Jun 19, 2023 | DFF, Statements
JAKARTA – Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai’s decision to push through with “informal” meetings with the illegal Myanmar military junta despite widespread criticism and condemnation is a betrayal of the Myanmar people and an affront to ASEAN unity, Southeast Asian lawmakers said today.
“The Thai government’s determination to hold these meetings, despite receiving rejections from the ASEAN chair, Indonesia, as well as Singapore and Malaysia, demonstrates its arrogant disregard for the unity of ASEAN, the human rights of the people of Myanmar, and even the will of its own citizens,” ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) Co-chair Charles Santiago said today. “The current Thai government was overwhelmingly defeated in the recent general election and no longer has a mandate from the people; initiating such talks in spite of this is a slap in the face of the Thai voters.”
According to leaked documents, Pramudwinai sent a letter on 14 June inviting other ASEAN foreign ministers to an “informal discussion” on 18-19 June, with the aim of “fully [re-engaging] with Myanmar at the leaders’ level”. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi replied to the letter rejecting the invitation on 15 June, while the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement to the same effect on 18 June. Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in a press conference during his visit to the United States on 17 June that it was “premature to re-engage with the junta at a summit level or even at a foreign minister level.” The Philippines has yet to release an official statement but reportedly will not attend.
Despite this, Pramudiwinai has insisted that the talks will go ahead on 19 June and the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that high-level representatives from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, India, China, Brunei and Vietnam have confirmed their attendance. This meeting follows a previous “track 1.5 meeting” that was held in Thailand in March and was attended by Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam along with China, India, Bangladesh and Japan.
“We are dismayed that Thailand and other countries are still willing to engage with the murderous Myanmar junta without any attempt to hold it accountable, despite the military’s continued atrocities that have already resulted in the deaths of thousands of its own people. The ‘Track 1.5’ meetings also weaken ASEAN’s credibility on their ability to resolve the many crises unfolding in Myanmar,” said Santiago.
“Indonesia as ASEAN chair, as well as the other ASEAN member states, must not let this meeting go unanswered: there must be an inquiry into Thailand’s blatant disregard and disrespect of the current Chair. While we appreciate their rejection of this ill-conceived meeting, it cannot stop there. ASEAN must work together to hold the military junta accountable, including by reforming the failed Five-Point Consensus which has yet to yield any results since its adoption in April 2021,” said Santiago.
Jun 14, 2023 | DFF, Statements
JAKARTA – The Myanmar junta’s inadequate and discriminatory response to Cyclone Mocha must prompt ASEAN, ASEAN member states, and the wider international community to bypass the junta and provide more aid and support through local ethnic and civil society organizations, parliamentarians from Southeast Asia said today.
One month has passed since Cyclone Mocha landed and caused devastation in western Myanmar on 14 June 2023. Since then, at least 145 people and likely hundreds more have been killed with many more injured and suffering from a lack of food, clean water and shelter. At least 1.6 million people were affected by the hurricane in Chin, Sagaing, Magway, Kachin, and Rakhine, which has a large Rohingya Muslim community that has long been the target of discrimination and persecution.
“We are deeply concerned about the welfare of Cyclone Mocha survivors, especially those located in ethnic minority regions,” APHR Chairperson and member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Mercy Barends said today. “Vulnerable communities such as the Rohingya are once again the victims of the junta’s incompetence and callous disregard for human life.”
The Myanmar junta’s failure to respond promptly and effectively to the cyclone has left the lives of thousands in limbo. Their negligence has been compounded by the absurd decision to block access to Rakhine state for aid workers and humanitarian groups, including the United Nations, in clear violation of humanitarian norms and international human rights laws. The junta has made their bad faith clear by the use of racist language in state-run media, calling the Rohingya in Rakhine state ‘Bengalis.’
Meanwhile Chin, Sagaing, and Magway have all been the target of a devastating campaign of airstrikes, raids, and arson by the Myanmar junta in recent months, and residents have even alleged that the military conducted attacks while the cyclone was happening.
