22 September 2022
- RSIS
- Publication
- External Publications
- ASEAN and the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar: A Futile Exercise?
ASEAN and the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar: A Futile Exercise?
Executive Summary
• Given the many challenges ASEAN faces in advancing its FPC, it is not surprising that the framework can be dismissed as an exercise in futility. In fact, as a consequence of the regime’s brutality and its recent execution of four democracy activists, there are now growing pressures within ASEAN to reconsider its approach.
• While the ASEAN-9 decided to continue barring the SAC from attending the Ministerial Meetings and the Summits, which arguably is significant and a step away from Myanmar’s participation in all ASEAN meetings, this still falls short of suspending its ASEAN membership.
• ASEAN requires no less than a united front to deal with these current and emerging challenges. It therefore cannot afford to be sidetracked nor held hostage by the Myanmar conflict, which could and is already undermining ASEAN’s unity and centrality.
• The ASEAN-9 would do well to confront these realities head-on and decide how best to credibly deal with a recalcitrant member who continues to ignore ASEAN decisions and openly defies what it stands for – regional peace and security – while diminishing the ASEAN values of peaceful dispute resolution, respect for human rights, tolerance, and justice.
• In this regard, proposals for institutionalizing the ASEAN Special Envoy position instead of a rotating appointment and outlining the consequences of non-compliance, particularly in cessation of violence, merit serious consideration and should be adopted without delay.
Executive Summary
• Given the many challenges ASEAN faces in advancing its FPC, it is not surprising that the framework can be dismissed as an exercise in futility. In fact, as a consequence of the regime’s brutality and its recent execution of four democracy activists, there are now growing pressures within ASEAN to reconsider its approach.
• While the ASEAN-9 decided to continue barring the SAC from attending the Ministerial Meetings and the Summits, which arguably is significant and a step away from Myanmar’s participation in all ASEAN meetings, this still falls short of suspending its ASEAN membership.
• ASEAN requires no less than a united front to deal with these current and emerging challenges. It therefore cannot afford to be sidetracked nor held hostage by the Myanmar conflict, which could and is already undermining ASEAN’s unity and centrality.
• The ASEAN-9 would do well to confront these realities head-on and decide how best to credibly deal with a recalcitrant member who continues to ignore ASEAN decisions and openly defies what it stands for – regional peace and security – while diminishing the ASEAN values of peaceful dispute resolution, respect for human rights, tolerance, and justice.
• In this regard, proposals for institutionalizing the ASEAN Special Envoy position instead of a rotating appointment and outlining the consequences of non-compliance, particularly in cessation of violence, merit serious consideration and should be adopted without delay.
