Doc 30GA/2009/Pol Rep/01
REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL MATTERS
Mr Chairman
I have the honour to submit the following Report on the meeting of the Committee on Political Matters:
1. The Committee on Political Matters met on 5 August 2009 with Hon. Mr. Charoen Kanthawongs as Chairman and Hon. Asst. Prof. Perayot Rahimmula as Rapporteur. The following parliamentarians from AIPA Member Countries attended the meeting:
Brunei Darussalam
1. Hon. Yang Amat Mulia P.S.N. Pengiran Haji Mohd. Yusuf
2. Hon. Mr. Haji Bakar bin Mansor
3. Hon. Dato Paduka Haji Idris Bin Haji Abas
Cambodia
1. Hon. Mr. Pen Pannha
2. Hon. Mr. Un Ning
3. Hon. Mr. Chhit Kim Yeat
Indonesia
1. Hon. Dr. Yusron Ihza
2. Hon. Mr. Asnawi Mardani Tahir
3. Hon. Constant M. Ponggawa
Laos
1. Hon. Dr. Koukeo Akhamountry
2. Hon. Prof. Dr. Boungnong Boupha
Malaysia
1. Hon. Datuk Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar
2. Hon. Mdm. Fuziah Salleh
Philippines
1. Hon. Mr. Eric D. Singson
2. Hon. Mr. Victor F. Ortega
Singapore
1. Hon. Mr. Hawazi Daipi
2. Hon. Dr. Lam Pin Min
3. Hon. Dr. Lim Wee Kiak
Thailand
1. Hon. Mr. Torphong Chaiyasan
2. Hon. Mr. Prasarn Marukpitak
3. Hon. Lt. Col. Kamol Prachuabmoh
4. Hon. Adj. Prof. Pinit Kullavanijaya
5. Hon. Mr. Tuan Abdullah Daudmareyo
6. Hon. Gen. Kasemsak Plooksawat
7. Hon. Mr. Boonchai Chokwatana
Viet Nam
1. Hon. Mr. Ngo Quang Xuan
2. Hon. Mr. Le Bo Linh
3. Hon. Mr. Vu Xuan Hong
Myanmar
1. H.E. Dr. Tun Shin
2. The Meeting was held in the traditional ASEAN spirit of friendship, unity and cooperation. Five resolutions were approved by the Meeting and they are:
A. AIPA’s Role and Contributions to the ASEAN Charter
The Meeting reiterated that AIPA and ASEAN should work closely together to establish an ASEAN Community by 2015 guided by the ASEAN Charter and the AIPA Statute. The Meeting agreed to support efforts of ASEAN to harmonize domestic laws of each Member State.
The Meeting also agreed to further strengthen cooperation and partnership between the two organisations by (1) reforming AIPA organisational structure and (2) setting up a mechanism such as a Joint Committee of AIPA and ASEAN on the Role and Contributions of AIPA to the ASEAN Charter to ensure better coordination between the two organizations in accordance with the ASEAN Charter and the AIPA Statute.
B. Strengthening Democracy and Promotion of Human Rights
The Meeting emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights which is the key element in the realization in ASEAN Community. The AIPA Members will cooperate on promotion and protection of Human Rights of people who lives in the region as one of their priorities.
In this connection, the Meeting noted the important involvement of AIPA in providing recommendations to the High-Level Panel on ASEAN Human Rights Body at their meeting in Brunei. It also welcomed the adoption of the Terms of Reference of ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), at the 42nd ASEAN Foreign Minister Meeting (AMM) in Phuket, Thailand. The TOR would pave the way for the establishment of the Commission at the 15th ASEAN Summit in October 2009. The Meeting reaffirmed AIPA’s commitment to rendering full support to the establishment and the operationalisation of this important body.
C. Interfaith Dialogue for Conflict Prevention and Resolutions.
The Meeting recognized that ASEAN is a region of diverse cultures, religions and beliefs where peoples live in harmony. In this connection, interfaith and intrafaith dialogue should be promoted to create better understanding and further contribute to regional peace and stability.
D. Global and Regional Security Situations.
The Meeting expressed concern over the global and regional security situations which affected regional peace, security and development as well as the livelihood of ASEAN peoples.
The Meeting condemned all acts of terrorism including the recent bombing in Jakarta. The Meeting also urged all AIPA member countries to strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism.
The Meeting agreed to collaborate with ASEAN to realize the ASEAN Political- Security Community based on the guiding principles of the ASEAN Charter.
