The execution of political activists by Myanmar’s junta continues to be a talking point among the international community.
The latest to wade into the episode is Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) chairman Charles Santiago, who also took a swipe at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), labelling the regional body’s five-point consensus on Myanmar, a “joke”.
“It’s very upsetting, a blatant and outrageous response from the Myanmar government,” said Santiago, referring to the execution of Phyo Zeya Thaw, a 41-year-old former lawmaker from Aung Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, and Kyaw Min Yu, 53, on Monday.
“It’s a crime against humanity. In relation to Asean, it makes a mockery out of the five-point consensus.”
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, in condemning the killings, had said on Tuesday that the five-point consensus – drawn up two months after the Myanmar military’s coup in February last year – had not made any “real progress”.
“Asean has to make a decision, if it still wants to go ahead with the consensus. It has come to naught,” said Santiago, who is also the Member of Parliament for Klang.
“It’s time to call the bluff and do something else. What is something else? We have to give that some thought.”
He admitted Asean does not seem to have traction on this matter, and it remains to be seen if the regional body will impose an embargo against its member state.
“Perhaps it’s time for China, India, and Russia to weigh in. These three countries are really supporting Myanmar.”
The United States had pressed China to act, but Beijing insisted that it upheld the policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of another nation. Russia and Myanmar, two weeks ago, had agreed to strengthen their defence cooperation, following a meeting in Moscow.
Sharing a 1,600km border with Myanmar, India had engaged with the military-led government late last year. However, Myanmar-India border trade stalled earlier this month after two men from India were shot by pro-junta militia in Tamu, Myanmar, located near the Indian border town of Moreh.
“The next question is, will there be an Asean embargo against Myanmar? Asean will skirt around it because Myanmar has supporters in the form of Cambodia and Laos.”
Cambodia is the Asean chair, this year.
“Nobody is stopping them (Myanmar). It’s an absolute joke.
“Countries that are supporting Myanmar are gung-ho, supporting them 150 per cent. But those who support democracy aren’t going all out, supporting the cause 150 per cent. That’s a big problem.”
“We (APHR) have been saying that the present strategy has to change and that the five-point consensus is a joke.”
Santiago echoed Saifuddin’s sentiments regarding reaching out to the Myanmar people and providing them with aid.
“Humanitarian aid is quite critical. There are also issues of volunteers and entities not being able to provide humanitarian aid, as they have to go through the army.
“When that happens, we don’t know if the aid is truly going to those who need the food and medication,” he added.
