ASEAN civil society shows strong support for Myanmar democracy

ASEAN civil society shows strong support for Myanmar democracy

Mizzima

ASEAN must take urgent action commensurate with the demands of the deteriorating situation in Myanmar said ASEAN civil society groups and affiliated institutions on Thursday.

Representatives from 225 groups met virtually to agree on a declaration at a Southeast Asian people-to-people Region Hall hosted by Dino Patti Djalal, chairman of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), and Jose Ramos-Horta, former Timor-Leste president.

Participants met to ‘give voice to the cries of our conscience’ in strong support for the people of Myanmar. ‘We the peoples of Southeast Asia assure the people of Myanmar that they are not alone in their struggle to assert their dignity as human beings and to regain their right to live in a peaceful democracy.’

 

The declaration condemned the Myanmar military’s 1 February coup and upheld the results of November 2020 general election won by the National League for Democracy (NLD). On this basis, they urged, ASEAN must recognize the elected government’s representatives, the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH).

While recognising the important work begun by ASEAN leaders, the 27-point declaration called on ASEAN to take several constructive steps including sending a special envoy and a delegation of ASEAN members to Myanmar to work in tandem with the UN Security Council to engage all parties to end the violence.

Second, it urged all ASEAN countries to collectively impose targeted sanctions on top military junta individuals, their families and related business interests.

The declaration follows a call by Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo for an ASEAN summit on the Myanmar crisis. Asean chair, Brunei Darussalam, and Malaysia have asked their officials to prepare for a meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, however, a date has not yet been released.

As Myanmar’s regional body, ASEAN leadership regarding the Myanmar crisis is viewed as pivotal not only amongst numerous states and key political commentators but critically by the UN Security Council.

Effective ASEAN action has been prevented to date by divided opinion within the bloc’s membership. While Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia have strongly condemned the violence, the Philippines and Thailand have issued more muted statements and others remained silent.

The declaration’s signatories see the Myanmar crisis as a threat to ASEAN's relevance as a regional body and international actor.

‘We the peoples of Southeast Asia regard the Myanmar Crisis as a test for ASEAN Community, ASEAN Centrality, and ASEAN Charter.’

Delegates argued that it is no longer valid to hide behind the principle of non-intervention.

‘We disagree with those who use and abuse the principle of non-interference for a justification for non-action. This does not reflect the spirit of ASEAN Charter.’