ASEAN summit: Jakarta calls on Burmese junta to restore democracy

Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaks at a press conference after attending the ASEAN Leaders Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, April 24, 2021. via REUTERS - INDONESIAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE

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2 min

The summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on the crisis in Burma was held this Saturday, April 24 in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital.

As the military has killed more than 700 people since the February 1 coup, Indonesian President Joko Widodo called on the Burmese junta to end violence against civilians and restore democracy.

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In an unusually firm speech, the Indonesian leader also called for the release of political prisoners, to authorize the sending of humanitarian aid and that ASEAN special envoys can " 

promote dialogue with all. the parties

 ”, which the UN recommended ahead of the summit.

General

Min Aung Hlaing,

responsible for the coup, was in Jakarta, a trip which was strongly criticized by the international community.

The shadow government set up by the opposition, made up of a large number of parliamentarians elected in the elections won by Aung San Suu Kyi's party last November, was however not invited by ASEAN to attend. participate in the summit.

Disagreements on the approach to be taken

According to the Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, assured that the head of the junta had "

heard

" and that he " 

was not opposed to what ASEAN plays a constructive role

 " in the resolution of the crisis.

ASEAN countries are divided on which approach to take: the countries closest to China seem opposed to an intervention in Burma while the more distant, such as Indonesia, would like to have a more active role, such as Joko Widodo's statements show this.

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Also to listen: ASEAN summit: "We must not let Burma isolate itself again"

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  • ASEAN

  • Indonesia

  • Burma

  • Joko Widodo

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ASEAN Summit: "We must not let Burma isolate itself again"