Statement: The ASEAN We Want

June 20, 2019 

In 2009, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) based in Southeast Asia and working closely with local communities on environment, social and human rights issues, proposed the ASEAN-Civil Society Dialogue on Environment[1] as a framework to dialogue with ASEAN.  The proposed framework asked that “ASEAN should launch a fourth Strategic Pillar on Environment and prepare a blueprint that commits the member states to place international best practices on environmental sustainability at the center of decision-making.” The framework outlined three core themes of concern for dialogue:

Despite growing evidence that environmental destruction and degradation are the main causes of livelihood insecurity and violation of peoples’ rights in the ASEAN region, there have been no improvements by governments, businesses and corporations in addressing environmental problems over the past decade. Instead, people are witnessing and experiencing rapid losses of land, water sources, forests, minerals, biodiversity and good air quality. The impacts of climate change have already resulted in tremendous uncertainty about peoples’ futures, especially those who live in ecologically and economically vulnerable conditions.

ASEAN’s prioritization of economic integration and linkages to build the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) has encouraged member countries to welcome foreign investors with little regard to the negative impacts on people’s territories, livelihoods and economic conditions. Backed by politically and financially powerful countries and international financial institutions, private investors have become increasingly more aggressive in their demands to ASEAN governments, and wield far greater influence over policy and law making than ten years ago.  By agreeing to investor protection mechanisms such as Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), ASEAN governments have weakened their abilities to protect local populations, environments and public interest from encroachments  by investors.

On the occasion of the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand from 20-23 June 2019, we, peoples, communities and CSOs from Southeast Asia, and members of concerned international communities, present our hopes and demands for a just, prosperous and genuinely sustainable ASEAN.  Given our experiences and the trends we have witnessed in the region and globally, we want an ASEAN where:

1. The value of nature as the basis of life and foundation for sustainable development is recognized and respected by all, and not reduced to monetary value and pricing.
2. Public interest is understood as upholding the needs of majority of the population, not the interests of elite and wealthy members of society.
3. Economic development does not destroy or degrade the environment and undermine the livelihoods and rights of local peoples and communities.
4. Resources are distributed and governed to ensure equitable access, especially with regard to critical resources such as food, land, water and energy, and for economically and socially vulnerable peoples/communities.
5. The roles and importance of local communities in protecting and regenerating the vitality of eco-systems and natural wealth are recognized, respected and upheld by governments;

further, the ancestral territories of indigenous peoples are appropriately recognized and respected, and their roles in environmental conservation are promoted and supported.

6. Diversity means that different ethnic nationalities and genders can practice their cultures with full social and legal support, and are protected against prejudice and discrimination.

7. Peoples’ visions and practices of food sovereignty, agroecology and environmental stewardship are realized and supported in all their dimensions.

8.Governments put the needs and aspirations of local communities, food producers, workers and indigenous peoples over the interests of corporations and businesses. Especially important here are the needs of women and youth in all sectors and strata.

9. The investments made by local people and communities in producing food and protecting their environments are protected by law, and respected over those of private, corporate investors.

10. Human rights—individual and collective—are upheld in each country as well as regionally, and there are measures to correct past and continuing inequities, inequalities, and injustices. Especially important here are the rights of women, indigenous peoples and workers.

11. There are no evictions, displacement, dispossession and resettlement of local populations, and peoples’ access to the commons are not restricted or lost.

12. The rule of law protects people and the environment, not businesses and corporations, and ensures justice for all, especially the most vulnerable and historically marginalized and exploited.

13. Investor protection provisions (including ISDS) are removed from trade and investment laws and agreements, and investors are held legally accountable for negative impacts and human rights abuses resulting from their projects.

14. A low carbon and non-extractivist development model is adopted by all countries.

Overall, we ask for a common and collective understanding that “A people-centred ASEAN” cannot be achieved unless the roles, rights and livelihoods of people are sincerely respected and upheld by ASEAN governments and other relevant actors, specially businesses and corporations. We look forward to a real, meaningful dialogue with ASEAN governments, and to working with you to build a better region.

