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A landmark charter aimed at giving the 10-nation Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) a legal framework is likely to be
fully ratified next month, the bloc’s chief said Tuesday.
“I’m hoping that in Bangkok we will be able
to celebrate full ratification,” Asean secretary-general Surin
Pitsuwan told reporters in Manila.
Asean’s charter, signed in Singapore last
year, aims to commit the region’s disparate nations to promote
human rights and democratic ideals, and sets out the principles and
rules for its members.
It also transforms Asean, formed in 1967, into a
legal entity, a move that will give the group greater clout in
international negotiations.
Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore and
Vietnam have so far ratified the charter, while Indonesia, Myanmar,
the Philippines and Thailand are in the process of doing so, Surin
said.
“In the case of Thailand, a piece of
legislation is needed [to ratify the charter]. I have no reservation
in believing that Thailand will be delivering the ratification. It
will come some time in August,” Surin said.
President Gloria Arroyo said in November last
year that her country would not ratify the charter if Myanmar
refused to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and reject
calls for democratic reforms.
But Surin said Philippine Foreign Secretary
Alberto Romulo had assured him that the process was moving forward.
Asked whether Asean will allow human rights
abuses in Myanmar to take a backseat so the junta will agree to a
charter, Surin said: “There are times and opportunities for this
issue to be addressed.”
The charter was the result of a long,
controversial drafting process that saw some of the strong
recommendations from Asean elder statesmen watered down or dropped,
including provisions on member sanctions and expulsion.
Asean has been widely criticized for its policy
of “constructive engagement” regarding Myanmar, which last month
extended Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest and ignored calls to
allow in foreign aid workers after Cyclone Nargis in May.
Myanmar later agreed to allow small teams of aid
workers, but only under a tripartite arrangement with Asean and the
United Nations.
“It is important for us to care and share and
for Myanmar to trust Asean that we could bring the world into
Myanmar,” he said.
-- AFP
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