Understanding Asean

7/31/2019 Understanding Asean

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UNDERSTANDING ASEAN:

through its journey to greater integration in 2015


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OUTLINE

History of ASEANFundamental Principles and Values

ASEAN CharterASEAN Community and RegionalismThree Blue Prints

ASEAN StructuresASEAN 2015


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Regional Inter-governmentalOrganization

10 members

4.5million sq kms

570million people (growth1.5%)


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OVERVIEW

8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing ofthe ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration)

Founding Fathers of ASEAN: 5 Foreign Ministers - AdamMalik (Indonesia ), Narciso R. Ramos ( Philippines ),

Tun Abdul Razak ( Malaysia ), S. Rajaratnam(Singapore ) and Thanat Khoman ( Thailand )


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THE CONTEXT: 1960S

Conflict :Indonesia-Malaysia (Konfrontasi 1962-66),Philippines-Malaysia (over Sabah)Singapore secession from MalaysiaMindanao, Southern Thailand

Thailand was brokering reconciliation among Indonesia, thePhilippines and MalaysiaPoorCommunism

Cold War, arms race, proxy wars

Indochina War: Vietnam, Laos CambodiaBurma: 1962Club of dictators : Marcos, Suharto, Thanom, Lee Kwan Yew,Abdul Rahman


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BANGKOK DECLARATION

cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, technical,educational and other fields,

promotion of regional peace and stability through

abiding respect for justice and the rule of law andadherence to the principles of the UN Charter.

Representing the collective will of the nations ofSoutheast Asia to bind themselves together in friendship

and cooperation and, through joint efforts and sacrifices,secure for their peoples and for posterity the blessings ofpeace, freedom and prosperity


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FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

Feb. 1967 - Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) :Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty ,equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of allnations

The rights of every state to lead its nationalexistence free from external interference,subversion, and coercion Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another

Settlement of differences or disputes by peacefulmanner Renunciation of the threat or use of force ; and Effective cooperation among themselves .


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DiversityPolitical systems: Democracies, Dictatorships,MonarchyEconomic development

HDI (2004): Rank 25 to 133GDP (2006): $208 to $29,499

Economic systems

Power dynamics:Traditional most influential member IndonesiaThe shift of power from older 5 to newer 4 (CLMV)?

Shift from state-centric to people-oriented?

ASEAN TODAY: 2000S


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ASEAN IN THE LAST 4 DECADES

A state- led project driven by the regions elites (top -bottom) exclusive club for Southeast Asian foreign ministers

A tool to advance the political-security interests of its memberstates, but later expanded to economic and socio-cultural co-operation

Developed norms and values: ASEAN Way - diplomatic normsthat encourages the member countries of ASEAN to seek aninformal and incremental approach to co-operation throughlengthy consultation and dialogue (consensus, least commondenominator, non-interference, etc.)

National interests and sovereignty still prevails despite thedeepening of regionalization process

Limited participation of civil society in its decision-makingprocesses


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ASEAN CHARTER

Ratified by 10 ASEAN member statesCame into force: 15 Dec 2008, JakartaGives legal personality to ASEANClarifies common objectives and principlesDefines structure, Mechanisms,Operations


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The CharterRegional Vision

Blueprints of CooperationHuman Rights Commission


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CHARTER: ASEAN OBJECTIVES

Enhance peace, securitystabilityPolitical, security,economic, socio-culturalcooperationPreserve as nuclearweapons free zonePeace with the world,harmonious environmentSingle market andproduction base

Alleviate poverty, narrowdevelopment gapStrengthen democracy,protect and promotehuman rightsRespond to commonthreatsPromote sustainabledevelopmentDevelop humanresources


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CHARTER: ASEAN PRINCIPLES

Respect for independence,sovereignty, territorial integrityShared commitment: peace,security stabilityRenounce use of forcePeaceful settlement ofdisputesNon-interference in internalaffairsFreedom from externalinterference, subversion,coercion

Respect for fundamentalfreedoms, protect and promotehuman rights, promote social

justiceRespect UN Charter,international law, IHLAbstain from participation inactivities which threatenmembersRespect cultures, religions,languagesCentrality of ASEAN ineconomic, political, social,cultural relationsAdherence to rules towardsintegration, and market driveneconomy


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CHARTER: CRITICS

Market-oriented languageDoes not acknowledgethe centrality ofredistribution and

economic solidarity to thegoals of povertyeradication, social justiceand lasting peace

Non-participatory draftingprocess

Codifies past agreementsAll about governments andnot interaction with thepeopleUnclear spaces of how civilsociety can participateLack of disciplinary anddispute resolutionmechanisms


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CHARTER: POSITIVE VALUES

Legal personality: moreaccountable, stronger (?)Human Rights,democracy as principlesHuman Rights body(Article 14)Recognition of civilsociety participation

For CSO Strategic Values :A space to stake claimsand accountabilityAn anchor to discussASEANPossibility to transformASEAN to work for themutual benefit of the

governments and thepeoples


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NEW CHARTER: NEW ASEAN?

