Rights protection at later stages for new body, says PM

"Progress will first be made on the front of promotion. But the protection side is not going to be ignored. It is better to make a start," Abhisit said.

Protection would be achieved through an evolutionary process among the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, he said.

Asked about concern for a lack of "teeth", or means of enforcement, in the new body, he said that beginning with promotion of human rights and there would be teeth for protection.

"The body has two purposes of promotion and protection, and three principles -- credible, realistic and evolutionary," Abhisit said.

The prime minister was speaking during a media briefing at the Sheraton Grande Laguna hotel following the opening ceremony of the 42nd Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting on Monday morning.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, as chair of the Asean foreign ministers' meetings, said on Sunday evening that furthering efforts would be made in the promotion and protection of human rights. Asean foreign ministers met with the High Level Panel, which presented them with the draft terms of reference on the body's establishment.

The body, expected to be officially called Asean Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights, as suggested by the panel, is required by the Asean Charter, which has become in effect since last December.