Title: Association of Southeast Asian Nations – the fifth regional human rights protection system?

Authors: Jarosław Kowalski

Addresses: Institute of Legal Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Plac Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie 5, 20-031 Lublin, Poland

Abstract: The 20th century was the century of human rights. After World War II, the first international organisation dealing with the protection of human rights was established – the United Nations. With its establishment, regional organisations dealing with the protection of human rights began to emerge. Within these organisations, regional human rights protection systems were created – inter-American, European, African and Arab. Also in Asia, actions are being taken to create a regional system of human rights protection. One such organisation is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). One of ASEAN's areas of activity is the protection of human rights. In recent years, the organisation has undertaken many human rights activities. The topic of the article is an attempt to examine whether ASEAN is another regional system for the protection of human rights or not yet.

Keywords: ASEAN; human rights; regional human rights protection system.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRCS.2026.152883

International Journal of Human Rights and Constitutional Studies, 2026 Vol.13 No.2, pp.163 - 175

Received: 10 Apr 2024
Accepted: 16 Jun 2024
Published online: 14 Apr 2026 *

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