it has become clear that the
practice of democracy and norms which are
particular to the EU cannot simply be
transplanted to Asia. Rather, it seems
important to acknowledge that traditional
understandings and conditions in Asia may
differ significantly from the ones in Europe and
that sustainable and effective changes need to
be based on dynamics within the region itself.
And indeed, there have been indications that
the ASEAN states are moving in the direction
of a consensus on an acceptable human rights
standard.