ASEAN NGO Participation in UN Decision-Making Forums: Potential Hurdles

Abstract

<p>By contributing knowledge and expertise in the monitoring of states’ compliance with their international human rights obligations, domestic NGOs may be able to increase the representation of minority groups and increase the democratic legitimacy of decision-making processes. However, existing research suggests that hurdles are likely to limit the effective participation of some domestic NGOs, which in turn limits their ability to represent minority groups. </p> <p>To illustrate the impact of hurdles, this paper seeks to identify what hurdles are likely to limit the ability of domestic NGOs’ representation of migrant worker issues, in the ASEAN region, in UN decision-making forums. By contributing knowledge and expertise in the monitoring of states’ compliance with their international human rights obligations, domestic NGOs may be able to increase the representation of minority groups and increase the democratic legitimacy of decision-making processes. However, existing research suggests that hurdles are likely to limit the effective participation of some domestic NGOs, which in turn limits their ability to represent minority groups. </p> <p>To illustrate the impact of hurdles, this paper seeks to identify what hurdles are likely to limit the ability of domestic NGOs’ representation of migrant worker issues, in the ASEAN region, in UN decision-making forums. It is through the experience of domestic NGOs providing direct services to migrant workers that equips them with the knowledge and expertise for identifying issues which require legal reform or greater legal protection. However, as some domestic NGOs in the ASEAN region face limitations for their activities at the national level and some migrant worker issues are cross-border in nature, domestic NGOs may need to rely on avenues at the supranational level to advocate for migrant worker rights. </p> <p>This research aims to identify what hurdles in the UN’s participatory frameworks and practices are likely to limit NGOs’ ability to participate effectively, and to propose possible reforms to ensure the effective participation of domestic NGOs. This will be achieved through the methodological approach of doctrinal analysis. </p>