How the Special Asean Summit on Myanmar can help stop the violence


Anti-coup protesters flash the three-finger sign of defiance during the demonstration against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, on April 23, 2021. An Asean Special Summit on Myanmar begins today in Indonesia to consider plans to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict that has wracked Myanmar since its military launched a deadly crackdown on opponents to its seizure of power in February. — AP

WE are 744 individuals, 402 civil society organisations in Myanmar and 444 in other South-East Asian nations and globally. In alignment with the Special Asean Summit on Myanmar beginning today, we call on Asean, its leaders and member states to come up with an effective and sustainable strategy jointly with the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Human Rights Council, the International Criminal Court and other international community actors to address the illegitimate and brutal coup carried out by the military junta in Myanmar and the atrocities it has committed.

We welcome the decision to hold the Special Asean Summit on Myanmar to discuss the worsening situation in Myanmar. However, in view of Asean member states' differing positions on the coup, we are extremely concerned that this special summit might decide that the crisis is solely within Myanmar's domestic affairs and therefore will refrain from taking any meaningful action in line with the "Asean Way" of non-interference and respect for “state sovereignty”.

Subscribe or renew your subscriptions to win prizes worth up to RM68,000!

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

military , junta , Aung San Suu Kyi , conflict

   

Next In Letters

Moulding the young to become graft haters
Heavy hearts on Human Rights Day
Gamble for a greener tomorrow
Establishing a media council must be accompanied by legal reforms
Incremental steps needed for safer river adventures
Concerns about Malaysia’s Citizenship Bill 2024
Tackling rising insurance premiums: Lessons from global healthcare systems
A reminder of humanity at the end of a phone line
Do not kill off Malaysia’s GPs
Hold both banks and telcos responsible

Others Also Read