7 April 2010

PETITION

To ASEAN Leaders attending 16th ASEAN Summit (Hanoi, Vietnam) to take action on the
issue of Myanmar should further engagement fail to yield desirable concessions/ results.

On 8 March 2010, the military government of Myanmar published new laws governing the
electoral process for the nation’s general elections planned for later this year. Numerous
provisions in the laws guarantee that the elections will not be open and inclusive of
Myanmar’s diverse population, notably excluding participation of Nobel Peace Prize
Laureate, and Myanmar’s leading pro-democracy icon, Aung San Suu Kyi and other political
prisoners who form a substantial share of the leadership of non-military-aligned movements
and political parties.

With the promulgation of these apparent biased laws, clearly aimed at preventing opposition
parties and candidates from contesting the elections, the regime has forfeited its best
opportunity to show willingness to engage in an inclusive process of national reconciliation
and the establishment of a lawful and democratic government for the Union of Myanmar. In
light of this fact, ASEAN and individual governments of its member States must undertake
resolute actions to convey to Myanmar’s military dictators that its disregard for principles of
democratic governance and human rights is unacceptable and no longer tolerable by its
regional neighbours.

Because of the exclusionary provisions of the election laws and the fundamental flaws in the
country’s Constitution, enacted in 2008, under which the elections will be held, the results of
the elections cannot be acknowledged or accepted by ASEAN, both morally and politically.

Furthermore, the elections are evidently designed to do nothing more than firmly entrench the
military’s role in the future governance of Myanmar. The elections will in no way facilitate
the formation of a representative, democratic government. If Myanmar insists on conducting
the elections without reviewing and revising the 2008 Constitution and the election laws, it
leaves ASEAN with no choice but to reject the results of the planned elections.

As Myanmar has thus far ignored ASEAN’s calls to reform and has not been positively
influenced by the policy of ‘constructive engagement,’ a new and more decisive course of
action must be undertaken. ASEAN should immediately enact strict and targeted economic
sanctions against Myanmar’s military government.

Despite large budget surpluses generated from regional trade, the regime has done nothing to
improve the welfare of its citizens. The living standards of average citizens have fallen
desperately low while members of the military regime and their associates have grown
increasingly wealthy off profits from the exploitation of Myanmar’s vast natural resources.
Targeted sanctions would effectively cut the economic lifeline of these corrupt leaders and
compel them to begin genuine dialogue and reforms.

Furthermore, Myanmar has categorically failed to uphold its responsibilities and adhere to the
principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. It should, therefore, be immediately suspended
from the grouping and its permanent expulsion earnestly considered. Simultaneously,
ASEAN should support, if not propose, to the United Nations Security Council that an arms
embargo and most importantly a Commission of Inquiry on crimes against humanity be
brought on Myanmar, as recommended by the UN Special Rapportuer on Human Rights,
Tomas Ojae Quintana.

Immediate, substantial and effective action must be taken as all forms of constructive
engagement with Myanmar’s military regime have undoubtedly failed.
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Petition hosted by the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus. 18-2 Commercial Centre, Taman
Abadi Indah, Off Jalan Klang Lama, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Web: www.aseanmp.org Email:
info@aseanmp.org
We, the undersigned Parliamentarians, out of concern for the welfare and security of our
regional friends - the citizens of Myanmar - call on our respective national governments and
ASEAN to pursue the above-mentioned actions. We believe that with firm pressure the
military government of Myanmar can be compelled to finally resolve the long-standing
political and civil conflicts that plague the country, resulting in not only a more secure and
democratic Myanmar but also a more respectable, credible, secure and stronger region.

Indonesia Malaysia

Drs. H. A. Murady Darmansjah Teresa Kok

Dra. Susaningtyas Nefo Handayani Lim Kit Siang
Kertopati, M.Si. Tian Chua
Dra. Hj. Soemintarsih Muntoro, M.Si Fong Po Kuan
Drs. Akbar Faisal, M.Si. Tony Pua
H. Ahmad Muzani Nurul Izzah Anwar
Ir. Chandra Tirta Wijaya Teo Nie Ching
Viva Yoga Mauladi, M.Si. Charles Santiago
Laurens Bahang Dama Chow Kon Yeow
Muh. Hanif Dhakiri Er Teck Hwa
Hj. Lili Chodidjah Wahid Lim Lip Eng
Abdul Hamid Wahid, M.Ag M. Kula Segaran
Ir. Nur Yasin, M.B.A Johari Abdul
Hj. Anna Mu’awanah, SE. MH Sim Tong Him
Dr. Aziz Syamsuddin Sivarasa Rasiah
Hj. Dewi Asmara, SH. Fong Kui Lun
Nurul Arifin, S.IP, M.Si Liew Chin Tong
Dr. (HC) Ir. H. Siswono Yudo Husodo Gobalakrishnan N.
H. Bambang Soesatyo, SE., M.B.A Jeyakumar Devaraj
H. Dito Ganinduto, M.B.A M. Manogaran
Dr. Ir. Hrtifah, M.P.P Chong Eng
Dra. Hj. Oelfah A. Syahrullah Harmanto Salahuddin Ayub
Ir. A. Edwin Kawilarang Abdul Aziz Abdul Kadir
Irene Manibuy, S.H Amran Abdul Ghani
Maiyasyak Johan, SH., MH. Hee Loy Sian
Drs. H. Ahmad Kurdi Moekri Gwo Burne Loh
M. Romahurmuziy, ST. MT Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid
Dr. Yasonna H. Laoly, SH. M.Sc Tan Kok Wai
Drs. Helmi Fauzy Mohamed Azmin Ali
Drs. Sidarto Danusubroto, SH. Zuraida Kamaruddin
Evita Nursanty Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri
Budiman Sudjatmiko, M.Sc, M.Phil. Ahmad bin Kasim
Prof. DR. Hendrawan Supratikno Saifuddin Nasution Ismail
Ir. H. Dadoes Soemarwanto, M.Arch Zainal Abidin Ahmad
Dra. Eva Kusuma Sundari, MA. MDE Azan bin Ismail
I Gusti Agung Rai Wirajaya, SE. MM. Rashid bin Din
Dr. Karolin Margret Natasa Yusmadi Yusoff
Honing Sanny William Leong
Chong Chieng Jen

Petition hosted by the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus. 18-2 Commercial Centre, Taman
Abadi Indah, Off Jalan Klang Lama, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Web: www.aseanmp.org Email:
info@aseanmp.org
Cambodia Philippines
Ana Theresia Hontiveros Baraquel
Sam Rainsy Lorenzo Tanada III
Son Chhay
Yim Sovann Singapore
Tioulong Saumura Charles Chong
Mao Munyvann
Cheam Channy
Thak Lany
Kimsour Phirith
Eng Chhai Eang
Cjiv Cata
Ho Vann
Ly Srey Vyna
Yont Tharo
Chan Cheng
Lhim Laky
Nuth Rumduol
Men Sothavarin
Khy Vandeth
Long Ry
Chea Poch
Kong Bora
Huoy
Bunroeun
Tok Vanchan
Ke Sovannaroth
Kem Sokha

Petition hosted by the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus. 18-2 Commercial Centre, Taman
Abadi Indah, Off Jalan Klang Lama, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Web: www.aseanmp.org Email:
info@aseanmp.org