AUTHOR: 505 CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
OCTOBER 26TH, 2022
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To
ASEAN leaders
HE Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Prime Minister of Brunei
HE Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia
HE Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia
HE Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of Laos
HE Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob, Prime Minister of Malaysia
HE Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines
HE Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore
HE Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand
HE Phạm Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Vietnam
Date. . October 26, 2022
Content. . The ongoing politics in Myanmar An open letter from civil society organizations on ASEAN's approach to the human rights and humanitarian crisis.
Our undersigned Myanmar, 505 regional and international civil society organizations have called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to revise the mandate of the ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar, not only to not invite political representatives of the ruling bloc, but also non-political representatives, to its summits and other meetings. As ASEAN, under the leadership of Indonesia's ASEAN Chairmanship, the five common agreements that are not working as a whole regional group and according to the individual countries concerned.to act beyond To effectively provide humanitarian aid; and reiterated their demands for public recognition of the National Unity Government (NUG).
In the past 20 months since the failed coup attempt began, ASEAN has been woefully ineffective in responding to the wider crisis in Myanmar. Asean's "dialogue" has only shown compromise towards a choice of five common agreements, and has produced no results to end the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. In August 2022, an ASEAN joint statement was issued warning the regime against respecting the Five Common Agreements, but the regime continues to commit serious crimes against the Burmese people. About a month after ASEAN's warning, the military group launched an airstrike on a school in Sagaing Region.11 children died.
ASEAN's exclusion of the junta at the ASEAN summits held in October 2021 and November 2022 is a step in the right direction. As for Indonesia, Malaysia As well as acknowledging the positive positions of the Philippines and Singapore, the ASEAN Declaration issued in July 2022 is also welcomed. However, engaging in any way with the regime is a violation of the ASEAN Agreement . The crimes committed by the Burmese military group constitute a terrorist organization under the interpretation of international law as well as domestic law .is in progress. The Myanmar Army is the International Court of Justice. He has been charged with atrocity crimes before the International Criminal Court and Argentina's foreign jurisdiction. We are concerned that this illegal military group is manipulating the activities of ASEAN.
Powers of Special Envoy
Ever since the adoption of the five unclear common agreements, the mandate of the ASEAN Special Envoy has only worsened Myanmar's crisis situation without having any positive impact, let alone success, in solving the problem. Efforts by both the Special Envoy and ASEAN to hold "dialogues" and conduct "visits" to the regime have not yielded any meaningful progress. On the contrary, such actions only encourage and protect the illegal militia to continue committing serious war crimes with impunity.
As was clearly seen in the March and June 2022 trips of the second Special Representative, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prasok Khon, the regime has once again demonstrated ASEAN's inability to take action, and has carried out heavy airstrikes against civilians, resulting in the deaths of children. State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi repeatedly sentenced to additional prison termsAs he suffered, so did his business advisor Shao Tanel. It is a shame that in those visits, without the permission of the military group, the special envoy did not have the opportunity to meet the State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected members of parliament who won the November 2020 general election, who were arbitrarily detained by the military group. In addition, the Special Envoy is the Acting President of NUG, the official government of Myanmar. Prime Minister or other officials; Major Ethnic Armed Revolutionary Organizations (ERO); He also failed to meet with civil society organizations.
The junta has gone so far as to kill four unjustly imprisoned political activists in July despite the support of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is the rotating chair of ASEAN. Singapore's foreign minister said the killing clearly showed "selfish arrogance or a total lack of respect for the role of ASEAN ". We are deeply disappointed that an unacceptable act that amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity has been met with unrelenting condemnation.
The Special Envoy's short-sighted engagements with the junta have caused further damage to the efforts of the Burmese people who are working to end the oppressive junta's rule and establish a federal democratic system. Such actions are contrary to the Five Commons Agreement, which seeks to develop a solution "for the benefit of the people". In addition, due to the vague authority of the special envoy, his authority is merely a political mediator. Are you a participant in the discussion? Or is it the main actor in the delivery of humanitarian aid, causing confusion among the people.
