The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as a regional organization within the Southeast Asian region, has its own dispute resolution mechanism called the “ASEAN Way”. When it involves regionalism, many experts argue that regional organizations resembling the European Union (EU), Organization of African Unity (OAU), and others play a serious role in resolving the inner conflict.
So what’s ASEAN’s path?
To understand the ASEAN Way, we should always understand that ASEAN respects the concept of sovereignty and the principle of non-interference. In this fashion, it was possible to keep up the present peace between the member states. In this mechanism, ASEAN adopts 4 elements that may be called the ASEAN Way.
First, the principle of non-interference. Articles 2(a) and a pair of(b) of the ASEAN Charter state that every one ASEAN members should respect the independence of every country and never interfere of their internal affairs. This principle can be enshrined in Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter. Since ASEAN upholds mutual respect, all internal problems must be solved by its own government.
Secondly, the principle of silent diplomacy. As ASEAN avoids major conflicts between member states that could lead on to war, the private approach becomes one approach to resolve disputes. In short, soft diplomacy becomes the primary and only thing that may be done within the event of a conflict between member states. In this principle, the extent of “comfort” is essential to avoid a rise in bilateral tensions.
Third, the principle of non-use of force. No matter how serious the conflict is, ASEAN member states won’t ever use force to resolve the conflict. Unlike the UN, with which the organization can impose an embargo and conduct military intervention, as within the cases of Somalia (1992) and Rwanda (1994), ASEAN prefers to make use of a casual approach to stop conflict escalation. Instead of carrying out a humanitarian intervention or the so-called military intervention in a case related to human rights violations, ASEAN would supply humanitarian assistance through the ASEAN Coordination Center for Humanitarian Assistance. Moreover, mutual trust is a crucial issue in ASEAN.
Fourth, the principle of decision-making by consensus. In this regional organization, each member has the identical position as decision-makers. So no voting takes place on this process. All issues might be discussed by consensus to search out the perfect solution to the problem.
These elements have created the “ASEAN Way,” which is distinct from other regional organizations. Although many experts have argued that ASEAN is just too soft on some human rights issues, ASEAN has been successful in maintaining peace amongst its members. Therefore, there is no such thing as a conflict that results in war.
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Source :
KATSUMATA, H. (2003). Reconstructing Diplomatic Norms in Southeast Asia: The Case for Strict Adherence to the “ASEAN Way.” Modern Southeast Asia, 25(1), 104-121. Retrieved January 20, 2020 from www.jstor.org/stable/25798630
