Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) prepare to meet this morning to discuss the situation in Myanmar as protesters in the country continue to march in defiance of the violent crackdown by Myanmar military which seized power last month.
The meeting will come one day after ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in court via video to face additional charges.
“A special ASEAN foreign ministers meeting will be convened via video conference tomorrow and where we will listen to the representative of the Myanmar military authorities,” Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in parliament on Monday.
He also called on the Myanmar military authorities to desist from the use of lethal force, “and to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation to prevent further bloodshed, violence and deaths.”
On Monday, protesters in Myanmar marched in defiance of a crackdown by security forces that killed at least 18 people the previous day.
He also urged all parties in Myanmar to engage in discussions to find long-term political solutions, including a way to return to the path of democratic transition.
“We believe this can only begin if President Win Myint, State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, and the other political detainees are immediately released,” he told parliament.
Suu Kyi appeared in a court hearing on Monday via video conference where she was charged with two more counts for inciting unrest and violating the telecommunications law.
Suu Kyi, who has not been seen by the public or her lawyers since she was detained, appeared to be in good health, lawyer Min Min Soe told Reuters. He added that she had requested to see her legal team during the hearing.
