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half-day discussion called Jakarta Human Rights Dialogue will be held on Monday at the Aryaduta Hotel in Jakarta prior to the planned review of the ASEAN Charter next year.

The dialogue will address issues such as engaging civil society groups, respecting human rights, promoting democracy and good governance in ASEAN’s high-level statements and documents — all themes that have discussed since the adoption of the charter in 2008.

Titled “The Review of the ASEAN Charter and Its Implications for a Regional Human Rights Architecture”, the discussion will showcase former foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda as its keynote speaker; along with Indonesia’s representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, Rafendi Djamin; The Jakarta Post’s editor-in-chief Meidyatama Suryodiningrat; and Herman J. Kraft, a lecturer from the University of Philippines, as discussants.

 A third informal dialogue between ASEAN’s secretary-general with representatives of civil society and human rights groups will be held after the dialogue on Monday. More than 30 participants from all 10 ASEAN member nations will meet with ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan to discuss issues related to human rights and community building.