E. Draft Resolution on the First AIPA Caucus.
The Meeting adopted the Resolution on the First AIPA Caucus held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 26 to 28 April 2009. The venue for the Second AIPA Caucus would be decided at a later date.
The Meeting also adopted the Terms of Reference of AIPA Caucus.
3. On Other Matters, the Meeting took note of the concern raised by Thailand on the development of major infrastructure projects which have cross-border negative impacts over the livelihood of peoples and the environment. The Meeting shared the view that AIPA Member Countries should collectively address this important issue and urge relevant AIPA Committees to seriously consider appropriate approach to tackle this issue.
4. I hereby present the Report of the Committee on Political Matters to the 30th General Assembly.
Thank you.
charoen kanthawongs asst. prof. perayot rahimmula
chairman rapporteur
Res 30GA/2009/Pol/01
Resolution on the Role and Contributions of AIPA to the ASEAN Charter
The Thirtieth AIPA General Assembly:
Aware that the ASEAN Vision 2020 envisioned a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward-looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring societies;
Conscious that the enhanced regional cooperation and the strengthening of ASEAN integration through the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015 will reinforce the centrality and role of ASEAN as the driving force in charting the evolving regional architecture;
Cognizant that the ASEAN Charter was enforced in December 2008 and calls for the role and contributions of AIPA in the creation of an ASEAN Community by 2015;
Mindful that the AIPA Statute similarly provides for institutional cooperation between AIPA and ASEAN and calls for reciprocal attendances of the Chairman of ASEAN at the annual AIPA Assemblies and of the President of AIPA at the annual ASEAN Summits;
Recognizes that the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) is a pillar of an ASEAN Community and the ASEAN Political-Security Blueprint provides a roadmap and timetable for ASEAN and relevant entities associated with ASEAN, of-which AIPA tops the list, to establish the APSC by 2015 and envisages APSC as a rules-based Community of shared values and norms, a cohesive, peaceful, stable and resilient region with shared responsibility for comprehensive security, and a dynamic and outward-looking region in an increasingly integrated and interdependent world;
Encourages by the inaugural summit meeting of the AIPA Delegation and the ASEAN Heads of State/Government during the Fourteenth ASEAN Summit on 28 February 2009 in Cha-am, Thailand which marked a new era of AIPA-ASEAN co-operation and a landmark step of government and parliamentary partnership to achieve and fulfill the goals and objectives of ASEAN;
Welcomes the agreement of the ASEAN and AIPA Leaders in Cha-am to move ahead on five common fronts to establish an ASEAN Community by 2015, namely, bringing the ASEAN Charter as “the Charter for the ASEAN Peoples” to the doorsteps of the ASEAN citizens, holding regular informal meetings between AIPA Leaders and the ASEAN Leaders during future ASEAN summits, assisting ASEAN in the harmonization of laws, a high-level presence of ASEAN at the meetings of the AIPA Caucus, and calling for closer rapport and working relationship between the ASEAN and AIPA Secretary Generals and regular exchanges of their reports. AIPA welcomed the declared intention of the ASEAN Secretary General to meet with the AIPA members during the AIPA General Assembly;
Further welcomes the recommendations of the first meeting of the AIPA Caucus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in mid-April to use the existing channels of cooperation between AIPA and ASEAN to implement the ASEAN Charter.
