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Engaging Asean: The Burma Experience

Engaging Asean: The Burma Experience. Some peculiar ASEAN problems: ASEAN lacks political will to act on tough issues like Burma Quiet diplomacy is the ASEAN way of avoiding the issue New democratic spaces opened up (e.g. in Indonesia) but others closed down (e.g. in Thailand)

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Engaging Asean: The Burma Experience

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  1. Engaging Asean: The Burma Experience Some peculiar ASEAN problems: • ASEAN lacks political will to act on tough issues like Burma • Quiet diplomacy is the ASEAN way of avoiding the issue • New democratic spaces opened up (e.g. in Indonesia) but others closed down (e.g. in Thailand) • ASEAN is a “anarchist” organization (hubs of power shift and decision making shift) making engagement difficult • “Non-interference” is a convenient justification for recognizing illegitimate regimes

  2. Engaging Asean: The Burma Experience Some observations on the ASEAN way: • ASEAN leaders will heed the leaders of other countries more than their own civil society. Hence in the context of human rights advocacy, engagement with key ASEAN partners that are more open to civil society and are more inclined to open dialogue, is a more cost-effective strategy. • Eventually, ASEAN leaders will pay attention when they notice others paying attention to a certain issue. • Naming and shaming ASEAN members at international fora has greater impact than quiet diplomacy • The involvement of outspoken elected legislators, especially those from government parties, in promoting human rights, democracy and social justice, is vital.

  3. Engaging Asean: The Burma Experience Another peculiar ASEAN way: • Critical discussions seem to occur during coffee and toilet breaks instead of during actual meetings. (This was confirmed quite independently by Sec Gen Ong Keng Yong last night.)

  4. Engaging Asean: The Burma Experience • AIPMC role in Burma’s relinquishing the ASEAN chair in 2006 • Burma’s problems affecting the regions, eg refugees, migrants, drugs, HIV/AIDS

  5. Recommendations • Asean civil society should strengthen cooperation with Burmese exile groups to implement a common strategy on Burma • Build partnerships between civil society and legislators, like in the case of the AIPMC, to bring about tangible change • Be open and do not gag yourself, complement quiet diplomacy with open discussion • Burma’s junta will respond to pressure: naming and shaming can work • Support moves to bring Burma onto the UN Security Council agenda

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