• 
• 

A confidential draft document obtained by The Nation stated that Asean aimed "to uphold international human-rights standards as prescribed by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and international human-rights instruments to which Asean member states are parties".

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters: "What we have to do is to make the human-rights body both credible and realistic in accordance with the local context.

"We hope that the terms of reference of the human-rights body can be finished by the next summit in Thailand late this year," he said.

According to the draft document, the long-standing tradition of non-interference will stand. Some of the stated principles in the document called for "non-interference in the internal affairs of Asean member states", as well as respecting "the right of every member state to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion".

The Foreign Ministry's top diplomat, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who is the chairman of the drafting committee, said investigative powers for the proposed human-rights body should not be ruled out.

An official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the document fell short of key demands raised by human-rights groups.

Another point of concern, as stated under the section "Responsibility", was that the regional body had to "defend Asean in the case of external interference in the domestic affairs of Asean member states relating to human rights".

If approved, said the official, this would mean the body had to defend Asean's human-rights record against criticism from the United Nations and other international organisations.