Criticism

Criticism
Western countries have criticised ASEAN for being too soft in its approach to promoting human rights and democracy in the junta-led Myanmar.[79] Despite global outrage at the military crack-down on peaceful protesters in Yangon, ASEAN has refused to suspend Myanmar as a member and also rejects proposals for economic sanctions.[80] This has caused concern as the European Union, a potential trade partner, has refused to conduct free trade negotiations at a regional level for these political reasons.[81] International observers view it as a "talk shop",[82] which implies that the organisation is "big on words but small on action".[83]

During the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, several activist groups staged anti-globalisation and anti-Arroyo rallies.[84] According to the activists, the agenda of economic integration would negatively affect industries in the Philippines and would cause thousands of Filipinos to lose their jobs.[85] They also viewed the organisation as imperialistic that threatens the country's sovereignty.[85] A human rights lawyer from New Zealand was also present to protest about the human rights situation in the region in general.[86]

ASEAN has agreed to an ASEAN human rights body which will come into force in 2009. The Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand want this body to have an enforcement capacity, however Singapore, Vietnam, Burma, Laos and Cambodia do not.[citation needed]

FESPIC Games/ Asian Para Games, Football Championship

FESPIC Games/ Asian Para Games
The FESPIC Games, also known as the Far East and South Pacific Games for the persons with disability, was the biggest multi-sports games in Asia and South Pacific region. The FESPIC Games were held nine times and bowed out, a success[78] in December 2006 in the 9th FESPIC Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Games re-emerges as the 2010 Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, China. The 2010 Asian Para Games will debut shortly after the conclusion of the 16th Asian Games, using the same facilities and venue made disability-accessible. The inaugural Asian Para Games, the parallel event for athletes with physical disabilities, is a multi-sport event held every four years after every Asian Games.

[edit] Football Championship
The ASEAN Football Championship is a biennial Football competition organised by the ASEAN Football Federation, accredited by FIFA and contested by the national teams of Southeast Asia nations. It was inaugurated in 1996 as Tiger Cup, but after Asia Pacific Breweries terminated the sponsorship deal, "Tiger" was renamed "ASEAN".

Southeast Asian Games, ASEAN Para Games

Sports
[edit] Southeast Asian Games
The Southeast Asian Games, commonly known as the SEA Games, is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia. The games is under regulation of the Southeast Asian Games Federation with supervision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia.

[edit] ASEAN Para Games

Logo of the ASEAN Para GamesThe ASEAN Para Games is a biennial multi-sport event held after every Southeast Asian Games for athletes with physical disabilities. The games are participated by the 11 countries located in Southeast Asia. The Games, patterned after the Paralympic Games, are played by physically-challenged athletes with mobility disabilities, visual disabilities, who are amputees and those with cerebral palsy.

Heritage Parks, List

Heritage Parks
ASEAN Heritage Parks[73] is a list of nature parks launched 1984 and relaunched in 2004. It aims to protect the region's natural treasures. There are now 35 such protected areas, including the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park and the Kinabalu National Park.[74]

[edit] List
ASEAN Heritage Sites
Site Country Site Country
Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park Myanmar Ao Phang-nga Marine National Park Thailand
Apo Natural Park Philippines Ba Be National Park Vietnam
Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park Indonesia Gunung Leuser National Park Indonesia
Gunung Mulu National Park Malaysia Ha Long Bay Vietnam
Hoang Lien Sa Pa National Park Vietnam Iglit-Baco National Park Philippines
Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary Myanmar Inlé Lake Wildlife Sanctuary Myanmar
Kaeng Krachan National Park Thailand Kerinci Seblat National Park Indonesia
Khakaborazi National Park Myanmar Khao Yai National Park Thailand
Kinabalu National Park Malaysia Komodo National Park Indonesia
Kon Ka Kinh National Park Vietnam Lampi Kyun Wildlife Reserve Myanmar
Lorentz National Park Indonesia Meinmhala Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary Myanmar
Mu Ko Surin-Mu Ko Similan Marine National Park Thailand Nam Ha Protected Area Laos
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Vietnam Preah Monivong (Bokor) National Park Cambodia
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park Philippines Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Singapore
Taman Negara National Park Malaysia Tarutao Marine National Park Thailand
Tasek Merimbun Wildlife Sanctuary Brunei Thung Yai-Huay Kha Khaeng National Park Thailand
Tubbataha Reef Marine Park Philippines Ujung Kulon National Park Indonesia
Virachey National Park Cambodia Keraton Yogyakarta Indonesia

