Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A common policy on Human Rights, guaranteed by an ad hoc organism, the ratification of a common charter to enhance the institution’s international credibility, the fight against terrorism, the strengthening of a treaty against nuclear proliferation in the region and a joint initiative on a programme for intervention in natural and environmental disasters as well as greater integration between poor and wealthy coalition members: these are the themes under discussion at the 40th congress of the 10 nation ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) currently underway in Manila.

The crucial point of the talks however, remains the creation of an internal Human Rights body, which has repeatedly provoked delays in the ratification of a common charter.  Even if the group celebrates 40 years since its foundation in 2007, real socio-economic integration in the region still seems distant, impeded by the political differences which pits democratic, or semi democratic nations (Philippine, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia and Singapore) against an absolute monarchy (Brunei), a military dictatorship (Myanmar) and communist states (Vietnam and Laos). The economic differences also loom, with Laos and Cambodia among the world’s poorest nations.

Myanmar’s military junta, consistently condemned for its complete lack of respect for Human Rights, has frequently objected to the insertion of a specific article proposing the birth of a human rights commission, while other more liberal countries, such as the Philippines are pushing for its creation in order to “gain more credibility in the eyes of International public opinion”. The principal of “non-interference” which forbids any one nation interfering in internal issues of an ally nation has so far impeded the establishment of a common policy on the theme of human rights: activists underline that indeed, “the principal of non interference has fed violence carried out” by some regimes and dictatorships present in the region.