ASEAN opportunity as a global human rights actor: prospect and challenges

Abstract

ASEAN's existence as an international organization, both at the regional and international levels, has been unsatisfactory since its introduction in 1967. In contrast to other regional organizations such as the European Union, the international personality and integrity level is low. ASEAN has instruments in way to set international disputes between its members. Nevertheless, this institution has never been used to solve problems within ASEAN. For example, in the Sipadan-Ligitan dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia, both parties prefer to settle through the International Court of Justice. ASEAN has never taken human rights issues in Myanmar seriously. The non-intervention principle is rigid, as is the lack of regional human rights courts such as those of the EU, America, and African organizations. The purpose of this article is to examine ASEAN's future role in promoting and protecting human rights on a global scale. The paper examines ASEAN's opportunities as a global human rights actor in terms of integrating human rights into foreign policy, as stated in the ASEAN CHARTER. According to the author, ASEAN will remain as it has ever been, with no chance to become a global human rights actor if it does not take action against its member countries that violate international law.