NGOs plan massive rallies to protest human rights abuses

NGOs plan massive rallies to protest human rights abuses

The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali

A number of human rights activists and members of non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) from ASEAN member countries
plan to stage a demonstration on Tuesday to protest human rights
abuses by the leaders of ASEAN.

As an expression of their anger toward the junta in Yangon
for its treatment of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, they
vowed to tear down the poster of Myanmar's Prime Minister Gen.
Khin Nyut, displayed along with posters of the other ASEAN
leaders at the entrance to the Bali International Conference
Center, where the ASEAN summit is being held.

Debbie Stothard, coordinator of the NGO Altsean-Burma, said on
Monday that ASEAN had not learned any lessons from Myanmar's
experience.

"For decades, the Burmese military regime has used brute force
and repressive laws against their own citizens in the name of
national security. Their repression has caused millions to flee
their homes and scared investors away," she said as quoted in a
press release made available to The Jakarta Post.

On the sideline of the 9th ASEAN Summit and ASEAN Business and
Investment Summit, a number of NGOs from ASEAN member countries
are holding a parallel summit.

Human rights activists gathered at the Bualu hotel in Nusa
Dua, near the venue of the ASEAN summit, on Monday. They slammed
ASEAN governments for turning the "war against terrorism" into a
"war for terrorism" through the increased used of violence and
repressive laws, creating more insecurity, fear and resentment
among people in the region.

Indonesian activist Bonor Tigor of Solidamor pointed to the
Indonesian's governments actions in Aceh.

"Most of the victims of the war in Aceh are civilians. We call
on both sides, the government and the Free Aceh Movement to stop
the war and declare a cease-fire during the fasting month
(Ramadhan)," he said.

Yap Swee Seng from SUARAM, a Malaysian human rights
organization, warned ASEAN that repressive laws such as
Malaysia's Internal Security Act would not wipe out terrorism,
but only perpetuate more injustice and human right violations,
which are the main causes of terrorism.

"ASEAN should respect human rights if it desires genuine
security and stability. All political prisoners, including Aung
San Suu Kyi and Anwar Ibrahim, should be released immediately."

He also said that retiring Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir
Mohamad had done a grave disservice to human rights and
democracy, both domestically and regionally.

"Malaysia should take responsibility for the continuous
deterioration of human rights in Myanmar as it was the regime's
main sponsor for ASEAN membership," he said.

Sunai Phasuk, a political analyst from Thailand's Forum-Asia,
said the policies and actions of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra's government on numerous issues had made the country a
major impediment to ASEAN truly becoming a regional community
that promote and protect human rights, democracy and fairness.

"People's participation, central to Thailand's democracy, has
rapidly been restricted. To consolidate an unchallenged rule, the
government has curtailed freedom of assembly, freedom of
association and freedom of expression.

"Thaksin's government is bringing back old practices where
punishments were meted out at the wish of the rulers without any
reference to limits imposed by law and morality," Sunai said.

A representative of the Open Singapore Center, Gandhi Ambalam,
said the rapid economic development experienced by Singapore was
not matched by development in other sectors.

"Economic development without political freedom will not be
able to bring about wealth creation and sustainable growth,"
Ambalam said.

This truth, he said, has begun to dawn on Singapore, which has
been bogged down in recession since l998.

"Singapore has been under one-party rule for the past 44
years. The initial euphoria over the double-digit growth
experienced from the l970s to the early 90s has been given way to
increased despondency among the people of Singapore," he said.

Landry H. Subianto of the Centre for Strategic and
International Studies in Jakarta said ASEAN's attempts to create
an integrated community would be difficult without certain
prerequisites, including good governance, inclusiveness and
democracy.

"There must be an improved spirit of partnership, not only
among governments but also between governments and civil society
and among the people of Southeast Asia," Subianto said.