In a strongly worded statement, the politicians criticized the “impotence” of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) and demanded the bloc discard its non-interference principle, because, they believed, it was an obstacle to ensuring democracy and protecting people’s rights in the region. All “ASEAN governments must unite and send an unequivocal message to the Myanmar military junta to immediately free all political prisoners, to restore the political situation in Myanmar to that prior to the 1st February 2021 coup and to respect the people’s votes in the November 2020 general election,” the politicians’ statement said.
They also demanded that all those responsible “for the killing of innocent people” in Myanmar – an ASEAN member – be brought to justice. “Failing which, all other ASEAN governments must unite and suspend Myanmar’s membership of ASEAN and thereafter impose targeted trade and economic sanctions against the military junta and their associates,” the statement said.