AHA Center for Humanitarian Assistance
Continued cooperation between ASEAN and the regime to channel humanitarian aid through ASEAN's AHA Center; Engagements have made the humanitarian crisis even worse. The AHA Center, established to deal with natural disaster issues, is ill-equipped to deal with a multi-faceted political crisis. Along with the operational procedures of the AHA center, the center relies on the regime to reach the places where aid is to be delivered, and is managed by a board that includes the regime's Myanmar Task Force. 2017 as a perpetrator of crimes against humanity and war crimes until aid became the current humanitarian crisis. It is being used as a weapon by the military group that committed the genocide against the Rohingya. The former director of the AHA Center said that the regime is "unwilling to send aid to the people in accordance with humanitarian policies" and demanded that ASEAN remove the regime as an aid partner.
Local humanitarian aid workers and civil society organizations to the communities, NUG, Along with the EROs, they have been effectively delivering humanitarian aid since the beginning of the coup attempt. Border-based civil society organizations are critical to supporting the delivery of much-needed funds and aid to the most difficult-to-reach areas. NUG was able to provide 2.73 billion kyats for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and CDMs in one year. At the same time, international humanitarian organizations UN agencies and the AHA Center are unable to reach the people who need help the most. In his letter to the ASEAN Secretary General, Malaysia's foreign minister added that "the (humanitarian) special task force set up by ASEAN with the military group is not working . " As a consequence of ongoing terrorist activity and the weaponization of aid, local aid providers are increasingly unwilling to work with the regime or any organizations associated with the regime, as they distrust the regime.
Recommendations
Burmese people want to protect their lives for their future youth generation. While sacrificing lives and futures, ASEAN must take strong actions to end all inhumane acts committed by the regime. As the president of Indonesia, who will assume the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023, they appeal to support the wishes of the people of Burma.
It is mandatory for ASEAN not to hold formal meetings with the junta or continue to recognize the junta and its representatives as the government of Myanmar. In addition, the ASEAN Regional Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Women's and Children's Rights (ACWC) and the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) must be banned from attending all ASEAN summits and other meetings, whether political or non-political. Such bans include defense engagements with the Myanmar militarySuspension must also be included. ASEAN must publicly recognize the NUG and allow its representative to be sent to represent ASEAN as a whole or member states.
We strongly urge ASEAN to go beyond the five common agreements and develop a plan with clear benchmarks and indicators that can realistically measure progress towards success. In this plan, NUG, National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC); EROs, It must be based on extensive discussions with civil society organizations. ASEAN must also establish practical measures to take action against the regime that does not comply with the five common agreements to stop the ongoing violence.
At the ASEAN Summit to be held in November 2022, ASEAN will change the mandate of the Special Envoy to a full-time three-year term starting in 2023. They ask to be changed into a responsible responsibility. The Special Envoy is not a peace broker, but a human rights principle. Justice Accountability And there must be clearly defined responsibilities and obligations based on the will of the people of Myanmar. The mandate of the Special Envoy must be independent and have the authority to carry out the work in a timely manner without being affected by the delay of the occasional ASEAN Summit. In addition The special representative in that authority is NUG, NUCC EROs, Official communication and engagement with the Union Parliamentary Representation Committee (CRPH) of civil society organizations must be done immediately.
On the issue of humanitarian assistance, ASEAN must cease all cooperation with the regime and recognize that the AHA Center is unable to resolve the humanitarian crisis. As ASEAN, those working on local humanitarian issues, NUG We recommend a concerted approach to developing cross-border aid provision through collaboration with EROs. ASEAN member countries must also accept and protect those fleeing from Myanmar. All regional efforts are aimed at harming no one. It must be based on the principles of humanity and impartiality and on the empowerment of displaced communities.
