ASEAN urged to create binding regional refugee protection policy

ASEAN must establish a more formal and binding regional refugee protection policy to effectively handle refugee issues, particularly the protracted Rohingya crisis. The current approach has failed to garner sufficient attention from most Southeast Asian nations, despite the issue persisting for over a decade.

Former Foreign Minister Tan Sri Rais Yatim emphasized the need for a stronger framework, noting that some member states adhere to non-interference principles. He argued that this adherence limits ASEAN's collective capacity to take decisive action on refugee matters, hindering a unified response.

The lack of a cohesive regional policy leaves vulnerable populations like the Rohingya in a precarious situation, without guaranteed protection or a clear path toward resolution. The ongoing crisis underscores the urgency for ASEAN to move beyond ad hoc measures and implement a comprehensive, rights-based approach to refugee protection.