Authoritarian drift in South-east Asia.
China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) on March 11 removed the constitutional limits on presidential tenure, enabling President Xi Jinping to remain in power indefinitely. Neighbouring South-east Asia has a broad spectrum of political systems, from democracies to one-party states, but several countries in the region are seeing a drift towards authoritarianism: enforcement of strict obedience to authority with curbs on individual freedoms.
ASEAN will adhere to non-interference in the internal affairs of member states, eschewing its previous ‘flexible engagement’ doctrine.
Popular tolerance for human rights abuse presages ‘illiberal democracy’ rather than the abandonment of formal democracy.
Radical Islamist groups, partly inspired by an Islamic State presence, will challenge democratic systems in the region.
The international community will step up criticism of Myanmar’s treatment of Rohingya Muslims to little avail.
The Myanmar military’s unchallenged authority in Rakhine State will be a major barrier to resolving the Rohingya crisis.
