The Wall Street Journal, November 19, 2012

By CHUN HAN WONG

PHNOM PENH—Southeast Asian leaders signed their first-ever joint declaration on human rights, a landmark in a region whose governments are often criticized for curtailing freedom—but rights groups dismissed it as inadequate.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ declaration—adopted at the 10-member group’s summit in Cambodia—isn’t legally binding, and officials described it as an initial step in improving civil liberties. Rights groups, including the United Nations rights watchdog, said the pledge contains language inconsistent with international law and allows governments to suppress rights by claiming the needs of security, public order or morality.

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