Reference: Charter set for ratification, Bangkok Post, July 9, 2008

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is touting a new improved version of their charter that still clings to the principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of member states, a principle that pretty much cancels out its other high sounding principles including that of human rights. When the secretary general of ASEAN was asked whether the new charter will allow human rights abuses to continue in Burma, he answered as follows: "There are times and opportunities for this issue to be addressed". Translation: "Yes".

Cha-am Jamal
Thailand