Signed By

1. 3S Rivers Protection Network (3SPN), Cambodia
2. Aksi for gender, social and ecological justice, Indonesia
3. Alliance for Conflict Transformation (ACT), Cambodia
4. Alternative Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM), Philippines
5. ALTSEAN-BURMA
6. Assembly of the Poor Pak Mun Dam, Thailand
7. Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), Philippines
8. Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (Farm Workers Union), Philippines
9. Asian NGO Coalition (ANGOC)
10. Ayeyawady Youth Network, Myanmar 
11. Bago Woman Development Group, Myanmar
12. Bayay Sibuyanon, Inc., Philippines
13. Baywatch Foundation, Philippines
14. Both ENDS, Netherlands
15. CamASEAN Youth’s Future (CamASEAN), Cambodia
16. Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), Cambodia
17. Cambodian Human Rights Action Coalition (CHRAC), Cambodia
18. Cambodia Labour Confederation (CLC), Cambodia
19. Cambodian Volunteers for Society, Cambodia
20. Centre for Social Research and Development (CSRD), Vietnam
21. Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (CCFC), Cambodia
22. Citizen Action for Transparency (CAFT), Myanmar
23. Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL)
24. Comité pour le respect des Droits Humains “Daniel Gillard,” Belgium
25. Community Peace-building Network (CPN), Cambodia
26. Community Resource Centre Foundation (CRC), Thailand
27. Community Response Group (COMREG), Myanmar
28. Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC), Cambodia
29. Culture and Environment Preservation Association (CEPA), Cambodia
30. Culture Identity and Resources Use Management (CIRUM), Vietnam
31. Dawei Development Association (DWA), Myanmar
32. Dawei Probono Lawyer Network, Myanmar
33. Dawei Watch Foundation (DWF), Myanmar
34. EarthRights International
35. Ecological Justice Interfaith Movement (ECOJIM), Philippines
36. Environics Trust, India
37. ETO Watch Coalition, Thailand
38. Europe Solidaire Sans Frontière (ESSF), France
39. Focus on the Global South
40. Forum Against Disastrous project in Konkan, India
41. Foundation for Environmental and Natural Resources (FENR), Thailand
42. Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), Philippines
43. Friends of the Earth, Japan
44. GRAIN
45. Green Innovation and Development Centre (GreenID), Vietnam
46. Greenpeace Thailand
47. Human Rights Lawyers Association
48. Indian Social Action Forum, India.
49. International Accountability Project
50. International Rivers
51. Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG), Myanmar
52. Kanlat Metta Organization, Shan State, Myanmar 
53. Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN), Myanmar
54. Karen Rivers Watch, Myanmar
55. KIARA, Indonesia
56. Kruha, Indonesia
57. Khmer Kampuchea Krom for Human Rights and Development Association (KKKHRDA), Cambodia
58. LAIN Technical Support Group, Myanmar
59. Land Core Group, Myanmar
60. Land In Our Hands, Myanmar 
61. Laos Dam Investment Monitor (LDIM), Thailand
62. Law and Policy of Sustainable Development Research Centre (LPSD), Viet Nam
63. Living River Association, Thailand
64. Malaysian Youth League, Malaysia
65. Mandalay Community Centre, Myanmar
66. Mekong Butterfly, Thailand
67. Mekong Community Institute Association, Thailand 
68. Mekong Delta Youth (MDY), Vietnam
69. Mekong Legal Network
70. Mekong Wetland University Network, Vietnam
71. Mekong Energy and Ecology Network (MEENet)
72. Mekong Watch, Japan
73. Migrant Forum Asia 
74. MiningWatch Canada
75. Minority Rights Organization (MIRO-Cambodia)
76. Mong Pan Youth Association, Myanmar
77. Myanmar Cultural Research Society (MCRS), Myanmar
78. Myanmar People Alliance (MPA), Shan State, Myanmar
79. NGO Forum on Cambodia, Cambodia
80. Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica, Myanmar
81. Pace On Peaceful Pluralism, Myanmar
82. Pakistan Fisherfok Forum, Pakistan
83. Paungku, Myanamar  
84. People and Nature Reconciliation, Vietnam
85. People’s Empowerment Foundation, Thailand
86. Perlumpulan AEER, Indonesia
87. Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (KUASA), Malaysia
88. Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), Philippines
89. Program on Alternative Development, University of the Philippines Centre for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS AltDev), Philippines
90. Project Sevana South-East Asia
91. Qadir Law Associates, Pakistan
92. Radio Emergency Communications Network Philippines, Inc. (RECON Philippines) 
93. Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD), Thailand
94. River Basin Friends, India.
95. Salween Basin Community Network, Mae Hong Son, Thailand
96. Shwechinthae Social Support Group, Myanmar  
97. Sibuyanons Against Mining (SAM), Philippines
98. Southern Youth Organization, Tanintharyi, Myanmar
99. STAR Kampuchea, Cambodia
100. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), Malaysia
101. Summer Shelter Library, Shan State, Myanmar 
102. Synergy-social harmony organization, Myanmar 
103. Taunggyi Education Network, Myanmar
104. The Corner House, UK
105. UNLAD-BLFFA, Philippines
106. Urgent Initiative, Philippines 
107. World Rainforest Movement
108. Worker’s Information Centre (WIC), Cambodia
109. Women’s Network for Unity, Cambodia
110.  Youth Resource Development Program (YRDP), Cambodia
     

