Demonstrations, outrage when Hun Sen visits Myanmar military leaders | War Stories
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen arrives in Myanmar before meeting with Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing during a series of protests in Myanmar and a series of protests by human rights activists, the first of its kind since then. seized power almost a year ago.
Hun Sen, who did not end the political protests in Cambodia, arrived in Naypyidaw shortly before 04:00 GMT and was greeted and received by Foreign Minister Wunna Maung. He then lowered the red carpet on both sides with a dignified guard wearing a blue and white trousers.
Myanmar troops seized power on February 1, last morning, when the country’s newly elected parliament was due to convene, arresting civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and members of his government.
Cambodia is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN), which last year refused to allow Min Aung Hlaing to attend the group’s annual general meeting for failing to advance April’s “coalition” to promote dialogue and end violence. .
Amnesty International’s Deputy Director of Research Emerlynne Gil said Hun Sen’s “fraudulent discussions” could do more harm than good.
“If Hun Sen really wants to help, he should stop the journey and lead ASEAN to take action to end the human rights crisis in the country instead of doing the trivial things that would only add to the image of self-esteem,” he said. he said in his own words.
About 1,500 people have been killed since the attack and about 11,500 have been arrested, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which oversees the situation.
Last month, security forces were charged killing and burning more than 30 civilians, including two staff members of the Save the Children support group.
Demonstrations took place in various parts of the country before Hun Sen arrived.
In Depayin, about 200 miles[300 km]north of Naypyidaw, protesters burned a statue of the Cambodian prime minister and chanted: “Hun Sen, do not come to Myanmar. We do not want a dictator Hun Sen, ”Reuters news agency reported, citing television footage.
There were also reports of demonstrations in Mandalay, as well as parts of Tanintharyi and Monywa.
A spokesman for the Dawei District Democracy Movement Strike Committee told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that Hun Sen’s visit would give legitimacy to a government that has failed to move forward in resolving some political crisis.
“He is a dictator in Cambodia,” a spokesman told the RFA. “It is impossible for such a person to be a mediator in the affairs of our country.”
Hun Sen’s visit has also made it difficult within ASEAN, which works in harmony and has long been proud of the non-disruptive point.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo telephoned the Cambodian president on Wednesday and said he emphasized the need to move forward with the April agreement.
“If there is no significant improvement in the implementation of the 5PCs (five-point agreement), Myanmar should be given (on) a non-political role at ASEAN meetings,” he tweeted later.
Cambodia says Hun Sen has met Min Aung Hlaing, but reports say he is not allowed to meet Aung San Suu Kyi.
The planned visit of the ASEAN envoy last year did not happen because the military refused to allow him to go to the arrested leader who is currently on various charges.
The United Nations has not recognized government officials as the rulers of Myanmar and Kyaw Moe Tun, a nominee of Aung San Suu Kyi government, remains in office.
“The people of Myanmar want their democracy restored and their rights respected, and they will not accept the shortcuts to Hun Sen,” Human Rights Watch’s Asian Deputy Director-General Phil Robertson said in a statement. “Eight other ASEAN countries need to ask for public comment from Hun Sen, and make sure that most ASEAN countries prefer a method that seeks to negotiate all aspects of the Myanmar war, not just the authorities that caused the uprising and led Myanmar. of constant conflict, violence, and violations of human rights.
