To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Association of South East Asian States (ASEAN) members on a charter for the association; what assessment she has made of the potential effects of the proposal to change ASEAN's policy of non-interference in the domestic affairs of member countries; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of this on (a) regional relations in South East Asia and (b) the Burmese regime. (114212)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made no representation to the members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the ASEAN charter. However, I have spoken to the ASEAN London Committee (ASEAN ambassadors and high commissioners in London) and the ASEAN Secretary-General on the issue. He updated me on the progress of the charter and indicated that it would contain a reference to human rights. The nature of this reference would be considered during the drafting process.

ASEAN Leaders appointed an Eminent Persons Group, mandated to provide practical recommendations on the direction and nature of the ASEAN Charter. The Group presented its recommendations at the ASEAN Summit on 13 January. ASEAN Leaders are now likely to appoint a drafting task force to begin work on drafting the charter. It is therefore too early to assess the outcome of the process and the impact it might have on regional relations in South East Asia and on the Burmese regime.