Delay in Myanmar democratization to hurt Asean credibility – DFA chief

11/17/2007

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo yesterday admitted that the failure of Myanmar’s military government to institute democratic reforms amid pressure from its Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) neighbors would hurt the credibility of the regional bloc.

As Asean leaders convene for a two-day summit in Singapore next week, Romulo stressed that the release of opposition leader and Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and all political detainees in Myanmar must take place.

He added “the harassment of monks, the most peaceful sector of Myanmar

society, must not happen again.”

“(The) lack of progress in implementing Myanmar’s road map to democracy would hurt the credibility not only of Myanmar but of Asean also,” Romulo stressed.

Asean Foreign ministers earlier expressed disgust over reports that the protests, led by monks, were being suppressed by violence by the military junta of Myanmar.

Hundreds were reported missing and a number were said to be killed during the massive crackdown on demonstrations.

In Singapore, Romulo said the regional bloc’s leaders would sign the landmark Asean Charter on Nov. 20, which will make the Asean a rules-based organization with the adoption of its first ever Constitution and allow the group to look into human rights violations of its members.

The Foreign secretary added he is optimistic that the situation in Myanmar would not derail Asean from making that achievement, claiming recent positive developments in the efforts of United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari are encouraging.

The Asean Charter, Romulo said, “is a crowning achievement for the organization and the people of Southeast Asia.”

“The Asean Charter lays the foundation for a region that fosters peace under the regime of democracy, good governance and the rule of law, and where human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected and promoted,” he added.

Negotiations for the Charter began during the 12th Asean Summit held in Cebu City last December and at the 40th Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) last July.

“The historic signing of the Asean Charter would transform Asean into a rules-based and more effective organization for the promotion of peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia and beyond,” Romulo said.

He added the creation of an Asean human rights body will be among the signal achievements mandated by the Charter.

Meanwhile, other landmark documents expected at the Singapore summit include the blueprint for the Asean Economic Community and the declarations on environmental sustainability, climate change and sustainable energy.

“These declarations are important advances that build upon the declaration on regional energy security which was signed at the 2nd East Asia Summit in Cebu,” Romulo said.

He added Manila will also follow up action on the Asean Declaration on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers signed in Cebu and the AMM decision taken last July in Manila to establish a committee to implement the declaration.

Michaela P. del Callar

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