FBC Statement -August 8, 1997

[iid@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Date: 12 Aug 97 10:34:18 -0800


ASEAN: ASSERT HUMAN RIGHTS FOR BURMA
      Commemorative statement on the 30th anniversary of the
   founding of ASEAN and the 9th anniversary of the Burma uprising

Today, August 8, 1997, ASEAN is 30 years old. Since its first founding
it professed to be  the center  of cooperation, peace and stability in
the region. It's various declarations, accords and treaties emanate of
ideals that clearly reflect human rights standards. It has vowed "to
promote regional peace and stabilty through abiding respect for
justice and the rule of law" (ASEAN (Bangkok) Declaration 1967, Treaty
of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia 1976), "to achieve social
justice, freedom, peace, social progress, prosperity, welfare,
cultural development and raise living standards of peoples of member
states" (Declaration of ASEAN Accord, 1976, ASEAN Bangkok Declaration
1967, Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia 1976); and "to
foster cooperation in furtherance  of the cause of peace, harmony and
stability in the region" (Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast
Asia 1976).

But thirty years of ASEAN has meant thirty yeras of hunger and
hardship for member states in Southeast Asia. A large population of
this region have been subjected to the world's most appalling state
abuses, ecologicak  ruin and economis deprivation. Less of an
explanation therefore is needed to express how deeply disappointed we
are  with ASEAN's record. Southeast Asian peoples remain one of the
most abused and exploited members of the global community.

It is also today that we remeber Burma's uprising, and subsequent
sacrifices of it's martyrs. The failure of ASEAN to facilitate
satisfactory solutions to Southeast Asia's problems has been doubly
compounded with its accepatnce  of an illegitimate  government itno
it's ranks. Embracing Burma's military dictatorship into the fold of
supposedly free and soverweign states, merely because economic
opportunities therein, is a direct affront to the ideals of ASEAN, and
an insult to the constituents of ASEAN member states.

Yet ASEAN took it upon itself to exercise responsibility over its new
member, hoping that the acceptance may introduce reforms into the
country. To do this genuinely, ASEAN needs to immediately facilitate
the dialogue between the State Law and Order Restoration Council
(SLORC), and the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
as well as National League for Democracy. It has also establish formal
monitoring mechanisms into the country's political situation, and to
provide immediate assistance to the victims of violence in the coutry.
Adoption of the Alternative ASEAN policy of democratization, dialogue
and de militarization must be implemented if ASEAN is to help at all.

We, freedom loving citizens and peace advoates of Southeast Asia
therefore challenge the ASEAN to mobilize member states toward these
ends. ASEAN has no choice but to hear the voice of Burma peoples.
ASEAN, if it is to be faithful  to its avowed principles, has no
option but to facilitate the realization of freedom and democracy in
Burma-- now.

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FREE BURMA COALITION - Initiatives for Internationl Dialogue*
Philippine Alliance for Human Rights Advocates* Amnesty
International-Pilipinas* Alliance of Progressive Labor* Philippine
Railway Workers Union-International Transport Workers Federation*
ALTSEAN-BURMA* FORUM-ASIA* Thai Action Committee for Democracy in
Burma* Campaign for Popular Democracy* Amnesty International-Thailand

Free Burma Coalition- Philippines c/o Initiatives for International
Dialogue (IID)/ Unit D-15, 2nd Floor CASAL Building, #15 Anonas
Street, Project 3, Quirino District, 1102, Quezon City