Myanmar defends rights record and calls for mutual respect
Myanmar defends rights record and calls for mutual respect
JAKARTA (JP): Myanmarese foreign minister U Ohn Gyaw defended
his country's human rights record yesterday, defining its most
important elements as the provision of food, clothing and
shelter.
"Basically human rights values (in Myanmar) are like those in
most Asian countries: food, clothing and shelter," Ohn Gyaw told
journalists.
When asked to comment on the continuing criticism from the
West over Myanmar's human rights record, Ohn Gyaw maintained that
every nation has their own set values and states must respect one
another.
"When the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed we
were not yet a member of the United Nations and we have not yet
endorsed it, but at the same time we respect each and every
society, be it in the West or the East, whatever their values
are," he explained.
Western states are expected to put pressure on the ASEAN
members to take a stronger line against Yangon when the ASEAN
Regional Forum meets next week. Myanmar will be inducted today as
an observer to ASEAN.
"As long as a government can give an assurance that it can
provide food, clothing for the livelihood of its people and of
course shelter, it must be considered to respect human rights,"
Ohn Gyaw said.
He added that his government's policy was to focus on the
agricultural sector to boost the economy.
Ohn Gyaw was speaking at the ASEAN Secretariat here after
meeting with Secretary General Ajit Singh on preparations for
Myanmar's eventual membership.
When asked how soon Myanmar would like to join ASEAN, Ohn Gyaw
replied: "The sooner the better."
Separately Thai foreign minister Amnuay Viravan said on his
arrival here yesterday afternoon that while much media attention
has been focused on it, ASEAN will not let the question of
Myanmar dominate today's ministerial meeting.
"We, the members of ASEAN, believe engaging our neighboring
country in a constructive manner. We do not believe in isolating
our own neighbor, nor do we believe that we should impose
sanctions against our own neighbor," he said.
Philippine Foreign Minister, Domingo L. Siazon, who also
arrived here yesterday afternoon said that being in the same
region, ASEAN does not have to take a hostile approach to the
Myanmar issue.
"Some countries possibly feel that they have to shout a little
bit louder so that they can be heard," he said adding that those
in ASEAN feel part of a family.
"Since we are in the family we don't have to shout. We only
have to whisper. We discuss everything in the family quietly but
find positive solutions," he remarked after his arrival.
Meanwhile in Bangkok yesterday, Myanmarese and Thai students
protested outside the Indonesian embassy against Myanmar's
admittance as an observer to ASEAN.
As reported by AFP, about 25 protesters waved banners and
distributed statements asking ASEAN to review its policy of
constructive engagement with the Myanmarese junta.
"Constructive or destructive," and "halt foreign investment in
Burma (Myanmar)," were written on their banners.
In Canberra, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Australia
will raise the issue of Myanmar at the ASEAN Regional Forum
Meeting which follows today's two-day ministerial meeting.
"This will be a good opportunity for (Foreign Affairs
Minister) Alexander Downer to lay squarely on the table our
concerns about the reluctance of Burma's ruling party to engage
in dialogue with the National League for Democracy (NLD) and Aung
San Suu Kyi," a spokesperson said.(rid/mds)