By D Arul Rajoo
PHUKET, July 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will search for the best candidate to represent the country in the proposed Asean human rights body which is expected to be launched during the 15th Asean Summit here in October.
Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman said Tuesday as there was no specific selection criteria the candidate would not be limited to any particular background or sector.
"They can be retired judges, civil servants or NGOs (non governmental organisations). We are looking for the best possible person and the earlier the better", he told Malaysian media here after attending the Fourth Asean Coordinating Council Meeting.
Anifah said the person could be someone with a record of pursuing and being passionate about human rights in Malaysia.
When asked if the Government would pick someone from the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), Anifah said it would be good to give others a chance.
The body, to be known as the Asean Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights, is being established under the Asean Charter to promote human rights in the 10-member regional grouping.
Anifah also said he had told his counterparts that there was a need for all parties concerned to address the root causes of human trafficking by developing the necessary capacities and institutions.
"This is not only related to illegal immigrants from Myanmar like the Rohingyas but also those from Southern Philippines. The Ministers recognised the need to enhance the cooperation between the countries of origin, transit and destination," he said.
According to him, based on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report, there are 43,456 'Persons of Concern to the UNHCR' from Myanmar in Malaysia as of June 1, 2009, including 15,483 who are ethnic Rohingyas.
The issue of Rohingyas dominated Asean meetings since early this year after the Thai navy was accused of turning back their boats. Some of the Rohingyas were found floating in the Indian Ocean and some made it to Acheh in Indonesia.
-- BERNAMA
PHUKET, July 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will search for the best candidate to represent the country in the proposed Asean human rights body which is expected to be launched during the 15th Asean Summit here in October.
Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman said Tuesday as there was no specific selection criteria the candidate would not be limited to any particular background or sector.
"They can be retired judges, civil servants or NGOs (non governmental organisations). We are looking for the best possible person and the earlier the better", he told Malaysian media here after attending the Fourth Asean Coordinating Council Meeting.
Anifah said the person could be someone with a record of pursuing and being passionate about human rights in Malaysia.
When asked if the Government would pick someone from the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), Anifah said it would be good to give others a chance.
The body, to be known as the Asean Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights, is being established under the Asean Charter to promote human rights in the 10-member regional grouping.
Anifah also said he had told his counterparts that there was a need for all parties concerned to address the root causes of human trafficking by developing the necessary capacities and institutions.
"This is not only related to illegal immigrants from Myanmar like the Rohingyas but also those from Southern Philippines. The Ministers recognised the need to enhance the cooperation between the countries of origin, transit and destination," he said.
According to him, based on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report, there are 43,456 'Persons of Concern to the UNHCR' from Myanmar in Malaysia as of June 1, 2009, including 15,483 who are ethnic Rohingyas.
The issue of Rohingyas dominated Asean meetings since early this year after the Thai navy was accused of turning back their boats. Some of the Rohingyas were found floating in the Indian Ocean and some made it to Acheh in Indonesia.
-- BERNAMA
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