Human Rights Resource Centre for ASEAN appoints chairman

Indonesian human rights activist Markuzi Darusman has been named as chairman and director of the Human Rights Resource Centre of ASEAN (HRRCA).

Headquartered at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta, HRRCA is a network of institutions that is designed to support the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and work towards human rights research, training, teaching, and capacity building.

Mr. Darusman was the former Attorney General and Chairman of Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission. He has earned a reputation as a leading human rights advocate during his 20 year career and is considered deeply knowledgeable and experienced, particularly in the ASEAN region and its various legal systems.

HRRCA’s agenda includes research, education, training, rule of law, judicial independence, women and children’s issues, indigneous peoples, migrant labor rights, regulatory environments for human rights and law enforcement approaches.

The ASEAN-US Technical Assistance and Training Facility, a jointly funded project of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. State Department, is providing support to the HRRCA.

The HRRCA will hold its official launch in Jakarta on October 19.  Senior officials from Indonesia, ASEAN, the United States and Canada are scheduled to attend.