Legal, (rules based) therefore accountableGreater Recognition

within ASEAN (leverage againstgovernments)

Regional partners (international leverage)Mechanisms to address regional issues:

Human rights, migrant workers, womenand childrenRecognition of Civil Society - the right toparticipate


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ASEAN: STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

First 10 years (1967-1976): establishment ,solidarity, dialogue partnersThe next 20 years: (1977-1997): expansion -

Brunei (1984); Vietnam (1995); Lao PDR andMyanmar (1997); and Cambodia (1999)The next 10 years: (1998-2007): vision,formalizationThe next 7 years: (2008-2015): Communitybuilding


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1976 Bali Concord I formally adopted political co-operation aspart of ASEAN regular activities1992 ASEAN Free Trade Agreement1997/98 economic crisis acceleration of economic integration

initiatives ASEAN Vision 20202003 - Bali Concord II the launch of ASEAN Community by 20202005 the launch of ASEAN Charter process2006/07 the acceleration of ASEAN Community to 20152007 ASEAN Charter drafting and the ASEAN EconomicCommunity Blueprint2008 ASEAN Charter ratification2009 ASEAN Political Community and Socio-Cultural CommunityBlueprints


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ASEAN Political-Security Community peaceful processes in thesettlement of intra-regional differences and it has the followingcomponents: political development, shaping and sharing of norms,conflict prevention, conflict resolution, post-conflict peace building,and implementing mechanisms

ASEAN Economic Community - creating a stable, prosperous andhighly competitive ASEAN economic region in which there is a freeflow of goods, services, investment and a freer flow of capital,equitable economic development and reduced poverty and socio-economic disparities in year 2020;

ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community - envisages a community ofcaring societies and founded on a common regional identity, withcooperation focused on social development aimed at raising thestandard of living of disadvantaged groups and the rural population,and shall seek the active involvement of all sectors of society, inparticular women, youth, and local communities


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POLITICAL SECURITYBlueprint

Rules based, sharednorms and values Cohesive, peaceful,stable, resilient withshared responsibilityDynamic and Outwardlooking

ECONOMICBlueprint

Single Market and

production base Competitiveeconomic region Equitable Economicdevelopment Integration intoglobal economy

SOCIO-CULTURALBlueprint

Human Development Social Welfare andProtection Social justice andrights EnvironmentalSustainability ASEAN Identity

ASEAN Charter - One Vision, One Identity, One

Caring and Sharing Community

ASEAN Community


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THREE BLUEPRINTS

Three integral pillars of the ASEAN Vision 2015:AEC, ASC, ASCC (work intandem)Clear targets and

timelines forimplementationPre-agreed flexibilities toaccommodate theinterests of all ASEAN

MemberBindingGeneral Content Policy/Goals; technical,Action plan, Review

mechanism

Critics :No participation, evensecretive processAll about governments(does not addresscorruption andrepression)Whose community isASEAN?


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ASEAN ECONOMIC BLUEPRINTS

a single market and production base,a highly competitive economic region,a region of equitable economic development,and

a region fully integrated into the globaleconomyPriority Integration Sectors: agro-basedproducts; air travel; automotives; e-ASEAN;

electronics; fisheries; healthcare; rubber-basedproducts; textiles and apparels; tourism; wood-based products; and logistics (additional sectoras may be identified by the Ministers after theagreement)


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ECONOMIC BLUEPRINT: CRITICS

LiberalizationOnly protects end-users (consumers)

What about sustainability? Environmentand livelihoodDisregards existing bilateral economic

agreementsNo detail on how the region acts as awhole


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SOCIO-CULTURAL BLUEPRINTS

promotion of human development and securitynarrowing the development gapensuring environmental sustainability

building an ASEAN identityWide coverage of issues: Poverty, Health,Disaster Management, Education, Food security,

Social impact of integration, Environmentalsustainability, Migrant labor, Women andchildrens rights, Science and Technology


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SOCIO-CULTURAL: CRITICS

Social justice vs. social protection; systemic vs.symptomaticSystemic solutions to address social injustice:

problems of access, conflicting interests withcommercial/industrial interestsParticipation should not be limited to this sphere.Diversity and identity of peoples within membercountries


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POLITICAL SECURITY BLUEPRINTS

Framework is based on political and securitycooperation where countries live at peace withone another, and the ASEAN, with the world atlarge.

