BEYOND CONSENSUS: QUALIFIED MAJORITY VOTING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS REFORM IN ASEAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/apsr.2025.6Keywords:
ASEAN, Human Rights, Qualified Majority Voting, AICHR, ConsensusAbstract
This academic paper examines the limitations of ASEAN's consensus-based approach in addressing human rights issues, despite the establishment of bodies like the ASEAN Intergovernmental Human Rights Commission (AICHR) and declarations such as the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD). The reliance on unanimity prioritizes state sovereignty, allowing member states to hinder effective human rights protection. It analyzes the fundamental structures and principles of ASEAN and uses case studies like the Myanmar crisis and the Rohingya situation to highlight these weaknesses. Proposing a model influenced by the EU's double majority principle, this journal suggests that Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) be selectively adopted, particularly for human rights issues. Supported by Article 20(2) of the ASEAN Charter, this modification could strengthen mechanisms like the AICHR by permitting majority-approved investigations, improving the efficacy and responsiveness of ASEAN's human rights framework. It suggests that with the selective adoption of QMV, ASEAN could better fulfill its commitment to the dignity of its citizens while maintaining consensus on sensitive issues.
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