2nd Technical Working Group Meeting : Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum

The Second Technical Working Group Meeting of the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF) for 2026, together with its side event was held in hybrid format from 21 to 22 July.

It was hosted by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, the alternate chair of the Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Participants discussed a range of topics, including updates on major developments and activities since the First Technical Working Groups Meeting of the SEANF, as well as the implementation progress of the five priority areas of 2022-2026 SEANF Strategic Plan by the respective lead commissions.

In addition, participantsdiscussed progress on the ASEAN Declaration on the Rights to a Safe, Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment,ongoing efforts towards the development of a legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons,developments in the field of Business and Human Rights, and matters relating to the establishment of the Inter-NHRI Inquiry Mechanism.

The meeting also presented updates on the Joint Research Framework and Terms of Reference on Cross-Border Movement, Statelessness, and Human Rights in Sabah, an initiative being implemented under the Memorandum of Understanding signed among the three National Human Rights Institutions.

At the meeting, Representatives of the MNHRC presented the major developments and activities of MNHRC on promotion and protection of human rights since the First Technical Working Group Meeting of the SEANF, and shared updates on the MNHRC’s leadership in Priority No. 2 of the SEANF Strategic Plan: “Promoting and Protecting Human Rights in Business.” Participants also discussed matters relating to cooperation within the Forum, including preparations for the convening of the 23rd SEANF Annual Meeting and the Myanmar's acceptance of the forum's rotating chairmanship for the year 2027.

At the sideline meeting, interactive discussions were conducted under the themes of “Understanding Refugees and Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia: Causes, Trends, and Protection Challenges” and “Protection Gaps and Access to Justice for Refugees and Victims of Trafficking”. The Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF) was established in 2009, and the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission joined as a forum member in 2012.