The declaration of the 9th August 2018

On Xe Pian-Xe Nam Noy Dam

Today, Thursday the 9th of August, the gathering of people and the civil society groups occurs at the same time in Bangkok, Thailand and in Seoul, South Korea. Two networks are organizing the two forums, first, the Laos Dam Investment Monitor (LDIM) and the Coordinated Response Team of the Korean Civil Societies for the Xe Pian-Xe Nam Noy Dam Collapse.

In accordance to the contents of our discussion, and the analysis from knowledgeable participants in the two forums, LDIM and the Korean Civil Society Taskforce wish to state and publicize our standpoints and proposal in relating to the Xe Pien- Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam in Lao PDR as below;  

Firstly – STOP - Xe Pian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam has no legitimacy to continue – First of all, we are acknowledge that, as the result of the Xe Pien Xe Nam Noy Dam collapse on the 23rd of July, the Laos cabinet have announced on the 7th of August to carry out inspections to all existing dams in the country and decided to suspend the consideration of new investments in hydropower projects in order to review its hydropower development strategy and plans. Without knowing the next step planning take by the government of Lao PDR, we declare our understanding that Xe Pien-Xe Nam Noy project has lost its total legitimacy to continue its original function as a hydropower dam. The dam that was planned to only sell electricity to Thailand to add up on top of the high percentage of energy surplus that Thailand already has, has killed at least 35 people and is causing long-term suffering of another tens of thousands of people in both Lao PDR and Cambodia. The natural resources and the environment from the disaster are beyond description.  Laos government and the consortium of the companies need to put their primary emphasis on the operation to rescue and bring back the most possible security to peoples’ lives and future, and also the recovery of an environment that is being destroyed. The severe impacts of the collapse that has been witnessed by the world needs to be admitted and learn from by the investment actors involve. After all, the investors, Laos government, the Korean government and the Thai energy authority need to accept the fact that Xe-Pien-Xe Nam Noy is now only carrying the role of an important symbol of the people, country and the global tragedy.

Secondly – DECLARATION - The most transparency and urgently declaration by the investors and authorities involved need to be in place now – The impact of Xe Pien-Xe Nam Noy collapse has gone beyond the border of the country. The expectation of the Thai, Korean, and global communities can only be met by seeing the formal and proper apologies by the SK Engineering & Construction (SK E&C), Korea Western Power (KOWEPO), the Thai power company Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding (RATCH) and Lao Holding State Enterprise (LHSE), in a close cooperation with the Laos government and the electricity of Thailand to the people of Lao PDR and Cambodia. The apologies have to be the first step to-wards a clear declaration on the responsibility of each investment beneficiary of the project towards lives and livelihood of the people and resources belonging to Xe Pien Xe Nam Noy, rivers and the surrounding environment.

