Southeast Asian heads of state will be asked to sign a landmark charter promoting

human rights and non-aggression at the ASEAN summit in November according to local

media. The charter would attempt to shield the region from nuclear arms, other weapons

of mass destruction while limiting external interference. The draft charter calls

for the "respect of fundamental freedoms, the promotion and protection of human

rights and the promotion of social justice,'' and for the continued observance of

a treaty banning nuclear weapons. Policies or activities that would threaten a country's

sovereignty and political and economic stability would be prohibited.