Presentation on

The Background and Activities of Human Rights Resource Centre for ASEAN

(HRRC)

Background• Ratification of ASEAN Charter 2008

• A series of brainstorming sessions with key regional experts proposed a design for a regional human rights research and training organisation

• Track 2 Organisation (Research, Education and Diplomacy)

• The HRRC was established in Indonesia on 31 March 2010 as a Foundation

• The HRRC was officially launched on 19 October 2010

• The abbreviations HRRCA and HRRC are used interchangeably

CONCEPT and GOALS• The HRRC is a university-based network

focusing on research and capacity building in promoting human rights and the rule of law in the ASEAN region.

• The HRRC aims to complement and support the work of the ASEAN human rights-related bodies.

• The HRRC promotes universal human rights for the ASEAN region broadly defined to include political, economic, social, and cultural rights, rights of women and children, and implementation of the rule of law and good governance.

CONCEPT and GOALS• The HRRC concentrates specifically on three

components, comprising: – (i) research, analysis and data

collection/presentation; – (ii) training and capacity-building; and – (iii) complementary support for

educational programs at universities throughout the region.

The exact agenda for each component will be determined by the Governing Board of the HRRC in consultation with the Advisory Board.

HRRC STRUCTURE

• Central Office– Small core staff of an Executive

Director, Marzuki Darusman and one or two senior researchers along with administrative support.

– Is located at University of Indonesia (Depok Campus)

Trustee(s)

Supervisor(s)

Managers

SecretaryTreasurer Chairman

Governing Board

Executive Director

Assistant Coordinator

Program Coordinator

Accountant

Exis

ting

Stru

ctur

e

Adviser(s)

HRRC PARTNER AND AFFILIATED INSTITUTIONS

Partner InstitutionsQualification: Existing human rights centers or programs at major regional academic research institutions with established records in human rights research and education.

Partner institutions will be added over time

Affiliated InstitutionsQualification: Organizations with a strong record and interest in promoting human rights education and training but that may not have same level of research resources as Partner Institutions.

At present: Islamic University of Indonesia

The HRRC will seek out other Affiliated Institutions to broaden its representation within ASEAN.

GOVERNING and ADVISORY BOARDS

• The Governing Board will, in consultation with the Director, define the strategic agenda for the activities of the HRRC and the Partner Institutions. The Governing Board shall also be responsible for ensuring the integrity, independence, regional focus, and excellence of the HRRC.

• The Advisory Board will provide input to the Governing Board and the Director on the research and training agenda of the HRRC. The Advisory Board will be broadly representative of ASEAN and include experts from the region.

GOVERNING AND ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

The members of the Governing Board are:

1. Ong Keng Yong, Chairman, Singaporean;2. Kavi Chongkittavorn, Thai;3. Dato Param Cumaraswamy, Malaysian;4. Marzuki Darusman, Executive Director:

Indonesian;5. Prof Carolina Hernandez, Filipino;6. Theary Seng, Cambodia;.7. Dr Kevin Tan, Singaporean;8. Prof Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, Indonesian;.9. Our ninth member of the Governing Board, Asmara

Nababan (RIP), passed away on October 28. 2010.

Current Advisory Board members are:

1. Prof. David Cohen, War Crimes Studies Center, University of California, Berkeley, US

2. Prof. Christine Kauffman, University of Zurich, Switzerland

3. Prof. Francis SL Wang, Kenneth Wang School of Law, Suzhou, China

HRRC PROGRAMMES• Submission to AICHR on ASEAN Human

Rights Declaration• Human Rights Audit (MAZARS – HRRC)• Baseline study of the rule of law in

ASEAN was concluded in May 2011– Rule of law road shows to several ASEAN

Countries are scheduled for 2012• The rights of women and children –

Currently at its final stage, expected to be completed by first semester of 2012

• Business and human rights baseline study at its first stage, expected to be launched by September 2012

• Interaction with ASEAN Civil Society Organisations and University partners.

Events in 2012• Rule of Law Road Shows in Cambodia, Lao

PDR, Malaysia, Viet Nam and Thailand.• Regional conference to launch the Women

and Children Study in Jakarta, 30 May 2012.• 2nd meeting of the research team of Business

and Human Rights Baseline Study in Bangkok, 6-8 June 2012.

• The 5th Summer Institute on International Human Rights and Humanitarian Laws: Business and Human Rights in Singapore, 16-26 July 2012.

• Regional conference to launch Business and Human Rights Study in October 2012 (tbc).

• Future research interest: Follow on study on the rule of law; migrant workers; human rights database.

Lessons learned• Strategic planning (short-term,

medium-term)• Sustainability• Human resources (e.g.

researchers, core staff)• Regional and national human

rights atmosphere (e.g. AICHR, ACWC, ASEAN)

• Build-up HRRC reputation as a regional organisation

• Expand and develop substantial cooperation with HRRC partners

• Long-term and cascading impact

THANK YOUwww.hrrca.org

Human Rights Resource Centre for ASEAN (HRRC)University of Indonesia Depok CampusGuesthouse (next to Gedung Vokasi)Depok 16424IndonesiaPh/Fax: (62-21) 7866720E-mail: info@hrrca.org