ASEAN Human Rights Body Launched
ASEAN sets up a much criticized human rights body in the region.
The 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has launched the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AIHCR), a first in the Asia-Pacific region, amidst huge criticism, on the first day of their 15th annual summit at the Thai resort town of Hua Hin.
Critics have predicted that it is unlikely that the AIHCR, would be able to bring about any effective change in the promotion or protection of human rights due to the lack of interference policy that the ASEAN has maintained, in each others' affairs, till date.
The UN has gone on record saying that the body needs to be 'credible.' Homayoun Alizadeh, the regional representative for the UNHCR said that the AIHCR, "will have to work hard to establish itself as a credible regional mechanism and help close the gap between human rights rhetoric and the reality on the ground." Supporting the move, he added, "There is much hope and expectation surrounding this occasion, as it represents an important commitment by states in the region to move beyond mere words."
The criticism is not baseless. The ASEAN includes military ruled Myanmar, which has been the target of brickbats, for the numerous human rights abuses that it has been accused of. Activists have been hounding ASEAN to take a stronger stand against Myanmar. But the group is likely to maintain its previous stance of engaging Myanmar in talks than declaring sanctions or threats like the West.
Another primary aim of the summit, that has been postponed twice this year, is to economically integrate the countries in the Southeast Asian region by the year 2015. The nations will also discuss issues like bio-energy, disaster management and food security. They will also sign a declaration on climate change.
The group that includes a monarchy, a dictatorship and two communist states, is scheduled to hold talks with leaders from India, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea in the coming weekend.
To avoid an occurrence like earlier this year, when protests had halted the meeting, the Thai government has appointed at least 36,000 police and military personnel in Bangkok and the venue of the summit.
Critics have predicted that it is unlikely that the AIHCR, would be able to bring about any effective change in the promotion or protection of human rights due to the lack of interference policy that the ASEAN has maintained, in each others' affairs, till date.
The UN has gone on record saying that the body needs to be 'credible.' Homayoun Alizadeh, the regional representative for the UNHCR said that the AIHCR, "will have to work hard to establish itself as a credible regional mechanism and help close the gap between human rights rhetoric and the reality on the ground." Supporting the move, he added, "There is much hope and expectation surrounding this occasion, as it represents an important commitment by states in the region to move beyond mere words."
The criticism is not baseless. The ASEAN includes military ruled Myanmar, which has been the target of brickbats, for the numerous human rights abuses that it has been accused of. Activists have been hounding ASEAN to take a stronger stand against Myanmar. But the group is likely to maintain its previous stance of engaging Myanmar in talks than declaring sanctions or threats like the West.
Another primary aim of the summit, that has been postponed twice this year, is to economically integrate the countries in the Southeast Asian region by the year 2015. The nations will also discuss issues like bio-energy, disaster management and food security. They will also sign a declaration on climate change.
The group that includes a monarchy, a dictatorship and two communist states, is scheduled to hold talks with leaders from India, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea in the coming weekend.
To avoid an occurrence like earlier this year, when protests had halted the meeting, the Thai government has appointed at least 36,000 police and military personnel in Bangkok and the venue of the summit.
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