Activists assert rights of people in SE Asia

Activists assert rights of people in SE Asia

BANGKOK (JP): Human rights activists from member states of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called on Tuesday
on the regional grouping to truly prioritize the needs and rights
of the peoples in the region.

The network of activists in the region have gathered here in
conjunction with the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.

Various non-governmental organizations (NGO) representatives
from ASEAN states highlighted how their respective governments
were still stifling the various political and social rights of
their citizens.

Their call seems particularly poignant as the theme of this
year's ministerial meeting is "Towards a Comprehensive
Development Agenda".

Niza Concepcion of the Philippine Alliance for Human Rights
Advocates noted that the regional association had neglected the
rights of women in general.

"Women have always been sidelined by the development agenda,"
Niza said. "A lack of commitment to women's participation means
at least half the population is being left out".

Other activists noted the political repression still occurring
in one form or another.

Yap Swee Seng of Malaysian NGO SUARAM, pointed to the presence
of Malaysia's Internal Security Act as an obstruction to "true"
development.

"Comprehensive development is meaningful only if there is
human rights and human dignity," Yap said.

Meanwhile, Cris Gaerlan of Philippine NGO Alab-Katipunan
claimed that poverty alleviation remained rhetoric.

"In fact, the Estrada administration seems intent on
eradicating poor people instead of poverty," Cris said.

Strong words also came from Kim Ieng of the LICADHO group of
Cambodia who said genuine development was not possible without
protection of human rights.

"The lack of human rights is a key to the development of our
people and has allowed the trafficking of women and children to
become a big problem".

Even representatives from the more economically developed
island state of Singapore censured the performance of their
government.

"In Singapore, development is used as a material bribe to
coerce people to conform," said Anne Cheng of the Open Singapore
Society.

"Singaporeans feel inhibited from critical thinking or
creativity," she asserted. "The society is in danger of becoming
stagnant".

Representatives of the NGO network also met earlier on Monday
with Thai Deputy foreign minister Sukhumband Paribatra to present
a summary of their concerns which they hoped could be addressed
in the meetings. (mds)