Strategies for the protection and promotion of women’s human rights topped the agenda of a consultation seminar entitled, “ASEAN and women’s human rights” which was held in Hanoi on Dec. 8.

Delegates discussed and put forward effective solutions to protect women’s rights through ASEAN mechanisms and measures to effectively educate about human rights in member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and in Vietnam in particular.

Delegates emphasised the important role of mass organisations in the promotion and protection of the rights of women and children. They also affirmed that human rights are the rights of all people and are prescribed and protected by international and national laws.

According to the delegates, human rights-related issues have become more important to ASEAN over the past 20 years, especially since the term “Human rights” was placed on the agenda of the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings in 1993.

ASEAN has approved a number of documents regarding human rights, such as the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women in the ASEAN Region, the ASEAN Declaration against Trafficking in Persons, Particularly Women and Children, and the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.

The Vientiane Action Programme also underlined the necessity of incorporation of human rights mechanisms in ASEAN member nations; the education of human rights and the rights of women, children and migrant workers; and the establishment of an ASEAN commission on the rights of women and children.

Since its accession to the United Nations in 1977, Vietnam has joined a wide range of human rights conventions. The country has also played a growing role in forming ASEAN’s apparatus and operations, including mechanisms for the protection of human rights.

Co-hosted by the Institute of Human Rights under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration, the UN Development Fund for Women and the Canadian International Development Agency, the seminar aimed to celebrate World Human Rights Day (Dec. 10) and perfect ASEAN mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights, and women’s rights in particular.

Close to 100 delegates, including leaders, managers and employees working in the fields of justice, labour-invalids-social affairs, children, human rights, youth union and education, representatives of international organisations and several embassies in Hanoi attended the event./.