ASEAN members must not set artificial deadlines for the creation of a new institution just for the sake of setting up one, said Singapore's Second Foreign Affairs Minister Raymond Lim on Thursday.

In particular, he said advancing the human rights agenda within the regional grouping should be achieved through an evolutionary approach and any new Asean institution must have the support of all the 10 member states to reflect Asean's diversity, complexity and realities in all fields.

Mr Lim outlined these three broad criteria in his speech at a workshop to discuss Asean regional mechanism on human rights on Thursday.

Mr Lim said this will start an important new Asean process and members should have no illusions that the road ahead will be easy.

'Civil society will have an important role in providing ideas and suggestions for the High Level Panel. But we should not prejudge its work,' said the minister.

'We are engaged in an unprecedented enterprise for ASEAN and should ... take a step-by-step and consultative approach. We should 'cross the river by feeling the stones beneath our feet'.

Mr Lim said perceptions and policies towards human rights in Asean countries will continue to develop over time.

'So we should allow the functions of this human rights body to evolve. Too much ambition can as easily scuttle this important project as too little,' he added.

He said the grouping must ensure that the Asean Human Rights body is credible and meaningful to members, and realism is needed to establish consensus.