Asean Charter

On 15th December 2008, the charter of the Association of South East Asian Nations now has official status, binding members to an enhanced legal framework. But as Asia begins to experience the full force of the global economic crisis it may be some time before the grouping begins to operate as a European Union-style community.
What is in the Charter?...

Principles set out in the charter include:

• Emphasising the centrality of ASEAN in regional cooperation.

• Respect for the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, non-interference and national identities of ASEAN members.

• Promoting regional peace and identity, peaceful settlements of disputes through dialogue and consultation, and the renunciation of aggression.

• Upholding international law with respect to human rights, social justice and multilateral trade.

• Encouraging regional integration of trade.

• Appointment of a Secretary-General and Permanent Representatives of ASEAN.

• Establishment of a human rights body and an unresolved dispute mechanism, to be decided at ASEAN Summits.

• Development of friendly external relations and a position with the UN (like the EU)

• Increasing the number of ASEAN summits to twice a year and the ability to convene for emergency situations.

• Reiterating the use of the ASEAN flag, anthem, emblem and national ASEAN day on August 8. (Listen to anthem here)
  

ASEAN's members are Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

They are home to half a billion people. In terms of development, they range from wealthy modern Singapore and Brunei to impoverished, agrarian Laos and Cambodia. Politically, members include democratic Philippines and Indonesia, and military-ruled Burma.

The charter was to have been inaugurated at the annual ASEAN summit in Thailand this month, but a political crisis there forced its postponement. Monday's meeting at the Jakarta secretariat was convened specially to enact the charter.

The charter opens the door to a single ASEAN market within seven years. However, the unfolding global economic crisis may slow. There are fears that the crisis may slow efforts to negotiate the free trade agreement.

ASEAN has also come under attack for failing to address human rights abuses by its member, particularly in military-ruled Burma.