JAKARTA (Reuters) – The international community must reassess its fundamental approach to the Myanmar crisis, a United Nations expert said on Wednesday.
Thomas Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, said there had been no progress in implementing the ASEAN five-point peace plan, which had been agreed with Myanmar’s military leaders after seizing power in a coup in 2021.
The peace consensus calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, safe humanitarian access and inclusive dialogue to achieve peace in this conflict-torn country.
He added that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should not invite Myanmar military personnel to high-level diplomatic meetings, or risk backsliding by extending a sense of legitimacy to the junta.
Andrews was speaking in Jakarta.
Myanmar’s generals have been barred from meetings of ASEAN leaders, but Thailand this week held separate talks aimed at re-engaging the junta. The meeting was avoided by major ASEAN countries.
(Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)