ASEAN becomes rules-based legal entity

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SINGAPORE, Nov 19 (AFP): Southeast Asian ministers Monday adopted a charter committing the region to promote human rights and democratic ideals, at the start of a summit dominated by the abuses of member state Myanmar.
"It will take us an important step forward," Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said, adding that the landmark document would take "regional integration to a higher level."
The charter, which transforms the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) into a rules-based legal entity along the lines of the European Union, will be signed by the bloc's 10 leaders Tuesday, including Myanmar.
Under the document, which sets out principles and rules for ASEAN for the first time, a human rights body will be established in a region still enraged by Myanmar's September crackdown on anti-government protests.
It comes as Susan Schwab, the most senior US trade official, warned that Asean's credibility was at stake over its handling of the crisis in Burma.
Asean has refused to suspend Burma over the regime's suppression of protests.
US Senators had called for the suspension until the generals show an improved commitment to human rights.
However, a civil society alliance said the charter will be discredited if Myanmar is allowed to sign as it says it plans to do, just weeks after its violent crackdown on dissent that left at least 15 dead.
"We agree with the charter," Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win told reporters after the formal adoption ceremony. "We will sign, sure."