FREE ASEAN | ASEAN DICTATORS: PHNOM PENH- US, allies support Sokhonn as Asean Special Envoy to Myanmar

Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn briefs the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Myanmar Crisis last week. KT/Khem Sovannara

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The United States and its allies have come in support of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and the efforts of the ASEAN Special Envoy to support a peaceful resolution in the interests of the people of Myanmar.

This was disclosed in a joint statement issued by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union and the Foreign Ministers of Albania, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom,  and the United States on the one anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar yesterday.

“We call on the military regime to engage meaningfully with ASEAN’s efforts to pursue full and urgent implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, which includes ensuring that the ASEAN Special Envoy has access to all parties in Myanmar, including pro-democracy groups. We also welcome the work of the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar and urge the military regime to engage constructively with her,” it said

 

It added that on the anniversary of the coup, they remember those who have lost their lives over the past year, including women, children, humanitarian personnel, human rights defenders, and peaceful protesters.

“We strongly condemn the military regime’s human rights violations and abuses across the country, including against Rohingya and other ethnic and religious minorities. We express grave concern at the credible reports of torture and sexual and gender-based violence,” it said.

It also said,” We express serious concern over the more than 400,000 additional people who have fled their homes since the coup. We also grave concern at the deepening humanitarian crisis across the country and urge the military regime to provide rapid, full, and unhindered humanitarian access to vulnerable populations, including for the purposes of vaccination against Covid-19.”

It added that they are also concerned over the large number of persons arbitrarily detained and the sentencing of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees.

The countries called on all members of the International community to support efforts to promote justice for the people of Myanmar; to hold those responsible for human rights violations and abuses accountable; to cease the sale and transfer of arms, materials, dual-use equipment, and technical assistance to the military and its representatives and to continue supporting the people of Myanmar in meeting urgent humanitarian needs.

Cambodia, which holds ASEAN chairmanship this year, is expected to play a major role in driving the peace-seeking initiatives into execution.

Meanwhile, Asian Vision Institute president Chheang Vannarith said it is the right decision to support the Five Point Consensus, as at the moment ASEAN appears to be the best mechanism to help solve the crisis in Myanmar.

“The ASEAN Special Envoy has to work with the UN Envoy and all stakeholders to understand the demands and explanation of all parties and find the best ways to answer them,” he added.

Considering ASEAN’s lack of success in conflict resolution in regional history, its potential success in stopping violence in Myanmar would be a magnificent achievement, Vannarith said.

Taing Rinith / Khmer Times

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