The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, had praised Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah’s call to put Asean’s five-point consensus into action.
He said Saifuddin had urged Asean to move from a policy of “non-interference” to, in his words, one of “non-indifference.”
Andrews said Malaysia has recognised this fact and it was willing, through the words and actions of Saifuddin, to challenge Asean to re-examine its current policy on Myanmar.
Having spent a week in the country speaking to stakeholders, Andrews told a press conference on Thursday that Malaysia was the first Asean member state to welcome him.
Andrews said he had face-to-face meetings with Malaysian government officials, members of Parliament, civil society leaders and individuals from diverse Myanmar communities who have fled the military’s violence and persecution.
“The primary objective of my mission was to gather information on the situation of human rights in Myanmar and better understand both the Malaysian and Asean responses to the crisis,” he said.
However, Andrews was not able to meet the home minister or anyone from the ministry.
“We have sought meetings but have not been able to get a meeting,” he said.
Andrews urged all countries in Asean to “follow Malaysia’s lead in providing the kind of pressure and recognition that more simply must be done”.
‘International complacency, inaction unacceptable’
Asean’s five-point consensus is its peace plan for Myanmar.
The five-point consensus was agreed to by the Myanmar military junta and members of Asean last April, but one year has passed and Andrews said Malaysia has given voice to the fact that nothing has moved.
The five-point consensus calls for an immediate cessation of violence in the country, constructive dialogue among all parties concerned shall commence, and the appointment of a special envoy of the Asean chair to facilitate mediation of dialogue.
It also introduces the provision of humanitarian assistance by Asean through the Asean Humanitarian Assistance Centre and a visit by the bloc’s special envoy to Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned.
“And since nothing has moved, more people are being killed and more people are being forced to flee the country.
“Too much is at stake for Myanmar and its people to accept complacency and inaction by the international community.
“That is why the leadership exhibited by Malaysia is so important. And why I am particularly pleased to have had the opportunity to travel here,” said Andrews.
Refugee crisis linked to internal turmoil
Andrews met Saifuddin at the sidelines of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM) meetings on June 20, where they discussed how to add strategy to action the five-point consensus.
Andrews explained that it was impossible to address issues related to those seeking refuge in Malaysia and other nations in the region without directly and effectively addressing the crisis inside of Myanmar.
“Let me be clear, refugees from Myanmar are here because they were forced to come here.
“Their inability to return to their homes in Myanmar is directly linked to the military junta’s human rights violations and war against the people of Myanmar. - Mkini
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