The United Nations, based on nation-states and upholding national sovereignty, yet bound by its charter to promote human rights, appears to be the only institution capable of providing an acceptable and comprehensive framework for pursuing dialogue and dispute resolution in this complex field. This is evidenced by increasing accession to U.N. human-rights treaties during the past decade by the ten countries of Southeast Asia constituting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
Human Rights: General Features
Universal understandings of human rights are held together across diverse cultural and religious contexts by a common thread of respect for human dignity, based on ideals of how human beings ought to treat each other. But controversy centers on notions of rights as inalienable entitlements to be enjoyed by all persons. Also, some rights, for example, freedom of religion, may contradict others, as when religious interpretations oppose freedom of expression or the rights of women. Protecting cultures and minority groups can allow imposition of uniform practices on all members.
It is widely agreed that rights and responsibilities go together. But whereas a liberal view would recognize responsibilities to uphold others' rights, authoritarian or totalitarian states, as well as many traditional societies, assume the right to define citizens' responsibilities and make rights conditional on their performance.
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