Will the human-rights bulldog end up with only rubber teeth?

The Asean human-rights body to be set up by the next summit late this year will be a catalyst to expand the human-rights space of people in the region rather than a tough agency to punish violators, an Asean official said yesterday.

Terms of reference (TOR) prepared by the High Level Panel on the Asean human-rights body tried to balance elements of promotion and protection, said panel chairman Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

It is a matter of speculation whether it will be able to provide real protection to people commonly abused by their own governments.

The TOR so far give no teeth to the body to condemn, investigate or punish any violators such as the notorious Burmese junta.

"We are talking about prevention of human-rights violation. I don't think condemnation makes a difference. As in Geneva, we avoid the shaming game," said Sihasak, who is Thai ambassador to the United Nations and international organisations in Geneva.

The body will be part of an evolutionary process of strengthening human rights in the region, he said.

The Asean foreign ministers on Friday urged the panel to make the body as credible as possible.

That means Asean must address human rights in line with international practice and standards, Sihasak said.

It will set a norm for practice with a declaration of basic rights, he said, and encourage members to access international instruments on human rights.

There are nine major human-rights conventions. Some Asean members, such as Thailand, have acceded to as many as seven, Sihasak said.

In the TOR, the panel suggested each member country nominate an independent representative to the body.

Selection of representatives will depend on each individual member but should be inclusive, Sihasak said.