JFM warns that engagement with the junta, which completely disregards ASEAN's 5-point consensus, will encourage the continued commission of international crimes

Yangon, July 15 Justice For Myanmar (JFM) has warned that engagement with the Myanmar junta, which completely disregards ASEAN's 5-point consensus, will encourage the junta to continue committing international crimes with impunity. Although more than five years have passed since ASEAN adopted the 5-point consensus, ASEAN continues to violate its own commitments, and is further strengthening its complicity in the international crimes committed by the Myanmar junta, JFM stated. JFM pointed out that the Myanmar junta are criminals who should be held accountable for the international crimes they have committed, and are not individuals to be received and honored alongside ASEAN foreign ministers. An informal meeting between the ASEAN foreign ministers and the "Foreign Minister" of the illegal military junta, held recently in Bangkok, Thailand, will only encourage the junta to continue committing international crimes with impunity, Justice For Myanmar stated. JFM noted that junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has completely disregarded ASEAN's 5-point consensus and has intensified attacks on the people of Myanmar. These acts of terrorism have been carried out with the complicity of companies and governments in ASEAN member states, particularly Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore, JFM warned. As a concrete example of this complicity, JFM pointed out that PTTEP, a company partially owned by the Thai government, is partnering with the junta to supervise and operate two offshore natural gas projects in Myanmar. Furthermore, it has been revealed that funds are flowing to the junta through the sale of natural gas to PTTEP's parent company, PTT, and that these funds are financing the junta's continued commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity. At the same time, JFM revealed that the son and daughter-in-law of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing have purchased a luxury residence in Bangkok worth 98 million Thai baht, or nearly 3 million US dollars, as an investment abroad of their illicitly obtained wealth. Viettel Global Investment, owned by the Vietnamese government, continues to partner with the military-affiliated Myanma Economic Corporation (MEC), which is under international sanctions, and the Mytel telecommunications network, providing both tax revenue and surveillance capabilities to the junta, it has been revealed. Similarly, in Singapore, companies associated with notorious arms broker networks such as Dynasty Group, Myanmar Chemical & Machinery (MCM) Group, KT, and Ky-Tha Group are still registered to this day, and these companies continue to support the Myanmar junta's international crimes and profit from them, JFM pointed out. Furthermore, it has been revealed that ASEAN continues to allow the junta to participate in defense cooperation under the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and has allowed the junta to co-chair the ASEAN Defence Working Group on Counter-Terrorism alongside the Russian government. JFM pointed out that the junta was also allowed to chair the ASEAN Chiefs of Air Force Conference in 2023. JFM stated that these actions provide the junta with opportunities to expand and strengthen military relations, enhance military capabilities, acquire weapons and resources, and increase their legitimacy internationally. Therefore, Justice For Myanmar has called on ASEAN member state governments to immediately stop legitimizing the junta and to immediately cut off the junta's access to funds, weapons, military equipment, technology, and jet fuel. Justice For Myanmar issued a statement saying that ASEAN must stand with the people of Myanmar and should not legitimize the junta, which is responsible for the suffering currently endured by the people of Myanmar.