Largest-ever ASEAN Civil Society Conference Urges Regional Governments to Establish Human Rights Protection Mechanisms

Paris, Rangoon, 25 March 2014: ASEAN leaders must listen to the voices of civil society and grassroots organizations in the region, FIDH and its member organization ALTSEAN-Burma said at the conclusion of the 10th ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum (ACSC/APF), which was held in Rangoon from 21 to 23 March 2014 […]

Over 3,000 Participants at Largest Ever ASEAN Civil Society Conference / ASEAN Peoples’ Forum

Over 3,000 individuals and delegates from civil society organizations (CSOs), peoples’ and grassroots organizations representing the ASEAN region as well as Timor Leste and beyond, joined together in solidarity in Yangon, Myanmar from March 21 – 23, 2014 for what became the largest ever gathering of ASEAN Civil Society Conference and ASEAN peoples’ Forum (ACSC/APF) since its inception in 2005. The record-breaking regional conference, held at the Myanmar Convention Center in Yangon, was also the largest of its kind in Myanmar’s recent history[…]

ACSC/APF 2014 is Burma’s Chance to Set a Positive Benchmark for ASEAN Civl Society

On 21-23 March, the 2014 ASEAN Civil Society Conference (ACSC), otherwise known as the ASEAN People’s Forum (APF), will take place in Rangoon, Burma.  The ACSC/APF is held annually by the ASEAN Chair country – currently Burma – in advance of and parallel to the official ASEAN Summit, which will be held in May and attended by ASEAN and regional leaders.

The ACSC/APF is the showcase event for the ASEAN civil society community.  Civil society actors from across the ten ASEAN countries, as well as Timor Leste, and beyond will be coming to Rangoon to attend a range of programs, events and workshops on a variety of ASEAN issues.   Their mandate is to represent the voices of the people of ASEAN.  The theme of this year’s ACSC/APF is “Advancing ASEAN People’s Solidarity toward sustainable peace, development, justice and democratization”.

It’s “All Systems Go” for Largest ASEAN Civil Society Conference in Myanmar

It’s “all systems go” for the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum (ACSC/APF) 2014, which will be held in Yangon on March 21-23. The conference, expected to attract 1,200 participants from diverse grassroots, national and regional organizations, could be the largest regional civil society conference held in Myanmar in recent years. This week, members of […]

ASEAN Civil Society Organizations Reaffirms Commitment for Independent Peoples’ Forum at 4th Regional Consultation Meeting

Participants of the 4th Regional Consultation Meeting reinforced their commitment to maintain inclusiveness and independence of the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum (ACSC/APF) 2014. The ACSC/APF, which will be held in Yangon on March 21-23, could be the largest regional civil society conference held in Myanmar in contemporary history.

Rights Groups Call on ASEAN to Implement New Declaration on Eliminating Violence Against Women and Children in Accordance with International Standards

Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists called on members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to increase efforts to protect the rights of women and children in light of the newly adopted Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Elimination […]

Where is the Benefit for the People of Burma?

The international community’s praising of the Burma government continues amid serious problems in the country. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon commended Burma’s “unprecedented reform” as President Thein Sein accepted the long-awaited ASEAN helm on 10 October in Brunei, an opportunity the country’s leaders were forced to give up in 2006 because of the dire human rights situation at the time.

Despite the ongoing serious violations of fundamental human rights throughout Burma, ASEAN made the decision of granting Burma the chairmanship in 2011. The grouping of ASEAN itself is shaky and suffering from a big gap in the level of democratization among its member states. ASEAN is also quickly approaching its 2015 deadline for economic integration. Handing the chair in this very important time to a member state in transition can create opportunities for the region as Burma reengages with the West, but on the other hand, the decision is also risky, especially when it entails a chair who will predictably be influenced by China, at least on the matter of the disputed South China Sea […]

Progress of Preparation for the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum (ACSC/APF) 2014

Members of National Organizing Committee of ACSC/APF 2014 and representatives of Myanmar civil society organizations (CSOs) met with representatives of regional and ASEAN national CSOs from Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and, Singapore on August 4 and 5 in Yangon to plan for the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum (ACSC/APF) during Myanmar’s chair of ASEAN in 2014 […]

Myanmar’s religious violence a threat to Southeast Asia’s security

Continuing inter-religious violence in Myanmar is spilling over into neighbouring countries as seen in recent
attacks between groups within the Myanmar migrant community in Kuala Lumpur. If left unchecked, such
spillovers will pose a threat to Southeast Asian security and stability […]

Alternative Trade Groups on ASEAN Economic Integration in 2015: “A Hazy Future for the People”

Two years before the economic integration of the Southeast Asian economies, critics of neoliberal policies and the current global trade and investment regime, alternative trade campaigners and human rights activists raised concerns over the existing trade and investment policies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member-governments and the effects of these policies to the peoples and communities in the region […]