AIPM statement

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) is outraged at the decision by Myanmar’s authorities to find guilty Burma’s democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and strongly believes it is done so with mala fide.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, together with her colleagues Daw Khin Khin Win and Daw Win Ma Ma, are not threats to national, regional or international security.

In contrast, the military regime has been seriously suspected of exploring nuclear capabilities and has proved that they are human rights violators and a threat to regional peace and security.

The 18-month house arrest sentences on the three ladies is unreasonable and serves only to further silence Burma’s strongest voice of reason and main proponent of true change.

Given this outcome, of the sham trial, AIPMC calls on ASEAN to unequivocally denounce the military’s decision and further calls on the regional bloc to immediately intervene to ensure it sees hope of seeing Burma moving towards national reconciliation, peace and democracy.

ASEAN appears to be lacking sound judgement in allowing the regime to tarnish the body’s hopes of forming a region committed to human rights and peace.

The junta’s latest contemptible move clearly proves its lacks of political will to bring about effective and acceptable reforms in the country. There is no better time for ASEAN and the international community to take clear and effectual action.

AIPMC Parliamentarians want to see an ASEAN region that respects human rights principles, as subscribed to in the ASEAN Charter, and as such should work towards suspend Myanmar’s regime from the body and halt all economic and political support being provided to the junta.

ASEAN will lose the little credibility it may still possess if it stands idly by and allow this travesty of justice to go unchecked. ASEAN cannot claim itself a credible, rules-based and people-centred entity if it fails Burma’s democracy icon and the millions of Burma’s citizens pleading for help.

AIPMC further urges the United Nations, reported due to meet on the matter of Burma, to pass a binding resolution that would ensure Daw Aung Suu Kyi and her female companions’ release.

ASEAN and the UN’s intervention is not merely an option but a necessity.