It is not self-evident that countries in Southeast Asia hold each other to account on their internal problems, but countries in the region are now demanding an end to the ongoing violence after the coup in Myanmar. According to a local organization that stands up for political prisoners, the death toll since the February 1 coup has risen to 237.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo believes that violence in Myanmar should end “immediately” and Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin says he is shocked by “the ongoing violence against unarmed civilians”. The Philippines and Singapore have also spoken out against the coup and the arrest of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
“We cannot afford to watch our brother nation Myanmar be destabilized by a select group putting its own interests first,” said Yassin. He and the Indonesian President want to discuss the violence quickly with member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); Myanmar is also a member of it.
Protests against the military coup in Myanmar are continuing and the armed forces are cracking down on protesters demanding the restoration of democracy. In the night from Friday to Saturday, according to local media, two more people were shot by soldiers.
There is a lot of international criticism of the Myanmar authorities. The European Union may announce sanctions against Myanmar on Monday. Several countries, including New Zealand, have said they are suspending diplomatic ties for the time being.
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