A group of advisors to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has proposed reforms that would include sanctions against member nations who breach agreements made within the organization.
Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos presented the proposal to reporters today, saying that the 10 member group must be able to ensure compliance among its members in order to be relevant.
Ramos says the proposal would alter the group's traditional policy of non-interference with member nations in exceptional cases. Sanctions could include suspension of rights or even expulsion from ASEAN.
The organization has received international criticism for its failure to hold member nation Burma accountable for its poor human rights record and lack of democratic reforms.
The proposed reforms are to be discussed at the ASEAN annual summit in the Philippines. The meeting had been scheduled for next week but has been postponed until January due to a powerful storm in the area.
Ramos is the Philippine representative to the so-called "eminent persons group" assigned with forming a charter for ASEAN.
Some information for this report is provided by AP.
