ASEAN civil society groups feel strongly that the rejection of their democratically-selected representatives is a rejection of both civil society and the democratic process. CSO Reps were selected to meet the ASEAN leaders from over 500 CSO representatives, during the 3-day APF-ACSC, 18-20 October 2009.
At 11:30pm, Thurs, Thai foreign Ministry officials informed organizers of APF that 5 out of 10 civil society representatives were rejected from the interface meeting with ASEAN heads of government. The remaining representatives were told to be ready for pick up at 7.A.M., nearly 5 hours before the scheduled meeting.
These representatives arrived at the Dusit Hotel and were instructed that they would not be permitted to speak at the event. The only person from civil society allowed to make a statement would be Dr Surichai Wangaeo of Chulalongkorn University, who was originally appointed as moderator of the Interface.
The representatives were further shocked to learn that Singapore and Myanmar had selected substitutes from government-sponsored agencies. Singapore selected a substitute from a charity and the Myanmar regime selected Sitt Aye and Win Myaing, of the Anti-Narcotics Association (Win Myaing is a former high-ranking police officer).
These developments rendered the interface, an important space for civil society to engage with government officials, utterly meaningless. Therefore, the representatives of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia decided to walk out of the meeting.
We feel strongly that the rejection of our democratically-selected representatives is a rejection of both civil society and the democratic process. Our delegates were selected during the 3-day APF/ACSC, Oct 18-20. Through this action, the governments concerned are fundamentally undermining the spirit and content of the ASEAN Charter that they ratified a year ago.
The behaviour of the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Philippines and Burma in rejecting their civil society representatives sabotages the credibility of the ASEAN Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) which is being inaugurated today.
Civil society has been committed to the objectives of a people-centred ASEAN as enshrined in the Charter. We have remained determined in our commitment to the essential dialogue process despite the insults and obstacles generated by some officials. We were flexible when 2 out of 10 representatives were rejected in February. Civil society engaged with governments for the past few months in order to improve the relationship, however it is clear that the commitment to engagement has been one-sided, now that 5 out of 10 have been rejected, and the rest were essentially gagged.
We are deeply disappointed at the irresponsibility and apparent irrationality of the governments' position. At this time of crisis, we were absolutely committed to an opportunity to present civil society's solutions. The tactics of the governments concerned prove they are not open to discussing solutions to the urgent problems confronting ASEAN – both governments and peoples.
Finally we plead with these leaders to stop trying to kill the spirit of an ASEAN community. Such moves not only hurt the development of the region but also the credibility of individual member states and ASEAN as a whole.
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REJECTED
Ms. Khin Ohmar, Burma/Myanmar
Mr. Nay Vanda, Cambodia
Mrs. Manichanh Philaphanh, Lao PDR
Sister Crescencia L. Lucero, Phillipines
Mr. Sinapan Samydorai, Singapore
INCLUDED BUT GAGGED
* Ms. Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Indonesia
* Mr. Moon Hui Tah, Malaysia
* Ms. Sawart Pramoonsilp, Thailand
Ms. Tran Thi Thu Thuy, Vietnam
Dato Paduka Zainal Momin, Brunei
* walked out
| Singapore MFA Spokesman's comments in response to media queries on the ASEAN Peoples' Forum/ASEAN Civil Society Conference 23/10/2009 |
Sources and Relevant Links:
APF 2 2009 ASEAN Peoples' Forum, Cha-am, 18-20 October 2009
APF 2009 Civil Society Gears Up for Engagement with ASEAN -- They Want Dialogue But Will ASEAN Listen? 16 October 2009
APF 2009 ASEAN cannot continue to ignore civil society: say leaders of ASEAN Peoples Forum 18 October 2009
APF 2009 Country delegates selected for civil society interface with ASEAN heads of state 19 October 2009
AFP 2009 BRIEF BIO OF CIVIL SOCIETY DELEGATION CHOSEN BY THE APF/ACSC TO ATTEND THE HEADS OF GOVT INTERFACE 22 October 2009
AFP 2009 STATEMENT FROM THE ORGANISERS OF THE ASEAN PEOPLES FORUM/ASEAN CIVIL SOCIETY CONFERENCE 23 October 2009
Singapore MFA Spokesman's comments in response to media queries on the ASEAN Peoples' Forum/ASEAN Civil Society Conference 23/10/2009
Straits Times Asean human rights body launched 24 October 2009
Temarsek Reveiw Singapore causes stir by selection of "substitutes from government-sponsored agencies" to the Informal Dialogue with ASEAN Leaders 25 October 2009
TOC Civil Society, QUANGOs and ASEAN 25 October 2009
MICA MERCY RELIEF OBSERVANCE OF THE 1ST WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY 19 August 2009
MR MERCY RELIEF Corporate Profile
