Phnom Penh: Southeast Asian ministers on Friday condemned the lack of progress on a crisis resolution plan for the coup myanmarThe junta called for action ahead of a regional summit later this year.
Myanmar has been in chaos since an insurgency in February last year, and the death toll from the military’s brutal crackdown on dissent has passed 2,100, according to a local watchdog group.
Anger is growing in some Associations of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members at the stone-pelting of generals, especially after the hanging of four prisoners last month – including two prominent pro-democracy figures.
The 10-member bloc – leading so far fruitless efforts to resolve the unrest – issued a joint statement after foreign minister talks in Phnom Penh.
The ministers said they were “deeply disappointed by the limited progress and lack of commitment of the Naipaida officials for the timely and full implementation of the five-point agreement”.
And in a veiled warning to Myanmar’s junta, the statement – a reference to Article 20 of the ASEAN Charter – could lead to action on “non-compliance” at the leaders’ meeting later this year.
ASEAN’s decisions are usually taken by consensus, but Article 20 allows the summit to supersede this principle.
Myanmar’s top diplomat, Wunna Maung Lwin, was not invited to Phnom Penh and was also excluded from the foreign ministers’ retreat in February, while junta leader Min Aung Hling was turned down at a leaders’ summit last year .
Foreign ministers also condemned last month’s executions of rapper-turned-MP Phyo Zeya Thaw and veteran political activist of the National League for Democracy party, ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Kyaw Min YouKnown as “Jimmy”.
Earlier in the week, Malaysia – which has called for tougher action – indicated that Myanmar could face suspension from the bloc if members do not see concrete progress ahead of the leaders’ summit.
ASEAN has long been ridiculed by critics as a toothless talking shop, but in addition to Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore have pushed for a stronger line on Myanmar.
Friday’s statement said the ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar should be allowed to meet “all relevant stakeholders” – pointing to the military junta’s decision to block access to the detained Suu Kyi.
The Nobel laureate and democracy icon faces a variety of charges that could land her more than 150 years in prison.
taiwan tension
The latest release does not specifically mention this week’s dispute between China and the United States after the US House speaker Nancy PelosicTravel to Taiwan.
Furious Beijing on Thursday launched its largest-ever military exercise in the waters surrounding the self-governing island in response to the visit.
But ASEAN foreign ministers warned against “provocative action”.
“The situation could lead to miscalculations, serious confrontations, open conflicts and unpredictable consequences between major powers,” they said in a joint statement published on Thursday.
Ministers also held regional security talks with their counterparts from the US, China, Russia, Japan and Australia at the East Asia Summit on Friday.
Myanmar has been in chaos since an insurgency in February last year, and the death toll from the military’s brutal crackdown on dissent has passed 2,100, according to a local watchdog group.
Anger is growing in some Associations of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members at the stone-pelting of generals, especially after the hanging of four prisoners last month – including two prominent pro-democracy figures.
The 10-member bloc – leading so far fruitless efforts to resolve the unrest – issued a joint statement after foreign minister talks in Phnom Penh.
The ministers said they were “deeply disappointed by the limited progress and lack of commitment of the Naipaida officials for the timely and full implementation of the five-point agreement”.
And in a veiled warning to Myanmar’s junta, the statement – a reference to Article 20 of the ASEAN Charter – could lead to action on “non-compliance” at the leaders’ meeting later this year.
ASEAN’s decisions are usually taken by consensus, but Article 20 allows the summit to supersede this principle.
Myanmar’s top diplomat, Wunna Maung Lwin, was not invited to Phnom Penh and was also excluded from the foreign ministers’ retreat in February, while junta leader Min Aung Hling was turned down at a leaders’ summit last year .
Foreign ministers also condemned last month’s executions of rapper-turned-MP Phyo Zeya Thaw and veteran political activist of the National League for Democracy party, ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Kyaw Min YouKnown as “Jimmy”.
Earlier in the week, Malaysia – which has called for tougher action – indicated that Myanmar could face suspension from the bloc if members do not see concrete progress ahead of the leaders’ summit.
ASEAN has long been ridiculed by critics as a toothless talking shop, but in addition to Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore have pushed for a stronger line on Myanmar.
Friday’s statement said the ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar should be allowed to meet “all relevant stakeholders” – pointing to the military junta’s decision to block access to the detained Suu Kyi.
The Nobel laureate and democracy icon faces a variety of charges that could land her more than 150 years in prison.
taiwan tension
The latest release does not specifically mention this week’s dispute between China and the United States after the US House speaker Nancy PelosicTravel to Taiwan.
Furious Beijing on Thursday launched its largest-ever military exercise in the waters surrounding the self-governing island in response to the visit.
But ASEAN foreign ministers warned against “provocative action”.
“The situation could lead to miscalculations, serious confrontations, open conflicts and unpredictable consequences between major powers,” they said in a joint statement published on Thursday.
Ministers also held regional security talks with their counterparts from the US, China, Russia, Japan and Australia at the East Asia Summit on Friday.