Burma to sign pro-human rights Asean Charter

Nyan Win

Burma has been under the spotlight after a military crackdown on massive protests in September that, according to the government, killed at least 15 people including a Japanese journalist.

"We have discussed about the Asean charter, not other issues, and we will sign the charter," Burma's Foreign Minister Nyan Win told reporters after a meeting over breakfast on Monday with his Asean colleagues.

In fact, the Asean leaders had nothing much to discuss about the charter as it has already been drawn up by the High Level Task Force and all countries agreed in advance to endorse it.

What the leaders need to do for the charter during the summit is to put their signatures on Tuesday and celebrate as well as wait for all members to ratify it. It is expected that all countries will ratify the charter within a year from now.

"We hope we can celebrate the charter during the next summit next year in Bangkok where Asean was born," said Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram.

The major concern for the Asean leaders is the Burma issue. Nitya said they will take a common position on how to "engage" the military-ruled country in order to carry the matter forward.

Asean has subscribed an approach of engagement toward its troubled member Burma, rather than pressure and sanctions as put into place by the US and EU.

"Asean is the master of their own house. Asean comprises ten members. No one is leaving. There is no reason why anyone is going to be discussing the question of anybody exiting Asean," Nitya told reporters.

Punishment and the suspension of Burma for its democracy and human rights suppression are not options, he said.

"When we have the charter signed, coming into force would be a mechanism that will be discussed with regard to, let's say, various non-compliance," he added.

Singapore as the Asean chair invited United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari for a briefing on the situation and his mission to push Burma forward to national reconciliation and democracy.

Gambari will be in the city state on Tuesday but the Asean leaders have not built consensus on whether to allow him to brief only ten members of the group, including Burma, or also brief the leaders of East Asian countries during the East Asian Summit on Wednesday.

by Supalak G Khundee

The Nation, Singapore