Participation of the Delegation Led by the Chairperson of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission at the 22nd Annual Meeting and Related Events of the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF)

Participation of the Delegation Led by the Chairperson of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission at the 22nd Annual Meeting and Related Events of the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF)

   The Chairperson of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC), U Paw Lwin Sein, attended the 22nd Annual Meeting and related events of the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF), held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 18 to 20 November 2025. Accompanying the Chairperson were Commission Member Dr. Than Myint and Commission Office Director U Zay Yar Linn.

   The Forum’s related discussion event was held on 18 November, under the theme “SEANF Regional Conference on Human Rights in the Digital Space: Emerging Challenges and The Role of NHRIs.” The event was attended by approximately 50 participants, including Chairpersons, Vice-Chairpersons, Commissioners, and staff members from the National Human Rights Institutions that are members of the Forum. In relation to the theme, MNHRC Chairperson U Paw Lwin Sein delivered a presentation titled “The Practical Application of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in the Activities of Technology Companies, Including Artificial Intelligence and Data Protection.”

   The Annual Meeting of the Forum took place on 19–20 November, with participation from around 30 delegates representing the National Human Rights Institutions of Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. At the opening ceremony, Ms. Anis Hidayah, Chairperson of the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights and the rotating Chair of SEANF for 2025, delivered opening remarks.

During the 22nd Annual Meeting, the Forum deliberated on:

   The activities and progress made by member National Human Rights Institutions since the 21st Annual Meeting;

   The implementation status of the five priority areas under the SEANF Strategic Plan (2022–2026), including updates from member institutions              responsible for each priority area;

   Matters related to the revision of SEANF’s Rules of Procedure (RoP); and

   Issues concerning the Forum’s Communications Working Group and media communication guidelines.

   At the Meeting, Commission Member Dr. Than Myint presented the MNHRC’s human rights promotion and development activities undertaken since the 21st Annual Meeting. Subsequently, Director U Zay Yar Linn discussed Myanmar’s implementation efforts under Priority Area (2) of the SEANF Strategic Plan (2022–2026), titled “Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Business.”

   At the conclusion of the 22nd Annual Meeting, the rotating Chairmanship of SEANF for 2026 was formally handed over by the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.

   The delegation led by the MNHRC Chairperson returned to Yangon on 21 November, travelling via Myanmar International Airlines.

Myanmar National Human Rights Commission