SDG 16 and the human rights architecture in Southeast Asia: A complementary protection process

Abstract

This article submits that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will serve as a complementary protection process to the ASEAN architecture on human rights. SDG 16—peace, justice and inclusive institutions—is especially pertinent to the advancement of human rights protection in Southeast Asia and is fundamental to the achievement of all other SDG goals. The lynchpin of this complementarity is the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), which must bridge all parts of the architecture. Complementarity stems from several factors. The SDGs, notably goal 16, created bridges with human rights obligations. ASEAN members resoundingly endorsed the SDGs, including SDG 16, which operates as a dialogue process that states are comfortable with. The SDGs fit with the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, which emphasizes strengthening democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and combating corruption to raise the standard of living within the region—all elements of SDG 16. ASEAN institutions under the ASEAN Charter are equipped to undertake preventive diplomacy to head off conflicts, a fundamental aim of SDG 16. The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights can lead on refining the eclectic SDG 16 indicators to better align them with international standards. SDG 16 commits all ASEAN states to creating national human rights institutions. The elaboration of Voluntary National Reports under the SDG monitoring process bears the potential for encouraging participation by stakeholders, especially civil society. Though a potential pitfall, securitization of the rule of law component of SDG 16 is consistent with ASEAN’s modus operandi. This article seeks to contribute to the nascent literature on the SDGs and SDG 16 in particular.

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Robin Ramcharan

Robin Ramcharan is Executive Director of Asia Centre, Bangkok and Professor of International Relations. He lectures on ASEAN security and human rights at Mahidol University, Bangkok.