PHNOM PENH: The ASEAN Chairman, Prime Minister Hun Sen, has denounced and expressed disappointment with the Myanmar military government following the news of the execution of four opposition activists.

In a statement issued on 25 July 2022, the ASEAN Chairman described the implementation of the death sentences, just a week before the 55th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, as “highly reprehensible” as it slows down progress made on the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus (5PC), and further underscores a gross lack of willingness to support peace efforts being made by the ASEAN Chair, “namely in building trust and confidence to engender a dialogue among all parties concerned, in order to end violence and alleviate the suffering of the innocent people.”

The ASEAN Chairman wrote saying that Cambodia wishes to echo the overwhelming voices within ASEAN community and the international community in urging the Nay Pyi Taw authorities to take concrete steps toward fully and effectively implementing the 5PC.

“We strongly and urgently call on all parties concerned to desist from taking actions that would only further aggravate the crisis, hinder peaceful dialogue among all parties concerned, and endanger peace, security and stability, not only in Myanmar, but the whole region,” he wrote.

The statement emphasizes that “ASEAN remains resolved to assist Myanmar’s return to normalcy and democratic transition and to find a peaceful political solution to the current crisis through an inclusive dialogue that is Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned, in line with the 5PC and the ASEAN Charter.”

“This is urgently needed to prevent further loss of lives and end the suffering of the people of Myanmar,” said the ASEAN Chairman.

On Monday, 25 July, state media in Myanmar reported that the country’s military authorities had executed four opposition activists, including Kyaw Min Yu, better known as Jimmy, and former lawmaker and hip-hop artist Phyo Zeya Thaw, an ally of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The two others executed were Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw.

The four activists had been accused of helping a civilian resistance movement that has fought the military since last year's coup and bloody crackdown on nationwide protests.

The implementation of these death sentences mark the Southeast Asian nation's first executions in decades.