The signing of the Asean charter by military-ruled Burma and Thailand
makes a mockery of the charter's goal of promoting rule of law, good
governance, democracy and constitutional government, said an activist.
Monitoring the Sustainability of Globalisation (MSN) director Charles Santiago described the governments of the two countries as "unlawful" until duly elected by the people.
"What is the 'bigger picture' if this very charter they are talking about has been signed by countries whose legal standing as members of Asean are under question?" he asked, referring to a statement by Malaysian premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Asean leaders signed the charter and unveiled it earlier this week amidst protests by civil society organisations, who also decried the lack of transparency and consultation over the document.
This, said Santiago, made the charter anything but meaningful for good governance and democracy within Asean member-states.
"All this while, civil society has been trying to engage Asean leaders on the charter and to make proposals on behalf of the people, but to no avail," he said when contacted.
"The charter was not even shown to the public until after it was signed. What is the level of transparency and accountability are they talking about here?"
Dismissing provisions in the charter calling for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the setting up an regional human rights body, Santiago said there are "plenty of real issues" regarding human rights that should be looked at but are not.
"What 'bigger picture' is there to look when issues of human rights violations and legality are ignored?" asked Santiago.
He also said the regional human rights mechanism will not only be "toothless", but that its terms are set by the individual countries rather than the higher - international - standard.
"Asean ministers will themselves decide on structure, character and content of the commission and other human rights mechanisms.
"This brings us back to Square One, because each government gives scant regard to its own human rights body. Look at Suhakam (Malaysia's human rights commission)".
Much of the emphasis in the charter is on economic integration and liberalisation, without considering social dimensions, he said.
"The charter says nothing about protecting the ordinary people, workers and vulnerable communities," he said.
Waning revulsion
On Monday, Abdullah reportedly urged people to look at the larger success of having forged a region-wide legal entity and greater prospects of economic development, rather than focus on such issues as that of Burma.
Burma has been ruled with an iron fist by a military junta, which annulled the results of the last elections held almost two decades ago.
Monitoring the Sustainability of Globalisation (MSN) director Charles Santiago described the governments of the two countries as "unlawful" until duly elected by the people.
"What is the 'bigger picture' if this very charter they are talking about has been signed by countries whose legal standing as members of Asean are under question?" he asked, referring to a statement by Malaysian premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Asean leaders signed the charter and unveiled it earlier this week amidst protests by civil society organisations, who also decried the lack of transparency and consultation over the document.
This, said Santiago, made the charter anything but meaningful for good governance and democracy within Asean member-states.
"All this while, civil society has been trying to engage Asean leaders on the charter and to make proposals on behalf of the people, but to no avail," he said when contacted.
"The charter was not even shown to the public until after it was signed. What is the level of transparency and accountability are they talking about here?"
Dismissing provisions in the charter calling for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the setting up an regional human rights body, Santiago said there are "plenty of real issues" regarding human rights that should be looked at but are not.
"What 'bigger picture' is there to look when issues of human rights violations and legality are ignored?" asked Santiago.
He also said the regional human rights mechanism will not only be "toothless", but that its terms are set by the individual countries rather than the higher - international - standard.
"Asean ministers will themselves decide on structure, character and content of the commission and other human rights mechanisms.
"This brings us back to Square One, because each government gives scant regard to its own human rights body. Look at Suhakam (Malaysia's human rights commission)".
Much of the emphasis in the charter is on economic integration and liberalisation, without considering social dimensions, he said.
"The charter says nothing about protecting the ordinary people, workers and vulnerable communities," he said.
Waning revulsion
On Monday, Abdullah reportedly urged people to look at the larger success of having forged a region-wide legal entity and greater prospects of economic development, rather than focus on such issues as that of Burma.
Burma has been ruled with an iron fist by a military junta, which annulled the results of the last elections held almost two decades ago.
It was further isolated last September after a bloody crackdown on
pro-democracy protests left 19 killed and thousands arrested.
Despite initially having expressed "revulsion" at the junta's conduct, Asean has since toned down considerably and continued to opt for engagement with Burma.
In Singapore, Asean leaders decided not to be briefed on situation in Burma by United Nations special envoy to the country Ibrahim Gambari.
Questions surround the status of Thailand, as well, which has yet to hold elections since the military took over in a bloodless coup d'etat in September last year. Elections, however, are scheduled to be held on Dec 23.
Despite initially having expressed "revulsion" at the junta's conduct, Asean has since toned down considerably and continued to opt for engagement with Burma.
In Singapore, Asean leaders decided not to be briefed on situation in Burma by United Nations special envoy to the country Ibrahim Gambari.
Questions surround the status of Thailand, as well, which has yet to hold elections since the military took over in a bloodless coup d'etat in September last year. Elections, however, are scheduled to be held on Dec 23.
No comments:
Post a Comment