Principles are non-interference, consensus,national and regional resilience, and respect for sovereignty .Elements of the Blueprint: political development,

shaping and sharing of norms on counter terrorism and nuclear free zones, inter-state conflict prevention and post-conflict peace- building; combating terrorism


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POLITICAL SECURITY: CRITICS

State-centric in perspective (national security)Existing internal conflicts should be addressed: over resources, over self-determination/identity Governments (policies) are sources of conflict

Does not provide for political participation and representationof civil societyNo reference to international human rightsstandards>adherence to international standards and principlesNo dispute mechanism on internal conflicts, intra-stateconflicts, separatism.No recognition of internally displaced people (IDPs)Cultural diversity is not addressed >recognition of diversities inethnicity and religion, and of marginalizationStrengthen and monitor existing regional instruments onmigrants, women, children, and CSO and public participation inprocessesPromote regional civilian peacekeeping forces


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ASEAN Integration 2015Economic

Blue Print & CommunityPolitical Security

Blue Print & CommunitySocio-Cultural

Blue Print & Community

ASEAN EconomicCommunity Council

ASEAN SecurityCommunity Council

ASEAN Socio-CulturalCommunity Council

ARF

Rural Dev (AMDPE)

Education

ASEAN Coordinating Council

DM (AMMDM)

Soc Welfare (AMMSWD)

+ ACWC

Law (ALAWMM)

Defence (ADMM)

AMM + AICHR

Environment (AMME)

Labor (ALMM) + ACMW

Econ Min (AEM)

AFTA Council

Investment (AIA)

Finance (AFMM)

Food, Agr, (AMAF) Trans Crime (AMMTC)


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ASEANS STRUCTURE

ASEAN SummitASEAN CoordinatingCouncilASEAN CommunityCouncilsASEAN SectoralMinisterial BodiesSecretary GeneralASEAN SecretariatASEAN NationalSecretariat

Committee PermanentRepresentatives (CPR)ASEANIntergovernmental

Commission on HumanRightsACWCACMW


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ASEAN SUMMIT (ART 7)

Comprise the heads of StatesSupreme policy-making body of ASEANDeliberate, provide policy guidance and take decisions onkey issues pertaining to the realization of the objectives ofASEANInstruct the relevant ministers in each of the councilsconcerned to hold ad hoc inter-ministerial meetings,address important issues concerning ASEAN that cutacross the Community CouncilsAddress emergency situations affecting ASEANAppoint SG ASEAN


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ASEAN COORDINATING COUNCIL (ART 8)

Comprise the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, meet twice a yearPrepare the meetings of the ASEAN SummitCoordinate the implementation of agreements anddecisions of the SAEAN SummitCoordinate with the ASEAN Community Councils toenhance policy coherence, efficiency and cooperationamong themCoordinate the reports of the ASEAN Community Councilsand the ASEAN SummitConsider the annual report of the Secretary-General on thework of ASEAN


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ASEAN COORDINATING COUNCIL (ART 8)

Consider the report of the Secretary-General on the functions and operations ofthe ASEAN Secretariat and other relevantbodiesApprove the appointment and terminationof the Deputy Secretaries-General upon

the recommendation of the SecretaryGeneral


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ASEAN COMMUNITY COUNCILS (ART 9)

Comprise the ASEAN Political-SecurityCommunity Council, ASEAN EconomicCommunity Council, ASEAN Socio-Cultural

Community CouncilEach ASEAN Community Council shall haveunder its purview the relevant ASEAN SectoralMinisterial BodiesEach Member State shall designate its nationalrepresentation for each ASEAN CommunityCouncil meeting


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ASEAN COMMUNITY COUNCILS (ART 9)

Ensure the implementation of the relevantdecisions of the ASEAN Summit, coordinatethe work of the different sectors on issueswhich cut across the other CommunityCouncil, submit reports andrecommendations to the ASEAN SummitASEAN Community Council meet at leasttwice a year and chaired by the appropriateMinister from the Member State holding theASEAN Chairmanship


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ASEAN SECTORAL MINISTERIAL BODIES (ART 10)

Shall function in accordance with their respectiveestablished mandatesImplement the agreements and decisions of the ASEANsummit under their respective purview

Strengthen cooperation in their respective fields insupports of ASEAN integration and community buildingSubmit reports and recommendations to their respectiveCommunity Councils

