VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - United Nations expert Thomas Andrews on Wednesday expressed concern over ASEAN continuing to invite the Myanmar junta to the bloc's formal meetings despite mounting attacks against civilians in the conflict-ridden nation.

Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta, Andrews said that he is most concerned by Myanmar's continued participation in formal ASEAN defense meetings.

He pointed out that ASEAN has appointed General Tun Aung, the commander-in-chief of Myanmar's Air Force, as the chairperson of the 2023 ASEAN Air Chiefs' Conference.

Tun Aung is said to be responsible for airstrikes carried out on Myanmar villages by fighter jets.

The general has also been sanctioned by the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union.

Last month, the junta's commander-in-chief of the Navy, Moe Aung, was assigned the leadership of the 2024 ASEAN Navy Chiefs' Meeting, Andrews added.

The junta has also continued to co-chair the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus) Experts' Working Group on Counter Terrorism with Russia, and Indonesia has been participating in those meetings.

"These types of actions not only undermine the credibility of ASEAN but also serve to legitimize the junta and prolong the suffering of the Myanmar people," he said.

Meanwhile, ASEAN has defended its decision by saying that the meetings were merely technical and not in breach of the prohibition on Myanmar's political-level participation in its meetings, he added.

"This is not acceptable. The junta should not be invited to attend any ASEAN meeting," Andrews said.

He urged Indonesia to show its leadership, along with other ASEAN member states, and not attend any meetings to which the junta has been invited.

Since the coup on February 1, 2021, the junta, led by General Min Aung Hlaing, has perpetrated violence against the people of Myanmar.

According to a UN report, the junta’s troops have killed more than 3 thousand civilians, detained more than 19 thousand people, and have caused at least 1.5 million people to abandon their homes, with more than 58 thousand houses, schools, and clinics burned to the ground. (Antaranews)