June 17, 2018 | Pham Van Chuong

Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation

Almost two years have elapsed since the 11th Asia-Europe People’s Forum in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia, and developments related to peace and security in the world, and in Asia in particular, still face us with more questions than answers.

Many Asian countries (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and others) were among the first to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons last September. The Treaty marks an encouraging step toward a world free of nuclear arms, but the reduction of risks remain only symbolic, since all nuclear-armed States, including the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and most of their allies stay out. In such a context, efforts toward effectuation and promotion of the Treaty, like those of the Japan Council Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo), deserve our support.

Also related to nuclear weapons, directly or indirectly, are the upcoming inter-Korean and DPR Korea – United States summits. Let us hope that these much spoken of events would impact positively peace and security in Asia and elsewhere, directly or indirectly.

The situation in Western Asia leaves little room for hope, unfortunately.

Along the Gaza-Israel border, at least 18 Palestinians were killed and some 1,700 wounded on 30 March 2018 when Israeli forces opened fire on defenseless demonstrators commemorating their “Land Day”. Pope Francis and UN Secretary-General António Guterres raised their voices against the mass murder. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on the same day, but failed to agree even on a joint statement. The land of the Palestians remains in fragments and their life in tatters.

In Syria, despite heavy losses suffered by IS forces, the war still drags on, with the participation of land, air and naval forces from big powers, many of them UN Security Council permanent members. Life continues to be nightmarish for the Syrian people, especially women, children and the elderly.

Elsewhere in Asia, the people are also faced with multiple threats – traditional and non-traditional: ethnic and religious conflicts, internal and border clashes, military buildup and deployment, terrorist attacks and land grab, climate change and environmental destruction, trafficking in drugs, arms and persons, piracy, harassment of fishing activity and depletion of marine resources that render fisherfolk’s livelihood insecure.

Let us have a look at the South China Sea, by the side of which our workshop is taking place. The Sea looks quite calm on the surface, but beneath lie numerous challenges.

There are territorial and jurisdictional disputes that need peaceful solutions in keeping with agreements between two or more countries directly concerned and as provided for by instruments of international law; and pending settlement, self-restraint from all related parties, abstention from the threat or use of force and from acts that may further complicate the situation.

There are issues related to safety and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the Sea, through which about half of the world’s merchant shipping tonnage passes every year. Those issues, likewise, need peaceful solutions in keeping with international law, notably the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The high seas are open to all States, and no State shall validly purport to subject any part of the high seas to its territory.

There are also, but often overlooked, issues related to the preservation and exploitation of the Sea’s maritime resources, upon which rely economically the life of 60% of the population of the 8 Southeast Asian countries bordering it. Related instruments of international law should be observed. All acts that may damage resources and harm the people’s livelihood, e.g. overfishing, or large-scale land reclamation leading to environmental destruction, should be avoided.

Thus, across Asia, there are so many issues that need to be tackled. Concerning their resolution, allow me to venture a few ideas:

1. The life and livelihood of the people are part and parcel of peace and security. The rights and interests of the people should be taken into due consideration in the process of tackling peace and security issues. NGOs could and should serve as a channel for the people’s voice to be heard.
2. Instruments of international law are made and signed by States, and States are duty-bound to ensure that they are respected and observed. In this connection, bigger and stronger States are expected to assume a larger share of responsibility. For their part, NGOs are expected to serve as a reminder in the form of advocacy, caution, warning, pressure, or protest, if necessary.