Delegates attend a dialogue session with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), July 11. (Photo: Tuan Anh) |
The issue of “human security” in the development process of ASEAN
Since its inception, human security has been one of the key issues of ASEAN and one of the goals of building the ASEAN Community (AC). ASEAN adopted the concept of “security” during the Cold War, although the Bangkok Declaration did not explicitly mention the word “security”.
At that time, regional cooperation in the security field emphasized cooperation in the military field while maintaining the principle of national sovereignty and the principle of non-interference as stipulated in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) of 1976.
With the shift in security concepts, ASEAN's current policy not only focuses on traditional security concepts but also aims at non-traditional security, although this content is not clearly stated in the ASEAN Charter.
Therefore, the issue of human security is not purely a security issue but also involves political, economic, social and cultural issues. This is included in the content of the provisions in Article 8 of the ASEAN Charter on the principle of comprehensive security.
In addition, natural disasters are considered an important human security issue in the Southeast Asian region. In the ASEAN Political and Security Community (APSC) Blueprint, the reference to the concept of non-traditional security is listed in section 9 of the chapter on the characteristics and elements of the APSC.
The issue of disaster management is explicitly mentioned in the second feature, which is a cohesive, peaceful and resilient region with shared responsibility for comprehensive security.
One of the most important milestones in disaster management in ASEAN after the promulgation of the ASEAN Charter was the adoption of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) in 2009, although it was introduced in 2005.
To carry out this function, ASEAN established the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), which began operating in November 2011, with the function of coordinating disaster management in ASEAN.
In recent years, due to the need to build the ASEAN Community, member countries of the bloc have also gradually adjusted their security approaches, considering the human factor as one of the main components of national security and promoting regional and world integration.
This is reflected in the ASEAN Charter adopted in November 2007 and in the national development programs of member countries.
The adoption of the ASEAN Charter, which emphasizes the issue of human security as stated in the statement: “Adhering to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, respecting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms” (in Section 9 of the Preamble), and the establishment of a human rights body, in line with the objectives and principles of the ASEAN Charter on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, have demonstrated ASEAN's gradual affirmation of the role of human security.
The birth of AC and the affirmation of the goal of building a people-oriented and people-centered community is the clearest demonstration of the importance of human security issues to ASEAN's development goals.
Obstacles of the “ASEAN Way” in Addressing Human Security Challenges
ASEAN was originally established to provide security for the Southeast Asian region and not to integrate the economic sectors of its member states or to establish supranational organizations. ASEAN further strengthened cooperation in the field of defense and security, specifically by issuing the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN) declaration in 1971 and secondly, in the 1976 Bali Conference that created the TAC.
ASEAN seeks to create regional security and defense stability by enhancing cooperation in the social, economic and cultural fields. At that time, regional cooperation in the security field focused on military cooperation while maintaining the principles of non-interference and national sovereignty as set out in the 1976 TAC.
The principles of national sovereignty and non-interference set forth in the TAC have become the legal basis for ASEAN's mechanisms in resolving issues in Southeast Asia as well as in dealing with member states.
This ASEAN mechanism is called the “ASEAN Way”, which is the core of ASEAN security culture and includes several elements, namely: sovereign equality, non-use of force, non-intervention by ASEAN in bilateral conflicts, quiet diplomacy, mutual respect and tolerance.
The concept of the ASEAN Way itself is a principle that has evolved and originated from the tradition of Southeast Asian countries, especially in Indonesia, in solving a problem, namely the principle of discussion and consensus.
It can be seen that the principle of national sovereignty and non-interference is at the heart of the “ASEAN Way”. This principle is strongly implemented by ASEAN member countries in the Southeast Asian region.
In some cases, such as in relations between countries or in resolving conflicts occurring within the territory of an ASEAN member country, this principle is considered a quite effective guideline to prevent conflicts from arising in relations between these countries.
However, when it comes to dealing with human security issues in Southeast Asia, especially responding to natural disasters, the application of the principles of national sovereignty and absolute non-interference in Southeast Asia by ASEAN member countries still faces certain challenges.
Although ASEAN is deeply aware of the role of “human security” in the region, it faces a core challenge to ensure human security, which is the “ASEAN Way” with its core principles of “state sovereignty” and “non-interference”.
