ASEAN Principle of Non-Interference

ASEAN’s principle of non-interference requires member states to respect one another’s authority over their internal affairs. It means that a member should not intervene in another member’s domestic political affairs or undermine its independence through interference, subversion or coercion.

Treaty and Charter foundations

Non-interference is a formal principle of ASEAN relations, not merely a diplomatic convention.

• Article 2(c) of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, 1976, identifies non-interference in one another’s internal affairs as a fundamental principle.
• Article 2(2)(e) of the ASEAN Charter expressly requires non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN member states.
• Article 2(2)(f) of the Charter also recognises every member’s right to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion.

What members are expected to do

The central obligation is to respect sovereignty and political independence. Members should pursue regional cooperation without assuming authority to determine another state’s domestic political arrangements.

• Members should refrain from coercively imposing their preferred government, political system or domestic policies on another member.
• Respect for independence rules out supporting subversive activity intended to undermine another member’s political authority.
• Disagreements should be handled through peaceful dialogue and consultation, rather than threats or the use of force.
• Cooperation undertaken with the affected state’s consent is compatible with non-interference; the principle does not require members to avoid all engagement with one another’s domestic concerns.

Relationship with ASEAN decision-making

Non-interference operates alongside ASEAN’s preference for consultation and consensus. Under Article 20(1) of the ASEAN Charter, these form the basic principle of ASEAN decision-making.

• The two ideas are distinct: non-interference concerns respect for domestic jurisdiction, while consensus concerns how collective decisions are reached.
• Non-interference can reassure members that regional cooperation will not erode their independence, but it can also constrain collective responses to domestic crises.
• The Charter also contains commitments to democracy, the rule of law and human rights; non-interference therefore has to be understood alongside these commitments, not as ASEAN’s only governing principle.