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We, the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), on the occasion of the 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) on 23 to 25 August 2021;

Recognizing that AIPA, as a regional parliamentary organization in Southeast Asia, aims to encourage understanding, cooperation, and close relations among Members of Parliaments as well as Observer Member Parliaments and other parliamentary organizations;

Acknowledging that AIPA’s aims and purposes include the promotion of “the principles of human rights, democracy, peace, security and prosperity in ASEAN”;

Highlighting alarming concerns over the situation in Myanmar, in particular the military’s use of force to takeover a democratically elected government and prevent the Parliament from convening on 1 February 2021, and the subsequent systematic assault on human rights and democracy by the military appointed State Administration Council (SAC);

Stressing on the military junta’s violent crackdown against opponents to the coup, including duly-elected members of parliament, unabated use of violence against peaceful protesters and civilians, and systematic suppression of fundamental freedoms, resulting in 999 individuals killed and 5,712 arrested/charged, 107 of which are members of national and regional parliaments who are either detained or placed under house arrest;*

Recalling the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) decision on 25 May 2021 denouncing “the persecution of those wishing to exercise their parliamentary mandate as entrusted to them by the people of Myanmar” and expressing concerns that “at least 50 members of the Parliament of Myanmar, including its presiding officers, have reportedly been subject to direct reprisals for carrying out their political work;” including incommunicado detention, torture, ill-treatment, inhumane detention conditions, and secret trials;

Recalling, that AIPA’s membership shall be open to the National Parliaments of the ASEAN Member States which for Myanmar is the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw;

Noting the formation of the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) on 5 February 2021 that comprises 378 democratically-elected members of parliament to perform the responsibilities and duties entrusted to them by the people of Myanmar, and to conduct the regular functions of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw;

Recalling that AIPA’s “observer” status means any Parliament other than a Member Parliament that shall be a national or regional parliament of a state or states having diplomatic recognition from all ASEAN Member States;

Underscoring the lack of substantial progress in the implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus adopted in 24 April 2021 on the immediate cessation of violence; facilitation of constructive dialogue among all parties concerned to seek peaceful solutions in the interests of the people; appointment of an ASEAN special envoy to facilitate mediation of the dialogue process; delivery of humanitarian assistance; and ASEAN special envoy visit to meet with all parties concerned.

Recognizing the people of Myanmar’s steadfast resistance against military rule and unwavering cry for democracy.

Do hereby agree to:

● Urge AIPA, under the leadership of His Excellency Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib, to formally welcome the three delegates designated by the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) on 14 June 2021 as the sole and only legitimate representatives of Myanmar’s Parliament at the upcoming 42nd General Assembly;

● Implore AIPA to reject the request by Myanmar’s military State Administration Council (SAC) to send delegates to the 42nd General Assembly, nor to grant them the status of observer when that very institution is responsible for using force to prevent one of AIPA’s Parliament Member from convening and for persecuting its members;

● Urge AIPA to call for the immediate and unconditional release of fellow members of parliament in Myanmar, and all those who have been arbitrarily arrested since 1 February 2021;

● Appeal to AIPA to advocate for the meaningful and immediate enforcement of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus on the situation in Myanmar as well as the immediate restoration of democracy and human rights for all in the country;

● Emphasize the important role of parliamentarians in Southeast Asia, in the spirit of democracy, in supporting fellow parliamentarians in the region who are facing human rights abuses; and to

● Continue to advocate for lasting democracy, human rights, and rule of law to
prevail in Myanmar and in Southeast Asia.

* As of 17 August 2021, compiled by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), available at https://aappb.org/