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ASEAN foreign ministers should engage rights body to deal with Myanmar
The AICHR can be assigned to establish a platform to hear grievances from the people of Myanmar and collect information by visiting the country’s neighbors.
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Reach for the moon: Buddhist devotees visit Shwedagon pagoda to mark the full moon of the Thadingyut festival in Yangon, Myanmar on Oct. 9, 2022. Some of the attendees offered prayers for their country that has plunged into turmoil following last year's coup. (AFP)
T
he political crisis that has been beleaguering Myanmar since the Feb. 1, 2021, coup against democracy has dominated ASEAN discussions and will continue to do so when ASEAN foreign ministers meet in Jakarta today.
The foreign ministers have repeatedly expressed their concerns over the Myanmar State Administration Council’s (SAC) lack of respect for the five-point consensus they agreed upon in April of last year.
Most recently, on Tuesday, ASEAN chair Cambodia issued a statement expressing the region’s apprehension about the recent escalation of violence in Myanmar, including the bombing at Insein prison, hostilities in Karen state and an air strike in Kachin state, which claimed the lives of more than 60 civilians and injured many others. These numbers added to 2,388 people killed and 15,947 others arrested by the military junta since the coup, as documented by the Association for the Assistance Political Prisoners (AAPP).
The five-point consensus reached by the nine ASEAN leaders and Myanmar junta chief Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing stipulates an immediate end to violence in Myanmar, dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, humanitarian assistance by ASEAN and the special envoy’s visit to Myanmar to meet with all relevant parties.
In the situation of domestic armed conflicts such as traditional civil wars, internal armed conflict or internal conflict, Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention requires states to treat all persons in enemy hands humanely, without any adverse distinction. It specifically prohibits murder; mutilation; torture; cruel, humiliating, and degrading treatment; the taking of hostages; and unfair trials.
At the upcoming summit next month, ASEAN leaders will make a decision and provide a guide for next steps based on the progress of Myanmar's peace process. It is for this reason that the foreign ministers from nine ASEAN countries are convening at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta today to discuss the Myanmar conundrum and possible ways forward for ASEAN to help end the ordeal of the Myanmar people.
I would like to reiterate the suggestion I made at the 12th Interface Meeting on the sidelines of the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) in Phnom Penh on Aug. 2, which I believe could contribute to the discussions.
