(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-11-20 23:22

Dispute settlement mechanisms

Appropriate dispute settlement mechanisms, the Charter says, including arbitration, will be established for disputes which concern the interpretation or application of the Charter and other ASEAN instruments.

"Member states shall endeavor to resolve peacefully all disputes in a timely manner through dialogue, consultation and negotiation," the Charter says.

Equal rights

The Charter says the ASEAN member states shall take all necessary measures, including the enactment of appropriate domestic legislation, to effectively implement the provisions of the Charter and to comply with all obligations of membership.

However, the Charter does not mention penalty measures to errant members, only saying serious breach of the Charter shall be referred to the ASEAN summit for decision.

International standards of its budget, finance

The Charter says ASEAN shall observe sound financial management policies and practices and budgetary discipline.

"Financial accounts shall be subject to internal and external audits," it says.

It has a separate article on operational budget and finances of the ASEAN Secretariat.

It stipulates that the Secretariat's operational budget shall be met by ASEAN member states through equal annual contributions which shall be remitted in a timely manner.

Establishment of human rights body

"In conformity with the purpose and principles of the ASEAN Charter relating to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, ASEAN shall establish an ASEAN human rights body," the Charter says in the chapter about the organizations' organs.

Although the body does not have an official name yet, the Charter stipulates that it will operate in accordance with the terms of reference to be determined by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Seeking appropriate status with U.N. system

The Charter says the ASEAN Coordinating Council shall decide on the participation of ASEAN in other sub-regional, regional, international organizations and institutions.

It says that in conducting ASEAN's external relations, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting may confer on an external party the formal status of Dialogue Partner, Sectoral dialogue Partner, Development Partner, Special Observer, Guest, or other status that may be established henceforth.

Nuclear issue

As to nuclear problem, ASEAN will preserve Southeast Asia as a nuclear weapon-free zone and free of all other weapons of mass destruction, the Charter says.

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