Myanmar’s past history with natural disasters and health crises show that this type of ineffective and at times malicious response is unfortunately nothing new.
During the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in 2008, the Myanmar military largely rejected the assistance of international relief efforts. It prolonged response times by “delaying the issuance of visas to aid workers, prohibiting foreign helicopters and boats from making deliveries to support the relief operation, obstructing travel by aid agencies to affected areas, and preventing local and international media.”
In the same vein, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the military weaponized the virus by attempting to control the population, attacking medics and first responders while also prioritizing their own access to personal protective equipment and other key COVID-19 supplies.
In stark contrast, ethnic revolutionary organizations (EROs) and humanitarian responders have proven integral to the disaster response so far. Days after the cyclone hit, the Arakan Army and the United League of Arakan formed the Cyclone Mocha Emergency Rescue and Rehabilitation Committee for Arakan. The Arakan Army also assisted with relocation efforts for approximately 100,000 civilians before the storm hit. Other EROs and the National Unity Government (NUG) have also donated significant funds to the relief effort.
“Past experience has shown that the Myanmar military’s response to any crisis is inept at best and inhumane at worst. The junta clearly cannot be trusted to facilitate any form of aid, and certainly not in regions where it has only weeks ago conducted brutal airstrikes,” said Barends. “Donor countries and institutions should urgently divert their aid to local ethnic and civil society organizations that have a proven track record of helping those most in need. Failure to do so would be a grave disservice to the thousands of people that have fallen victim not only to a deadly disaster, but also to a murderous authoritarian regime.”
Jun 8, 2023 | DFF, Statements, Tools for MPs
KUALA LUMPUR – ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), in partnership with the office of the Speaker of Malaysia’s House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat), has launched the Toolkit for Parliamentarians to Promote Counter Narrative to Hate Speech Towards Migrants and Refugees in Malaysia.
The launch, which was held in the Malaysian parliament, was attended by members of parliament (MPs), the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Malaysia, ambassadors and representatives of foreign embassies in Malaysia, members of civil society, as well as the media.
“I urge all MPs present here today to utilize this toolkit as a powerful tool in raising awareness about the issue of hate against migrants and refugees. By doing so, we can collectively work towards creating a more inclusive and human rights-respecting society,” said Malaysian House Speaker Dato’ Johari bin Abdul.
Due to its diversity, strategic location, relatively stronger economy, and workforce needs, Malaysia is one of the largest migrant-receiving countries in Southeast Asia. However, migration remains a sensitive topic in the country, with a vast majority of Malaysians having negative perceptions of migrants and refugees.
Mainstream political leaders, such as MPs, play an important role in the construction of narratives on migration. Political narratives that emphasize the positive role of migrants and refugees in society and economies have proven to be successful in limiting the rise and influence of negative migration narratives. This is why APHR has created this toolkit, which aims to help parliamentarians become agents of social progress by using their voice to spread positive counter-narratives to hate speech towards migrants in Malaysia.
“We hope that this toolkit can empower MPs to take action against hate speech towards migrants and refugees, promote positive narratives and end harmful perceptions, stereotypes, and disinformation about these communities and celebrate their contributions to economic growth, social development, cultural enrichment, so we can build a Malaysia that thrives in diversity,” said APHR member and Malaysian MP Wong Chen.
The toolkit includes an explanation of what constitutes hate speech and the importance of countering such speech, as well as possible strategies that MPs can use to promote positive narratives about migrants and refugees both in parliament and in their respective constituencies.
“The role of parliamentarians in building inclusive and fair societies cannot be overemphasized. As political leaders elected by their constituencies, they have a paramount responsibility and undeniable power to influence public policies and shape the discourse on human rights, tolerance, solidarity, and inclusiveness,” said UN Resident Coordinator for Malaysia Karima El Korri.
Click here to download the toolkit in English.
Click here to download the toolkit in Bahasa Malaysia.
May 30, 2023 | DFF, Internet Freedoms, Statements
JAKARTA — As the region’s largest democracy, Indonesia should lead the way in upholding human rights online, particularly ahead of the upcoming 2024 general elections, Southeast Asian lawmakers said today at the conclusion of a fact-finding mission on internet freedom in the country.
“Indonesia has taken great strides in democratic reform following the fall of the authoritarian New Order regime 25 years ago, but we are concerned that if current trends of restrictions on freedom of speech and expression online continue unchecked, this important progress will be lost,” ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights member and Malaysian Member of Parliament Yuneswaran Ramaraj said today.
“The internet is now one of the places where citizens and voters exercise their right to freedom of speech the most; if these digital spaces are closed this poses a risk to the freeness and fairness of the upcoming elections,” continued Ramaraj.
During the fact-finding mission, current and former parliamentarians from Malaysia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste went to Jakarta and met with civil society organizations, journalists, and technology companies and also made visits to the Ministry of Communication and Information, the General Election Commission (KPU) as well as the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM). The mission culminated in a meeting with members of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission I, which oversees communication and information.
One of the major findings of the mission is how the Electronic Information and Transaction (ITE) Law – particularly its articles on defamation – has been used by those in positions of power to criminalize and silence peaceful expressions of dissent. This can be seen in the ongoing prosecution of human rights defenders Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti, who were reported under the ITE Law by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Panjaitan merely for discussing allegations of the minister’s involvement in mining activities in Papua in a Youtube video.
“The ambiguous provisions in the ITE Law are clearly being misused and pose a great threat to meaningfully discussion of political opinions online, which is particularly concerning with elections on the horizon,” said APHR member and Timor-Leste member of parliament Elvina Sousa Carvalho.
“APHR joins Indonesian civil society in calling on the Indonesian government and House of Representatives to enact a comprehensive revision of the law, and for authorities to halt the use of the law pending the revision. Continued prosecutions under the ITE Law would call into question whether the upcoming elections are truly democratic,” continued Carvalho.
Representatives from civil society and media also expressed their concerns about the increased monitoring of social media content, as well as digital attacks against human rights defenders and media organizations. These threats to freedom of expression online have caused a chilling effect, creating an atmosphere in which internet users are inclined to self-censor themselves in order to avoid legal harassment or online intimidation.
Civil society organizations as well as Komnas HAM have engaged in efforts to safeguard a democratic digital ecosystem, including by fact-checking disinformation about the 2024 election, conducting training for young voters, as well as engaging with state actors. However, many respondents have expressed concerns that state institutions are not opening enough room for civil society and human rights groups to provide their inputs in regulations that affect freedom of speech and expression online.
“Elections are not merely about what happens on one day in a voting booth,” said APHR member and former Philippines member of parliament Sarah Elago. “Elections should be a truly democratic process in which all members of society, especially the marginalized, feel comfortable to openly and peacefully express their views and have meaningful dialogues about the future of the country,” Elago added.
“APHR therefore calls on the Indonesian government institutions to increase public participation in digital freedom-related policy making and setting measures to promote a healthy and informed online discourse during the election process. We also urge state institutions, such as KPU, Bawaslu, and Komnas HAM, to uphold democratic principles and likewise prevent any backsliding in democratic progress,” said Elago.
“Indonesia has often been considered as one of the most democratic and human rights-respecting countries in Southeast Asia. Considering this, and the country’s position as ASEAN chair, Indonesia should continue to set an example and not turn back from the progress made during the past three decades,” said Ramaraj.
Click here to read this statement in Indonesian.
May 16, 2023 | DFF, Statements
JAKARTA – ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) condemns the Cambodian government’s continued efforts to undermine and block opposition parties from participating in the upcoming general elections in July.
“The Hun Sen regime once again shows its utter disdain for the principles of democracy and unwillingness to compete in free and fair elections,” APHR Board Member and former Thai minister of foreign affairs Kasit Piromya said today. “If it wants the world to take the results of the July elections seriously, the Cambodian government must halt all efforts to hamstring its opponents and instead ensure a space for all parties to participate.”
The latest government effort to thwart the opposition comes in the form of the bureaucratic stonewalling of the main opposition Candlelight Party, which has been disqualified by Cambodia’s National Election Committee (NEC) for supposedly failing to submit “proper registration documents”.
The NEC had demanded that the Candlelight Party, which was formerly called the Sam Rainsy Party and had previously merged with the Human Rights Party to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) until the latter’s dissolution in 2017, produce its original party registration document from the Ministry of the Interior.
In the past, including during local elections in May 2022, the Candlelight Party was able to use a photocopy of the letter to register for the polls, as the original was lost during police raids on CNRP’s headquarters in November 2017. The NEC has nevertheless insisted on the original documents.
“The Cambodian government is clearly fishing for any excuse to block opposition parties from competing. Disqualifying a party on the basis of such a small technicality fools absolutely no one and just serves as another show of the Hun Sen regime’s bad faith dealings,” said Piromya. “We call on the Cambodian government to allow the registration of the Candlelight Party and any other opposition parties for the upcoming elections.”
These latest tactics come hand-in-hand with direct physical intimidation. As Human Rights Watch has documented, at least six opposition party members have been assaulted by unidentified men riding motorcycles, since Hun Sen publicly threatened opposition supporters with violence in January. . There have been at least six cases in recent months, after Prime Minister Hun Sen on January 9 publicly threatened opposition supporters with violence.
Previously, in March 2023, former CNRP leader Kem Sokha was sentenced to 27 years of house arrest and barred from running for political office or voting in elections after being found guilty on trumped-up treason charges. He was convicted over absurd accusations of conspiring with the United States to overthrow Hun Sen.
“It is disheartening to see Cambodia continuing on this trajectory, especially when recent elections in neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Thailand show how free and fair elections can breathe new life into democracy in countries long-dominated by authoritarian rule,” said Piromya.
“The government of Hun Sen appears determined to drive the final nail into the coffin of Cambodia’s democracy, which is guaranteed by the Paris Peace Agreements of 1991. If the Hun Sen regime persists in blocking opposition parties from participating, then the international community must refuse to accord legitimacy from a government which claims an electoral mandate from a bogus election.”
May 15, 2023 | DFF, Statements
JAKARTA – Parliamentarians from Southeast Asia welcome the results of the Thai general elections and call on the Thai authorities to protect and uphold the will of the people in the formation of the government.
“We congratulate the people of Thailand on coming out in huge numbers to exercise their right to vote and register their aspirations for change through peaceful balloting. The voters have spoken, and their message is clear: they want real democratic reform,” ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) Co-chair and former Malaysian member of parliament Charles Santiago said today.
While official results will only be available in 60 days, preliminary results announced by the Thai Election Commission indicate that the Move Forward party, led by Pita Limjaroenrat, is on track to win 151 seats. In comparison, fellow opposition party Pheu Thai has 141 seats: making a combined total of 292 out of 500 lower house seats. The United Thai Nation Party of incumbent prime minister and former general Prayuth Chan-ocha, who rose to power in 2014 in a military coup, is trailing in fifth place with 36 seats.
Despite the overwhelming victory, however, the opposition parties may be unable to form a government. This is because the 250 military-appointed members of the upper house, which was formed as a result of the military coup, will also be voting on the next prime minister.
“The Royal Thai Military must open their eyes and ears to what the Thai people are demanding. For years, protesters have taken to the streets, calling for democracy and human rights. They have now backed this up in the ballot box,” said Santiago.
“Subverting the election results and blocking the formation of a new government by the winning parties would be an unconscionable betrayal that would only result in unrest and instability. We, therefore, urge the military and incumbent government to do the right thing and abide by the will of the people.”
