Ending gentle criticism of Myanmar

Ending gentle criticism of Myanmar

As the date for Myanmar to take over the leadership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations approaches, the grouping will face a choice: Either allow the repressive regime to take over the chair next summer and face international ostracism, or force the country to make meaningful changes.

There are gestures Myanmar could make that would make its hosting of Asean meetings more palatable. These include releasing 1,300 political prisoners, ending the house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and resuming the constitutional convention, which has been adjourned.

Yangon should also allow the United Nations human rights envoy to see firsthand what conditions are in the country. There are signs of a growing belief inside the region that Myanmar's pariah-state status must mean pariah-state treatment. Gentle criticism has had no effect. -- South China Morning Post, Hong Kong