The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) launched its own regional human rights mechanism in the form of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). Immediately upon its inauguration, it has been beset with criticism from civil society organizations and the media over its limited mandate. This study aims to analyze the structure and function of this fledgling institution compared to that of other more established regional human rights mechanisms, such as that of the European Union (EU). The study identifies the structural and functional similarities of the ASEAN and EU s human rights mechanisms, and provides recommendations for the AICHR s development. As an overarching framework, this study introduces the possibility of using the principles outlined under United Nations General Assembly Resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993 on National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, also known as the Paris Principles, as a guide in assessing the structure and function of regional human rights mechanisms.
