ASEAN calls on Myanmar to release Aung San Suu Kyi
Under pressure from regional powers, Myanmar's junta government has called on Myanmar's military to restore democracy and release Aung San Suu Kyi, an alliance of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The alliance's foreign ministers made the call in a video call with the junta government on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said four people were injured in police firing to disperse anti-army protesters after an overnight operation.
Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Sunday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck. About five hundred people were arrested. The world community expressed concern and condemned the incident.
On Tuesday, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held a virtual emergency meeting with representatives of the junta government on the situation in Myanmar. It called for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar and the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi. ASEAN ministers also called on Myanmar to find a way to resolve the crisis internally.
Indonesia, ASEAN's largest country, has also called for the return of democracy to Myanmar. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in a statement that Indonesia would give priority to the security of the people of Myanmar. Therefore, I urge the Myanmar army to refrain from using force. The ASEAN meeting discussed ways to resolve the issue. But he also feared that if Myanmar did not open the door to ASEAN, all initiatives would be ruined.
He also called on the military to bring Myanmar back to democracy. "We are shocked by the use of lethal weapons against civilians," Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told parliament on Monday. We call on Myanmar's military authorities to exercise maximum restraint.
Note that it is a political and economic organization consisting of ten countries of Southeast Asia, which was established on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Since then, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam have gained membership. It aims to accelerate economic growth, social progress, cultural evolution among its members, safeguard regional peace and stability, and discuss differences peacefully among member countries.
Meanwhile, the streets of Myanmar were full of protests on Tuesday. Thousands of protesters rallied against the junta government after wearing helmets and gloves on the streets of Yangon. The junta police hurled grenades and tear gas to remove them. Several people were injured.
The country's north-western city of senabirodhi hold Calais protesters, police used water cannons. However, protests are going on in Myanmar ignoring all these.
On February 1, the army overthrew the Suu Kyi government in a bloodless coup. In the coup, General Min Aung Hlaing seized control of the country. State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Mint were arrested. Thousands of people have been protesting in the streets since the coup.