Politics in Myanmar The human rights and humanitarian crisis is not just "internal" but a threat to regional security and stability, which ASEAN is determined to protect. If we don't act quickly, Myanmar's neighboring countries and ASEAN member countries will face a massive influx of refugees. It will continue to suffer loss of economic profits and irreparable reputational damage. Confidence in ASEAN depends on ASEAN's ability to prevent and effectively prevent the growing violence and subversive activities of the regime that will destabilize the entire ASEAN region.
Their goal in addressing the needs of the Burmese people; ASEAN's civil society organizations are ready for ASEAN to take effective measures to meet their aspirations.
Contact for more informationDaw Khin Umar lead voice, info@progressive-voice.org
still Women's League (Myanmar), equality20@protonmail.com
Carlos Sardina Galache၊ ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights၊
This open letter was signed by a total of 505 organizations, including 301 organizations that did not want to be named.8888 Generation (New Zealand)
Action Committee for Democracy Development (Coalition of 14 grassroots networks)
Active Youths (Kalaymyo)
Ah Nah Podcast – Conversation with Myanmar
All Arakan CSOs Network (AACN)
All Arakan CSOs Partnership
All Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress (AASYC)
All Burma Democratic Face in New Zealand
All Burma Indigenous People Alliance (ABIPA)
Alliance for Democracy in Myanmar (Western USA)
ALTSEAN-Burma
Anti Dictatorship in Burma – DC Metropolitan Area
New Taw Eain
Arakan Community Engagement Network (ACEN)
Arakan CSO Network
Arakan Rivers Network (ARN)
Arakan Workers’ Organization
ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR)
Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR)
Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC)
Asian Democracy Network
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
Asians Cultural Forum on Development Foundation (ACFOD)
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners
Association of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters
Association Switzerland – Burma
Athan – Freedom of Expression Activist Organization
Auckland Kachin Community NZ
Auckland Zomi Community
Ayeyarwaddy Youth Network
Back Pack Health Worker Team
New EYES
Buddhist Solidarity Association
Burma Action Ireland
Burma Campaign UK
Burma Human Rights Network
Burma Medical Association
Burmese Community Group (Manawatu, NZ)
Burmese Rohingya Welfare Organisation New Zealand
Burmese Women’s Union
Cambodian American and Friends for Democracy and Human Rights advocate, USA
Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR)
Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC Cambodia)
Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO)
Campaign for a New Myanmar
Campaign for Popular Democracy (CPD)
Chin Community of Auckland
Chin Community SF Bay Area
Chin Human Rights Organization
Chin MATA
Chin Resources Center
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
Civil Society Forum for Peace Network (Arakan)
Community Resource Centre (CRC)
Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF)
CRPH & NUG Supporters Ireland
CRPH Funding Ireland
Danu Youth Organization
Dawei Development Association
Democracy for Ethnic Minorities Organization
Democracy, Peace and Women’s Organization
Democratic Youth Council
Educational Initiatives Myanmar
ENLAWTHAI Foundation (EnLAW)
Equality Myanmar
ETOs Watch Coalition
Free Burma Action Committee – Northern CaliforniaFree Burma Action Committee (San Francisco & Bay Area)
Free Burma Action Committee (Central Valley)
Free Burma Action Committee (Sacramento)
Free Burma Action Committee – Chico
Federal FM Mandalay
Federal Myanmar Benevolence Group (NZ)
Foundation of Khmer Fish, USA
Free Burma Campaign (South Africa) (FBC- SA)
Free Myanmar Inc.
