AICHR Philippines Joins Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand in Calling an End to Violence in Myanmar
From left: Deputy Assistant Secretary Aileen S. Mendiola-Rau, Representative of the Philippines to the AICHR; Professor Dato Dr. Aishah Bidin, Representative of Malaysia to the AICHR; Professor Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Representative of Indonesia to the AICHR; Dr. Shashi Jayakumar, Representative of Singapore to the AICHR; and Dr. Amara Pongsapich, Representative of Thailand to the AICHR. (Photo courtesy of AICHR Cambodia)
PHNOM PENH, 01 August 2022 – DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau, the Philippine Representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), joined other AICHR representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand on 31 July 2022 in a statement to immediately cease all forms of violence in Myanmar. The Joint Statement was released following the unexpected execution of four democracy activists on 25 July 2022, despite calls for peaceful and constructive dialogues from the ASEAN Chair.
The Joint Statement condemned the execution of the activists and called on the Myanmar military authorities to “refrain from further arbitrary executions, free all political prisoners and those arbitrarily detained, engage in constructive dialogue with all parties to seek a peaceful solution and immediately return the democratization process, as well as the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms back to the country.”
AICHR is the institutional body of ASEAN tasked with the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the region. AICHR Representatives are expected to meet the Foreign Ministers during the 55th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on 02 August 2022 to report on the progress of its Work Plan and Priority Programs and Activities.
The Joint Statement can be read below:
JOINT STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF MALAYSIA, INDONESIA,
THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE AND THAILAND TO THE ASEAN
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (AICHR)
ON THE EXECUTION OF FOUR ACTIVISTS IN MYANMAR
31 July 2022
On 25th July 2022, it was reported that the Myanmar military authorities had executed Kyaw Min Yu, Phyo Zeya Thaw, Hla Myo Aung, and Aung Thura Zaw. They were known for their work as democracy activists who opposed the coup-d’etat by the military junta. We, the representatives of AICHR, strongly condemn the executions of the four democracy activists and express our deepest condolences to the families and friends for the loss of their loved ones.
We echo the statement of the ASEAN Chair on 25 July 2022 that these executions signify a setback and the absence of political will from the Myanmar military authorities to meaningfully implement the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. We therefore call on the Myanmar military authorities to fully implement the Five-Point Consensus in a sincere and expeditious manner.
We urgently call on the Myanmar military authorities to immediately cease all acts of violence, refrain from further arbitrary executions, free all political prisoners and those arbitrarily detained, engage in constructive dialogue with all parties to seek a peaceful solution and immediately return democracy and the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms back to the country.
This statement is signed by:
- H.E. Professor Dato’ Dr Aishah Bidin
Representative of Malaysia to the AICHR
- H.E. Yuyun Wahyuningrum
Representative of Indonesia to the AICHR
- H.E. Aileen S. Mendiola-Rau
Representative of the Philippines to the AICHR
- H.E. Dr. Shashi Jayakumar
Representative of Singapore to the AICHR
- H.E. Professor Dr. Amara Pongsapich
Representative of Thailand to the AICHR
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