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INVESTMENT ROADSHOWS FUTILE WITHOUT
- Subject: INVESTMENT ROADSHOWS FUTILE WITHOUT
- From: altsean@xxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 02:29:00
Subject: INVESTMENT ROADSHOWS FUTILE WITHOUT SOUND FUNDAMENTALS
For immediate release: July 23, 1999
INVESTMENT ROADSHOWS FUTILE WITHOUT SOUND FUNDAMENTALS
- DISPLAYS POINTLESS IF ASEAN IS ?IMPOTENT?
Singapore, Fri Human rights activists said Asean roadshows and displays of
unity were pointless if the regional grouping failed to recognise that human
beings were the most important element of any economy.
Ms Debbie Stothard, Coordinator of Altsean-Burma said: ?Instead of trying to
impress potential investors with light and sound, Asean must first address
the festering human problems in the region, including Burma. Selectively
using ?non-interference? as a convenient excuse for inaction is
unacceptable.
?Asean appears to be impotent to solve the life-and-death problems faced by
millions in the region. It should get its fundamentals right and work
concertedly to ameliorate the root causes of these problems first.
Otherwise, Band-Aid solutions will only perpetuate the cycle of human rights
abuses, displaced people, increased instability and the consequent economic
and social costs.?
Responding to the keynote address of Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong
at the opening of the 32nd Asean Ministerial Meeting this morning, the
activists said progress to resolve economic weaknesses were slow and
unsustainable because the lack of genuine commitment to accountability and
transparency prevailed amongst its members.
Dr Chee Soon Juan of the Open Singapore Centre said: ?In addition to
deliberately withholding or manipulating information, many Asean members use
security laws such as the Internal Security Act and controls to discourage
citizens from asking questions. Fear and intimidation is not at all
consistent with the accountability and transparency rhetoric used by Asean
leaders.?
Ms Alison Wee of SUARAM said: ?Asean must stop the selective and
hypocritical abuse of ?non-interference?. Pushing for economic reforms and
integration already constitute an interference.
?Asean that it was formed as a political organisation in 1967 to peacefully
resolve and prevent conflicts in the region. It now appears that Asean would
rather think about cash instead the people.?
Mr Wilson Lucente concluded that the lack of civil and political rights in
many Asean countries allowed greater erosion of their economic, social and
cultural rights. ? If the governments were responsive to the people?s
concerns, many of the tragic human impacts of the crisis could have been
reduced.
?Now is a good time for Asean to regain its soul by recognising the
indivisibility and universality of human rights.?
ENDS
Enquiries: Open Singapore Centre, Tel: 65 358 0548
Altsean-Burma, Tel: 662 275 1811
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A L T S E A N - B U R M A
Alternative Asean Network on Burma
Tel: 66 2 275 1811 * Fax: 66 2 693 4515
<altsean@xxxxxxxxxx>