Friends Without Borders
Future Light Center
Future Thanlwin
Generation Wave
Grass-root People
Green Network (Myeik)
Human Rights and Development Foundation (HRDF)
Human Rights Educators Network
Human Rights Foundation of Monland
Human Rights Lawyers Association
In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND) Philippines
India for Myanmar
Myanmar Info
Initiatives for International Dialogue
Inlihtan Peninsula Tenasserim
Institute for Asian Democracy
Inter Pares
International Campaign for the Rohingya
Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal
Just Associates Southeast Asia (JASS SEA)
Justice For Myanmar
Kachin Women’s Association Thailand
Karen Association of Ireland
Karen Human Rights Group
Karen Peace Support Network
Karen Women’s Organization
Karen Youth Ireland
Karenni Civil Society Network
Karenni National Women’s Organization
Karenni Society New Zealand
Kayaw Women’s Organization
Keng Tung Youth
KontraS Indonesia
Kyae Lak Myay
Kyaukse University Students’ Union
The Burmese community of France
Let’s Help Each Other
Los Angeles Myanmar Movement (LA2M)
Mandalay Youth Association
Me Boun Foundation
Metta Campaign Mandalay
Migrant Workers Rights Network (MWRN)
Migrant Working Group (MWG)
Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute Foundation, Inc
Minority Affairs Institute – MAI (Myanmar)
Mon State Development Center
Monywa People’s Strike Steering Committee
Myanmar Accountability Project (MAP)
Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability
Myanmar anti-military coup movement in New Zealand
Myanmar Campaign Network
Myanmar Community Group Christchurch New Zealand
Myanmar Community Group Dunedin New Zealand
Myanmar Democratic Force in Denmark
Myanmar Engineers – New Zealand
Myanmar Gonye (New Zealand)
Myanmar People Alliance (Shan State)
Myanmar Students’ Union in New Zealand
Myaung Education Network
Myaung Medical Team
Nelson Myanmar Community Group New Zealand
Network for Advocacy Action
Network for Human Rights Documentation Network – Burma (ND-Burma)
New Zealand Doctors for NUG
New Zealand Karen Association
New Zealand Zo Community Inc.
No Business With Genocide
Non-Binary Thailand
Northern California Hong Kong Club
Nway Oo Guru Lay Myar
Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica
Overseas Mon Association, New Zealand
Oway Institute
Padauk Phue – Blooming Padauk
Pakokku Youth Development Council
Peace and Culture Foundation
Peace Working Committee (PWC)
People’s Empowerment Foundation (PEF)
People’s Goal
Progressive Voice
Protection International
Pyithu Gonye (New Zealand)
Rvwang Community Association New Zealand
Save and Care Organization for Ethnic Women at Border Areas
Save Myanmar – USA
Save Myanmar Fundraising Group (New Zealand)
Sea Junction
Second Tap Root
Shan Community (New Zealand)
Drinking WOMEN
Shape-Sea
Sisters 2 Sisters
Social Garden
Social Action for Community and Development (Cambodia)
Social Program Aid for Civic Education (SPACE)
Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet)
Southern Youth Development Organization
Spirit in Education Movement (SEM)
Support group for Democracy in Myanmar (Netherlands)
Swedish Burma Committee
Swedish Foundation for Human Rights
Synergy – Social Harmony Organization
Ta’ang Women’s Organization
Taiwan Association for Human Rights
Tanintharyi MATA
Tanitharyi People’s Voice
Tanitharyi Women’s Network
Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma (TACDB)
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR)
The Ladies
The Mekong Butterfly
The Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development
Thint Myat Lo Thu Myar Organization
Together Thanlyin
S. Campaign for Burma
Union for Civil Liberty (UCL)
US Advocacy Coalition for Myanmar (USACM)Campaign for a New Myanmar
Students for Free Burma (SFB)
Freedom for Burma
International Campaign for The Rohingya
Helping Hands for Burma (H2B)
Global Movement for Myanmar Democracy (GM4MD)
Chin Leaders of Today &Tomorrow
Vorapat Veerapattanakup, Human Rights Activism
Women Advocacy Coalition – Myanmar
Women’s League of Burma
Women’s Peace Network
Yangon Medical Network
Youths for Community – Myaung
88 Generation Peace and Open Society (Myeik District)
The Seven Star Group
Tomu-revolution program
Land Network (LIOH)
People's Movement Leadership Group - Pulaw Township
Open White Farmland Network
River Bend – People's Revolution program
*The name list of the signatory groups was prepared on October 26, 2022.
English I Burmese to get in PDF
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