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)