The Association of Southeast Asian Nations

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration). There are ten members of ASEAN which are Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Viet Nam, Lao PDR , Myanmar and Cambodia. The purposes of the establishment of ASEAN according to the ASEAN Charter are to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order. Secondly, to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations. Thirdly, to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries of the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Next, to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields; to provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research facilities in the educational, professional, technical and administrative spheres; to collaborate more effectively for the greater utilisation of their agriculture and industries, the expansion of their trade, including the study of the problems of international commodity trade, the improvement of their transportation and communications facilities and the raising of the living standards of their peoples; to promote Southeast Asian studies. Lastly, to maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations with similar aims and purposes, and explore all avenues for even closer cooperation among themselves.

ASEAN Member States have adopted the following fundamental principles, as contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) of 1976; Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations; The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion; Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another; Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner; Renunciation of the threat or use of force; and Effective cooperation among themselves. ASEAN receive several criticisms on their intervention in solving the dispute between the governments of Myanmar with the Rohingya. Firstly, the critic is on principle stated in Article 2(e) of ASEAN Charter; Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another. This means that member states cannot interfere in the other member states internal affairs as they recognize the sovereignty. This fundamental principle adopted by ASEAN had cause negative effect in settling the issue of Rohingya in Myanmar because other states of ASEAN are prohibited to intervene.

The government of Myanmar strictly adhered the principle of non-interference. ASEAN also receive criticism on the establishment of ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). The use this principle of non-interference to stop other country to help the Rohingya people from the cruelty of Myanmar’s government. ASEAN also receive international criticism on the establishment of ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). This body were established under Article 4 of ASEAN charter “In conformity with the purposes and the principles of the ASEAN relating to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, ASEAN shall establish an ASEAN human rights body”. It can be seen that the establishment of AICHR is to protect the human rights of ASEAN member states. But, AICHR was critic not upholding the human rights in the Southeast Asia. The lack of intervention of AICHR in the Rohingya issue made them being criticised by other international body. The government of Myanmar violate the rights of the Rohingya. The Rohingya were raped, murder and not being given the rights as the citizen of Myanmar.