22 Oct, 2010
Source: Monsters and Critics
Manila - Philippine activists Friday urged the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations to step up pressure on Myanmar to implement democratic reforms ahead of elections next month.
With only 15 days to go before the November 7 multi-party elections in Myanmar, the Free Burma Coalition-Philippines lamented they see 'zero democratic integrity'
in the scheduled vote.
The coalition noted that despite mounting international criticism, Myanmar's ruling junta has not shown significant indications that the elections would be free, fair and credible.
'Instead, arbitrary arrests, harassment and continued detention of activists and ordinary people supportive of democracy including journalists are happening right now in Burma,' it added.
In a rally in Manila as part of the Global Day of Action against the elections, the activists urged ASEAN and the UN to quickly act to avert a 'political disaster.'
'They should go beyond their usual rhetoric of diplomacy and constructive engagement and must do all things necessary to compel the military regime to democratize,' the coalition said.
It noted that with thousands of political detainees languishing in jail, rampant human rights abuses and a military constitution, 'it is not so hard to assume that the sole interest of the ruling junta is to maintain its grasp to power.'
The group also urged ASEAN to support calls for the creation of a UN Commission of Inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity in Myanmar, also called Burma.
ASEAN leaders were scheduled to hold their annual summit in Vietnam next week, during which they were expected to call for free, fair and inclusive elections in Myanmar.
In addition to Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam, the other members of ASEAN are Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Laos and Cambodia.
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