ASEAN Myanmar Agreement Document Excludes 'Political Prisoner Release' at Final Stage

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The agreement adopted by the 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries to resolve the Myanmar crisis initially included the 'release of political prisoners' but it was reportedly removed at the last minute. The release of political prisoners is a key demand of the international community and Myanmar's anti-military resistance forces.

Major foreign media outlets reported on the 25th (local time), citing officials familiar with the drafting of the agreement, that "the initial draft of the agreement, created a day before the ASEAN special summit, included the release of political prisoners."

Officials said, "The final text produced after the summit did not contain strong demands for the release of political prisoners and the content was diluted," adding, "We do not know when or how the content was changed."

The representatives of the 10 member countries who attended the ASEAN special summit held on the 24th to discuss solutions to the Myanmar crisis agreed on five points, including the immediate cessation of violence. Min Aung Hlaing, the Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar military that staged the coup, also attended the meeting.

The agreement, announced in the form of an ASEAN chair statement, includes ▲ immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and restraint by all parties ▲ constructive dialogue to find a peaceful solution for the people ▲ the ASEAN chair and Secretary-General acting as special envoys to mediate dialogue ▲ provision of humanitarian assistance ▲ visits to Myanmar by the special envoy and delegation.

Regarding the release of political prisoners, it was only expressed as "listening to the demands." After the summit, some diplomats caused controversy by speaking as if there had been an agreement on the release of political prisoners.

International human rights organizations and Myanmar's anti-military resistance forces criticized the agreement for achieving almost no results in controlling the military.

Phil Robertson, Deputy Director for Asia at the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW), raised his voice, saying, "The release of political prisoners must be included to resolve the crisis through negotiations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.