The purposes and objectives of these guidelines are to establish an enabling environment for meaningful and constructive engagement and interaction between AICHR and civil society organisations (CSOs), to further strengthen ASEAN cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the ASEAN Charter, the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) and the Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of the AHRD, and international human rights instruments to which ASEAN Member States are parties, and to contribute to the building of a people-oriented, people-centred ASEAN Community.
The AICHR recognises that the Guidelines on Accreditation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) adopted by the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) provide an overall framework for the engagement between ASEAN and CSOs.
The engagement between the AICHR and CSOs shall be conducted in adherence to the principles set out in the ASEAN Charter as well as the TOR of the AICHR.