Debbie Stothard of the ASEAN People's Forum pointed out that five of the 10 governments had rejected nominees from civil society groups for the watchdog and replaced them with their own agents. She said observers at a meeting of the group on Oct. 23 were instructed not to question the leaders.
According to Stothard, this was a big slap in the face for civil society groups trying to engage with ASEAN.
"This situation and the gag order is an irresponsible move by ASEAN governments and it will damage the credibility of the grouping," she said.
There are good arguments for ASEAN to abandon its longstanding policy of noninterference in a country's internal affairs, if the affairs of a country spill over and affect regional security and development.
The United Nations has urged ASEAN leaders to insure the credibility of their Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights in light of claims that the group has fallen short on rights during its 42-year history. In this context ASEAN must review its policy toward Burma's military autocracy.
Burma is likely to remain in the international limelight as a violator of human rights for its continued detention of Suu Kyi and over 2,000 political prisoners. AICHR must step in and flex its muscles if it hopes to represent any kind of moral authority. Until it does, ASEAN remains an organization completely lacking in moral values.
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