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Parliamentarians Issue Petition to ASEAN Leaders
By Asean Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus • April 7, 2010To ASEAN Leaders attending 16th ASEAN Summit (Hanoi, Vietnam) to take action on the issue of Myanmar should further engagement fail to yield desirable concessions/ results.
On 8 March 2010, the military government of Myanmar published new laws governing the electoral process for the nation’s general elections planned for later this year. Numerous provisions in the laws guarantee that the elections will not be open and inclusive of Myanmar’s diverse population, notably excluding participation of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and Myanmar’s leading pro-democracy icon, Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners who form a substantial share of the leadership of non-military-aligned movements and political parties.
With the promulgation of these apparent biased laws, clearly aimed at preventing opposition parties and candidates from contesting the elections, the regime has forfeited its best opportunity to show willingness to engage in an inclusive process of national reconciliation and the establishment of a lawful and democratic government for the Union of Myanmar. In light of this fact, ASEAN and individual governments of its member States must undertake resolute actions to convey to Myanmar’s military dictators that its disregard for principles of democratic governance and human rights is unacceptable and no longer tolerable by its regional neighbours.
Because of the exclusionary provisions of the election laws and the fundamental flaws in the country’s Constitution, enacted in 2008, under which the elections will be held, the results of the elections cannot be acknowledged or accepted by ASEAN, both morally and politically.
Furthermore, the elections are evidently designed to do nothing more than firmly entrench the military’s role in the future governance of Myanmar. The elections will in no way facilitate the formation of a representative, democratic government. If Myanmar insists on conducting the elections without reviewing and revising the 2008 Constitution and the election laws, it leaves ASEAN with no choice but to reject the results of the planned elections.
As Myanmar has thus far ignored ASEAN’s calls to reform and has not been positively influenced by the policy of ‘constructive engagement,’ a new and more decisive course of action must be undertaken. ASEAN should immediately enact strict and targeted economic sanctions against Myanmar’s military government.
Despite large budget surpluses generated from regional trade, the regime has done nothing to improve the welfare of its citizens. The living standards of average citizens have fallen desperately low while members of the military regime and their associates have grown increasingly wealthy off profits from the exploitation of Myanmar’s vast natural resources. Targeted sanctions would effectively cut the economic lifeline of these corrupt leaders and compel them to begin genuine dialogue and reforms.
Furthermore, Myanmar has categorically failed to uphold its responsibilities and adhere to the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. It should, therefore, be immediately suspended from the grouping and its permanent expulsion earnestly considered. Simultaneously, ASEAN should support, if not propose, to the United Nations Security Council that an arms embargo and most importantly a Commission of Inquiry on crimes against humanity be brought on Myanmar, as recommended by the UN Special Rapportuer on Human Rights, Tomas Ojae Quintana.
Immediate, substantial and effective action must be taken as all forms of constructive engagement with Myanmar’s military regime have undoubtedly failed.
We, the undersigned Parliamentarians, out of concern for the welfare and security of our regional friends – the citizens of Myanmar – call on our respective national governments and ASEAN to pursue the above-mentioned actions. We believe that with firm pressure the military government of Myanmar can be compelled to finally resolve the long-standing political and civil conflicts that plague the country, resulting in not only a more secure and democratic Myanmar but also a more respectable, credible, secure and stronger region.
We, the undersigned Parliamentarians, out of concern for the welfare and security of our regional friends – the citizens of Myanmar – call on our respective national governments and ASEAN to pursue the above-mentioned actions. We believe that with firm pressure the military government of Myanmar can be compelled to finally resolve the long-standing political and civil conflicts that plague the country, resulting in not only a more secure and democratic Myanmar but also a more respectable, credible, secure and stronger region.
| Indonesia Drs. H. A. Murady Darmansjah Dra. Susaningtyas Nefo Handayani Kertopati, M.Si. Dra. Hj. Soemintarsih Muntoro, M.Si Drs. Akbar Faisal, M.Si. H. Ahmad Muzani Ir. Chandra Tirta Wijaya Viva Yoga Mauladi, M.Si. Laurens Bahang Dama Muh. Hanif Dhakiri Hj. Lili Chodidjah Wahid Abdul Hamid Wahid, M.Ag Ir. Nur Yasin, M.B.A Hj. Anna Mu’awanah, SE. MH Dr. Aziz Syamsuddin Hj. Dewi Asmara, SH. Nurul Arifin, S.IP, M.Si Dr. (HC) Ir. H. Siswono Yudo Husodo H. Bambang Soesatyo, SE., M.B.A H. Dito Ganinduto, M.B.A Dr. Ir. Hrtifah, M.P.P Dra. Hj. Oelfah A. Syahrullah Harmanto Ir. A. Edwin Kawilarang Irene Manibuy, S.H Maiyasyak Johan, SH., MH. Drs. H. Ahmad Kurdi Moekri M. Romahurmuziy, ST. MT Dr. Yasonna H. Laoly, SH. M.Sc Drs. Helmi Fauzy Drs. Sidarto Danusubroto, SH. Evita Nursanty Budiman Sudjatmiko, M.Sc, M.Phil. Prof. DR. Hendrawan Supratikno Ir. H. Dadoes Soemarwanto, M.Arch Dra. Eva Kusuma Sundari, MA. MDE I Gusti Agung Rai Wirajaya, SE. MM. Dr. Karolin Margret Natasa Honing Sanny |
Malaysia Teresa Kok Lim Kit Siang Tian Chua Fong Po Kuan Tony Pua Nurul Izzah Anwar Teo Nie Ching Charles Santiago Chow Kon Yeow Er Teck Hwa Lim Lip Eng M. Kula Segaran Johari Abdul Sim Tong Him Sivarasa Rasiah Fong Kui Lun Liew Chin Tong Gobalakrishnan N. Jeyakumar Devaraj M. Manogaran Chong Eng Salahuddin Ayub Abdul Aziz Abdul Kadir Amran Abdul Ghani Hee Loy Sian Gwo Burne Loh Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid Tan Kok Wai Mohamed Azmin Ali Zuraida Kamaruddin Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri Ahmad bin Kasim Saifuddin Nasution Ismail Zainal Abidin Ahmad Azan bin Ismail Rashid bin Din Yusmadi Yusoff William Leong Chong Chieng Jen |
Cambodia Sam Rainsy Son Chhay Yim Sovann Tioulong Saumura Mao Munyvann Cheam Channy Thak Lany Kimsour Phirith Eng Chhai Eang Cjiv Cata Ho Vann Ly Srey Vyna Yont Tharo Chan Cheng Lhim Laky Nuth Rumduol Men Sothavarin Khy Vandeth Long Ry Chea Poch Kong Bora Huoy Bunroeun Tok Vanchan Ke Sovannaroth Kem Sokha Philippines Singapore |
Petition hosted by the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus.
For more information email: [email protected]
18-2 Commercial Centre, Taman Abadi Indah, Off Jalan Klang Lama, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, www.aseanmp.org
Tags: 2010 Elections, ASEAN, ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus, PetitionThis post is in: Blog
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