Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Saturday cautioned its dialogue partners against meddling with the domestic affairs of its 10 member-states amid sharp international criticism on the treatment of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar and the allegations of extrajudicial deaths in the Philippines.
“We reiterate the call for dialogue partners to honor the valued principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of Asean member states, including respect for the right of every Member State to pursue its national interests free from external interference as enshrined in the United Nations and the Asean Charter,” President Rodrigo Duterte said in his chairman’s statement.
“This reflects the sovereign equality of all States and the reality that productive relations should be based on mutual benefit and respect,” he added.
While enjoying widespread support for her fight against the military junta in their country, Myanmar’s Foreign Secretary and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is being criticized for her failure to address the issue of the Rohingya minority.
Duterte, on the other hand, has been criticized domestically and internationally for his anti-drug campaign which has seen thousands of drug suspects either get killed or jailed.
In the same statement, Duterte said the policy of non-interference has been proven crucial in deepening relations within the bloc and with its partners.
“These are relations that are valued. But they can be much more valuable and stronger if we learn to respect each other’s independence and treat each other as a sovereign equal,” he said.
“Let me say again, relations bear fruit when they are based on mutual respect and benefit. Dialogue relations will be made more productive, constructive if the valued principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of the Asean member states,” he added.
Duterte emphasized how Asean was founded based on mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, equality, and territorial integrity.
“It is time for Asean to finally assert with conviction its position in the international arena,” he said.
“Relations also remain solid if all stakeholders learn to respect and value the peaceful resolution of disputes. In an era where there can be much uncertainty, we must faithfully adhere to the supremacy of the law and rely on the supremacy of rules as responsible members of the international community,” Duterte said.