Such as Senior Official Meeting (SOM), Senior Official Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD), ASEAN Committee on Women


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SECRETARY GENERAL OF ASEAN

Appointed by the ASEAN Summit for a non-reneweable term of office of the 5 yearsCarry out the duties and responsibilities of the office inaccordance with the ASEAN charter

Facilitate and monitor progress in the implementationof ASEAN agreements and decisions, and submit anannual reportParticipate in meetings of the ASEAN Summit, theASEAN Community Councils, the ASEANCoordinating Council and ASEAN Sectoral MinisterialBodies and other relevant meetings


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SECRETARY GENERAL OF ASEAN

Present the views of ASEAN andparticipate in meetings with externalparties

Recommend the appointment andtermination of the Deputy Secretaries-General to the ASEAN Coordinating

Council for approvalSG shall also b the Chief AdministrativeOfficer of ASEAN


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ASEAN SECRETARIAT

Uphold the highest standards of integrity,efficiency, and competence in the dutiesperformance

Not seek or receive instructions from anygovernment or external party outside ofASEAN

Refrain from any action which might reflecton their position as ASEAN secretariatofficials


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COMMITTEE OF PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES(CPR) (ART 12)

Each ASEAN Member State shall appoint a PermanentRepresentative to ASEAN with the rank of Ambassadorbased in JakartaSupport the work of the ASEAN Community Councils andASEAN Sectoral Ministerial BodiesCoordinate with ASEAN National Secretariat and ASEANSectoral Ministerial BodiesLiaise with SG of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat on allsubjects relevant to the workFacilitate ASEAN Cooperation with external partnersPerform such other function


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Serve as the national focal pointBe the repository of information on all ASEANmatters at the national levelCoordinate the implementation of ASEAN decisionsat the national levelCoordinate and support the national preparations ofASEAN meetingsPromote ASEAN identity and awareness at thenational levelContribute to ASEAN community building


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ASEAN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ONHUMAN RIGHTS (AICHR)

To develop a long-term strategy for the promotion and protection ofhuman rights and fundamental freedoms to complement the buildingof the ASEAN Community;To promote public awareness of human rights among the peoples

of ASEAN through education, research and dissemination ofinformation;To facilitate capacity building for the effective implementation of

international human rights treaty obligations undertaken by ASEANMember States;

To encourage ASEAN Member States to consider acceding to andratifying international human rights instruments;To develop an ASEAN Declaration on Human Rights and other

ASEAN human rights instruments;


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ASEAN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ONHUMAN RIGHTS (AICHR)

To promote the full implementation of ASEAN instruments related tohuman rights;To engage in dialogue and consultation with other ASEAN bodies

and entities associated with ASEAN, including civil societyorganizations and other stakeholdersTo consult, as may be appropriate, with other relevant institutions

and entities concerned with promotion and protection of humanrights;To obtain information from Member States on the promotion andprotection of human rights;To prepare studies on thematic issues of human rights in ASEAN;To submit an annual report on its activities, or other reports if

deemed necessary, to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting;


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ASEAN FOUNDATION

Shall support SG ASEAN and collaboratewith the relevant ASEAN bodies to supportASEAN Community building by promoting

greater awareness of the ASEAN identity,people-to-people oriented and closecollaboration among business sector, civil

society, academia and other stakeholdersBe accountable to the SG ASEAN


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ACWC

To promote the implementation of international instruments,ASEAN instruments and other instruments related to the rights ofwomen and children.To develop policies , programs and innovative strategies topromote and protect the rights of women and children tocomplement the building of the ASEAN Community.

To promote public awareness and education of the rights ofwomen and children in ASEAN.To advocate on behalf of women and children , especially themost vulnerable and marginalized, and encourage ASEANMember States to improve their situation.To build capacities of relevant stakeholders at all levels, e.g.administrative, legislative, judicial, civil society, communityleaders, women and children machineries, through the provisionof technical assistance, training and workshops, towards therealization of the rights of women and children.


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ACWCTo assist, upon request by ASEAN Member States, in preparing forCEDAW and CRC Periodic Reports , the Human Rights CouncilsUniversal Periodic Review (UPR) and reports for other TreatyBodies, with specific reference to the rights of women and childrenin ASEAN.To assist, upon request by ASEAN Member States, inimplementing the Concluding Observations of CEDAW andCRC and other Treaty Bodies related to the rights of women andchildren.To encourage ASEAN Member States on the collection andanalysis of disaggregated data by sex, age, etc., related to thepromotion and protection of the rights of women and children.To promote studies and research related to the situation and well-being of women and children with the view to fostering effectiveimplementation of the rights of women and children in the region.To encourage ASEAN Member States to undertake periodicreviews of national legislations, regulations, policies, andpractices related to the rights of women and children.