Hereby calls upon AIPA to:
Implement the five points agreement by the AIPA Delegation and the ASEAN Heads of State/Government at the Informal Meeting of the AIPA Delegation and the ASEAN Heads of States/Government during the Fourteenth ASEAN Summit on Saturday, 28 February 2009 in Cha-am, Thailand, in the Annexed Statement of the President of the National Assembly of Thailand and President of AIPA to the ASEAN Heads of State/Government at the Informal Meeting of the AIPA Delegation and the ASEAN Heads of States/Government Saturday, 28 February 2009, Cha-am, Thailand;
Jointly formulate with ASEAN the procedure and criteria for engagement of AIPA under the article in the ASEAN Charter on the entities associated with ASEAN;
Contribute to the realization of an ASEAN Political-Security Community as a rules-based and a people-oriented ASEAN Community of shared values and norms, a cohesive, peaceful, stable and resilient region with shared responsibility for comprehensive security, and a dynamic and outward-looking region in an increasingly integrated and interdependent world;
Support ASEAN in harmonizing of laws of ASEAN Member States;
Reform the organization and mode of operation of AIPA to transform it in to a more effective regional inter-parliamentary body and to fulfill AIPA’s important mission as the bridge connecting the peoples of ASEAN together;
Establish mechanism of cooperation and information exchange between the Secretariats of ASEAN and AIPA as well as ASEAN Member States’ national legislative body in order strengthen cooperation and partnership, in accordance with the ASEAN Charter and the AIPA Statute;
Provide parliamentary proposals, experiences, expertise, and international parliamentary networks to ASEAN to:
1. cooperate in political development and promote understanding and appreciation of political systems, culture and history of ASEAN Member States, and bring the ASEAN Charter to the peoples;
2. lay the groundwork for an institutional framework to facilitate free flow of information among ASEAN Member States;
3. establish strategic programs for strengthening the rule of law and judiciary systems and legal infrastructure, promote good governance and promotion and protection of human rights;
4. increase the participation of AIPA in moving forward ASEAN political development initiatives and specifically in anti-corruption, democracy, and regional peace and stability;
5. adjust ASEAN institutional framework to comply with the ASEAN Charter;
6. promote regional cooperation to maintain peace and stability and strengthening of ASEAN humanitarian assistance and expand the role and contribution of women in field-based humanitarian operations;
7. cooperate with ASEAN on non-traditional security issues and specifically on transnational crimes, human trafficking, drugs, counter-terrorism, and disaster management and emergency response;
8. response effectively and timely to urgent issues or crisis situations affecting ASEAN;
9. strengthen ASEAN centrality in regional cooperation and community building, promote enhanced ties with external parties, and strengthen consultations and cooperation on multilateral issues of common concern;
Task the AIPA Caucus and/or a working group to implement this Resolution.
Res 30GA/2009/Pol/02
Resolution on Strengthening of Democracy and Promotion of Human Rights
The Thirtieth AIPA General Assembly:
Recognizes that democracy, the rule of law and good governance, and respect for and protection of human rights are the fundamental principles adhered to by the ASEAN Member States and the AIPA Member Parliaments;
Reaffirms the goals and objectives of AIPA that ASEAN is a strong, stable and viable democracy which the ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Citizens shall benefit from;
Supports the goals and objectives of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) to create a rules-based ASEAN Community of shared values and norms by 2015;
Mindful that the APSC ensures that the peoples and the ASEAN Member States live in peace with one another and with the world at large in a just, democratic and harmonious environment;
Aware that the APSC Blueprint promotes political development through regional actions and in adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, human rights, and fundamental freedoms as inscribed in the ASEAN Charter;
Maintains that the ASEAN Member States and the AIPA Member Parliaments shall respect, promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and shall not condone nor tolerate human rights violations and fundamental freedoms rejections in the region;
Encourages by the agreement of the AIPA Delegation and the ASEAN Heads of State/Government at the inaugural informal meeting during the Fourteenth ASEAN Summit on 28 February 2009 in Cha-am, Thailand to create an ASEAN Community together by 2015 and bring the ASEAN Charter “the Charter for the Peoples” to the doorsteps of the ASEAN Citizens;
Further encourages by the outcomes of the consultation between the AIPA Delegation and the High Level Panel on an ASEAN Human Rights Body (HLP) in January 2009 in Brunei Darussalam during which AIPA ascertained to ASEAN that an ASEAN human rights body should be an independent regional human rights organization, provide examinations of human rights cases in the region, and accountable to the ASEAN Citizens;
Welcomes the ASEAN intention to establish an ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights by 2009;
Hereby calls upon AIPA to:
Share experiences, expertise and international parliamentary networks with ASEAN to promote principles of democracy, democratic institutions, gender mainstreaming, popular participation, and voluntary electoral observations;
Take joint measures with ASEAN to promote understanding and appreciation of political systems and the rules of law and good governance, and to implement the ASEAN Charter, with a view to enhance transparency, accountability, participatory and effective governance;
Assist ASEAN to promote education and public awareness on human rights and provide ASEAN with cooperation from external parties such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on democracy and human rights and the rule of law and good governance;
Follow closely the establishment and operationalization of an ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and continue the consultations with ASEAN thereof;
Protect and safeguard the ASEAN Citizens from human rights abuses and human rights violations and rejections of fundamental freedoms, transparency, accountability and effective governance.