The weakness of the “ASEAN Way” as the “ASEAN Mechanism for Disaster Management in Southeast Asia” is the principle that the state is primarily responsible for managing disasters occurring in a given area of the country. The state has the ultimate responsibility to protect its citizens affected by disasters by ensuring the realization of human rights.
However, the principle of absolute State sovereignty and non-intervention according to the “ASEAN Way” will not be successful in solving human security problems, especially in the case of major natural disasters at national borders as well as when armed conflicts occur that the country is unable or unwilling to handle.
This is also influenced by the differences in perspectives and objectives between the concept of the “ASEAN Way” and the concept of human security, reflected in a number of points such as:
(i) The “ASEAN Way” emphasizes that the object of security is the sovereign nation-states and in some cases the “peoples” of Southeast Asia. On the other hand, “human security” emphasizes the object is the individual;
(ii) The “ASEAN way” identifies the nation-state as the appropriate security guarantor and enforcer, while “human security” identifies the global community as the security guarantor;
(iii) The “ASEAN Way” promotes gradual and voluntary cooperation of states to achieve comprehensive security, while “human security” advocates short- and medium-term decisive action with or without the cooperation of one state with another.
Delegates attending the 37th meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights from May 22-26 in Bali, Indonesia. (Source: asean.org) |
ASEAN's Perspectives on Human Security
Although ASEAN faces certain obstacles in addressing human security issues, it also has many prospects in promoting human security in the region. For example, ASEAN can leverage ASEAN-led cooperation mechanisms in the region to promote cooperation with partners on human security issues.
A typical example is that when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, ASEAN was also relatively successful in promoting cooperation with partners in responding to the pandemic and recovering from the pandemic.
In addition, ASEAN can leverage its own agencies to ensure human security. For example, the ASEAN agency with authority in responding to natural disasters in the region is the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Center (AHA).
In addition, the role of the ASEAN Secretary-General (the manifestation of ASEAN as an independent international organization distinct from its member countries) in humanitarian emergency response situations also needs to be strengthened.
Currently, the role of the ASEAN Secretary-General remains under the control of the member states, limited to the role of coordinator of humanitarian assistance in disaster response. The ASEAN Secretary-General could play a more active role in ensuring human security in the Southeast Asian region.
For example, the ASEAN Secretary-General may make a prompt decision and cooperate with other parties in seeking and receiving humanitarian assistance to member countries affected by natural disasters in cases where the latter are unable or unwilling to respond. This is only done as a form of ensuring the realization of the human rights of disaster victims.
In addition, ASEAN can further promote the role of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), established in October 2009 as an ASEAN consultative body. The Commission promotes and protects human rights and regional cooperation on human rights among ASEAN members.
Human security is one of the key issues for ASEAN, especially for the future development of a people-oriented, people-centered ASEAN Community. ASEAN must prioritize ensuring self-sufficiency, food self-sufficiency and security in the region through innovative solutions to achieve comprehensive human security.
At the same time, the issue of human security is also one of the important contents that Vietnam is aiming for according to the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress. In the orientation for national development in the period of 2021-2030, our Party determined: "Strengthening social development management, ensuring social progress and equity, sustainability in social policies, especially social welfare, social security, and human security".
Among the six key tasks of the 13th Congress term is the task of "Arousing the aspiration to develop a prosperous and happy country; preserving and promoting cultural values and the strength of the Vietnamese people in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland and international integration; implementing well social policies, ensuring social security and human security; improving the quality of life and happiness index of the Vietnamese people"...
Therefore, clarifying the issue of human security for ASEAN contributes to promoting the connection between Vietnam and ASEAN in the common development goals of the region.
The weakness of the “ASEAN Way” as the “ASEAN Mechanism for Disaster Management in Southeast Asia” is the principle that the state is primarily responsible for managing disasters occurring in a given area of the country. The state has the absolute responsibility to protect its citizens affected by disasters by ensuring the implementation of human rights. However, the principle of absolute state sovereignty and non-intervention under the “ASEAN Way” will not be successful in solving security issues, especially in the case of major disasters at national borders as well as when armed conflicts occur that the country is unable or unwilling to handle. |
(*) Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
(**) People's Security Academy
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