ASEAN Foreign Ministers demand release of all political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

An informal meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers concerning the current situation in Myanmar was held on July 12 in Bangkok, Thailand. At the meeting, ASEAN member states reiterated their strong demand for the swift release of all individuals detained for political reasons, including Myanmar's democratic leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Following the meeting, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told the media that ASEAN's "Five-Point Consensus" on the Myanmar issue had been valid from the beginning and remained valid to this day. He further stated that ASEAN desires to see tangible progress in the Myanmar situation and seeks the implementation of three main pillars. Among these, "the release of all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," is a key point that ASEAN is seriously demanding. The remaining two points are to completely halt violence against civilians and to ensure that ASEAN's humanitarian assistance can be safely delivered to the Myanmar people in need, regardless of their political affiliations. ASEAN Foreign Ministers stated that they expect positive responses and tangible progress in Myanmar affairs, including the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, in the coming months, and that they will continue to monitor the situation.