Ethnic Conflicts in ASEAN Member States - Essay Example

A POLICY BRIEF OF THE WAYS IN WHICH ASEAN CAN ENHANCE ITS COOPERATION WITH A VIEW TO AVOIDING OR MEDIATING ETHNIC TENSIONS IN IT’S MEMBER S IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS WITH REGARD TO THE RECENT ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN MYANMAR EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This paper addresses the issue of ethnic conflicts in ASEAN member states. The issue of major concern is the prevailing ethnic clashes in Burma. This state has experienced ethnic conflicts for a very long time especially between the government and the minority ethnic communities. This has led to loss of many thousands of lives and internal displacement of many others (Schober, 2007). This study attempts to take an in depth analysis of this issues so as to explain the root causes of such conflicts, reviews the policies available and generate the possible alternative policies which can address this issue. The prevailing policies do not address the issues of how the member governments of ASEAN should resolve or avoid conflicts within their states (MacQueen, 2012). The Burmese government has tried to curb these conflicts by coming up with “seven steps road map” but this has proved not to work since the ethnic clashes are still ongoing (Lall, 2009). The Myanmar’s government needs to come up with alternative policies which will enhance cohesion among the member communities. Some of these alternatives include steps like encouraging dialogue among all the stake holders in the Burma state. It may also involve power sharing among the ethnic communities, enhancing democracy and justice to all with absolute fairness. This can be achieved through a genuine devolved system of governance that enhances autonomy to all the ethnic communities in Myanmar (Bray, 1992) I recommend the policy of establishing a devolved government. Burma has been in the military rule for over two decades. All the ethnic communities need to feel included and accepted in the government, they need to feel part of the policy makers and patriotic in the way they relate among each other at a national level. These ethnic groups need an assurance that their autonomy and identity will be upheld by supporting the government rather than opposing it (Brown, 1999). CONTEXT AND STATEMENT OF THE PROLEM Myanmar has just recovered from the military rule that has been in control for over two decades (Lall, 2009). The new president Thein Sein will help the country to grow economically at a great pace. However, the ethnic conflicts are posing a serious challenge to the nation’s economic growth (Smith, 1994). The most recent is where the government forces conflicted with Karen, Kachin and Shan states. These groups feel that the government has persecuted and mistreated them hence they are aggrieved towards the government and this minority group harbours resentment towards the Burma’s government (South, 2011). The president has taken a step to sign a cease fire with around 10 ethnic armies to stop them from engaging in ethnic clashes. This has not had much effect as expected (MacQueen, 2012). There are two major ethnic conflicts that have been long standing and it seems like they are not going to resolve soon unless something crucial is done about them (Selth, 1986). The Northern part of Burmese is the State of Kachin which borders China and is rich in minerals. Burmese military had a 17 year armistice with Kachin Independent Army until 2011 when it collapsed giving way to civilian government. Since then the Burmese military has deployed fighter jets as well as gunships to shut down the Kachin Independent army headquarters. This conflict has left many people internally displaced and any negotiations have not born fruits (South, 2011). The western state of Rakhine is another explosive region with the majority Buddhists (Rakhine) and the minority Muslims (Rohingya). The Muslims feel that they are not recognized by the law hence they term it as an official discrimination by the state. They have also been exposed to harsh treatment by the Rakhine and also subjected to forced labour (Schober, 2007). The government has responded to the conflict between these two ethnicities heavy handedly and discriminatively hence worsening the state of peace in that region (Smith, 1999) Burma government needs to adopt better policies that will enhance national cohesion. ASEAN has taken great strides in transforming itself from a state based organization to a people based one. The ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) was set to deal with conflict management within its members. This includes inter states and intra state conflicts (Bellamy et al, 2010). ASEAN conflict resolution involves peace building, negotiation, diplomacy and mediation. ASEAN resolved to use peaceful ways to resolve conflicts and avoid any way that may lead to use of even minimum force in settling disputes. Its aim is to promote peaceful settlement of disputes and cooperation among its members. It also stated it principle of non-interference in the internal matters of the members (Cheng-Chwee, 2005). ASEAN has been involved in conflict resolution among its member states. For instance the conflict that was between Thai and Cambodia. It also assists its member states to resolve internal conflicts like the way it has been doing in Myanmar as they persuade them to release the political prisoners to avoid the feeling of discrimination among its citizens. This will go a greater length to resolve the ethnic conflicts which have prevailed in this state (Cuyvers, 2002). The non-interference principle has made it difficult