Myanmar’s defense minister, under sanctions from the United States, Britain and other countries for abuses committed by his country’s military, has been welcomed to an annual meeting with his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). More than 600 civic groups inside and outside Myanmar had issued an appeal to the ministers not to invite him.
Wai Hnin Pwint Thon, senior advocacy officer at Burma Campaign UK, told The Associated Press that ASEAN was failing to respect and stand with the people of Myanmar by inviting Mya Tun Oo to its meeting. “The military will see this invitation … as a sign of encouragement to continue carrying out their human rights violations in the country with complete impunity,” she said.