Legal aid body says ASEAN neglects aims, principles

Legal aid body says ASEAN neglects aims, principles

JAKARTA (JP): As ASEAN celebrated its 30th anniversary
yesterday, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) rebuked
the grouping for neglecting its own aims and principles,
resulting in "widespread human suffering and human rights
violations".

In a statement signed by chairman Bambang Widjoyanto and
secretary Munir, YLBHI argued that the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations neglected the laudable goals it set for itself in
its founding document, the Bangkok Declaration.

"We condemn the association's apparent willful ignorance of
the commendable aims contained in the declaration in favor of a
principle of 'noninterference in the affairs of another'," YLBHI
said in a statement.

"We consider this a betrayal of the spirit of the association
as well as the aspirations of the peoples of Southeast Asia,"
they charged.

"We note that the failure of ASEAN and its member states in
this regard has lead to widespread suffering and human rights
violations in significant sections of the region," the foundation
said.

ASEAN has nine member states: Brunei, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam.

Despite the economic success of ASEAN, YLBHI accused ASEAN
yesterday of being unfaithful to its founding declaration which
stipulates the ideals of freedom, social justice and economic
well-being.

"A large section of this region's population continues to be
denied human, civil, political, economic, social and cultural
rights by representatives of ASEAN member states," the YLBHI
statement said.

In particular, the foundation highlighted ASEAN's continued
recognition of the military junta in Yangon despite continuing
allegations that the State Law and Order Restoration Council
suppresses human and political rights in the country.

ASEAN has maintained a policy of "constructive engagement"
with Yangon and shrugged off criticism as it accepted Myanmar as
a full member of the association last month.

YLBHI urged "ASEAN leaders to exercise their responsibility
now that they have accepted Burma (Myanmar) as a member, to help
bring about political change". (05/mds)