ASEAN “strongly condemns” deadly air strike in Myanmar
Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters The chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations said on Thursday the bloc “strongly condemns” a military air strike this week on a village in Myanmar, which is reported to have killed up to 100 people including civilians. Tuesday’s attack in the Sagaing area was the deadliest in a recent string […]
“Frank” talks on Myanmar dominate ASEAN foreign ministers meeting
Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters The conflict in Myanmar dominated the year’s first meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Jakarta on Friday, with Indonesia’s top diplomat saying that member states had “frank” discussions on the issue. The foreign minister of Indonesia, which chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year, said the bloc was pushing for […]
For East Timor President, ASEAN membership a lifelong dream
Sydney, AustraliaReuters It was as a budding diplomat in the 1970s that Jose Ramos-Horta, a man who would go on to win the Nobel prize for his fight for East Timor’s independence, first raised the idea of his country joining South-East Asia’s economic and political bloc. Almost half a century later, his vision appears set […]
ASEAN leaders call for timeline on Myanmar peace
Phnom Penh, CambodiaReuters South-East Asian heads of government on Friday issued a “warning” to Myanmar to make measurable progress on a peace plan or risk being barred from the bloc’s meetings, as social and political chaos escalates in the country. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations said that after “little progress” on the five-point peace […]
As with Ukraine, a coalition should pressure Myanmar’s junta, UN expert says
United NationsReuters Russian weapons being used in Ukraine are also killing people in Myanmar, an independent UN expert said on Wednesday, urging countries to form a coalition – just as they have on Moscow over Ukraine – to target and pressure Myanmar’s military junta. Myanmar has been in crisis since the army ousted leader Aung […]
Essay: We must not stop until we see change in Myanmar
ELLIS HEASLEY, of UK-based religious freedom advocacy CSW, says a far more co-ordinated and comprehensive response is needed on Myanmar, one which includes a full global arms embargo against the military, and co-ordinated, targeted sanctions against its enterprises…
ASEAN to rethink peace plan if Myanmar executes more prisoners – chair
Phnom Penh, CambodiaReuters The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be forced to reconsider a peace plan agreed with Myanmar if the country’s military rulers conduct more executions of prisoners, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Wednesday. The 10-nation bloc had been pushing for Myanmar to adhere to a five-point peace “consensus” it […]
Myanmar defends executions as “justice for the people” as condemnation grows
Reuters Myanmar’s ruling military on Tuesday defended its execution of four democracy activists as “justice for the people”, brushing off a deluge of international condemnation including from its closest neighbours. The military, which seized power in a coup last year, announced on Monday it had executed the activists for aiding “terror acts” by a civilian […]
Myanmar activists vow to defy junta with strike on coup anniversary
Reuters Myanmar’s military rulers have threatened to jail anti-coup protesters who take part in a “silent strike” on Tuesday, a year since the generals seized power, as the United States, Britain and Canada imposed new sanctions. The South-East Asian country has been in chaos since Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and other figures from […]
Philippines says “indispensable” Suu Kyi must be involved in Myanmar peace process
Manila, PhilippinesReuters Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is “indispensable” in restoring democracy to the military-ruled country and must be included in any peace talks, regardless of her conviction, the Philippines’ foreign minister said on Sunday. In a strong rebuke of the Myanmar junta that overthrew Suu Kyi’s elected government last year, Teodoro Locsin […]