Disappointed Not To Be Discussed, Myanmar Civil Society Group Rejects ASEAN Special Envoy

JAKARTA - Hundreds of Myanmar civil society groups on Friday rejected the appointment of a special envoy by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), saying regional organizations should consult with opponents of the ruling military regime and others.

Foreign Ministers of ASEAN countries on Wednesday appointed Brunei Darussalam's Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof, as Special Envoy for Myanmar in trying to resolve the crisis in the Thousand Pagoda Country, by opening dialogue and overseeing humanitarian assistance.

"Myanmar CSOs (civil society organizations) express deep disillusionment with ASEAN, as well as their lack of an inclusive decision-making process and their inaction in the face of some of the most heinous crimes committed in the region," said a statement from 413 Myanmar civil society groups, citing Reuters on Friday. August 6th.

Neither the ASEAN secretariat nor the Brunei Darussalam Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately commented. Meanwhile, Myanmar's military regime did not respond to requests for comment.

Myanmar groups say the Government of National Unity set up by opponents of the military regime should also be consulted on the appointment. There is no comment yet on the naming of the messenger itself.

Previously, the Joint Communiqué of the results of the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) announced that the Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Darussalam Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof was agreed as a Special Envoy for Myanmar, last Wednesday, August 4.

"Special Envoy will immediately start work, have full access to all parties in Myanmar and will report to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting in September," explained Director General of ASEAN Cooperation, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sidharto R Suryodipuro in a virtual press statement.

Separately, the government led by the Military Commander and Senior Prime Minister General Min Aung Hlaing has approved the appointment, state-controlled media said.

The Myanmar Coup. The editor of VOI continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Civilian casualties continued to fall. Readers can follow news about the Myanmar military coup by tapping this link.