Human rights activists are calling for more pressure on Myanmar’s junta

At the start of the summit on the Indonesian island of Flores, human rights organizations called on the Southeast Asian state organization Asean to significantly increase pressure on the military junta in Myanmar. Since a coup about two years ago, the country has not calmed down and civilians in particular suffer from the continuing bloody violence. The junta recently intensified its “brutal and vicious campaign” to quell any popular resistance, the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN) said on Wednesday. Murder, torture, sexual violence and repeated air strikes are the order of the day.

“The regime can only survive because the world has reacted far too weakly to any crime against humanity,” said BHRN director Kyaw Win. “It can’t go on like this.” The ASEAN group must finally accept that attempts to negotiate with the junta are futile. Instead, the group of states should support the pro-democracy opposition.

Critics have long accused the ASEAN community of not being tough enough on Myanmar’s leadership. In April 2021, member states agreed on a five-point plan to resolve the crisis. This ensures, among other things, an immediate end to the violence and a dialogue between all parties to the conflict. To date, however, the junta has shown no will to implement the plan.

“ASEAN and the UN Security Council both need to reconsider their ineffective handling of Myanmar’s junta and take stronger action,” said Elaine Pearson, Asia director of Human Rights Watch (HRW). Recent attacks on civilians would amount to a war crime. The generals could only continue their brutal attacks because they would continue to supply them with weapons.

Indonesia, the world’s largest island nation, is this year chairing the Asean confederation, which so far includes ten countries. The 42nd summit in the Flores fishing village of Labuan Bajo will also discuss East Timor’s future full membership. The meeting will close on Thursday.

(yam/sda/dpa)