The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) was inaugurated in September 2009 as a consultative body of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The human rights commission exists to promote and protect human rights, and regional co-operation on human rights, in the member states (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam). 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.[1] Although the Commission was described as "toothless" by commentators including the Wall Street Journal,[2] NGOs in the region presented cases of alleged violations to it at its inaugural meeting in Jakarta.[3]