Canada's Role in Human Rights and Development in the ASEAN Region

As Canadians celebrated the holidays, one small Southeast Asian country was busy preparing for what could be a monumental year. For the second time in a decade, the Government of Cambodia will hold a one year term as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Human rights activists will be closely observing how Cambodia leads ASEAN’s ongoing effort to develop an intergovernmental system for the protection and promotion of human rights. Although Cambodia has struggled to enforce its own domestic commitments to human rights, the Khmer people’s horrific genocidal past may be inspiration for the government to move an ASEAN human rights framework forward.

In fact, last week Cambodia’s Human Rights Committee chairman Om Yin Tieng voiced the government’s aim to finalize a draft ASEAN Human Rights Declaration by the end of 2012. Cambodia’s leadership understands the strategic importance of maintaining strong regional ties while fulfilling wide political demand for an ASEAN human rights body. How should Canada respond to Cambodia’s new leadership role in ASEAN and increased focus on human rights?

First, Canada should strengthen Canadian-Khmer ties. To start, the government should consider re-opening a permanent diplomatic mission to Cambodia. With our current interests served by the Embassy in Bangkok, we are at a disadvantage compared to other nations, such as Australia and the United States, that have full representation in Phnom Penh.

Second, Canada should applaud Cambodia’s interest in furthering the draft human rights declaration. While human rights violations in Cambodia remain endemic, Canadian rights groups can leverage this unique opportunity to encourage the Cambodian government to become more accountable. Amnesty International has begun such work by requesting greater transparency in the ASEAN human rights dialogue.

Third, Canada should study and support ASEAN’s ongoing human rights work. Canada has a wealth of experience in protecting and promoting human rights and many of our non-profit organizations have long-established relationships with Asia-based civil society groups. Sharing our experience in developing a world class human rights framework could leverage our soft power influence throughout Southeast Asia.

Fourth, Canadian industry should embrace and encourage a more transparent Asia. In 2010, Canadian foreign direct investment (FDI) bound for the ASEAN region reached $7.9 billion. Industry will benefit from an ASEAN human rights mechanism that brings greater transparency and access to information. With a politically-backed human rights declaration, Canadian firms will have greater room to express any business challenges that fall within the “the business and human rights” discourse. That is, an ASEAN rights declaration can offer the business community guidance in clarifying which human rights responsibilities fall on the state and which fall on business.

Finally, the Canadian government must find more ways to connect our young people with the ASEAN community. The ASEAN region is home to nearly 600 million individuals rapidly moving towards economic integration where the working interregional language is English. Canadian governments could encourage youth mobility to the region by allowing newly-minted university graduates an extended grace period on their student loans so they can go abroad and experience Asia.

Overall, Canada will benefit from a strong ASEAN that is committed to improving human rights. We should express our support and find new ways of expanding our regional influence. Indeed, Canada’s opportunity to increase its soft power in Southeast Asia is now.