Myanmar National Human Rights Commission joins Regional Conference on Prison Reform, 18th annual meeting of Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF)

The Malaysian Human Rights Commission organized the Regional Conference on Prison Reform with the support of the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur from 29 and 30 November and the 18th annual meeting of Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF) on 1 and 2 December in a hybrid format.
Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Chairman U Hla Myint joined the Regional Conference on Prison Reform together with other representatives of forum member countries, prison officials of the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand, delegates of UNODC, legal and law officials of Malaysia, Indonesia and Timor-Leste and parliament representatives and civilian organizations of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
During the Penal Discussion format, the leaders focused on the prison condition in Asian countries, international norms for prisons, judicial matters, the role of human right commissions in establishing a better prison system, supports of parliament in prison reforms and cooperation works with the civilian organizations.
Then, Director U Thura Kyaw of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Office reported on the activities and challenges of MNHRC during the penal discussion for the role of human rights commissions in establishing a better prison system.
A total of 48 officials from respective forum member countries including Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Chairman U Hla Myint and Vice-Chairperson Dr Nandar Hmun joined the 18th annual meeting of Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF).
The annual meeting discussed the activities, progresses and challenges of member countries in 2021, approving of the forum Logo, launching of a new website, approving of forum’s torture prevention guidelines, proper ways and challenges in promoting and providing human rights of member states and establishment of permanent secretary office of the forum.
Then, the Office of the Children’s Commissioner of Malaysian Human Rights Commission reported on the child rights and the Philippines Human Rights Commission about “Digital Rights”.
During that event, MNHRC member U Paw Lwin Sein presented the activities, challenges and progress of commission in 2021 and Deputy Director-General of MNHRC office Dr Khine Khine Win clarified the proper ways and challenges in promoting and educating of human rights.
After the meeting, Malaysian Human Rights Commission handed over the 2022 Chairmanship to the Philippines Human Rights Commission. —MNA