ASAIHL, Heritage Parks

[edit] ASAIHL
ASAIHL or the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1956 that strives to strengthen higher learning institutions, espescially in teaching, research, and public service, with the intention of cultivating a sense of regional identity and interdependence.

[edit] Heritage Parks
ASEAN Heritage Parks[73] is a list of nature parks launched 1984 and relaunched in 2004. It aims to protect the region's natural treasures. There are now 35 such protected areas, including the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park and the Kinabalu National Park.[74]

Cultural activities, S.E.A. Write Award

Cultural activities

Logo of the S.E.A. Write AwardThe organisation hosts cultural activities in an attempt to further integrate the region. These include sports and educational activities as well as writing awards. Examples of these include the ASEAN University Network, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, the ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award, and the Singapore-sponsored ASEAN Scholarship.

[edit] S.E.A. Write Award
The S.E.A. Write Award is a literary award given to Southeast Asian poets and writers annually since 1979. The award is either given for a specific work or as a recognition of an author's lifetime achievement. Works that are honoured vary and have included poetry, short stories, novels, plays, folklore as well as scholarly and religious works. Ceremonies are held in Bangkok and are presided by a member of the Thai royal family.

Charter

Charter
Main article: ASEAN Charter
On 15 December 2008 the members of ASEAN met in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta to launch a charter, signed in November 2007, with the aim of moving closer to "an EU-style community".[69] The charter turns ASEAN into a legal entity and aims to create a single free-trade area for the region encompassing 500 million people. President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stated that "This is a momentous development when ASEAN is consolidating, integrating and transforming itself into a community. It is achieved while ASEAN seeks a more vigorous role in Asian and global affairs at a time when the international system is experiencing a seismic shift," he added, referring to climate change and economic upheaval. Southeast Asia is no longer the bitterly divided, war-torn region it was in the 1960s and 1970s." "The fundamental principles include:

a) respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all ASEAN Member States; b) shared commitment and collective responsibility in enhancing regional peace, security and prosperity; c) renunciation of aggression and of the threat or use of force or other actions in any manner inconsistent with international law; d) reliance on peaceful settlement of disputes; e) non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States; f) respect for the right of every Member State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion; g) enhanced consultations on matters seriously affecting the common interest of ASEAN; h) adherence to the rule of law, good governance, the principles of democracy and constitutional government; i) respect for fundamental freedoms, the promotion and protection of human rights, and the promotion of social justice; j) upholding the United Nations Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law, subscribed to by ASEAN Member States; k) abstention from participation in any policy or activity, including the use of its territory, pursued by and ASEAN Member State or non-ASEAN State or any non-State actor, which threatens the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political and economic stability of ASEAN Member States; l) respect for the different cultures, languages and religions of the peoples of ASEAN, while emphasising their common values in the spirit of unity in diversity; m) the centrality of ASEAN in external political, economic, social and cultural relations while remaining actively engaged, outward-looking, inclusive and non-discriminatory; and n) adherence to multilateral trade rules and ASEAN's rules-based regimes for effective implementation of economic commitments and progressive reduction towards elimination of all barriers to regional economic integration, in a market-driven economy".[70]

However, the ongoing global financial crisis was stated as being a threat to the goals envisioned by the charter,[71] and also set forth the idea of a proposed human rights body to be discussed at a future summit in February 2009. This proposition caused controversy, as the body would not have the power to impose sanctions or punish countries who violate citizens' rights and would therefore be limited in effectiveness.[72]