Sep 30, 2021 | CCHR, Tools for MPs
The COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent economic recession have revealed the failure and fragility of
our economic system, which has prioritized business interests over people and the environment,
deepened inequalities, and failed to protect the most vulnerable.
To recover from the recession caused by the pandemic, countries are now adopting recovery measures
to boost their economy. The type of economic model these measures will support is crucial in shaping
our future, and this moment presents an ideal opportunity to break away from the past and shift
towards a more just, sustainable and resilient economy.
Shifting towards a greener economy is an essential part of “building back better” by moving away from
fossil fuel-dependent industries and instead towards clean and renewable sources of energy that help
reduce Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global warming.
It will not only help the region to more rapidly absorb the immediate impact of the recession, but also to
avoid and be more resilient to future similar shocks and crises caused by climate change.
To help parliamentarians seize this opportunity APHR evaluated recovery measures taken in Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste between February 2020 and April 2021.
This assessment was undertaken to identify best practices MPs can adopt in their respective countries,
as well as structural obstacles they need to overcome to promote a transition to a green economy.
These toolkits are designed for MPs to help them advance a green economic recovery after COVID-19.
DOWNLOAD IN ENGLISH | BURMESE | BAHASA INDONESIAN | KHMER | LAO | MALAYSIAN | TETUM | THAI
| VIETNAMESE
You can read the full report here.
Apr 8, 2021 | CCHR, Tools for MPs
Explainer, April 2021
Forests in ASEAN cover more than 193 million hectares, or 44% of the land area. Everyday, they play a vital role in our lives by contributing to national economic development and environmental stability.
Yet, forests in the region are threatened, and have declined by almost 7 million hectares, or 3.4%, since 2013, contributing to an alarming rate of loss of biodiversity, massive forest fires, pollution and climate change. Much of this has been undertaken at an industrial scale for agricultural and cash crop plantations.
This document gives key information and steps for lawmakers in Southeast Asia to ensure forest protection and management, and reduce pollution and climate impacts.
DOWNLOAD IN ENGLISH | BAHASA INDONESIA | BURMESE | KHMER | MALAY | TETUM | THAI | VIETNAMESE
Mar 11, 2021 | DFF, Tools for MPs
Since the Myanmar military seized power in a coup on 1 February, it has responded with a severe crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators across the country, with dozens killed and thousands arrested. Given the historic abuses committed by the Myanmar military we are seriously concerned about a potentially brutal response. As regional lawmakers, you can help in preventing violence, ensure that democracy is upheld, and the will of the Myanmar people respected.
DOWNLOAD IN ENGLISH
Jan 13, 2021 | CCHR, Tools for MPs
Explainer, January 2021
Coal is the single largest contributor of the world’s Co₂ emissions, which causes climate change and impacts the rights to health, food and water. Yet, Southeast Asia is critically behind in achieving the international target of phasing out coal by 2040. This document explains to Southeast Asian lawmakers key information and steps they can take to ensure adequate action is taken on the issue of coal and human rights.
DOWNLOAD IN ENGLISH | BAHASA MELAYU | BAHASA INDONESIA | BURMESE | KHMER | THAI | TETUM | VIETNAMESE
Dec 3, 2020 | RM, Statements, Tools for MPs, Uncategorized
JAKARTA – Ahead of the 37th ASEAN Summit this week, current and former parliamentarians have submitted an open letter to ASEAN urging it to play a positive role in resolving the ongoing crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Dozens of current and former lawmakers from across Southeast Asia have urged the policy-making body to ensure that its actions create positive and sustainable change that contribute to ending the cycle of violence and displacement in Rakhine.
“While we welcome ASEAN playing a proactive role in the Rakhine crisis, there is so much more it can do to help bring it towards a resolution,” said Mercy Barends, an Indonesian MP and Board Member of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR). “Importantly, it must recognize that this is more than a humanitarian issue, and address it from all aspects, whether they are human rights, political, humanitarian, social or economic.”
“It is time for ASEAN to articulate a coordinated and long-term strategy that addresses the root causes of this crisis. Failure to do so will risk causing further harm and suffering for the Rohingya, and all other communities in Rakhine,” Barends said.
Three years since a brutal Myanmar military crackdown forced more than 740,000 Rohingya to flee to refugee camps in Bangladesh, Myanmar’s government has not taken any meaningful steps to address the root causes of the crisis, APHR said. Refugees are still making perilous journeys by sea, while inside Myanmar approximately 600,000 Rohingya are still facing discriminatory restrictions imposed by the government, deprived of their rights to citizenship, freedom of movement, and access to essential services. In addition, an intensifying armed conflict between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military threatens the safety of thousands of civilians from all communities, the MPs added.
In their open letter, the lawmakers make a number of recommendations to ASEAN in how it can play a proactive and positive role in resolving the crisis, including by promoting transparency in its decisions, and ensuring meaningful consultation with the Rohingya and refugee communities, as well as with civil society actors. The MPs also called on ASEAN to strengthen the capacity of its institutions to respond to “man-made disasters” such as the one in Rakhine State.
“Until now, ASEAN has allowed the Myanmar government to dictate the terms of its engagement on the Rakhine issue, but this week’s ASEAN Summit presents the perfect opportunity to change course, and use its political leverage with the Myanmar government to push for measures that bring meaningful change on the ground in Rakhine State,” said Barends. “We urge ASEAN to develop a strategy that listens to the people most impacted by this crisis, and most importantly, one that abides by the principle of ‘Do No Harm’”.
Dec 3, 2020 | COVID19, Tools for MPs
Q&A, May 2020
Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, governments across Southeast Asia have taken a range of measures, including declaring states of emergency, to combat the spread of the virus. As parliamentarians play a crucial role in monitoring the implementation of these measures, in particular their compliance with human rights, this document aims to explain the key international standards relating to emergency situations and steps which lawmakers can take in protecting human rights.
DOWNLOAD IN ENGLISH | THAI | KHMER
