ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the ASEAN regional response to refugee protection; it concentrates on the Southeast Asian region. The conceptualization of refugee protection in Southeast Asian States and under the ASEAN process requires discussion of two main themes, namely the characterization ion of refugees as 'irregular migrants' and the recognition of human rights within the ASEAN process. Although there is some evidence that the security focus of the ASEAN Community is shifting to include 'human security' issues, arising from gaps in development which result inter alia from human rights issues, the placing of refugee issues in the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC). A comparison of the AHRD with the AALCO's Bangkok Principles, which respects fully the rights of refugees, demonstrates that the ASEAN Human Rights Declaració n (AHRD), paints a conflicting image of refugees. The ASEAN approach suggests that the rights of refugees are being sacrificed at the altar of the ASEAN Community.
