AHRC contributes to landmark ASEAN human rights consultation in Timor-Leste

With support of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Timor-Leste has hosted its first ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) engagement, marking an important milestone following the country’s accession to ASEAN last year.

Held in Dili on 20–21 August 2026, the 4th AICHR Consultation on the Human Right to Development was convened by AICHR Timor-Leste in partnership with AICHR Malaysia. The Consultation focused on practical approaches to implementing the ASEAN Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and the Right to Peace Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development.

A human rights-based approach to development recognises that every person and all peoples should be able to participate in, contribute to and benefit from economic, social, cultural and political development. It calls for development processes that are people-centred, inclusive and grounded in the realisation of human rights.

The Commission is proud to have contributed to the earlier AICHR consultations that helped inform the ASEAN Declaration. This fourth consultation marked an important shift towards implementation—considering how human rights and equitable participation can be embedded in policy and programming across ASEAN’s economic, political-security and socio-cultural pillars.

Speaking on a panel at the consultation, Leanne Smith, Chief Executive of the Australian Human Rights Commission, said:

Societies that uphold human rights achieve more inclusive, just and sustainable development by fostering social cohesion, economic resilience and good governance.

Leanne Smith, Chief Executive of the Australian Human Rights Commission

The Australian Human Rights Commission’s contribution to the consultation was made possible through the Southeast Asia and Australia Government-to-Government Partnerships program, implemented by the Commission with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This engagement builds on the Commission’s longstanding collaboration with AICHR and contributes to the implementation of AICHR’s Five-Year Workplan.

While in Dili, Commission representatives also welcomed the opportunity to connect with their sister national human rights institution, Timor-Leste’s Provedoria dos Direitos Humanos e Justiça (PDHJ), which promotes and protects human rights and good governance. The Commission looks forward to strengthening its connection with the PDHJ and exploring opportunities for future collaboration.

The Commission congratulates AICHR Timor-Leste on this important milestone and thanks AICHR Timor-Leste, AICHR Malaysia and all participants for a constructive exchange.