Indonesia to encourage creation of ASEAN Human Rights Body

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia has a commitment to actively encourage the formation of an ASEAN human rights body although many parties have doubted ASEAN commitment to create a credible human rights body.

"Indonesia has been very serious since the beginning to encourage the formation of this ASEAN human rights body. Indonesia has done everything to set an example that we are pursuing not only welfare but also respect for the rule of law, the promotion of human rights, and freedom including freedom of the press," he said after the conclusion of the 14th ASEAN Summit here on Sunday.

Indonesia would be very active to get the ASEAN human rights body formed not merely to promote the ASEAN image, he said.

The Indonesian leader said ASEAN hoped there would be balance and harmony between law enforcement, freedom and peace.

"But of course we must keep in mind that the basic freedom of every human being must be respected and highly upheld and must serve as part of the development of ASEAN community in the future," he said.

The president said ASEAN was serious about creating a credible  human rights body although the condition of its member countries was different from one another.

"Of course, the condition of Indonesia is different from that of Myanmar and other ASEAN members. Therefore, transition, adaptation and adjustment are needed. And the change which is often successful is a gradual but steady one.

A high-level panel of officials from 10 ASEAN member countries --Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- is drafting terms of reference (TOR) for the establishment of an ASEAN human rights body.

The TOR will be brought to an ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in May 2009 for endorsement.(ANTARA)