<figure id="attachment_3027046" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3027046" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-3027046 size-full" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/dd972469-edmund-bon-aichr-malaysia-pic-060425.webp" alt="" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3027046" class="wp-caption-text">Edmond Bon, Malaysia&#8217;s representative on the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, said relief and humanitarian workers cannot operate in unstable and unsafe environments. (AICHR Malaysia pic)</figcaption></figure>
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia&#8217;s representative on the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) said the grouping should take a collective position in calling for an extended unilateral ceasefire in Myanmar to ensure aid effectively reaches victims of March’s devastating earthquake.
Edmund Bon said international conventions provided the basis for Asean nations to push for such a ceasefire.
Myanmar is currently ravaged by a civil war between the ruling junta, led by Gen Min Aung Hlaing, and a broad-based opposition, which includes numerous armed organisations.
Bon cited the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols, which required states to allow and facilitate “rapid and unimpeded passage” of humanitarian relief, and also provided for access to humanitarian relief for civilians in need.
Apart from providing grounds for Asean nations to push for a ceasefire, he said, these resolutions and conventions meant that Myanmar should adhere to them.
“Ideally, we want the ceasefire to be permanent and not just temporary.
“Time must be given for proper aid and relief, and what I would call ‘humanitarian pause’. Malaysia calls on all conflicting sides to adhere to this,” he told FMT.
Last week, AICHR said it was vital for human rights to be upheld and aid to be distributed equitably to victims of the earthquake in Myanmar, which also affected Thailand.
The commission said vulnerable and marginalised groups, including women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, should be prioritised when it comes to providing essential medical care and healthcare services.
Bon said Asean’s principle of non-interference in member states’ domestic affairs also did not apply in this case as Myanmar&#8217;s State Administration Council has pleaded for aid and relief from other countries and Asean members.
“Myanmar has invited other countries in, which gives these countries the locus standi to demand for a ceasefire,&#8221; he said.
&#8220;Our relief and humanitarian workers cannot operate in unstable and unsafe environments. I am not calling only on one side to stop the violence but all parties irrespective of who is in the right or wrong. It is only logical that fighting must stop, otherwise aid workers cannot work and no aid will come in.”
He also said the spillover effect from both the conflict and earthquake provided even more reason for Asean to push for a ceasefire.
“As it is, we are dealing with many refugees fleeing to Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.Malaysia houses one of the largest numbers of refugees from Myanmar in the region,” he said.
At a special meeting chaired by Bon on Thursday, AICHR called for rapid, safe and unimpeded access of life-saving humanitarian assistance and relief efforts in Myanmar.
It encouraged all stakeholders to focus on humanitarian assistance and facilitate relief efforts, and to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need, in a timely and effective manner without disruption and discrimination.
AICHR also underscored the importance of upholding human rights during emergency responses, and for a safe and enabling environment for humanitarian aid to be distributed equitably, with special attention to vulnerable and marginalised groups.
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, with Mandalay, Bago, Magway, northeastern Shan state, Sagaing and Naypyidaw among the worst-affected areas.
The tremors also impacted neighbouring Thailand. More than 3,000 people were reported to have died in Myanmar.

MatchPoint Times

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