(Petaling Jaya, Saturday): It has been reported that the ASEAN leaders meeting in Hanoi next week are expected to sign the Hanoi Declaration calling for long-term ties with major powers but with conditions including opposing any form of interference in the internal affairs of member nations and a relationship that is based on equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit.
While the sovereign right of nations to non-interference in their domestic affairs by other countries is an established international principle, ASEAN leaders meeting in Hanoi should also recognise and accept another new international principle - that the promotion and protection of human rights is a legitimate concern of the international community and no country can be allowed to hide behind the excuse of "sovereign domestic affairs" to justify human rights violations and abuses.
Just as ASEAN leaders and governments are entitled to decry human rights violations and abuses whether in the United States, Europe or in other nations, they must be prepared to have their human rights records to be scrutinised by the international community, including foreign governments, international NGOs or foreign individuals.
In this regard, the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in Hanoi next week should take special cognisance of the worldwide commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by elevating the promotion and protection of human rights in the region as one of the priority ASEAN commitments with the enunciation of an ASEAN Declaration of Human Rights and the establishment of an ASEAN Human Rights Commission to deal with human rights violations and abuses in the region.
(12/12/98)