Irrawaddy-Dec 2
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must stop calling for “inclusive national dialogue” in Myanmar because it undermines the sacrifices and will of Myanmar’s citizens, more than 600 civil society organizations said in a statement on Friday. “ASEAN has failed to hold the military junta accountable for committing crimes against humanity and war crimes,” the joint statement from the groups said on Friday. ASEAN is turning a blind eye to mass atrocities by continuing to call on victims to negotiate with those who are killing them, noting that the junta has arrested more than 25,000 people, killed more than 4,200 and incinerated 76,000 homes and other structures, they said. Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Jakarta hoped the talks would lead “towards inclusive national dialogues in order to find a durable and comprehensive solution to the crisis, as all sides gave a ‘positive indication’ on the possibility of convening inclusive talks soon.” Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government (NUG) dismissed Indonesia’s claim that key stakeholders in Myanmar were about to engage in “inclusive dialogue” to solve a crisis created by a coup. “We, therefore, urge all ASEAN leaders, the ASEAN Office of the Special Envoy on Myanmar, and all related ASEAN stakeholders and UN and dialogue partners of ASEAN not to endorse Indonesia’s imposed ‘inclusive dialogue’ while the military junta’s ongoing brutality is yet to be addressed,” the signatories said. Read more at:
