CALD Resolution No. 1, S. 2021

CALD Resolution No. 1, S. 2021

CALD Resolution imploring AIPA to recognize CPRH-designated delegates as sole and legitimate representatives of the Myanmar Parliament in its upcoming 42nd General Assembly

We, the member-parties of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD):

Recognizing that the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), a regional parliamentary organization in Southeast Asia, was formed “to promote solidarity, understanding, cooperation and close relations among parliaments of ASEAN Member States, other parliaments and parliamentary organizations”;

Highlighting that in the AIPA Statutes, the promotion of the principles of human rights, democracy, peace, security and prosperity in ASEAN was listed as one of the aims and purposes of the organization;

Recalling that AIPA upheld the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 which envisions that the people of the region “enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as thrive in a just, democratic, harmonious and gender-sensitive environment in accordance with the principles of democracy, good governance and the rule of law”;

Stressing that these aims and vision of AIPA and ASEAN have been put to the test by the military takeover in Myanmar on 1 February 2021, which ousted a democratically elected government and subsequently led to a “reign of terror” which continues to this day;

Highlighting the report of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPB) Burma, a human rights organization based in Mae Sot and Yangon, which shows that the military junta has, thus far, killed 999 and arrested/charged/sentenced 5712 – including 99 members of national and regional parliaments who are either detained or placed under house arrest;

Underscoring that the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) was formed by democratically elected members of parliament ousted by the coup d’etat so that they can continue to perform their functions as members of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, Myanmar’s parliament;

Recognizing that the National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar was also subsequently created – an interim government which vows to end military rule, restore democracy and build “a federal democratic union which guarantees freedom, justice and equality”;

Noting that Moe Zaw Oo, deputy minister of foreign affairs of the NUG said that: “If ASEAN is considering action related to Myanmar affairs, I’d like to say it won’t succeed unless it negotiates with the NUG, which is supported by the people and has complete legitimacy”;

Highlighting the position of the NUG that they are open to dialogue with the military-backed State Administration Council (SAC) provided that the latter “stop killing, release Aung San Suu Kyi unconditionally, withdraw weapons and return power to the people of Myanmar, to the unity government”;

Recalling that SAC’s foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, said that “Myanmar would not support the idea of engaging with CPRH and NUG since the Anti-Terrorism Central Committee on 8 May 2021 had declared them and their subordinates as terrorist groups”;

Recognizing that the political stalemate in Myanmar would again be put into the spotlight as AIPA convenes its 42^nd General Assembly on 23 to 25 August 2021, and the issue of legitimate representation from Myanmar comes to the fore;

Do hereby agree to:

Implore AIPA, under the leadership of His Excellency Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib, to recognize the three CPRH-designated delegates as the sole and only legitimate representatives of Myanmar’s Parliament at the upcoming 42nd General Assembly;

Urge AIPA to reject the request by SAC to send delegates to the 42nd General Assembly, nor to grant them an observer status;

Call upon AIPA to speak out on the immediate and unconditional release of detained members of parliament in Myanmar, and all those who have been arbitrarily arrested since 1 February 2021;

Appeal to AIPA to support the meaningful and immediate enforcement of ASEAN’s five-point consensus on the situation in Myanmar, and to ensure that the newly appointed ASEAN envoy to Myanmar, Second Foreign Minister of Brunei Erywan Yusof, stay true to his promise to “involve all parties concerned” when he visits 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 persecution;

Support the people of Myanmar in their steadfast opposition to military rule and their fight to restore democracy;

Continue to work for the realization of democracy, good governance and the rule of law in Myanmar and in the broader Southeast Asian region, in accordance with the vision of the ASEAN Community; and to

Uphold  democratic and liberal values, in the face of intensifying threats to freedom in the region, as the basis for peaceful, inclusive and responsive society.

For the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats:

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan

Chairperson

18 August 2021