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Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: SEAsian human rights body lacks powers: draft AFP - Saturday, February 28 HUA HIN, Thailand, Feb 28, 2009 (AFP) - A proposed Southeast Asian human rights body calls for the respect of basic freedoms but lacks investigative and prosecution powers, according to a draft document seen by AFP Saturday. ADVERTISEMENT The document, containing the mandate, makeup and scope of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) human rights body, is packed with provisions rejecting external interference and stressing the region's cultural diversity. The draft adopts ASEAN's underlying principle of non-interference in domestic affairs, which has previously been used by member states such as Myanmar to fend off criticism about alleged human rights abuses. It urges the "respect for the right of every member state to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion" and the recognition that "primary responsibility to promote and protect human rights... rests within member states." The body must also pursue a "constructive and non-confrontational approach" in its mission to promote and protect human rights, an apparent rejection of calls by international watchdogs for the 10-nation grouping to take a more aggressive stand against abuse within member states. While mandated to develop a "long-term strategy" on human rights and promote public awareness, the body lacks the power to probe and prosecute violators, according to the draft, which is being debated at the annual ASEAN Summit in the Thai resort town of Hua Hin. "I understand it is indeed toothless," said Debbie Stothard, coordinator of the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma, a non-governmental organisation. Burma is military-ruled Myanmar's former name. The draft does not specify who should sit on the rights body, other than representatives with "competence in the field of human rights." However, diplomats have said some countries want to appoint independent experts while others are pushing for the body to be made up of government officials. A landmark ASEAN charter that went into effect last year provides for the establishment of a human rights body. Southeast Asian officials have said that agreeing to even set up a rights body, regardless of its scope or mandate, is an achievement for a regional bloc that includes military-ruled Myanmar and two communist regimes. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday discussions would continue through the weekend and include consultations with human rights groups. "We have to find a balance. It has to have credibility but it also has to be implementable given the diversity of our region," Abhisit said of the proposed body. He said he wants details of the forum to be finalised by October. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Asia Pacific Tensions high after Tibetan monk reportedly shot in ChinaAFP - 55 minutes ago Rights activists barred from talks with ASEAN leadersAFP - 1 hour 7 minutes ago Sri Lanka military says it killed 9 rebelsAP - 1 hour 7 minutes ago US-China wrap up resumed military consulationsAP - 1 hour 10 minutes ago China approves food safety law: state mediaAFP - 1 hour 15 minutes ago Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed RBS posts record British loss, offloads toxic assets Obama drives reform with 3.55-trillion-dollar budget Supermodel Bundchen ties knot with football star Brady Citigroup, US Treasury reach deal on government stake Japan faces deepening recession View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

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