The new ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asia Nations) Constitution signed in Singapore in November 2007 is claimed to commit to promoting human rights and democracy of the regions, an agency is to be set up to monitor the rights across the region.This monitoring is based on the principles of consensus-based and non-interference on internal affairs of one another, and further protects all members from the interference put forth by other nations. This non-interference principle implies the reluctance of compliance and adherence to universal rights and democracy especially by the staunchest supporters like Myanmar/Burma, Cambodia and Laos. The monk-crushing Myanmar/Burma has greatly affected the reputation of ASEAN in the west, further complicated the group's effort to form a trade bloc, by which EU has hinted as a stumbling block for free trade negotiations.
The 10-nation ASEAN comprises of Myanmar/Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and Philippines. As globalisation sets in from all corners, inter-dependence has become increasingly important. In order to grow and compete in international stage, ASEAN must drop its non-interference policy and moves towards constructive intervention, to act with credibility and legitimacy as a regional organization. The non-interference policy has allowed the problems in Myanmar/Burma to persist, as members are prevented from criticizing, let alone sanctioning a nation that severely violates the human rights and shows no urgency in moving towards democratic reform. Without concrete actions to promote human rights and democracy according to international standards, the ambition of ASEAN to become a next 'European Union'-like success will fall far short in reality, if leaders are just contended in rhetoric form rather than making it a fact instead.
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