Initiatives for International Dialogue is the Regional Secretariat for the Southeast Asia Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (SEA GPPAC) program. For more info visit

Panelists Presentor: Atty. Carlos Medina, Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism Discussant: Mr. Diomedes Eviota, Research Coordinator, Initiatives for International Dialogue

Key Points on ASEAN Policies & Procedures As stated in the ASEAN Declaration which created in 1967 (adopted in Bangkok), one of the aim of ASEAN is to promote peace and stability. Peace and stability are seen as indispensable to the independence and the economic and social well-being of ASEAN countries. Hence, in 1971, ASEAN adopted the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality Declaration (Kuala Lumpur Declaration)

Key Points on ASEAN Policies & Procedures Furthermore, in pursuance ofASEAN Vision 2020, in November 2004, ASEAN adoptedthe Vientiene Action Programme (VAP). In which under the VAP, there are program areas and measures on conflict prevention and peace building being mapped out (pls refer to VAP)

Summary Points ASEAN is not created to handle domestic conflict - it was formed to promote peace and regional security to address political and security issues ASEAN does not directly remove or resolve causes of tensions, but moderate domestic threats to peace and stability and prevent eruption into open conflict ASEAN prefers the “ASEAN way” norms, principles and processes But the non-interference principle limits ASEAN’s capacity to deal with domestic conflicts because t he ASEAN puts premium to it than other regional groupings ASEAN faces a wide range of non-traditional security threats with cross border effects in the region There should be a fundamental shift of mindset from reaction to prevention of armed conflict. In engaging ASEAN governments in the areas of conflict prevention and peace building, there is a need to balance between seeking accountability for violations of human rights and resolving and managing conflicts; between naming, condemning and shaming on one hand, and engaging in dialogue and reconciliation between parties in conflict.

Proposal for Recommendation Civil Society CSO can also participate in planning, monitoring and implementation (Peace Education and training, research and peace building) activities. They should consider shifting their intervention from addressing conflict situation to the planning stage to prevent potential conflicts Monitoring ASEAN in building ASEAN community? How: Monitoring of the implementation of the VAP (Vientiene Action Plan) by ASEAN.

ASEAN A key element should be institution building – ASEAN needs a pre-standing regional mechanisms to prevent violent conflict and address roots and proximate causes of violent conflict For governments to declare a national peace policy that is not based on peacetalks and negotiation, but will address socio-political issues and the causes of conflicts Proposal for Recommendation

Ways Forward: Entry Points To identify national conflict prevention mechanisms (agency, unit, office, or desk) as a tool in forming strategy for engagement with ASEAN and governments To identify pressure points (contacts/allies/champions) within ASEAN and governments

Key Events The KL ASEAN-CSO Summit in December 2005 as a platform to discuss and debate about conflict prevention The formation of the ASEAN Charter: CSO needs to be aware of the steps to be undertaken by ASEAN towards the formation and the adoption of an ASEAN charter, so as to make it reflective of the aspiration of the ASEAN peoples