Human rights should dominate ASEAN agenda: AI

Leaders of the group would gather between Friday and Sunday in resort beach of Cha-Am for the summit to build up the Asean community.

 Foreign ministers of the group are scheduled to endorse a report prepared by High Level Panel on the Asean Human Right Body.

However, specific human right issue such as the plight of Rohingya boatpeople would not be discussed in the main agenda.

"The treatment of the Rohingya boat people has highlighted the urgent need for regional action on human rights," said Donna Guest, Amnesty International's Asia Pacific Deputy Director. 

"ASEAN must act now to address human rights concerns in Southeast Asia, many of which are having a negative impact regionally and even globally."

On the eve of the summit in Thailand, AI said that while Asean has made a start in recognizing human rights concerns in the region, much more needs to be done.

All members of Asean have now ratified the Asean Charter, which contains several provisions addressing human rights, including one that calls for the establishment of a human rights body. 

AI said that this body must be strong, professional, independent, and representative and apply international standards. 

Plight of Rohingya boatpeople was highlighted recently since the Thai Navy was accused of towing nearly 1,000 boatpeople out and abandoned them at the high sea with little food and water.