Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism Statement on the ASEAN Charter November 21, 2007 - The Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism (Working Group)congratulates the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) for transforming itself into a rules-based, legal entity through the adoption of an ASEAN Charter. We are indeed looking forward to an ASEAN governed by “the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance” and where there is “respect for and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms”. The incorporation of a human rights body as an organ of ASEAN (Article 14, ASEAN Charter) is a breakthrough for human rights in the region. We are elated by this development. >> Read more

Main Article

"Human Rights and Creative Leadership"

Following is the abridged text of the keynote speech delivered by Dr. Egla J. Martínez-Salazar during the SYLFF Asia/Pacific Regional Forum that was hosted by Jadavpur University In Kolkata, India. The theme of the forum was “Human Rights and Creative Leadership.”

Dr. Egla J. Martínez-Salazar, who received a SYLFF fellowship at York University for the 1999-2000 academic year, earned a Ph.D. in Sociology in spring 2006 from that university and is currently assistant professor at Carleton University, Canada. A naturalized Canadian, Egla was born to a Mestizo family in Guatemala. She is committed to research and social action related to woman, development, and indigenous people in Central Africa.

It is a great and humble honour to have this opportunity to share with all of you some reflections that come from my research, teaching and social life experiences inspired by the urgent need to not forget those who are forced to live in abject poverty, deprivation, persecution, global racism and patriarchy as well as imperial interventions and other forms of organized violence. I express my deep thanks to the organizing committee of the SYLFF Asia/Pacific Regional Forum. It feels very good to be amongst many people with different accents for after all, all accents are beautiful. They reflect a tiny part of the great human, social, cultural and ecological heterogeneity of humanity and the planet.

What's New

RIGHTS Enterprise is pleased to announce the admission of Mohd Jamizal Zainol as Fellow to the organization. Mohd Jamizal was a Federal Counsel at the International Affairs Division, Attorney General’s Chambers, Malaysia from the year 2002 until 2005. He was in charge of Human Rights Unit dealing with International Organizations namely the United Nations, Commonwealth, Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Asian African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) and ASEAN. During his sojourn in the Attorney General’s Chambers, he was entrusted to represent the Attorney General’s Chambers in various meetings at the national and international level.