Condemning the Attack on Humanitarian Aid Convoy in Myanmar, ASEAN Leaders: Perpetrators must be held to account

Opening of the ASEAN 2023 Summit. (Source: ASEAN2023 Host Photographer)

JAKARTA - Leaders of countries in Southeast Asia who condemn the attack on an ASEAN humanitarian aid convoy in Myanmar, support the attitude of Indonesia's chairmanship and demand that the perpetrators be held accountable.

"We are deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Myanmar and urge an immediate end to all forms of violence and the use of force, to create a conducive environment, safe and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogue," the ASEAN Leaders said in a joint statement as quoted on Wednesday, May 10.

Last Monday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) condemned the attack on ASEAN humanitarian officials while distributing aid, saying it would not affect ASEAN's commitments.

"We support the statement by the President of the Republic of Indonesia as Chair of ASEAN on 8 May 2023 in response to the recent attack on the convoy of the AHA Center and the ASEAN Monitoring Team in Myanmar," continued the joint statement.

"We condemn the attack and underline that the perpetrators must be held accountable," the statement said.

Get the full statement: https://t.co/VzM8WMwcZS pic.twitter.com/fO5vJNv0j8

— ASEAN (@ASEAN) May 10, 2023

In this regard, Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government (NUG) allied with the anti-junta military militia, the People's Defense Forces (PDF), said they were not aware of any such attacks.

The PDF in Taunggyi District, Shan State where the attack was reported, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for the Myanmar military junta also did not respond to a request for comment regarding this attack, as quoted by VOA Indonesia.

"What I want to emphasize is that this (attack) does not affect the determination of ASEAN and Indonesia to once again call for an end to violence. Stop the use of violence," President Jokowi said without going into details about the incident.

It is known, the Government of Indonesia has again called on all parties to stop the violence in Myanmar, because this condition only sacrifices the community and vice versa, neither side wins.

We support the ASEAN Chair's efforts, including his continued engagement with all stakeholder parties in Myanmar, to drive progress on the implementation of the Five Points of Consensus," the joint statement concluded.