Politics of Human Rights in Southeast Asia

by Eldridge,Philip J.

• ISBN13: 9780415214292
• ISBN10: 0415214297
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-12-07
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The divide between the West and Southeast Asia seems to be nowhere more apparent that in debates about human rights. Within these diverse deographical, political and cultural climates, human rights seem to have become relative, and the quest for absolutes seems unattainable. In his 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 throught-provoking resource for students of human rights, politics and international relations.

Table of Contents

Preface and acknowledgements	viii
Abbreviations	xiii
Introduction	1	(11)
International human rights: Theory and practice	12	(20)
Human rights, democracy and development in Southeast Asia	32	(28)
ASEAN and international human rights	60	(30)
Malaysia: `Illiberal democracy' and human rights	90	(26)
Indonesia: Democratic transition and human rights	116	(35)
East Timor, Indonesia and the United Nations	151	(9)
Australia, Southeast Asia and human rights	160	(36)
Conclusion: Future prospects	196	(5)
Glossary	201	(1)
Notes	202	(6)
Bibliography	208	(14)
Index	222