[2] The AICHR is directed by a body of representatives, one per member state, each nominated by and answerable to their government and serving a three-year term, renewable once.
The commission has 14 mandates, mainly around the promotion and protection of human rights, capacity building, advice and technical assistance, information gathering and engagement with national, regional, and international bodies.
[1][3] One of its mandates was "to develop an ASEAN Human Rights Declaration", but when this was adopted, in November 2012,[4] it came under criticism from human rights groups for including wording that suggested that access to human rights was contingent on "the performance of corresponding duties as every person has responsibilities to all other individuals, the community and the society where one lives".
[5] NGOs in the region presented cases of alleged violations to it at its inaugural meeting in Jakarta.
[6] The commission has been described as "toothless" by observers including The Wall Street Journal.