CHAPTER 5 - REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ISSUES AND COOPERATION COMMITTEE SEANF representatives after a meeting on the sidelines of ICC24 on 18 May in Geneva SEANF saw through its vital role to engage with regional human rights issues and mechanisms, particularly in the drafting of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) spearheaded by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission for Human Rights (AICHR). The AHRD will serve as the basis for the establishment of a framework for human rights cooperation as provided in Article 4.2 of the AICHR’s Terms of Reference. The Commission, as the lead NHRI for the SEANF project on migrant workers, pursued recommendations made in the SEANF Paper on Migrant Workers, published in November 2010. On 9 August, the Commission conducted a Follow-up Consultation Meeting with government agencies in Malaysia to obtain official responses to the recommendations. In addition to the feedback provided during the meeting, the government agencies agreed to submit a consolidated report that would contain comprehensive responses to the recommendations. At the time of writing, the Commission has yet to receive this report. Nevertheless, the Government’s general responses were that: • It would only respond to the Commission as it does not recognise the establishment and legitimacy of SEANF; • The recommendations are too general; and • The Commission should also take into consideration the situation of employers when looking into issues concerning migrant workers. 95