Sihasak urges nations to uphold democracy and human rights

Established in 1967, Asean has focused on nation building by developing the economy, promoting economic cooperation and shared prosperity, all of which have underpinned lasting stability. Now it is time for Asean members to start focusing on a new agenda, Sihasak said in his keynote speech at the “Insight Asean Summit 2014” in Bangkok yesterday.

Since its creation, Asean has become a driver of integration in the broader East Asian region via the establishment of Asean+3, Asean+6 and Asean Free Trade area, in addition to the ongoing negotiation for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Plus, once the East Asia Economic Community is established, it will become the biggest FTA in the world in terms of combined population and GDP, Sihasak pointed out. 

“This peace and sense of economic interdependence and shared prosperity in Asean has given rise to a growing sense of community, a shared destiny and a shared future among Asean countries,” he said.

The adoption of the Asean charter has made members realise that to become a true community, all countries must recognise and be inspired by universal norms and values. It is these norms and values such as democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law that will make for stable societies, which underpin collective security, he said. 

“With economic development, there are rising expectations; people want more say in how society functions and how the government is run. They demand accountability and transparency, not just better lives,” he said. “Events that we have all witnessed in the course of the Arab Spring should remind governments everywhere about the consequences of neglecting or failing to meet these rising expectations.” Sihasak added that human rights and democracy go hand in hand, but building democracy is not easy and Thailand’s experience should prove that democracy comprises a lot more than just holding elections and going to the ballot box. 

 “Looking to the future, Asean must raise standards and norms as far as human rights and democracy are concerned because increasingly, respect for human rights has become one of the fundamental norms by which nations conduct relations with one another. Human rights are no longer solely the internal affairs of a country,” he said.