U.S.-ASEAN Anti-Terrorism Pact May Threaten Human Rights: Watchdog

Powell with ASEAN leaders after signing the controversial pact.

BANGKOK, Aug 3 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Human Rights Watchdog Forum-Asia said Saturday an anti-terrorism pact signed between Southeast Asian nations and the United States could lead to increased human rights abuses in the region, news agencies reported Saturday, August 3, 2002.

The watchdog said it was concerned that the agreement, signed between the United States and ASEAN Thursday, August 1, "may facilitate an increase in human rights violations and the silencing of political opposition by governments in the region", reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"State authorities in Southeast Asia have long classified political dissidents and social activists as 'terrorists', and opinions which differ from the government as threats to national security."

The anti-terrorism agreement commits to mutual assistance in a crackdown on the movement of terrorists, including border controls, detection of fake passports and the movement of terrorist funds.

It also details improved intelligence sharing on terrorist financing and counter-terrorist measures including the development of "more effective" counter-terrorism policies.

Bangkok-based Forum-Asia said it was already concerned over the arrest of scores of alleged al-Qaeda-linked militants in Singapore and Malaysia, and the escalation of political and military campaigns against Muslim separatists in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.

"Forum-Asia calls on governments around the world not to undermine civil liberties through the application of internal security legislation and anti-terrorism laws," it said.

Southeast Asia has been viewed as a nest for terrorist cells linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

On the other hand, U.S. Secretary of State Collin Powell hailed the signing in Brunei on August 1, of a comprehensive pact between Southeast Asian nations and the United States "to prevent, disrupt and combat international terrorism."

"I'm very pleased we've been able to deal with nations around the world, especially Southeast Asia," he said.

This was "further evidence that everybody recognizes the danger, knows we have to work together, knows we have to build capacity to work together and we have to focus not just on combat operations," Powell added.

He said the U.S.-led war on terror was "going very well," citing the downfall of bin Laden's Taliban hosts in Afghanistan.

Powell praised the Philippines as being "in the forefront of leadership in Southeast Asia in respect to the global war against terrorism."

He said the message he wanted to send to the region was "that the United States is united with you," not only in fighting terrorism but in spurring development and strengthening democracy.

Powell wrapped up a tour of Southeast Asia in the Philippines Saturday, August 3, saying he was pleased with the region's support in the fight against international terrorism.

He hailed Philippine President Gloria Arroyo for her contributions to the campaign against terror groups and said the United States would continue its "excellent cooperation," in tackling extremists including the local Abu Sayyaf Muslim kidnapping gang.

"I have found support throughout Southeast Asia for this campaign because there is not a nation in Southeast Asia which has not at one time or another, or today, been under the threat of terrorism," Powell said.

Powell, who met with Arroyo earlier Saturday, stressed that "terrorism threatens every country, every continent," following the September 11 attacks in the United States allegedly masterminded by the al-Qaeda network of Bin Laden.

Asked about the reaction of Southeast Asian nations to the U.S.-led anti-terror effort, Powell said "I'm very pleased with the level of cooperation we are receiving, and I think we are making progress."

"People are getting picked up around the world who, if they had not been picked up, would be well on their way to conducting a terrorist act and a number of nations in Southeast Asia have made important apprehensions in recent weeks," he said without giving details.
   

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