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Abstract

This study was mainly raised because of the contradictory situation between ASEAN’s informal practices, embodied in the ASEAN Way, and the emergence of the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons (ACTIP) as a legal instrument for the basis of formal cooperation. Hence, it is important to understand the current situation of the ASEAN Way on a legal instrument by examining how ACTIP conforms with the ASEAN Way principles and influences its compliance. Drawing on the concept of legalization as discussed by Abbott et al. (2000), the research employs a qualitative method and a case study approach to analyze ACTIP’s provisions and their alignment with the ASEAN Way. The findings reveal that ACTIP’s conformity with the ASEAN Way positions it as a soft law. However, this allows member states to achieve ACTIP’s goals while managing uncertainties and preserving their sovereignty. Significantly, this study highlights the adaptation of the ASEAN Way in a legal instrument that uniquely poses no significant problems and instead works to suppress the tradeoffs of international law.

Bahasa Abstract

Kajian ini diangkat terutama karena kepatuhan ASEAN terhadap prinsip-prinsip ASEAN Way yang seringkali berujung pada praktik-praktik informal. Di sisi lain, ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons (ACTIP) sebagai instrumen hukum muncul dengan maksud mengikat secara hukum negara-negara anggota atas dasar kerjasama formal. Hal ini menimbulkan kebingungan tentang keberadaan ASEAN Way pada instrumen hukum. Oleh karena itu, kajian ini berupaya memahami secara legislatif implementasi ASEAN Way saat ini dalam sebuah instrumen hukum. Secara khusus, penting untuk mengkaji kesesuaian ACTIP dengan prinsip ASEAN Way dan bagaimana hal ini memengaruhi kepatuhannya. Penelitian ini menerapkan konsep legalisasi yang dikembangkan oleh Abbott et al. (2000) untuk menentukan ACTIP dalam soft-hard law continuum kemudian dianalisis kesesuaiannya dengan ASEAN Way. Dengan melakukan metode kualitatif, penelitian ini mengumpulkan dan menganalisis hukum domestik negara anggota mengenai identifikasi korban untuk melihat kepatuhannya. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan ketentuan yang mencerminkan kesesuaian dengan ASEAN Way menjadikan ACTIP tergolong soft law. Namun, negara anggota tetap memiliki kepatuhan yang baik, selain itu mampu mengelola ketidakpastian yang ada tanpa mempertaruhkan kedaulatannya terhadap perjanjian secara berlebihan. Oleh karena itu, studi ini menyoroti adaptasi legislatif ASEAN Way dalam instrumen hukum yang secara unik tidak menimbulkan masalah signifikan dan malah bekerja untuk menekan pertukaran hukum internasional.

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Acharya, Amitav. Constructing a Security Community in Southeast Asia: ASEAN and the Problem of Regional Order. London: Routledge, 2014.

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