Press Release
July 25, 2010

NEW PEACE TREATY A LEAP FOR ASEAN -- ANGARA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara lauded the recent signing of a friendship and non-aggression pact between the Canadian and ASEAN governments, saying it is a "milestone in the region's continued cooperation and integration process."

"The Philippines' participation affirms our pro-active involvement in the region, our country being a founding member of the ASEAN. At the same time, with Canada as another strong partner in this pact, we will be assured of more support to uphold human rights and democracy in the region," Angara said.

The ASEAN, along with the Philippines, has seen some cases of human rights abuses in the region not only within national bounds, but also at a trans-border scale. In 2008 Thailand sent back ethnic refugees from Myanmar with several reports of human rights abuses. Filipino domestic workers abroad have also complained against abuses by colleagues or principals; while radical Muslim insurgents in Mindanao have implicated ties with jihadists Al-Quaeda, which had plotted terrorist attacks in the world in the past years.

Activists have earlier contended that the ASEAN as a regional body does not have authority to enforce power and uphold human rights. But with the signing of the treaty by the Canadian government, the ASEAN has proven to have improved its human rights records not only in the region, but also to the general international community.

Angara also reminded his counterparts in the ASEAN to, just like the Philippines, be more aggressive in promoting and upholding the rights of women and children, "especially in the midst of threats to violence."

"I am confident that with former CHR Commissioner Leila de Lima now heading the Department of Justice and a new CHR Chair soon to be determined, the Philippines will show the region that we take serious efforts in improving our human rights situation," Angara said.

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