for ASEAN to help nations like Myanmar to deal with ethnic conflicts. It is a complex matter because ASEAN has to uphold the non-interference principle while on the other hand it faces pressure from its partners like European Union (EU) and others. Some of its member states have also been opposed to what has been happening in Myanmar and have strongly condemned such violation of human rights but they expressed it as individual countries not as ASEAN (Anwar, 1994). It is not crystal clear whether the changes that have taken place two years ago in Myanmar popular vote to a democratic process of civilian rule rather than military dictatorship is due to ASEAN influence or not. It is clear however, that ASEAN has some influence in Myanmar a good example is when they convinced Burma to take the foreign aid from western countries to help the cyclone Nargis victims. At first, Myanmar had refused to take the aid fearing foreign interference with the domestic challenges Myanmar faced (Helmke, 2009). The principle of non interference was proposed for change in the summit so that ASEAN can be able to put tough sanctions on those countries which violated human rights (Cheng-Chwee, 2005). However, it faced a lot of opposition due to the fact that Myanmar was facing a tough time of many internal conflicts and there was pressure from all over the west countries to alienate such a state so as to enhance democracy and promote human rights. Eventually, the long standing non interference principle was adhered to and upheld by ASEAN as stated in its preamble (Cheng, 1999). The underlying cause of these policy problems comes due to the fact that not all ASEAN nations are willing to accept the change in the principle of non interference. Without a change in this clause ASEAN will not have any influence in the internal problems facing its member states (Helmke, 2009). ASEAN has powers to neither put sanctions on any nation nor force them to comply with their demands even if they are violating human rights. The nations are dealing with their own internal problems even if the country is under dictatorship. This shows that there is a wider gap in policy implications as shown in this example since the nations are not answerable to any one on the way they run their internal matters. These policies have only focused on conflicts among the nations but not within the nations (Snitwongse, 1998) REVIEW OF THE CURRENT POLICIES Some strength of the current policies As stated earlier, there is a big gap in the policies governing ASIEN’s member countries on how they run their own internal matters. However, ASEAN has successfully solved many external conflicts involving its member states and enhanced harmony among its member states. This is possible because it has acted on a neutral ground and created that trust in its member states (Cheng, 1999). This is a great step toward unifying the region and encouraging economic activities within the region for the growth of its members. The existing policies have also helped to beef up security and curb terrorism in the region. It has helped to eliminate the influential terrorists groups in the region (Helmke, 2009). Some of the weaknesses of the current policies The relationships between states and also the principles of ASEAN can sometimes be put aside when it comes to the internal interests of a state as evident in the recent crisis which faced Thai and Cambodia. ASEAN’s policies have shown their weakness in that they have not focused on solving domestic problems in the member states (Snitwongse, 1998). The volatile ethnic clashes in Myanmar may end up spreading to the region and spoil the whole of that region. This may affect the region economically politically and may lead to collapse of the ASEAN and it members if attention is not given to their policies (Lintner, 1994). The president of Myanmar has signed up cease fire with some ethnic armies that they will not fight each other in their state. While this seems to be a solution, it fails to address the root causes of the clashes hence it is not possible to eliminate the clashes completely (Bray, 1992). Some of the root causes of these clashes include discrimination by the government, in such small magnitude as even naming a place ethnically. For instance there is a place called Rakhine in the west of Burma. The Buddhists living in this region are known as Rakhine and they are the majority in this region (Lall, 2009). Another major cause of clashes is the presence of valuable treasures of a certain community. These include things like minerals as well as their location in the country and the surrounding nations. The state of Kachin in the north will value that they are bordering China and would want to protect that identity. They are also rich in minerals (Selth, 1986). Apart from political economy, other states in this nation value their culture and their way of doing things and they will feel discriminated if this is not included in their curriculum or get recognition in the nation as others are doing. The aggrieved party may take offence with the other group who are recognized nationally. The constitution may not have a way of guaranteeing these people their autonomy even after being fully assimilated in the government (Brown, 1999) The people had gotten used to military rule hence they are not even sure of what may happen next especially if it has to do with giving up their properties or their major sources of employment. For instance, a community would not be willing to give up their mines to the government peaceful if they are not sure of benefiting from them (Brown, 1999). It is also notable that the ASEAN has no policies to guide them on how