GENEVA - ASEAN leaders must firmly reject plans by Myanmar's military junta to hold illegitimate elections designed to entrench military rule and ease international pressure, a UN expert said today.
On the eve of ASEAN's 47th Summit, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, said the regional grouping was at a crossroads with regard to its Myanmar strategy.
"The military junta has been scoffing at ASEAN's Five Point Consensus since the moment it was signed over four years ago. Now, it wants ASEAN to legitimise a sham election despite the fact that tens of thousands of political prisoners are behind bars, freedom of speech and the press are outlawed, and military attacks against civilians continue unabated," Andrews said.
The expert said that unfortunately, ASEAN's well-meaning Five Point Consensus had failed to move Myanmar forward on the path toward peace and stability.
"To recognise the junta's fraudulent election would be to move Myanmar backward and defend the indefensible," Andrews said. "ASEAN leaders must refrain from doing anything to legitimise the junta's charade, including sending observers to monitor the polls."
"Elections cannot be free, fair or credible when held amid military violence and repression, with political leaders detained and fundamental freedoms crushed," the Special Rapporteur said.
Andrews said the people of Myanmar were looking to ASEAN to demonstrate leadership by demanding accountability, an end to the junta's violence, meaningful political dialogue with all legitimate stakeholders, and unfettered humanitarian access.
Echoing the calls in his report to the UN General Assembly, he urged ASEAN to:
· Acknowledge the flagrant violations of the Five-Point Consensus by the junta;
· Prohibit junta officials or officials from junta-controlled bodies from representing Myanmar at any ASEAN summits or functions;
· Engage with the National Unity Government, ethnic resistance organisations, civil society organisation and other key parties representing the will and interests of the people of Myanmar; and
· Facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to all populations in need, including by supporting cross-border humanitarian assistance delivered through local civil society organisations.
Andrews said the upcoming Summit was a defining moment for ASEAN's credibility.
"The people of Myanmar continue to show remarkable courage in their struggle for freedom and human rights," he said. "They need action, not words. At the very least they need ASEAN to take a step forward and not backward by recognising and legitimising a sham election."
