Mawlamyine, 6 September
Civil organizations of ASEAN Member States designated the Myanmar military regime as a terrorist organization at the ASEAN People’s Forum held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from September 1 to 3.
According to an ASEAN People’s Forum, the Myanmar military regime has been labeled a terrorist organization because it threatens regional security and stability by committing war crimes against humanity such as internet shutdowns, air strikes, and genocide.
As Myanmar is currently facing a challenging period of unity and democracy, all the people of various countries participating in the forum expressed their solidarity with the people of Myanmar.
Pro-democracy activist Ko Min Thway Thit told Than Lwin Times, “We welcome the statement of the ASEAN People’s Forum. This is an international diplomatic blow to the junta. ASEAN member states need to respect the opinions of their own people and cut ties with the military council. ASEAN members are requested to establish formal relations with the National Unity Government (NUG), the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), and the Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs) and connect with them and immediately provide humanitarian assistance”.
“The statement of the ASEAN People’s Forum is appropriate for the situation, but it does not reflect the opinion of the leaders of the ASEAN member states, so it cannot have an impact on the military council,” said U Than Soe Naing, a political analyst.
Political analysts point out that since junta chief General Min Aung Hlaing himself has not yet implemented the ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus, which he himself signed, it is impossible for the ASEAN member states to take the announcement of the ASEAN People’s Forum seriously.
Regarding the announcement of the ASEAN People’s Forum, Ko Lwan Thu, who participated in the Spring Revolution in Sagaing Region, told Than Lwin Times, “Although the governments of ASEAN member states themselves know about the violence of the military group, some limitations will make them reluctant to cooperate with revolutionary organizations boldly.”
Representatives from ASEAN member states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam, as well as civil society groups and democracy activists, gathered at the ASEAN People’s Forum.
Currently, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is being held in Jakarta, Indonesia, which holds rotating chair of ASEAN, and they are expected to discuss the ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar that the junta has failed to follow.
News-Than Lwin Times
Photo-AFP Forum