THE Philippines has called on Myanmar “to adhere to principles enshrined in the Asean Charter and the Asean Human Rights Declaration including the adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, respect for and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
The Philippines’ Temporary Representative to the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), Assistant Secretary Jaime Victor B. Ledda, made the call at a recent meeting of the bloc’s officials on human rights in the region.
Since February 1, when a military coup took over government and detained civilian leader Daw Aung San Kyuu Kyi, more than 700 people have been killed by the military in a continuing crackdown on protests against the coup, according to a report by Al Jazeera, quoting a monitoring group.
At the same time, it was reported that 10 Myanmar policemen were killed in attacks by ethnic armies.
Fighters from an alliance of rebel groups reportedly attack a police station in a new escalation after the military coup.
“As violence has escalated, about a dozen armed groups have condemned the coup-makers as illegitimate and pledged to stand with the protesters,” one report said.
Civilian lawmakers, most of whom are in hiding after their removal, have announced plans to form a “national unity government” – with key roles for ethnic leaders – and are holding online talks about joint resistance to the generals.”
Ledda joined representatives of other Asean members in discussing current developments on human rights in the region and expressed deep concern over developments in Myanmar during a video conference.
The 33rd Meeting of the AICHR also discussed the ongoing priority programs and activities in the areas of business and human rights, rights of the child, right to health, and right to development, among others.
There were separate meetings with the Secretary-General of Asean and the Committee of the Permanent Representatives to Asean (CPR).
They discussed areas of continued practical cooperation with AICHR.
Philippine Permanent Representative to Asean in Jakarta Noel M. Servigon attended the AICHR-CPR interface and urged the meeting “to consider activities on the right of the child to education to enhance awareness of the plight of children during these difficult times.”
AICHR also met with the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-ASIA) to discuss potential areas of engagement.
AICHR is the overarching human rights body in Asean mandated to promote and protect human rights in the region.
Earlier, the United Nations envoy on Myanmar implored the Security Council to take action amid the escalating crisis, warning of the risk of civil war as the violent crackdown on anti-coup protests “has left hundreds dead.”
Christine Schraner Burgener told a closed session of the 15-member Council that the generals who seized power on February 1 were not capable of managing the country, and warned the situation on the ground would only worsen, according to comments shared with reporters.
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