Res 30GA/2009/Pol/03
Resolution on Interfaith Dialogue for Conflict
Prevention and ReSolutions
The Thirtieth AIPA General Assembly:
Recognizes that ASEAN is a cradle of civilizations and rich in religious harmony and religious freedom;
Acknowledges that intercultural and inter-religious harmony should be fostered by educating society to accept and appreciate diversities in cultures, histories, and societies and by promoting shared values that will build a common ground among diverse communities;
Believes that interfaith and intrafaith dialogues, religious freedom, and religious harmony are the catalysts for regional stability and the establishment of an ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC);
Supports the culture of peace which includes, inter alia, respect for diversity, promotion of tolerance and understanding of faiths, religions and cultures;
Mindful that the culture of peace, respect and appreciation for the region’s diversity and harmony among the peoples, cultures, histories and religions of the region, and interfaith and intrafaith dialogues are interwoven for an APSC as a rules-based community of shared values and norms, a cohesive, peaceful, stable and resilient region with shared responsibility for comprehensive security, and a dynamic and outward-looking region in an increasingly integrated and interdependent world;
Hereby calls upon AIPA to:
Jointly promote with ASEAN the culture of peace and interfaith dialogue and greater interaction among various religious groups as a means to conflict prevention and confidence building measures, conflict management, and conflict resolutions and pacific settlement of disputes and sectarian violence;
Carry out technical cooperation with ASEAN, international organizations and international parliamentary networks to exchange expertise and experiences in maintaining peace and stability through confidence building measures and interfaith dialogues and interaction.
Res 30GA/2009/Pol/04
Resolution on Global and Regional Security Situations
The Thirtieth AIPA General Assembly:
Gravely concerned with global and regional security situations which are threatening peace and security thus alarmingly affecting the decent and peaceful lives of the peoples and sustainable development of the nation;
Strongly condemns all acts of terrorism happening globally and regionally that have caused the loss of innocent lives such as in Jakarta on 17 July 2009.
Condemns the recent nuclear test and missile launches undertaken by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and urge the DPRK to comply fully with relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and to return to the Six Party Talks
Hereby calls upon AIPA to:
Support the positions and actions of ASEAN, the United Nations, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on global and regional political and security issues of common concern and immediate challenges;
Collaborate with ASEAN to build an ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) as a rules-based Community of shared values and norms, a cohesive, peaceful, stable and resilient region with shared responsibility for comprehensive security, and a dynamic and outward-looking region in an increasingly integrated and interdependent world, through:
1. Promotion of regional peace and stability;
2. Strengthening cooperation under the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and confidence-building measures;
3. Ensuring full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea for peace and stability in the South China Sea;
4. Ensuring the implementation of South East Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, and its Plan of Action;
5. Promotion of greater transparency and understanding of defence policies and security perceptions;
6. Building up the necessary institutional framework to strengthen the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) process in support of the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC);
7. Strengthening conflict resolution and existing modes of pacific settlement of disputes and post-conflict peace-building;
8. Strengthening cooperation in addressing non-traditional security issues, particularly in combating transnational crimes and other transboundary challenges;
9. Intensification of counter-terrorism efforts by early ratification and full implementation of the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism;
10. Urging all ASEAN member government to take strong measure actions against all acts of terrorism together in cooperation;
11. Strengthening ASEAN centrality in regional cooperation and community building;
12. Promotion of enhanced ties with external parties and consultations and cooperation on multilateral issues of common concern.
Res 30GA/2009/Pol/05
RESOLUTION ON THE FIRST AIPA CAUCUS
Pursuant to Resolution No. Res.28GA/2007/Pol/03 adopted at the 28th AIPA General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in August 2007 and Resolution No. Res 29GA/2008/Org/05 adopted at the 29th AIPA General Assembly in Singapore in August 2008 on the Establishment of AIPA Caucus, the First AIPA Caucus was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 26 to 28 April 2009;
Acknowledging that the first AIPA Caucus meeting has formulated the Terms of Reference of the AIPA Caucus;
Further acknowledging that the First AIPA Caucus meeting discussed the Terms of Reference for developing common legislative initiatives with the objective of the harmonization of AIPA legislations;
Noting that laws on transnational crime namely laws on combating drug menace and human trafficking have been selected for the purpose of identifying areas of possible harmonization;
Recognizing the need for further discussion on developing common legislative initiatives and the harmonization of the laws of AIPA member countries;
Taking into cognizance the proposal raised at the First AIPA Caucus meeting on further enhancing AIPA-ASEAN cooperation and interaction at this juncture as ASEAN moves steadily towards realizing the ASEAN Community by 2015;
Hereby resolves to:
Adopt the Terms of Reference of the AIPA Caucus.
Adopt the Final Report of the First AIPA Caucus.