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Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Declarat



Subject: Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Declaration on Democracy

Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Declaration on Democracy
 
   20 August 1997
   Seoul, Korea
 
   A.  Democratization and Democratic traditions in the Asia-Pacific
 
We, the 1997 FDL-AP Young Leaders Workshop participants, all agree that
there has been a history of traditions supportive of democracy in the
Asia-Pacific region.  We will enthusiastically join the recent world
trend towards democratization through a shared respect for the 
traditions and culture of each Asia-Pacific country. Through tolerance
and mutual understanding of each of our respective individual cultures
we will promote the global democratic movement by supporting an active
exchange of ideas.
 
   B.  The recent status of democratization in the Asia-Pacific
 
Despite the progress being made in many Asian countries in terms of
transition toward democracy, we note with concern the serious reversal
of democratic practices in Burma and Cambodia.
 
   - We call upon the Burmese military regime to enter into meaningful
   dialogue with representatives of democratic and ethnic groups.
 
   - We remind all ASEAN member states of their moral commitment to help
   restore democracy in Burma.
 
   - In addition we urge the present Cambodian leadership to end its
   usurpation of power and restore the legally elected democratic     
government of Cambodia.
 
   - We also urge all countries of Asia to work towards the
   establishment, improvement and consolidation of democratic   
institutions and practices.
 
   C.  NGOs' Role in the development of democracy and human rights
 
   RECOGNIZING the alarming increase in problems of environmental
   degradation, poverty, drug trafficking, international terrorism, the
   spread of AIDS, refugees, and ethno-religious and regional conflicts;
 
   RECOGNIZING the continued human rights violations and the ongoing
   struggles for democracy in some countries in the region;
 
   RECOGNIZING the need for greater international NGO cooperation to
   combat these problems;
 
   RECOGNIZING the growth and strengthening of civil society in various
   countries in the region over the last decade;
 
   REALIZING that the tasks ahead are best achieved through a process of
   mutual understanding and solidarity;
 
   WE, the participants of the FDL-AP Young Leader's Workshop, call upon
   the NGOs in the region to be a source of strength for each other by
   networking and sharing information, coordinating their activities,
and
   pooling their resources to further the cause of human rights find
   democracy and to take concerted action to help solve pressing
   international problems.
 
   D.  The FDL-AP's role in promoting international solidarity among the
   Asia-Pacific NGOs and democratic supporters.
 
   Having a common belief, strong commitment and desire to further
   promote solidarity among NGOs in the Asia-Pacific region, we, the
1997    FDL-AP Young Leaders Workshop participants,
 
   - Encourage each NGO represented at the 1997 FDL-AP Young Leaders
   Workshop to report annually on the status of democratization and
human
   rights in their country, to be presented and published.
 
   - Encourage each NGO represented to develop new activities to ensure
   that mutual cooperation will grow among the new contacts
established     at this year's conference.
 
   - Encourage each NGO to inform the FDL-AP of all related events that
   will assist other NGOs to promote and further our common goals of
   democracy, peace and improved human rights.
 
   - All participants recognize the importance, when appropriate, of
   working with and through political parties that share similar values
   and a commitment to democracy, peace and protection of human rights.
 
   - Encourage the establishment of additional chapters of the FDL-AP in
   our region during the next 12 months.
 
   - Encourage the FDL-AP to continue hosting Young Leaders Workshops
   annually and to extend invitations to representatives from all NGOs
in
   our region that share our beliefs and values of democracy and human
   rights.
 
   - Reaffirm the FDL-AP's previously stated offer to provide its good
   offices for the commencement of a tripartite dialogue among the   
parties in Burma, including the ethnic groups, the SLORC government,   
and the democratic forces led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
 
  End.