The National Security Law in Korea, the Internal Security Act in Malaysia and the Anti-Subversion Law in Indonesia have been used to detain critics and opponents, as well as student, labour and religious activists. Given his own experience as a former dissident, Kim Dae-jung, Korea's president, may be able to prevent the misuse of the law in his country, but in Indonesia the search for political scapegoats is already under way. Contrary to some perceptions, emergency rule has not been good for business in Asia. It was the declaration of martial law in the Philippines in 1972, initially welcomed by the business community as a stabilising measure, that started that country's downward spiral into economic stagnation and political upheaval. No economic or political crisis in Asia in recent memory has been resolved by violations of human rights.
Human rights abuses only speed up a government's loss of legitimacy and lead to greater instability.
Everyone concerned about the crisis in Asia should look beyond exchange rates and austerity measures to the political steps needed to prevent a human rights catastrophe.