SEANF Press Release | 1 December, 2021 via Zoom

The South East Asia National Human Rights Forum (SEANF), composed of the National Commission on Human Rights Indonesia (Komnas HAM), Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC), Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP), National Human Rights Commission Thailand (NHRCT), and the Office of the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), formally launched its official logo last 1 December 2021 at the 18th Annual Conference of the SEANF. 

The development of the SEANF logo was made possible through the ardent efforts of Komnas HAM who spearheaded the initiative during its tenure as SEANF Chair last 2020, and SUHAKAM  who continued the work until its final adoption. 

The SEANF logo explained:

• The blue circle represents harmony, unity, and wisdom
• The hand reflects commitment and cooperation to promote human rights in the region.
• The white dove symbolizes SEANF members as messengers of peace
• The 11 icons around the dove represent the countries in Southeast Asia

SEANF CHAIRPERSONSHIP HANDOVER VIDEO

The 18th SEANF Annual Conference (1-2 December 2021) ended with a celebratory ceremony whereby Chairperson Tan Sri Othman Bin Hashim of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), together with the honorable Commissioners of SUHAKAM shared their messages of solidarity in support of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines’ SEANF Chairpersonship in 2022. 

In the video presented during the ceremony, the SUHAKAM Chairperson symbolically handed over the newly adopted SEANF logo to the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP), represented by Commissioner Karen S. Gomez-Dumpit. 

The handover video was followed by a live acceptance speech delivered by CHRP head of delegation, Commissioner Gwen-Pimentel Gana. In her speech, Commissioner Gana acknowledged the significant progress achieved by SEANF under the leadership of SUHAKAM and Komnas HAM and called for continued support and collaboration as the CHRP takes on the Chairpersonship role. 

To end the conference, the CHRP shared a pre-recorded video message wherein the four Commissioners – Commissioner Karen S. Gomez Dumpit, Commissioner Gwendolyn LL. Pimentel-Gana, Commissioner Leah C. Tanodra-Armamento, and Commissioner Roberto Eugenio T.  Cadiz heartily welcomed the SEANF Chairpersonship and urged SEANF to continue working together as we defeat pressing human rights challenges. 

The SEANF Chaipersonship rotates annually in alphabetical order. CHRP took on the role of Chairperson for the year 2022, owing to the undesirable and unforeseen circumstances confronted by Myanmar, which led MNHRC to defer its seat as subsequent chair.