CHAPTER 5 - REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ISSUES AND COOPERATION COMMITTEE On 27 November, SEANF held a dialogue session with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navanethem Pillay, in Bali, Indonesia, during her visit to the Asian region. The following issues were discussed: • The work of SEANF and its Strategic Plan for 2012-2016 • Positive developments including the establishment of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) The OHCHR invited the Commission’s Chairman to share among others, best practices, experience and challenges with regard to the establishment of a NHRI and its conformity with the Paris Principles. • SEANF’s engagement with the MNHRC and AICHR • NHRIs’ role in the international human rights system, particularly the UPR process • Possible cooperation between SEANF and the OHCHR • Reform of national security laws in Malaysia The Commission’s Chairman participated as an expert speaker at a human rights seminar for government officials of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Held in Yangon from 14-15 November, it was organised by the OHCHR Regional Office for Southeast Asia, with attendance by representatives from various Ministries and members of the MNHRC. The OHCHR invited the Commission’s Chairman to share among others, best practices, experience and challenges with regard to the establishment of a NHRI and its conformity with the Paris Principles. Taking cognizance of this, the High Commissioner reiterated the important need for SEANF to engage with this fifth NHRI in ASEAN. SEANF members also participated in the 4th Regional Consultation on ASEAN and Human Rights organised by Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA). A number of CSOs from the region attended, as did the current Chair of the AICHR. The consultation reaffirmed the need for the AICHR to engage with civil society and NHRIs in drafting the AHRD 6. ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS (APF) From 20-21 June, the Commission hosted a regional conference on ‘Integrating Reproductive Rights into the Work of NHRIs’ in Kuala Lumpur. It was co-sponsored by the APF and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). The conference proved useful as the NHRIs and the UNFPA were able to discuss a relatively new area of work particularly for NHRIs, and issues for future collaboration. 97