ministerial Meeting yesterday to smooth the way for its adoption by leaders of the grouping today.
Ministers at the meeting also reviewed the Joint Statement on the 10th anniversary of the Asean-China Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
Philippine Secretary of State Albert Del Rosario said after yesterday’s meeting that he was a bit happier with the AHRD now.
Mr Del Rosario issued a statement earlier in the day saying Manila had taken a strong position on the concerns raised by the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights that the AHRD fell behind international standards in many areas.
“Our president, who is a staunch advocate of human rights, also takes the position that Asean has this unique privilege to speak up firmly for all those who may not be able to do so,” Mr Del Rosario said.
Read more: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/321794/asean-meet-strengthens-ahrd-rules
