ASEAN defends human rights body

By Martin Petty and Kittipong Soonprasert

PHUKET, Thailand (Reuters) - Southeast Asian foreign ministers sought ways on Monday to boost their economies and rejected criticism that a new human rights commission will be a toothless body.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told ministers that the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) stood firm against protectionism and was working hard to revive a region that has an annual economic output of $1.1 trillion (665 billion pounds).

"The world is now closely watching ASEAN, pinning on us the hope that we will be a dynamic growth pole for the global economy in this time of crisis," Abhisit said in a speech to open the meeting in the Thai tourist island resort of Phuket.

The ministers formally agreed terms for the creation of a commission on human rights, which has been met with scepticism by rights groups given ASEAN's policy of non-interference in each other's affairs. The body will be launched later this year.

A draft agreement on the commission, seen by Reuters, made no mention of what would constitute a violation or outline any punishment. It emphasised a "constructive and non-confrontational" approach to all 10 members.

Military-ruled Myanmar has been a frequent target from the West over its human rights record, and most recently was widely condemned for putting opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on trial for breaching the terms of her house arrest. ASEAN members Vietnam, Laos and Thailand have also come under fire.

"It's better to make a start than leave this hanging with no purpose at all," Abhisit later told a news conference.

Added Enrique Manalo, Philippine deputy foreign minister: "I don't think it's toothless ... The important thing is everyone's prepared to recognise it's a process. What's there is not final."