Taken from an ARTICLE 19 Report.
At the end of February, reports emerged that the Burmese military regime had released 23 prisoners, including one MP from Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. The release was accompanied by an announcement on 27 February that 6,313 prisoners would be freed over the coming days.
ARTICLE 19 welcomed these releases and called on the Burmese authorities to deliver on its promises to free more political prisoners, particularly Aung San Suu Kyi and all others imprisoned for the peaceful expression of their political opinions.
Unfortunately, the timing of these releases could not be more significant. They coincided with the Burmese authorities’ strenuous efforts to block and veto any human rights agreements on the ASEAN Summit agenda over the weekend. The Summit held in Thailand brought together the ASEAN member states, all of whom have ratified the ASEAN Charter containing a provision (Article 14) to establish a regional human rights body, similar to those already in existence in Europe, Africa and the Americas. Led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand has been pushing for such a body to be agreed during its chairmanship of ASEAN: ‘We need to make ASEAN more people-centered…Protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms is a key feature of our community.’
Deplorably the Burmese regime undermined any possibility for agreement on a new charter, vetoed the attendance of human rights campaigners and blocked dialogue with civil society. ‘The ASEAN member states must do more for human rights protection in Burma and must do it better. The lack of courage in addressing what constitutes one of the major human rights crises in the world reflects badly on all member states and on ASEAN and does not augur well of its human rights commitment and capacities’ adds Dr. Callamard, ARTICLE 19 Executive Director.
Unsurprisingly the current draft of the human rights body leaked to The Associated Press over the weekend is reportedly weak, with no powers to investigate or prosecute rights abusers and complete with provisions that reject external interference.
For more information: please contact Oliver Spencer, oliver@article19.org, +44 207278 9292
ARTICLE 19 is an independent human rights organisation that works around the world to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression. It takes its name from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees free speech.
ARTICLE 19, 6-8 Amwell Street, London EC1R 1UQ Tel: (+44) 20 7278 9292 / Fax: (+44) 20 7278 7660 Web: www.article19.org / Email: info@article19.org
