MGR Online — The Myanmar government has rejected a fresh demand by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained former leader, stating that the demand constitutes interference in the country's judicial process, and dismissing the need for the appointment of a special envoy on Myanmar affairs by the bloc's chair, the Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
President Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar's former commander-in-chief who seized power from Suu Kyi's civilian government in 2021, has been seeking to establish political legitimacy since taking power and to restore relations with ASEAN.
ASEAN proposed a peace plan for Myanmar in April 2021 to end the conflict and initiate dialogue between the warring sides, with a special envoy serving as a facilitator, but Min Aung Hlaing has been barred from attending the bloc's high-level meetings due to non-compliance with the plan.
In an effort to reduce criticism, the Myanmar government last week allowed representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to meet with Suu Kyi — marking the first contact with an outside international humanitarian organisation since she was detained five years ago.
Suu Kyi is being held under house arrest at an undisclosed location in Naypyidaw, Myanmar's capital, on various charges that her supporters and human rights groups say are politically motivated.
The Philippines, the current ASEAN chair, welcomed the meeting, describing it as an important step toward dialogue and reconciliation, while also calling for greater access to political detainees and reiterating its demand for Suu Kyi's full and unconditional release.
A statement from Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued on Saturday night (the 8th) criticised ASEAN's demands, stating that ASEAN's calls for access to Aung San Suu Kyi and for the release of other detainees touch upon related judicial processes and the fundamental principles of the rule of law in a sovereign state, and reaffirmed that any release would be carried out in accordance with the law only.
"Although the government has reduced her sentence on humanitarian grounds, the matter of a full and unconditional release must be conducted in accordance with the law only," the statement said.
In addition, Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it believes ASEAN no longer needs a special envoy to the country — a position established in the wake of the coup — since a government that emerged from a multi-party democratic election reflecting the genuine will of the people has now assumed responsibility for the state.
"Myanmar is of the view that the appointment and continued role of a new Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair is no longer necessary. However, Myanmar will continue to strengthen its engagement with ASEAN in its own way, while at the same time maintaining and protecting national interests and sovereignty," the statement said.
The statement also reiterated Min Aung Hlaing's policy address, noting that Myanmar would take appropriate countermeasures on a case-by-case basis in response to unconstructive and discriminatory treatment, and called on ASEAN member states to refrain from any actions that could amount to undue pressure or interference in the internal affairs of member states.
