Author: Ahmad Cholis Hamzah**
ASEAN leaders are guided by traditional respect for the principle of non-interference within the affairs of states, publicly ASEAN leaders adhere to the famous “ASEAN way of non-interference”, while privately behind the scenes there may be a quite diplomatic approach to resolving issues causing tension. This practice contrasts sharply with that of Western countries. When Burma was under military rule, Western countries similar to the EU and the US expressed concern in regards to the way the military was ruling the non-democratic country and warned against imposing sanctions; and asked Indonesia or other ASEAN member countries to follow suit.
However, Indonesia then preferred to make use of the “ASEAN way” to persuade Burma to develop into a democracy. Professor Ketut Erawan from the Institute of Peace and Democracy (IPD (Implementing Body of the Bali Democracy Forum) once said that Indonesia shared its experience with Burma on how Indonesia is adopting democracy without bloodshed and the way the Indonesian army was ready to offer up its power in favor of a civilian government. Thailand’s then Foreign Minister Surin Abdul Halim Bin Ismail Pitsuwan, together with the Indonesian government, also told the Myanmar military government to decide on two options: maintaining the military dictator’s regime but in isolation within the region, or opening as much as democracy and joining ASEAN. This approach successfully persuaded Burma to speak in confidence to democracy and join ASEAN on July 23, 1997.
Since its founding on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok, ASEAN leaders have continued to uphold its purpose, which incorporates promoting peace and stability within the region and adopting fundamental principles, amongst others. not interfering of their internal affairs.
The Department of International Studies of the Airlangga University Alumni Association, after closely examining the present issues regarding what is occurring in Burma regarding the prosecution of the Rohingnya people, is of the opinion that without intervening in internal affairs in Burma based on the worth of ASEAN; nevertheless, to remind the Government of Burma that the killing of innocent people on the premise of faith and race is actually a violation of the very principle of human rights accepted by all civilized nations. Such killings might be strongly and forcefully condemned. Moreover, such tragic events would create instability within the region, which could be detrimental to ASEAN’s noble goal of promoting peace and stability within the region.
Madam Aung San Suu Kyi recently said that the world’s anger towards Myanmar relies on fake news. But the United Nations secretary-general has warned that the actions of Myanmar security forces, which have forced greater than 140,000 Rohingnya refugees to hunt refuge within the neighboring country of Bangladesh, may border on ethnic cleansing. The advocacy group Human Rights Watch (HRW) and John McKissick of the UN refugee relief organization UNHCR in Bangladesh have sharply criticized Myanmar’s handling of the conflict. HRW published satellite images purporting to indicate Rohingya homes being systematically burned down by the Myanmar military. In an interview with the BBC, McKissick spoke of “ethnic cleansing”.
The Airlangga University Alumni Association also reminds the Government of Burma that such a heavy-handed approach could create radicalism that would easily spread throughout the region, where all ASEAN leaders and folks will strongly oppose it.
We understand that the Rohingnya issue is a fancy and complicated issue. However, this problem should be resolved peacefully by adopting the ASEAN method.
** (Head of the Department of International Studies i
Global graduate empowerment
Alumni Association – Airlangga Surabaya University)
