The ASEAN Dialogue in Realising Southeast Asia as a Torture-Free Region

The ASEAN Dialogue on Realising Southeast Asia as a Torture-Free Region, held at the Episode Hotel Gading Serpong, Banten, Indonesia, on August 20-21, 2024, marked a significant step forward in the region’s commitment to preventing torture. This two-day event was a collaborative effort between the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the Southeast Asian National Human Rights Institutions Network Forum (SEANF), with support from the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, the Australian Human Rights Commission, and the Swiss Embassy in Jakarta.

The dialogue provided a platform for sharing best practices, building capacity, and developing recommendations on the use of international human rights instruments such as the Mendez Principles, Istanbul Protocol, and Bangkok Rules. The event aimed to enhance the skills of law enforcement and medical practitioners and to draft recommendations for the effective implementation of Article 14 of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD), focusing on prevention, investigation, prosecution, and rehabilitation.

Deputy Ombudsman for Human Rights Maria Marilia da Costa played a key role in the event, serving as the chair for Session #5, which focused on “The Role of National Human Rights Institutions to Prevent Torture.” This session provided an opportunity for institutions across Southeast Asia to share their approaches and best practices in preventing torture and supporting victims.

Ombudsman and also Chair of SEANF Virgílio da Silva Guterres delivered the closing remarks, reflecting on the achievements of the dialogue and the importance of continued collaboration in the fight against torture. He was joined by Ms. Joanna Mansfield from Australia’s Human Rights Commission and H.E. Wahyuningrum, the Representative of Indonesia to the AICHR, who also provided concluding comments.

The event was marked by a strong exchange of ideas and experiences among civil society organizations, government officials, and human rights experts, all united in their commitment to advancing human rights and ensuring a torture-free Southeast Asia.