ID :
71227
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 22:38
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/71227
The shortlink copeid
ASEAN NOT IN FAVOUR OF SANCTION ON MYANMAR
By D.Arul Rajoo
PHUKET, July 20 (Bernama) -- Despite world condemnation of the human rights
abuses and clampdown on pro-democracy movements in Myanmar, Asean has ruled out
sanctioning or further alienating its widely-criticised member.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the current chairman of the 10-member
regional grouping, said Asean still had exchanges at all levels with the
Myanmar Government.
"We learn their point of view, what they are doing and we take note of
concerns raised by international communities. This approach is more productive
than sanctions or alienating them further," he told a news conference after
opening the 42nd Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting here.
In fact, Myanmar briefed Asean Leaders during the 14th Asean Summit last
February where they showed commitment to release a number of political
prisoners, he said, adding that Asean would continue to assess and review the
situation there.
"Whether the progress is satisfactory to any country is another matter. We
will continue to talk. Even UN Secretary-General (Ban Kim Moon) adopted this
(approach)...although he was disappointed with a number of things," Abhisit
said, referring to Ban's visit to Myanmar this month where he was denied access
to democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
Asked what Asean would do if Suu Kii was found guilty at her ongoing trial
for "harbouring" an American while under house arrest, Abhisit said it was too
early to speculate on the outcome.
"We can't speculate about the trial, clearly the Myanmar government has
insisted it's a court matter. But we will look at legal possibilities, we can't
interfere in the internal process. But we will see other options," he said.
On the Asean Inter-Govermental Commission on Human Rights, Abhisit said it
was a good start although many critics considered it as toothless without any
provision on protection or sanction of abuses.
"We want to make a start, with three principles -- credibility, realistic
and evolutionary. Better make a start than no progress at all."
When asked how Asean expected such a body to be effective when members like
Myanmar could ignore the United Nations, he said he believed that there would be
more responses in the future and the country was ready to achieve goals set up
by the road map, including having a general election next year.
He also said that Thailand, which is facing insurgency in the southern
provinces where more than 3,500 people have died in the past five years, was
ready to have a regional human rights commission investigating any alleged human
rights abuses.
"First of all, we have an independent human rights commission, we are a very
open country and there are right groups working in Thailand. They monitor human
rights and submit reports which we take seriously," he said.
-- BERNAMA
PHUKET, July 20 (Bernama) -- Despite world condemnation of the human rights
abuses and clampdown on pro-democracy movements in Myanmar, Asean has ruled out
sanctioning or further alienating its widely-criticised member.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the current chairman of the 10-member
regional grouping, said Asean still had exchanges at all levels with the
Myanmar Government.
"We learn their point of view, what they are doing and we take note of
concerns raised by international communities. This approach is more productive
than sanctions or alienating them further," he told a news conference after
opening the 42nd Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting here.
In fact, Myanmar briefed Asean Leaders during the 14th Asean Summit last
February where they showed commitment to release a number of political
prisoners, he said, adding that Asean would continue to assess and review the
situation there.
"Whether the progress is satisfactory to any country is another matter. We
will continue to talk. Even UN Secretary-General (Ban Kim Moon) adopted this
(approach)...although he was disappointed with a number of things," Abhisit
said, referring to Ban's visit to Myanmar this month where he was denied access
to democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
Asked what Asean would do if Suu Kii was found guilty at her ongoing trial
for "harbouring" an American while under house arrest, Abhisit said it was too
early to speculate on the outcome.
"We can't speculate about the trial, clearly the Myanmar government has
insisted it's a court matter. But we will look at legal possibilities, we can't
interfere in the internal process. But we will see other options," he said.
On the Asean Inter-Govermental Commission on Human Rights, Abhisit said it
was a good start although many critics considered it as toothless without any
provision on protection or sanction of abuses.
"We want to make a start, with three principles -- credibility, realistic
and evolutionary. Better make a start than no progress at all."
When asked how Asean expected such a body to be effective when members like
Myanmar could ignore the United Nations, he said he believed that there would be
more responses in the future and the country was ready to achieve goals set up
by the road map, including having a general election next year.
He also said that Thailand, which is facing insurgency in the southern
provinces where more than 3,500 people have died in the past five years, was
ready to have a regional human rights commission investigating any alleged human
rights abuses.
"First of all, we have an independent human rights commission, we are a very
open country and there are right groups working in Thailand. They monitor human
rights and submit reports which we take seriously," he said.
-- BERNAMA
