Myanmar Keynote: Regional and global responses to the crisis in Myanmar

The crisis in Myanmar started with people not accepting a military takeover of democratically elected government. They have for over three years formed civil resistance groups on the ground and at the international level. The Myanmar military has used lethal weapons against the resistance and civilians. There have been gross violations of human rights in Myanmar. There are millions of internally displaced persons and hundreds of thousands leaving to other countries. The internal fighting has entered a fourth year, yet there is no sign of any peaceful dialogue for a long-lasting solution.

Worse yet, the ASEAN five-point consensus has not been implemented to the level envisaged by ASEAN Leaders. Moreover, geopolitics has entered Myanmar, making regional efforts to seek a solution to the conflict even more sensitive and difficult. The Myanmar military’s announcement of plans for an election at the end of this year does not seem to hold prospects for an end to serious conflict nor, in the eyes of many, is there any credibility for a free and fair election. An election may instead lead to more conflicts in Myanmar.

Since the crisis in Myanmar affects not only politics in Myanmar but severely affects human rights, humanitarian assistance for the needy people, and security and stability of the region and beyond, both Track 1 and Track 2 diplomacy is needed. Perhaps the regional and international community might form a ‘Friends of Myanmar’ grouping to think, work and act together to help all parties to the conflict come to a peaceful dialogue for a sustainable political solution in Myanmar.

Agenda

5-5.30pm - Reception with light refreshments
5.30-6.30pm - Keynote lecture by Professor Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai

About the keynote speaker

Professor Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai is Chairman of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council (APRC) and Chairman of both the Chulalongkorn University and Chiang Mai University Councils. He holds a Doctorate and Master of Law from Harvard Law School, and graduate and undergraduate degrees from Tufts and Chulalongkorn Universities.

In politics, he has served as the Deputy Prime Minister (2005-2006), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2001-2005) and Minister of Finance (1995-1996) of Thailand. Among his many roles in international affairs he was Chairman of the Advisory Board on the Implementation of the Recommendations on Rakhine State, Myanmar (2017–2018), and co-chaired with Former President Jimmy Carter a Delegation to observe Elections in Nepal (2008, 2013 and 2017).

He has served as Dean of the Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University and has been a visiting professor at Brown and Harvard Universities, and a Distinguished Scholar of Chulalongkorn University (2009-2014). He has served on numerous public and private boards, and is the Advisory Vice Chairman of the Board and Executive Chairman of The Friends in Need (of “Pa”) Volunteers Foundation, Thai Red Cross, chaired by HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha, a Foundation which has helped flood victims for 30 years.

Sponsor

The ANU Myanmar Research Centre is grateful to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government for their generous support in sponsoring this event.

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