ASEAN urged to strengthen Myanmar crisis response as Thailand hosts critical meetings

The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) has cautiously welcomed Thailand’s initiative to host regional meetings on 19–20 December 2024, aimed at tackling Myanmar’s deepening crisis.

The meetings will address pressing issues, including border security, transnational crime, and ASEAN’s peace plan, the Five-Point Consensus.

On Thursday, Myanmar’s neighbours—China, India, Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand—will discuss border-related challenges, including the surge of refugees and cross-border crime stemming from Myanmar’s instability. Friday’s session will see ASEAN foreign ministers deliberate on revitalising the Five-Point Consensus, a peace framework that has largely faltered.

Thailand’s invitation to Than Swe, Myanmar’s junta-appointed Foreign Minister, has drawn sharp criticism for potentially legitimising the military regime.

ASEAN has previously excluded junta representatives from high-level meetings to avoid undermining its collective stance.

“ASEAN’s handling of the Myanmar crisis will define its credibility and relevance in the region and on the global stage,” said Mercy Chriesty Barends, APHR Co-Chairperson and a member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives.

Humanitarian catastrophe unfolds

Since Myanmar’s February 2021 coup, the nation has plunged into chaos, with over 6,000 civilians killed and more than two million displaced, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). Ethnic minorities such as the Karen, Kachin, Rakhine, and Rohingya face systematic violence, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Charles Santiago, APHR Co-Chairperson, condemned the junta’s inclusion in regional talks, stating, “It legitimises a regime responsible for widespread human rights abuses and normalises the use of state power to oppress its citizens. ASEAN must not compromise its principles for political convenience.”

APHR has criticised the Five-Point Consensus for its vagueness and lack of enforcement mechanisms. “ASEAN member states must seize this opportunity to set clear, measurable benchmarks for implementing the Consensus,” said Wong Chen, APHR Board Member and Malaysian MP. These benchmarks, he argued, should include halting violence and releasing political prisoners.

Call for a principled approach

The APHR has underscored the need for an inclusive peace process that genuinely represents the Myanmar people. “ASEAN must clearly define what it means by ‘Myanmar-owned and -led’ peace process,” said Arlene D. Brosas, APHR Board Member and Filipino MP. “It should include the National Unity Government, ethnic armed organisations, and civil society groups. Anything less is a futile exercise.”

APHR also warned against recognising Myanmar’s upcoming 2025 elections, terming them a “sham” designed to cement the junta’s rule. The group called for regional unity in rejecting these elections unless conditions such as ending violence and ensuring inclusivity are met.

Regional challenges and global implications

Thailand, sharing a border with Myanmar, has faced a surge in refugees, economic instability, and cross-border crime. Rangsiman Rome, APHR Board Member and Thai MP, highlighted the need for expanded humanitarian corridors, particularly along Myanmar’s borders, to aid displaced persons. “Neighbouring countries like India and China must be engaged as humanitarian partners,” he said.

The crisis has broader implications for ASEAN’s credibility. Failure to address the escalating violence risks emboldening authoritarian regimes and destabilising Southeast Asia. “ASEAN cannot mistake the junta’s authority for legitimacy,” added Brosas, warning that the region’s moral and political leadership is at stake.

As the meetings in Thailand commence, ASEAN faces a critical juncture. Human rights advocates and regional leaders are watching closely, urging the bloc to adopt a principled and effective approach to resolving Myanmar’s crisis. Whether ASEAN rises to the challenge will shape its future role and credibility in regional and global affairs.