ASEAN Member States' Position on Military Coup in Myanmar in February 2021
Ministry of Foreign AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether Myanmar can be compelled to follow the ASEAN Charter and Human Rights Declaration after the February 2021 military coup, and whether ASEAN will adopt a collective position. Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan stated that while member states are expected to uphold these principles, ASEAN cannot compel adherence due to its core tenets of consensus and non-interference. He noted that a Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting has been proposed to discuss developments and maintain open communication channels with dialogue partners. The Minister emphasized that engagement with external powers reinforces ASEAN Centrality and is vital for facilitating a return to normalcy. He concluded that ASEAN will work with stakeholders to foster inclusive dialogue and encourage Myanmar to resume its path of democratic transition.
Transcript
2 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs in light of the recent military coup in Myanmar in February 2021 (a) whether Myanmar can be compelled to abide by the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration as well the ASEAN Charter; and (b) whether ASEAN member states will work towards a collective position regarding the ongoing events currently unfolding in Myanmar.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: All ASEAN Member States are expected to uphold the purposes and principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter and the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration. However, we cannot compel any ASEAN Member State to abide by them. ASEAN operates by the principles of consensus and non-interference in ASEAN Member States’ internal affairs, which are also enshrined in the ASEAN Charter.
During Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin’s recent visit to Jakarta earlier this month, President Joko Widodo announced that they had tasked their Foreign Ministers to propose a Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to discuss developments in Myanmar. We have always been in favour of keeping communication channels open whether bilaterally, among ASEAN Member States or with our Dialogue Partners. A meeting among ASEAN Foreign Ministers would be an opportunity for all ASEAN Member States to share their concerns and perspectives given the importance and urgency of addressing recent developments.
ASEAN’s external partners, particularly the major powers, have an important role to play as well. Engagement and communication are imperative for ameliorating the crisis and facilitating a return to normalcy. Some of our Dialogue Partners have expressed an interest in engaging ASEAN during this period. We welcome such proposals for ASEAN and our Dialogue Partners to exchange views and perspectives on the situation in Myanmar and other issues of common interest. This would reinforce ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN’s relevance. ASEAN will work closely with its external partners to foster an inclusive dialogue with all key stakeholders and encourage Myanmar to return to its path of democratic transition.