Asean and the right to development

Re: "Human rights and development, two sides of the same coin", Opinion, December 10.

There is no doubt that living in a world that creates prosperity, preserves dignity and promotes peace is a universal human aspiration.

In accordance with a famous saying, "the new name for peace is development". Therefore, the Asean Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) adopted on November 19 at the 21st Asean Summit, deserves special attention. It has the merit of taking a significant step forward in the process of codification of the right to development and of the right to peace as fundamental individual and collective human rights.

In conformity with the AHRD, the right to development should be fulfilled so as to meet equitably the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations. Asean member states should mainstream the multi-dimensional aspects of the right to development into the relevant areas of Asean community-building and beyond, and work with the world community to promote equitable and sustainable development, fair trade and effective international cooperation.

The years to come will bring the necessary evidence about the extent to which the AHRD provisions on the right to development can be successfully implemented in the Asean region.

Ioan Voicu

Bangkok

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