Asian countries on Tuesday endorsed a human right charter at the 6th General Assembly of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP), the first in history taking into consideration the concrete situation of Asian countries with focus on international cooperation.

The 15-page document, while reaffirming its conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, stressed that the right to self-determination along with others constitute the foundation for the protection and promotion of human rights.

It said mutual understanding, dialogue and genuine cooperation on regional and global human rights issues are essential for the full achievement of the effective promotion and protection of all human rights.

The charter pointed out parliaments, states, intergovernmental organizations should enhance regional cooperation in human rights field on the basis of shared values as well as mutual respect and understanding.

They should continue to carry out the constructive dialogue and consultations under the principle of equality and mutual respect, and ensure a positive, balanced and non-confrontational approach in addressing and realizing all aspects of human rights, it said.

The document emphasized the universality, objectivity and non-selectivity and the need to avoid the application of double standards and its politicization in implementing human rights.

The AAPP countries agreed to safeguard the principles of respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and the non-use of human rights as an instrument of political pressure and as a condition for extending development assistance.

They recognized that as a capacity of a body of state power and representing the will and aspiration of the people, parliaments plays a crucial role and assume special responsibility in promoting human right in each country, including overseeing the government and other state agencies in their respect for and exercise of human rights and expanding international cooperation on human rights through ratification of international treaties when necessary.

In a bid further engage the AAPP members to the newly-inked charter, the document proposed to set up a technical committee of human rights experts, whose main function will hinge on carrying out research and study on the overall progress and evolution of global human rights situation and report the findings to the AAPP General Assembly.

"The document is the first in human rights history in Asia, it is of great significance in pushing Asian countries forward on the path to protect and promote human rights," a Cambodian delegate commented at the closing ceremony of the three-day conference.

(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2005)