The APSC Blueprint promotes political stability, democracy and good governance among the member countries. It also contains the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms to enhance political development.
As the rule of law, human rights is addressed as a rules-based community of shared values and norms. Under APSC, lists of specific action are to be undertaken by ASEAN member states to promote and protect human rights including the rights of migrant workers, the rights of women and children and other civil society organizations as well as to education and public awareness on human rights.
Another characteristic under a cohesive, peaceful and resilient region with shared responsibility for comprehensive security involves important human rights issues relating to trafficking in persons and counterterrorism. The APSC Blueprint also suggests strengthening criminal justice responses to trafficking in persons and enhancing cooperation to combat people-smuggling. According to this subject, the member countries are guided to be mindful of trafficking victims in accordance with the ASEAN Declaration against trafficking in persons particularly women and children. Moreover, counter-terrorism requires intensifying efforts by early ratification and full implementation of the ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism.