Politics of Human Rights in Southeast Asia (Politics in Asia Series)

The divide between the West and Southeast Asia seems to be nowhere more apparent than in debates about human rights. Within these diverse geographical, political and cultural climates, human rights seem to have become relative, and the quest for absolutes seems unattainable. In this new book Philip J Eldridge seeks to question this stalemate. He argues that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' inclusion in United Nations' human rights treaties could be the common ground that bridges the gap between East and West. Eldridge uses topical case studies and primary research from Malaysia, Indonesia, East Timor and Australia, to compare the effectiveness of United Nations' human rights directives on local democracies. This study presents insightful research into a hotly debated topic. As such it will be a thought-provoking resource for students of human rights, politics and international relations. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Preface and acknowledgements......Page 9 Abbreviations......Page 14 Introduction......Page 18 International human rights: Theory and practice......Page 29 Human rights, democracy and development in Southeast Asia......Page 49 ASEAN and international human rights......Page 77 Malaysia: 'Illiberal democracy' and human rights......Page 107 Indonesia: Democratic transition and human rights......Page 133 East Timor, Indonesia and the United Nations......Page 168 Australia, Southeast Asia and human rights......Page 177 Conclusion: Future prospects......Page 213 Glossary......Page 218 Notes......Page 219 Bibliography......Page 225 Index......Page 239 Explores interactions between democracy, human rights and economic development in Southeast Asia and Australia. Examines the diverse understandings and applications of human rights in the region, focusing on the universality and relativity of human rights and the tensions between national sovereignty and international human rights law