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ACWC

To facilitate sharing of experiences and good practices , includingthematic issues, between and among ASEAN Member Statesrelated to the situation and well-being of women and children and toenhance the effective implementation of CEDAW and CRC through,among others, exchange of visits, seminars and conferences.To propose and promote appropriate measures, mechanisms andstrategies for the prevention and elimination of all forms ofviolation of the rights of women and children, including the protectionof victims.To encourage ASEAN Member States to consider acceding to, andratifying , international human rights instruments related to womenand children.To support the participation of ASEAN women and children indialogue and consultation processes in ASEAN related to thepromotion and protection of their rights .To provide advisory services on matters pertaining to thepromotion and protection of the rights of women and children toASEAN sectoral bodies upon request


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ACMW

To ensure effective implementation of thecommitments made under theDeclarationFacilitate/work towards the developmentof an ASEAN instrument on MWsComposition: 10 member statesACMW Drafting Committee for Framework

Instrument - 2 sending countries (Indonesiaand the Philippines) and 2 receiving countries(Malaysia and Thailand)


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ACTORS IN ASEAN

Track 1State, ASEAN National SecretariatsTrack 1.5

ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC)ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Caucus on Good Governance(AIPCGG)

Track 2Academic/ Think Tank (ASEAN ISIS Network)National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) (?)

Track 1.5-2.5Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism

Track 3Civil Society Organisations (Accredited or unaccredited)SAPA Working Group on ASEAN, SAPA Task Force on ASEANand Human Rights


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ASEAN Inter-Parliamentarian Assembly(AIPA)ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar

Caucus (AIPMC)ASEAN Inter-ParliamentaryCaucus on Good Governance (AIPCGG)

ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Caucus onFreedom on Expression


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Indonesia WG: Mr. Marzuki DarusmanMalaysia WG: Dato ParamCumaraswamyPhilippines WG: Senator WigbertoTanadaThailand WG: Professor SripraphaPhetchamesreeSingapore Interim Committee: Ms.Braema Mathi


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ASEAN Institute on Strategic and InternationalStudiesBrunei Darussalam Institute of Policy and StrategicStudies (BDIPSS)Cambodian Institute for Co-operation and Peace (CICP)

Indonesian Centre for Strategic and InternationalStudies (CSIS)Laos Institute for Foreign Affairs (IFA)Malaysian Institute for Strategic and InternationalStudiesPhilippines Institute for Strategic and DevelopmentStudies (ISDS)Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)Thailands Institute for Security and International Studies(ISIS)Vietnams Institute for International Relations (IIR)


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ASEAN Four National Human RightsInstitutionsCommission of Human Rights Philippines(CHRP)KOMNAS HAM (Indonesia)SUHAKAM (Malaysia)

National Human Rights Commission ofThailand (NHRCT)


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SAPA (Solidarity for Asian PeoplesAdvocacy) Working Group on ASEANTask Force on ASEAN and Human Rights

Task Force on ASEAN and Migrant WorkersWomens Caucus60 plus NGOs accredited by ASEAN

ASEAN Peoples Center, Jakarta Trade Unions


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ENGAGING ASEAN

1. Through ASEAN Secretariats led events ASEAN Community ForumASEAN Social Forum

2. Through ASEAN Governments led events

Interface Meeting with ASEAN leaders during Summit3. Through ASEAN Sectoral ministers led events 4. Through ASEAN WG/Initiative led events5. Through ASEAN Community councils

6. Through countries Department of ASEAN/ Nationalsecretariat of ASEAN7. Through Committee Permanent Representatives


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ENGAGING ASEAN

8. Through ASEAN civil society forums: ASEAN Peoples Assembly ASEAN Civil Society Conference(ACSC)/ASEAN Peoples Forum

9. Affiliation: ASEAN accredited NGOs10. Through AICHR, ACWC, ACMW11. Engaging ASEAN foundation

12. Submitting reports/inputs/ position papers13. Through Media discussion, i.e. op-ed


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ENGAGING ASEAN

14. Through human rights specific forums:ASEAN ISIS Colloquium on Human RightsWorkshop on the ASEAN RegionalMechanism on Human Rights (Working

Group)Roundtable Discussion on Human Rights inASEAN (Working Group)Regional Consultation on ASEAN and Human

Rights (SAPA TFAHR)ASEAN National Human Rights InstitutionsForum (4NIs)

Documents

Understanding Asean