“People-Oriented” ASEAN Undermines Civil Society Efforts at Regional Conference

The theme of this year’s ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum 2011 (ACSC/APF) was, as it turned out, ironically “Claiming a People-Centered ASEAN for a Just Global Community.” Despite the determined efforts of civil society groups throughout the region, as the events of the week transpired it was clear that the ASEAN leaders had re-claimed ASEAN for itself, rather than the people.

Beginning with an inspiring keynote video message from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that received a standing ovation from regional civil society, the week ended with a shocking undermining of civil society, with ASEAN leaders actively controlling what should have been an open and transparent opportunity for dialogue between the leaders of ASEAN and the people […]

Letter to Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to ASEAN

Dear Excellency H.E. Amb. U Nyan Lynn,

On behalf of the Committee of the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum, I would like to convey our heartfelt thanks for the communication and coordination from the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the idea of people’s participation and engagement and the Informal […]

Statement of Representatives of 2011 ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum to the Informal Meeting Between ASEAN Leaders and Civil Society

We are representing the participants of the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum (ACSC/APF). The ACSC/APF brought together 1,300 participants, working on a wide diversity of issues in ASEAN countries. We met from May 3-5 to share updates on our work to deal with the critical challenges facing […]

The Rocky Road to Interface

As of 1.30 p.m. on 7th of May 2011, the struggle to establish a genuine and meaningful dialogue between Civil Society and ASEAN’s Heads of Government at 4.00 p.m. today remains a stark and troubling reality. Up until 3.30 a.m. this morning (7th May 2011), the country delegates representing the peoples of ASEAN through the ACSC/APF process […]

Statement of the 2011 Asean Civil Society Conference/Asean Peoples’ Forum

During the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum 2011 (ACSC/APF) in Jakarta, Indonesia, the 1,300 delegates gathered to discuss key concerns confronting the peoples of ASEAN, and produced the statement linked within.[…]

Burmese Civil Society Groups Face Impasse at Asean Summit

A delegation of civic groups from inside Burma that are backed by the government and a separate delegation of independent pro-democracy groups from outside Burma were unable to agree on who would represent the combined groups at the May 7 interface meeting with Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) leaders in Jakarta, Indonesia […]

Asean civil society battles govt domination

Civil society groups say Asean governments have again thrown cold water on any attempt at engagement and taken control of nominations and agenda-setting for Saturday’s Interface meeting between leaders of the two sides.

Thai NGO Coordinating Committee secretary-general Suntaree Saeng-ging said on Wednesday the Thai government, and many other governents, had independently appointed representatives and it was not clear who would attend […]

Varied Challenges to Civil Liberties Persist in ASEAN; Vietnamese Debate Human Rights and State Progress

Civil Liberties in Southeast Asia are under threat from government policies and actions, according to civil society participants of the “Challenges to Civil Liberties in the ASEAN Region” workshop on the 2nd day of the ASEAN Civil Society Conference / ASEAN People’s Forum 2011 […]

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Message to ASEAN Civil Society at ACSC/APF 2011

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi addresses civil society and people’s movements at the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum (ACSC/APF) 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia […]

Human Rights Experts Call on ASEAN to Support an Investigation into Violations in Burma

The Vice-Chair of the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Nurkholis, today called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to support a UN investigation into business and human rights violations in Burma. Mr. Nurkholis made his statement as a member of the experts panel at regional civil society’s first Public Hearing on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Human Rights in ASEAN held in Jakarta today […]