Enhancing People’s Participation in ASEAN Community Building

Globalization, interdependence and emerging issues of human nature have caused ASEAN to readjust the way it does things. From being an association whose works were based on the views of government officials alone, ASEAN is becoming an organization that is people-centered and participatory with opportunities for the peoples to provide inputs to ASEAN community building. This was emphasized during the drafting of the ASEAN Charter to make the drafting process of the landmark document transparent, inclusive and participatory. Both the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) and the High Level Task Force (HLTF) met a wide range of groups namely CSOs, private sectors, think-tanks such as ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Networks for National Human Rights Institutions, Solidarity for People’s Association (SAPA) and various NGOs. Many comments were subsequently reflected in the ASEAN Charter.

Following the signing of the ASEAN Charter in 2007, ASEAN, under the Thai Chairmanship, has been making efforts to ensure the establishment of ASEAN’s various organs in particular the ASEAN Human Rights Body (AHRB) expected to be completed by 2009. During this process, the High Level Panel on ASEAN Human Rights Body has been meeting with various groups of people to listen to their views and comments.

Thailand fully supports this inclusive process. This is why we have chosen “ASEAN Charter for ASEAN Peoples” as the theme of the 14th ASEAN Summit. Under the domestic sphere, article 190 of the 2007 Constitution requires full public’s participation in all agreements which Thailand enters into. Indeed, since the end of 2007 to date, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand has held 13 seminars and roundtable discussions on ASEAN-related issues in particular the ASEAN Charter, the 3 Community Blueprints and ASEAN Human Rights Body. They include the following:

1. Seminar on “ASEAN Charter: New Era of Human Rights in ASEAN” on 11 December 2007 by High Level Panel for ASEAN Human Rights Body
   
   
2. Briefing on the ASEAN Charter and its implementation on 25 December 2007 at the Federation of Industries of Thailand.
   
   
3. Briefing on ASEAN Human Rights Mechanisms under the Seminar on Human Rights in Thailand on 11 February 2008.
   
   
4. Briefing on ASEAN and ASEAN Charter during the short visit to Mae Fah Luang University on 22-23 February 2008.
   
   
5. Public Seminar on “ASEAN Community and Thailand’s Chairmanship” on 9 April 2008 at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Center.
   
   
6. Briefing on ASEAN Charter during the seminar on “Exchange of views on ASEAN Human Rights Mechanisms: Views from Civil Societies” on 5 July 2008.
   
   
7. Seminar on “ASEAN Charter and Thailand’s Chairmanship of ASEAN” on NBT Channel on 28 July 2008.
   
   
8. Briefing on “ASEAN Charter and Environmental Cooperation” to Asian Law Students Association on 5 August 2008 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
   
   
9. Seminar on “How ASEAN can move towards becoming a people-centered organization?” on 8 August 2008 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
   
   
10. Briefing on “ASEAN Charter and Eradicating Drug Abuse” on 22 September 2008 at the Office of Narcotics Control Board.
    
    
11. Seminar with the Commission of International Affairs on “Public hearing on the Three ASEAN Community Blueprints and the ASEAN Community” on 6 December 2008 at Aksra Theatre.
    
    
12. Discussion and exchange of views on ASEAN Human Rights Body (AHRB) on 19 November 2008 at Hotel Park Nai Lert.
    
    
13. Table Discussion on Human Rights in ASEAN, during 20-21 November 2008 at Hotel Park Nai Lert.