ASEAN member states must take a clearer stand against abuses in Myanmar

The bloc must take action against scamming centres which are enslaving thousands of people

Excessive use of force and arbitrary arrests after recent protests in Indonesia and Philippines must be investigated

‘ASEAN must put people before politics and strengthen the regional bloc’s system of promotion and protection of human rights’ – Montse Ferrer

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states must put human rights at the centre of regional discussions and decision-making, Amnesty International said as Southeast Asian leaders gather for the bloc’s 47th Summit in Malaysia this weekend.

On Myanmar, Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director, said:

“It is long past time for member states to act decisively to address the continually deteriorating crisis in Myanmar. Nearly five years since Myanmar’s military seized power, the situation in the country is an ever-worsening human rights nightmare.

“People in Myanmar face multiple threats, including the armed conflict fuelling internal displacement, and the junta’s ongoing campaign of repression, including unlawful air strikes on civilians. The military, and in some cases armed groups fighting against it, have carried out forced recruitment, arbitrary detention, torture and extrajudicial executions. Crumbling economic standards are also affecting rights to health, education and livelihoods.

“Though the vast majority of human rights violations are committed by the military, Amnesty International and others have also documented abuses by armed groups, such as the Arakan Army that has taken control of large parts of Rakhine State, leaving civilians, including Rakhine, Rohingya and other ethnic minorities trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of suffering.

“ASEAN’s approach to the situation in Myanmar has failed to prevent grave human rights violations let alone hold perpetrators accountable, with the humanitarian crisis in the country worse than ever, compounded by a devastating earthquake in March that killed thousands.

“ASEAN must urgently intensify efforts to exert maximum influence on the military and other armed groups to comply with international humanitarian law and free all arbitrarily detained prisoners.

“As the Myanmar junta prepares to hold elections, it is increasingly relying on repressive tactics and arresting anyone critical. ASEAN must take a clearer stand against these abuses, or they will only increase. It must also revisit the failed five-point consensus that among other aims was intended to stop the violence in the country but has clearly fallen short.”

On scamming compounds

Amnesty remains deeply concerned about the ongoing scamming compound crisis in Southeast Asia - especially Cambodia - where thousands of people are victims of human trafficking, forced labour and torture.

Although organised criminal groups are running these compounds, the Cambodian government has failed to take adequate steps to stop the widespread human rights abuses despite being made aware of them for years.

“While ASEAN governments have previously acknowledged the seriousness of scamming compounds, they must put words into action by working to dismantle these criminal networks, protect victims, prosecute those responsible and ensure that host states like Cambodia take decisive action,” Ferrer said.

In Indonesia and the Philippines

Excessive use of force and arbitrary arrests by police to quell recent protests must also be effectively investigated.

“ASEAN governments should not rely on authoritarian tactics to silence dissent. They must instead respect the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, as well as international standards on the use of force.

“Failing to address serious human rights violations undermines regional stability and weakens ASEAN’s reputation. If it wishes to have any credibility on the international stage, ASEAN must put people before politics, take decisive action to address crises in the region and strengthen the regional bloc’s system of promotion and protection of human rights,” Ferrer said.

Meeting dates

The 47th ASEAN summit will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 26 to 28 of October. Timor-Leste will join as the 11th member state of ASEAN on 26 October.