SMU’s Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan will be Singapore’s representative at ASEAN Human Rights Commission
The Government of Singapore has appointed SMU Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan as Singapore’s Representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) from 2025 to 2027.
This is another significant achievement for Associate Prof Tan, whose illustrious career has been defined by contributions in the areas of legal education, public policy and human rights advocacy. He has been with the University since 2001 and is now a faculty member of SMU’s Yong Pung How School of Law. He concurrently served as SMU’s first Nominated Member of Parliament in Singapore’s 12th Parliament between 2012 and 2014.
Associate Prof Tan had previously been Singapore’s alternate representative to the AICHR for two terms from 2019 to 2024. TSMP Law Corporation joint managing partner Stefanie Yuen Thio has now been appointed alternate representative and will represent Singapore in Associate Prof Tan’s absence.
The AICHR was inaugurated in 2009 as ASEAN’s overarching institution responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN. As an active member of AICHR, Singapore supports AICHR’s efforts in enhancing cooperation on human rights issues among ASEAN member states, as well as external partners.
Some of the key areas that Singapore has worked on with AICHR partners include the empowerment of women, corporate social responsibility and environmental protection. In 2024, Singapore hosted an AICHR Dialogue on countering disinformation and misinformation, an event that was co-organised with the European Union.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Associate Prof Tan’s appointment on 26 February 2024, adding: “Our AICHR Representatives convene periodic consultations with local Civil Society Organisations, most recently in November 2024, to better understand their perspectives and reflect them in our engagement within AICHR. We are confident that Associate Prof Tan and Ms Yuen will continue to advance our strong engagement in AICHR.”
Associate Prof Tan said, “It’s a privilege and an honour to be given this opportunity to contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights which is critical for creating a just and thriving society in the region.
“The appointment recognises the importance and role that academics play in bringing expertise, objectivity, and commitment to key issues of the day in ASEAN and the world.”
As Singapore’s representative to AICHR, Associate Prof Tan brings to the table a wealth of experience in constitutional law and human rights law, as well as his expertise in ASEAN’s legal framework.
Apart from Singapore, the current ASEAN member states are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Malaysia is also the chair of the group in 2025, whose AICHR representative also chairs the AICHR. Associate Prof Tan will chair AICHR in 2027 when Singapore assumes chairmanship of the ASEAN that year.