to react when one of the member states is involved in internal warfare or ethnic clashes (Leifer, 1999). Apart from declaring non interference with the internal matters of member states, there needs to be a way of resolving such conflict through or with the help of the government in place. The ASEAN should have a policy to govern such incidents (Watcher, 1989). PRESENTATION AND REVIEW OF ALTERNATIVE POLICY OPTIONS Some of the alternative policies that ASEAN can employ include: Keeping its member states on track with its reforms and making sure that such a state does not backslide. This can be done by keeping vigil, being diplomats as well as persuasive efforts (Hoekman et al, 1995). Enhancing and promoting democracy in the member states as well as safeguarding their human rights so as to avoid a situation like the one facing Myanmar and which has prevailed therein for a long time being under the military rule (Cheng-Chwee, 2005). Rewarding peaceful states by giving them some privileges so as to encourage other states to keep peace within their borders (Leifer, 1999). ASEAN can also lobby with international organs to assist in restoring order in chaotic states like Burma and assist them to pick themselves up economically through grants and aid as well as helping them to utilize such grants in development projects so as not to become over dependent on foreign aid (Lintner, 1994). ASEAN can also encourage member states to take reformation steps so as to enhance their national cohesion. ASEAN can help its members to set transitional laws and regulation for smooth transition, for instance in the case of Myanmar which is transforming from the long standing military rule to civilian rule (Leifer, 1999). This body can also encourage peace talks in member states so as to enhance peaceful conflict resolution rather than the people fighting each other. An example is when a Muslim raped and murdered a Buddha woman in the western part of Burma which became a bone of contention and the Buddhists who are the majority in that part of the country retaliated by killing 10 Muslims. The government’s intervention was kind of forceful and discriminatory instead of dialogue. The best approach would be to bring the two ethnic groups together and encourage negotiations and discussions (Schober, 2007). The ASEAN should also promote fairness and justice to ensure that all the people feel included in governance and that there is no discrimination against other ethnic communities by the government (Helmke, 2009) Comparing these policies with the existing ones, one will notice that these will help in achieving a more sustainable tranquility and encourage a more cohesive environment for economic growth. For instance, if ASEAN keeps the member states on track with reforms and ensure no deviations from such reforms, it will be more beneficial than the way it behaved for the ten years during Myanmar’s crisis by keeping quite and upholding the non interference principle (Hoekman et al, 1995). If ASEAN promotes peace talks within the borders of its member states, those aggrieved will feel confident to engage in the talks and will feel that fairness will be observed than if it was just the government being involved. Some governments are discriminative to the minority groups. Therefore working with the member states to enhance talks will be more productive than just living it all for the government (Anwar, 1994). The rewarding of peaceful states may not have such a big impact as the other policies thus it is just an incentive to encourage member states maintain peace within their borders (Leifer, 1999). Promoting and enhancing democracy in the member states is another step which is very crucial in ensuring that there is peace in its member states. Democracy is letting people to choose their own leaders without interfering with their choice. This is a powerful tool to ensure that no group of people is aggrieved (MacQueen, 2012). Once the majority of the people are in support of a government, it will take charge and govern the whole republic. The other group which was not part of that choice or whose choice was different will have to respect the voice of the majority. But the government will also respect the minority and ensure that they are protected as well as the other group (Snitwongse, 1998). This is where justice and fairness comes into place. Justice will ensure that people’s rights are protected no matter their sex, their status in the society, their choice in the government, or their ethnicity. Fairness will ensure equitable distribution of national resources without discrimination. It will also ensure that no one is given undue favour over the other no matter what the case is (Cuyvers, 2002). Comparing the policy of putting down reformation steps with the current situation at ASEAN, it is crystal clear that the former is more helpful in promoting peace in the member states. Maintaining peace in such a state as Myanmar will involve many steps but the key step is to ensure a smooth transition of power. ASEAN should have laid down procedures to help its member states to transit smoothly from their current situation to the one that is more sustainable (Lall, 2009). For instance, ASEAN should have put down some policies to help a nation like Burma to transit smoothly from military dictatorship to the current civilian rule. Such a transition is challenging for a country which has been fighting for the longest time or one like Myanmar which is used to being under the harsh military rule (Lall, 2009). Some suggested form of transition is of more like a devolved government which will ensure or guarantee people that they have nothing to loose