More than forty years after its foundation, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is on the verge of establishing a human rights body. On July 20, 2009, the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting adopted the Terms of Reference for the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). Hao Duy Phan discusses the implications of AICHR and whether the body will be adequate and effective in responding to major human rights problems in the region.

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