The spiral model, scope conditions, and contestation in the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights

Abstract

In 2009 ASEAN established a human rights body—the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)—and tasked it with promoting and protecting human rights in Southeast Asia within ASEAN’s framework of cooperation and to encourage member states to ratify international human rights treaties and act in accordance with them. AICHR has ten Representatives, one for each ASEAN member, and these individuals are tasked with fulfilling AICHR’s mandate. In this article, we utilise the mechanisms and scope conditions contained in the revised Spiral Model to assess the opportunities and challenges that exist in aiding and frustrating their attempts to fulfil AICHR’s mandate to promote and protect human rights. Although routinely dismissed as irrelevant in the fight for human rights in Southeast Asia, we identify that there are reasons for cautious optimism that some Representatives are making headway in making AICHR fit-for-purpose.