SCEF submits open letter to ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting to discuss Myanmar issue

Photo – SCEF representatives hold a public meeting in Canada. The Steering Committee for the Emergence of the Federal Democracy Union (SCEF) announced today (July 21) that it has submitted an open letter to the ASEAN Chair's Special Envoy for the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings. A spokesperson for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs for ASEAN affairs stated at a press conference held yesterday that the Myanmar issue will be included in the discussions at the meeting. The open letter urges that the current ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting is a crucial time not only for Myanmar but also for regional peace and ASEAN's credibility, and calls for the effective implementation of ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus with results-oriented, measurable, and practical approaches. SCEF stated that ASEAN should set and evaluate measurable results in its engagement with Myanmar, including the immediate cessation of violence, including aerial attacks on civilians, and the unimpeded and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need. Furthermore, SCEF strongly calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners, including President U Win Myint and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and for the provision of appropriate monitoring mechanisms to support the development of a political process owned by the people of Myanmar. It also pointed out that the military junta, which continues to fail to abide by ASEAN's agreements, should be subjected to genuine pressure and gradually escalating consequences, including the resumption of ASEAN's measures to ban senior military junta officials from attending meetings. SCEF stated that a sustainable solution to Myanmar's political situation requires the meaningful participation of all stakeholders, including the National Unity Government (NUG), Ethnic Resistance Organizations (EROs), democratic forces, minority communities, and civil society organizations. The open letter also states that SCEF, an alliance-based leadership mechanism composed of democratically elected representatives and ethnic resistance organizations, has achieved democratic legitimacy and control in Myanmar and is ready to continue constructive cooperation with regional and international partners. U Hauk Khan Sum, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the military junta, is attending the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Although he is not eligible to attend at the Foreign Minister level, he is present for informal discussions. Editor: Aung Kyaw Phyo The post SCEF submits open letter to ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting to discuss Myanmar issue appeared first on BUR.MIZZIMA.COM.