Press Conference: ASEAN’s Role in Promoting Human Rights and Democratization in Burma

Burma’s independent civil society will hold a press conference to raise concerns about the lack of genuine political change since the November 2010 elections, the escalating armed conflict in Eastern Burma, and ongoing human rights violations throughout the country. Under the banner of the Task Force on ASEAN Burma (TFAB), representatives of many Burma organizations have come together to call on ASEAN to live up to its stated commitments of promoting justice and human rights. Speakers will present several concrete recommendations to ASEAN and member states to help improve the human rights situation and lack of genuine democratization in Burma.[…]

Burma Representatives to Attend Regional Civil Society Conference in Jakarta

Eighteen representatives from Burma’s civil society, including members of the Task Force on ASEAN and Burma, will be traveling to Jakarta, Indonesia to participate in the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum 2011 (ACSC/APF) from 3 to 5 May, and associated events […]

Open Letter to ASEAN Nations: Widespread Human Rights Violations In Burma Ignored by ASEAN UPR Delegates

Your Excellencies,

We are writing to you to express our dismay at the statements by ASEAN Member States during the Interactive Dialogue of the Universal Periodic Review of Burma.

On 27 January 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council examined Burma’s human rights record during the country’s first Universal Periodic Review (UPR). This review provided a vital opportunity to highlight the widespread human rights violations in Burma and engage with the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) on ways to improve its human rights record […]

Civil Society Criticizes ASEAN for Turning a Blind Eye to Human Rights Violations in Burma

Burma’s civil society today delivered an open letter signed by forty organizations and individuals to ASEAN heads of states expressing their extreme disappointment with the statements presented by ASEAN delegates at the Interactive Dialogue of Burma’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on 27 January 2011 in Geneva.

“Burma remains one of the worst rights violators in the world,” said Aung Myo Min, coordinator of the Task Force on ASEAN and Burma and representative of the Burma Forum-UPR. “Despite this, statements from ASEAN delegates failed to acknowledge the severity of rights violations in Burma or the regime’s role as the main perpetrator of widespread and systematic human rights violations.”[…]

19 – 25 July: ASEAN Foreign Ministers Criticize but Fail to Act on Burma

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met earlier this week for the 43rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting to discuss various regional issues, including Burma’s upcoming elections. In contrast to the statements of support for the elections that emerged from the bloc’s 16th summit earlier this year, this ministerial meeting saw foreign ministers expressing more apprehension than support. “Myanmar, I think, got an earful last night,” said Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN Chairman, “ASEAN is very much concerned.”[…]

ASEAN Foreign Ministers Criticize but Fail to Act on Burma

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met earlier this week for the 43rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting to discuss various regional issues, including Burma’s upcoming elections. In contrast to the statements of support for the elections that emerged from the bloc’s 16th summit earlier this year, this ministerial meeting saw foreign ministers expressing more apprehension than support. “Myanmar, I think, got an earful last night,” said Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN Chairman, “ASEAN is very much concerned.” […]

Asean FMs urged to prod Burma to democratize

A REGIONAL rights group has called on the foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) currently meeting in Hanoi to step up moves to democratize Burma/Myanmar as part of concrete measures in establishing a single-market economy by 2015 […]

Civil Society Network Calls on ASEAN to Take Serious Action Towards Burma’s Undemocratic Elections

The Task Force on ASEAN and Burma today released an open letter to the ASEAN Coordinating Council, urging them to discuss strong concrete actions to deal with ongoing democratic and human rights violations in Burma during this week’s ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.[…]

Open Letter to ASEAN Coordinating Council

Dear Excellencies,

We urge the ASEAN Coordinating Council, during this ASEAN Ministerial Meeting to firmly discuss Burma’s failing democratic transition, egregious international crimes, and additional actions that violate the ASEAN Charter, SEANWFZ, and other international agreements. ASEAN is endeavouring to move towards greater regional integration by 2015. However, in order to take the region to a higher plane, ASEAN must be willing to take stronger measures to deal with the region’s rogue state. […]

Rights groups to Asean: Keep junta on leash

By Estrella Torres

Following the landmark call of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to the military junta in Burma to hold an inclusive, fair and free elections this year, rights groups from the region urged the regional bloc to put benchmarks in the junta’s commitments […]