Junta invited to ASEAN-EU Human Rights Dialogue

CSW condemns the decision to invite the military junta of Myanmar/Burma to ASEAN-EU 5^th Policy Dialogue on Human Rights on Tuesday 3 October.

In a blog published today, CSW details some of the most recent acts of violence waged by the Myanmar military on its civilians, including the beheading of three men in Pale Township in the Sagaing Region, and the bombing of a monastic school in Wuntho Township, also in the Sagaing Region.

These violations are the latest in over two and a half years of similarly egregious acts, during which the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners estimates at least 4,137 people have been killed as of 2 October 2023. The military stands accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity since it seized power in a coup in February 2021, in addition to accusations of genocide against the Rohingya people that relate to ‘clearance operations’ carried out in 2017.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Vice-President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala wrote: ‘It is shocking and unacceptable that EU has accepted participation of the #Myanmar murderous junta in the EU-ASEAN CSOs Forum on Human Rights in Brussels. Clearly only the people’s legitimate representatives #NUG & co should be there. It is not too late to correct the decision.’

CSW’s Europe Liaison Officer Jonathan de Leyser said: ‘CSW echoes the words of Vice-President Hautala; the Myanmar military should have no place at the ASEAN-EU Human Rights Dialogue, and it must be disinvited immediately – even once proceedings have begun, if necessary. Anything less will weaken the credibility of the dialogue, and undermine the cause of the people of Myanmar, who have suffered two and a half years of horrific human rights violations at the hands of this murderous regime.’

Notes to Editors:

1. Myanmar is a member of ASEAN, however the military junta has been excluded from the bloc’s meetings since the February 2021 coup.
2. Click here to read CSW’s blog.