ID :
71383
Wed, 07/22/2009 - 08:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/71383
The shortlink copeid
THAILAND NEEDS BOLDER APPROACH ON MYANMAR
By D. Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, July 21 (Bernama) -- Thailand needs a bolder approach in dealing with Myanmar to show that engagement with the country could produce concrete results and not empty promises, said the Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Its executive directior for Asia, Brad Adams, said as the current Chair of
Asean, Thailand should take Myanmar to task for breaching the Asean Charter on
human rights and democratic values.
"We recognise the widespread frustration among Asean member states over the
intransigence of the ruling SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) in
multilateral forums, and urge you to find ways to end their spoiling tactics,"
he said in an open letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Adams said Abhisit should candidly point out that Myanmar's scheduled 2010
general election would not be regarded as remotely credible without the freedom
of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, as well as
without a free campaign.
The implementation of the so-called 'roadmap', including the 2008
constitutional referendum, had a clear aim towards a stage-managed electoral
process that would ensure continued military rule with a civilian facade, he
said.
He said Abhisit should seek details from the Myanmar Government on its
announcement that it was "processing to grant amnesty to prisoners on
humanitarian grounds and with a view to enabling them to participate in the
2010 elections".
Myanmar has become a sticky issue for Asean since it joined the grouping in
1997.
The Thai foreign minister said Monday that Asean could not move forward
until changes occured in the country, and many critics had labelled the proposed
Asean Inter Governmental Commission on Human Rights as 'toothless' and a mere
'talk show' due to human rights abuses in Myanmar.
Adam said the role of Asean and Thailand to lead principled international
engagement on political, security, and humanitarian issues in Myanmar was
urgently needed.
He also called on Thailand to respect its obligation under international law
not to refoul any asylum seeker or refugee to Myanmar, as well as guarantee all
Burmese access to screening and status determination procedures if they wished
to make an asylum claim, prior to deportation or forced return.
During the 42nd Asean Ministerial Meeting here, Asean foreign ministers
agreed to offer access to the Myanmar Government to visit its citizens being
held in several countries in the region, especially the Rohingya minority group.
-- BERNAMA
BANGKOK, July 21 (Bernama) -- Thailand needs a bolder approach in dealing with Myanmar to show that engagement with the country could produce concrete results and not empty promises, said the Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Its executive directior for Asia, Brad Adams, said as the current Chair of
Asean, Thailand should take Myanmar to task for breaching the Asean Charter on
human rights and democratic values.
"We recognise the widespread frustration among Asean member states over the
intransigence of the ruling SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) in
multilateral forums, and urge you to find ways to end their spoiling tactics,"
he said in an open letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Adams said Abhisit should candidly point out that Myanmar's scheduled 2010
general election would not be regarded as remotely credible without the freedom
of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, as well as
without a free campaign.
The implementation of the so-called 'roadmap', including the 2008
constitutional referendum, had a clear aim towards a stage-managed electoral
process that would ensure continued military rule with a civilian facade, he
said.
He said Abhisit should seek details from the Myanmar Government on its
announcement that it was "processing to grant amnesty to prisoners on
humanitarian grounds and with a view to enabling them to participate in the
2010 elections".
Myanmar has become a sticky issue for Asean since it joined the grouping in
1997.
The Thai foreign minister said Monday that Asean could not move forward
until changes occured in the country, and many critics had labelled the proposed
Asean Inter Governmental Commission on Human Rights as 'toothless' and a mere
'talk show' due to human rights abuses in Myanmar.
Adam said the role of Asean and Thailand to lead principled international
engagement on political, security, and humanitarian issues in Myanmar was
urgently needed.
He also called on Thailand to respect its obligation under international law
not to refoul any asylum seeker or refugee to Myanmar, as well as guarantee all
Burmese access to screening and status determination procedures if they wished
to make an asylum claim, prior to deportation or forced return.
During the 42nd Asean Ministerial Meeting here, Asean foreign ministers
agreed to offer access to the Myanmar Government to visit its citizens being
held in several countries in the region, especially the Rohingya minority group.
-- BERNAMA
