Update 9: More killed in violence
26. As shared by Sandhi Yudha earlier, at least
18 people died on 28 Feb 2021, said the United Nations human rights office, as Myanmar authorities cracked down on protests against the military coup. "Throughout the day, in several locations throughout the country, police and military forces have confronted peaceful demonstrations, using lethal force and less-than-lethal force,” said a statement from U.N. human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. Europe has also gotten into the act, to express disapproval.
(a) On 26 Feb 2021, the Nordic countries held a meeting and even released a statement on situation in Myanmar that was delivered by
Ambassador Anna Karin Eneström:
“...The military coup is placing the peace process with the ethnic armed organizations at risk. Recently the ten ethnic groups that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement issued a powerful joint statement condemning the coup and called for immediate release of the political prisoners, including the reinstatement of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. As a result of the coup, we are deeply concerned that achievements for national reconciliation and future peace made over the past years will be lost.
We call for the military to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to conflict areas and vulnerable populations, including in Rakhine state, where the humanitarian situation is particularly severe. Furthermore, the authorities in Myanmar have the responsibility to create the conditions on the ground that will make it possible for the Rohingya refugees and other displaced populations to return to Myanmar. We will continue to emphasize the importance of ensuring their safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return, in accordance with international standards.”
(b) The U.N. special rapporteur, Tom Andrews, also released a statement that listed options for U.N. member states and the security council to take action. “As the military junta of Myanmar ratchets up its violence against the people, I believe it is imperative that the international community ratchet up its response,” Andrews said.
(c) Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan on 1 Mar 2021 called on Myanmar's military to stop the use of lethal force on civilians and the immediate release of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees.
27. Foreign ministers of members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold a special meeting on 2 Mar 2021 to discuss the situation in Myanmar, Kyodo News reported (see also:
ASEAN to hold foreign ministers meeting on Myanmar on March 2).
Indonesia has also urged fellow Asean member state Myanmar to follow democratic principles, as defined in the bloc's charter, amid the ongoing military coup over election fraud claims. "Indonesia calls for the observance of the principles of Asean Charter, among other things, adherence to the rule of law, good governance, the principles of democracy and constitutional government," the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry wrote in a statement.
28. Constructive dialogue will be the preferred approach of ASEAN, India and China, but the likelihood of any tangible outcome is low. ASEAN and China are highly unlikely to agree to impose sanctions, given the strong mandate of non-interference within ASEAN and Myanmar’s special relationship with China and India.
(a) Just hours after the coup on 1 Feb 2021 Brunei issued a chairman’s statement on behalf of ASEAN calling for a ‘return to normalcy’, the partial democracy that characterised Myanmar’s political system before the coup. It is in ASEAN’s interests to keep open lines of communication with the Tatmadaw, and to use these channels to urge the army to return to its barracks post-haste – lest the current political instability lead to violence which sparks another humanitarian disaster, like that which saw 700,000 Rohingya flee Myanmar in 2017; “In engaging the junta, however, ASEAN risks legitimising the very coup that gives rise to these risks”
said Aaron.
(b) At the very least, American and European engagement with ASEAN is likely to be limited or downgraded, and could remain so until the result of the coup is reversed. The coup is thus the most serious threat to ASEAN centrality that the organisation has faced since its membership and role expanded following the Cold War.
(c) Myanmar's Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin was also asked to attend the ASEAN meeting, according to a CGTN news report. I believe that this ASEAN meeting to put pressure on Myanmar's military is doomed to failure; as the regional organisation (like the United Nations and the Nordic countries) lacks leverage to push for meaningful change in the regime.
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