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ASEAN Leaders Condemn Myanmar Violence

INDONESIA: As ten member states convene for the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia this week, leaders are struggling to agree on what should be done about Myanmar. "We were deeply concerned with ongoing violence in Myanmar and urged the immediate cessation of all forms of violence and the use of force to create a conducive environment for the safe and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogues," ASEAN leaders said in a statement.

In 2021, Myanmar’s military regime staged a coup to overthrow a democratically elected government. Since then, the country has been mired in terror and violence as the junta tries to hold on to power. While all ASEAN leaders, including Myanmar’s Army General Min Aung Hlaing, agreed upon a ‘Five-Point Consensus’ in April 2021, the signing members have failed to take meaningful steps toward stabilizing the country and restoring peace.

Amnesty International’s Myanmar 2022 report cited numerous human rights violations and murders under the junta’s rule. Myanmar has seen its first executions since the 1980’s and security forces are deliberately killing civilians, including those trying to flee the country. The military continues to carry out airstrikes on schools, hospitals and religious buildings. Around 170 people were killed last month in one of the junta’s air strikes on a village, which received global condemnation. They show no sign of heeding international criticism as just last Sunday a humanitarian relief convoy was attacked, which included staff from Singapore and Indonesia’s embassies. In response, ASEAN leaders released a statement saying, "We condemned the attack and underlined that the perpetrators must be held accountable.”

ASEAN is receiving criticism for its perceived inaction. Indonesia claims to be working under the auspices of “quiet diplomacy” reliant on economic weight and diplomatic efforts. Opening the summit, Indonesian PM Widodo encouraged the regional bloc to work together on the issue, saying “With unity, ASEAN will be able to play a central role in bringing peace and growth.”

On May 9, Prak Sokhonn, Cambodia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Magelang, Indonesia. Sokhonn stated that the growing violence is “a brutal reminder that we need to double our efforts to help Myanmar return into normalcy at the soonest possible.” In regards to the ASEAN response, he stated that the association must be “flexible, innovative and creative in exploring possible approaches that could advance the 5PC.”

ASEAN's charter principles of consensus and non-interference appear to be a hindrance to delivering on the Five-Point-Consensus signed two years ago. Leaders met on Wednesday to revise a plan for the peace process expected to be released today. Early drafts released of the plan did not include Myanmar talking points, indicating ongoing discussion of what ASEAN intends to do or not do regarding the violence in the country.



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