Deutsche Welle, 18 November 2012
Southeast
Asian nations have adopted a controversial human rights declaration at their
summit in Cambodia. Critics say loopholes will enable authoritarian regimes to
suppress citizens by citing national security.
Leaders of
the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed the joint
declaration, claiming it would enshrine human rights for the region’s 600
million citizens.
"It's
a legacy for our children," said Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del
Rosario but Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia director Phil Robertson was
scathing.
"Our
worst fears in this process have come to pass," said Robertson.
"Rather
than meeting international standards, this declaration lowers them by creating
new loopholes and justifications that ASEAN member states can use to justify
abusing the rights of their people," Robertson added.
Misgivings
More than
60 rights organizations had called for the agreement to be postponed, pointing
to ASEAN's diverse political systems, ranging from freewheeling democracy in
the Philippines to authoritarian regimes in Laos and Vietnam.
Campaigners
had also cited a lack of transparency, saying there had been inadequate
consultation while the text was being drafted.
 |
| ASEAN's Surin (L) receives the pact from Cambodia's Hun Sen |
ASEAN
secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said a "safety net" amendment had
been inserted on Saturday to read that ASEAN members would "implement the
declaration in accordance to the international human rights declarations and
standards."
"This
certainly can be used to monitor the practice, the protection, the promotion of
human rights here in the ASEAN countries," Surin said.
"It's
an important benchmark for ASEAN to be kept honest in terms of its human rights
obligations," said Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.
ASEAN
invites guests
President
Barack Obama, who on Sunday began a three-nation Asian tour in Thailand, is due
to attend an expanded ASEAN gathering in Cambodia on Monday alongside guests
including the leaders of China, India and Australia.
The South
China Sea dispute between various Asian nations, including China, is expected
to be high on the agenda.
According
to the president's aides, Obama will also express "grave concerns"
about Cambodia's rights record and press the need for political reform at a
meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
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