The process of inspection by the Laos and Korean government on the overseas investment of public corporation or private sector such as the two Korean company and Thai’s Ratch is necessary. The process of public money being used as the Official Development Assistance (ODA) in Korea also necessary to be declared and investigated by the public. The responsibility by law and other legitimate frameworks and measurements need to be declared to the public, to allow the most systematic monitoring and role-taking of any people, communities, and groups that are willing to engage to the mission that can ensure the better situation and recovery  of the affected peoples’ future, both in Lao PDR and Cambodia.

Finally, but importantly, we state the necessity of the companies and the governments for NOT putting the compensation cost back to the electricity bill and the public fund that is paid by the Thai, Korean and the Laos citizenry. The companies and the consortium of beneficiaries needs to bear the cost solely for the compensation for the disaster that just occurred.

With the three issues stated in this declaration, we, the Laos Dam Investment Monitor and the Coordinated Response Team of the Korean Civil Societies for the Xe Pian-Xe Nam Noy Dam Collapse, state the most important need for the participation of Laos, neighbouring countries, and the people from outside of the country to be welcomed by the Laos government. With this, we declare our commitment to continue our monitoring and work that is needed in relating to the project’s cessation – declaration and the compensation with the close involvement of the Laos government, the Korean government and the Thai government with its energy authority, in order to ensure the dignity and security of people in Lao PDR and Cambodia, the sustainability of natural resources and the environment that means everything to us. 

 Laos Dam Investment Monitor (LDIM)

And;

The Coordinated Response Team of the Korean Civil Societies

for the Xe Pian-Xe Nam Noy Dam Collapse

Manifesto of Thai and Cambodian Farmers and Peoples

From the Meeting in Surin Province, Northeastern Thailand

12 July 2016

We, farmers and peoples of Thailand and Cambodia, have met and shared information and opinions regarding changing ways of life: how large-scale investment both in Thailand and Cambodia, particularly sugar industry have directly impacted our livelihoods.

We understand that sugar plantations, sugar plants and related industries are large-scale enterprises generating massive income for the owner. The produce is not sugar per se, but also that of downstream industries including ethanol plants and biomass power plants. The larger the industry, the more profits generated.

Overseas investment of large-scale sugar plantation and industry as well as downstream industries is expanding across the border in this region: from painful experiences of Thai farmers who engaged in sugar plantation, including indebtedness, extensive chemical use, and land loss, which is not well known to the public; to the current land grabbing by sugar industry in Cambodia and Lao PDR.

With this manifesto, we call on:

1.      Thai companies, the investors of sugar industry, must be held accountable, particularly when they have caused grabbing of land from the people as illustrated by the case in Cambodia. The companies together with the government must be obligated to ensure fair restoration of land to the people.

2.      The companies must be in the redress process, giving compensation to the people for the time when they lost their land and suffered negative impacts as a result of the companies’ investment.

3.      The companies must acknowledge the hearing process, publicly taking part in the process and working with the government and the people in finding solution.

4.      The companies must develop the policy that ensure their responsible investment: responsibility to peoples’ livelihoods, environment and resources that the people depend on.

5.      Finally, we call on the people and the civil society of Thailand to form a mechanism in scrutinizing Thai investment, domestically and internationally and;

6.      The Thai Government must develop the policy to regulate Thai investments, domestically and internationally. A clear process must be established to deal with investments that cause adverse impact to the people. Also, the Thai Government must support public scrutiny of overseas investment.

12 July 2016

Alternative Agriculture Network and Contract Farming Network of Roi-et Province and

Maha Sarakam Province, Thailand

People losing land Network, Oddar Meanchey, Koh Kong Province