Bangkok (Mizzima) – Current holders of the ASEAN Chair, Thailand has released a statement on Burma's present political crisis, the blocs first official reaction to the ongoing trial of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
On Tuesday, Thailand, as the ASEAN Chair, expressed the group’s grave concern about recent developments relating to Aung San Suu Kyi, especially given her fragile health.
“In this connection, the Government of the Union of Myanmar is reminded that the ASEAN leaders had called for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Furthermore, the Government of the Union of Myanmar, as a responsible member of ASEAN, has the responsibility to protect and promote human rights,” noted the statement.
Additionally, the group concluded that it is required of the junta to provide timely and adequate medical care toward Aung San Suu Kyi as well as to accord her humane treatment.
The statement follows strong criticism from various human rights organizations that the group has not asserted itself enough in relation to this case, believing ASEAN countries should prove their stated, strong intention of improving the regional human rights situation. Meanwhile, exile Burmese groups and international activists have gathered in protest near the Burmese Embassy in several countries, including ASEAN members states.
Last Friday, U.S. President Barack Obama formally extended sanctions against Burma, while the E.U. continues to mull an increase in sanctions against the regime.
The statement also added, “With the eyes of the international community on Myanmar at present, the honour and the credibility of the Government of the Union of Myanmar are at stake. Thailand, as the ASEAN Chair, reaffirms ASEAN’s readiness to contribute constructively to the national reconciliation process and the peaceful transition of democracy in Myanmar.”
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, following Tuesday's cabinet meeting, said Thailand is ready to "constructively" take part in the reconciliation and democratization process in Burma, specifying, “We will monitor the situation closely but will not establish a deadline or take other inappropriate actions.”
“We [Thailand] also hope that Myanmar will listen to neighboring countries in ASEAN because our policy toward Myanmar remains unchanged. We don’t have any idea to enact the same policies as countries that are situated farther away,” confirmed Abhisit according to a report in the Thai newspaper Komchadluek on Tuesday.
