The Association of Southeast
Asian Nations, or ASEAN for short, could help promote religious unity in the
region if only it was not so afraid to put pressure on governments, argues Zhang
Yuan. It could help stabilize ties between various religious and ethnic groups
as well as help reconcile the historical divides that exist between them.
One of the
issues that the member countries of ASEAN faces is that in addition to the
numerous religions that have existed there for thousands of years, new faiths
have been “imported” and their “changing political powers” have far-reaching
repercussions for Southeast Asians. If ASEAN acted less timidly, then they
would be able to resolve some of those tensions, according to Zhang Yuan.
The
governments’ repressive natures, in many cases, are often to blame for
religious problems, and if ASEAN took a more proactive role, then they could
possibly help aid in the in easing of their stranglehold on the region. However
ASEAN has historically held the role of neutral observer and any change in that
now could lead to a backlash from the member states. They are, in all
likelihood wisely, concerned with their sovereignty.
While the
European Union may not have the same severity of issues to deal with among the countries
that it is comprised of, Zhang Yuan feels that ASEAN could take its cue from
the EU when it comes to mediation. However ASEAN also has to be careful about
the hardline religious groups that may not like any shift in the position of
the multinational organization.
The issues
involved with a group like ASEAN trying to take more power, or at least a more
proactive position, in any region are many and varied, not the least of which
is the potential loss of national sovereignty. However if the situation is as
the article suggests, then the entire area’s development has been stymied by
too much political power in the hands of a few. If the authoritarian regimes
could be made to relax their grip on Southeast Asia, then maybe there could be
some progression.
It does not
appear that what Zhang Yuan is suggested is anything more than a supervisory
ASEAN, which is even less than what the EU is with its single currency and
economic zone. This would be nothing like Bolívar’s Gran Colombia or Ba’ath
Party’s former designs on uniting Iraq, Syria, and the rest of the Middle East.
The member countries, which are currently Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam (with several
other side groups and candidate states), would remain as they are. There would
simply be less of an opportunity for religious and ethnic violence to take
place.
If the main
goal is to reduce religious and ethnic tensions so that situations like that in
Myanmar are prevented, it is hard to predict what would happen should ASEAN
approach issues in the region with a heavier hand. It is possible that there
would be a reduction of the power of the hardline groups, or they could just
take a stronger position and promote more sectarian hatred. Even if ASEAN was
to take a page out of the EU’s book, it would remain to be seen what the
results would be since those two regions are very different.
ASEAN can tackle religious divides
Posted at 4:32 PM on 4/19/13
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