by becoming a peaceful member of the community. It also encourages people to coexist together knowing that they are not going to be discriminated. It guarantees them that they are not loosing autonomy completely but just coming together to strengthen their effort (Leifer, 1999). Once such a policy is in place, then the ASEAN can now lobby with the international community to help their member states recover economically. This is intended to ensure that such a nation won’t be a grant dependent nation but will use such grant to create her wealth for future sustainability of such a nation (Anwar, 1994). Evaluating these alternative policies brings out a clear picture of what exactly needs to be done to ensure that peace prevails in the member countries. Thus ASEAN should look into adapting some of these policies to ensure a sustained peace within its member states and avoid such happening and circumstance like the ones that have faced Myanmar for decades (Lall, 2009). ASEAN should not sit helplessly and watch its member states suffer and just taint their international image. It should take some radical steps in ensuring such happenings as seen in Burma do not face the member states anymore (MacQueen, 2012). POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS From the above alternatives, it is evident that ASEAN needs to adopt some policies to ensure peace and stability not only among its member states but also within the borders of its members. It needs a lasting solution to such occurrences as in Burma and such a solution will only be achieved through policy changes (Bray, 1992). The recommended policy is to have a means of promoting democracy and enhance human rights of the citizens of the member states. Some of the clause like non interference with the internal affairs of the member states should be revised (Helmke, 2009). The clause may be changed to portray a message like, the ASEAN states will not interfere with the member states internal affairs but only and only if the state is involved in violation of human rights and is not promoting democracy. Such a policy will give ASEAN power to intervene and cause the change or measures necessary for attaining democratic process and promote human rights of its member states (Cheng, 1999). The ASEAN should also have some penalties it will put on to such a nation that is not willing to accept the recommendation to promote unity, democracy and human rights. It may impose some economic sanctions on such a state. It may also bring to book some of the people who are against the effort to bring lasting stability in the region. Some of the things like expelling it from the nation from its membership should be looked into carefully so that the member state will not just expect to pull out or be expelled when compelled to change (Anwar, 1994). ASEAN should come up with reform procedures for states which have been in a crisis like Burma. It is not enough to just come up with the reform procedures for recovering states, but it also needs to come up with the measures to be taken to ensure the reforms are implemented to the later. Some of its powerful tools which ASEAN can use include its bargaining power to encourage dialogue and negotiations. Also it can keep vigilance, diplomatic as well as persuasive efforts to encourage member states to put the reforms in place. It should also keep a track of the reform process (Cheng, 1999). ASEAN should come up with suitable laws that will enhance such reforms. For instance, Burma is transformed just to years ago from the military rule. ASEAN should have put in place measures to ensure smooth transition from such situations (South, 2011) The nations should all agree on how much effort they are going to put in helping the partner states in reformation process. They should clearly state their support to such a worthy cause and help their neighboring countries achieve their transitional goals smoothly so as to increase the productivity of the member states (South, 2011). ASEAN should also be concerned with making policies that will ensure the member states uphold the rights of humanity. This should also include the measures to be taken to ensure that the governments of these states will enhance dialogue with the aggrieved parties in their state and take a neutral stand so as to promote unity in such states. The governments should sign or declare a non discriminative approach to solving problems among the ethnic groups within their borders (MacQueen, 2012). Such policy recommendation will help ASEAN to enhance its cooperation with the member states, hence avoiding or mediating the ethnic tensions in those states. This means that this body of about 10 nations can have a big impact in ensuring sustained peace among and also within its member states (Cheng-Chwee, 2005). CONCLUSION It is therefore clear that if ASEAN accepts some policy changes that govern it, it will be able to work well with the member states to enhance peace and stability not only among its member states but also within the borders of the member states. It should note that as long as human rights are being violated and democracy is not upheld, then this should cease to be an internal affair of the state and becomes the affair or the responsibility of ASEAN as a whole (MacQueen, 2012). BIBLIOGRAPHY Anwar, D. F. (1994). Indonesia in ASEAN: Foreign Policy and Regionalism. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Bellamy, A. J., Williams, P., & Griffin, S. (2010). Understanding peacekeeping. Polity. Bray, J. (1992). Ethnic Minorities and the Future of Burma. The World Today, 48(8/9), 144-147. Brown, C. (1999). 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