ASEAN to create human rights body

The 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed on Monday to create a regional human rights body, but the group stuck to its traditionally subdued criticism of Myanmar’s military junta, according to Reuters.

The Philippines’ foreign secretary, Alberto Romulo, said no country could opt out of joining the rights body, which would be established once leaders ratified a mini-constitution for ASEAN in November.

Southeast Asia is hoping a charter will transform ASEAN, whose members include an absolute monarchy and communist states, so it can better compete against China and Japan. But the mandate and scope of the rights body are already up for debate.

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