DILI, 28 august 2023 (TATOLI) –The IX Constitutional Government condemns the Myanmar Military Junta’s decision to expel the Timorese Chargé d’Affaires from the country.
Timor-Leste, in line with the positions taken by ASEAN and the United Nations, reiterates the importance of supporting all efforts for the return of democratic order in Myanmar and expresses its solidarity with the Myanmar people while urging the military Junta to respect human rights and seek a peaceful and constructive solution to the crisis.
Since the military coup in february 2021, the situation in Myanmar has been a cause for global concern. The military Junta took power, annulling the results of democratic elections and triggering a series of humanitarian, economic, and political crises.
The international community, including Timor-Leste, continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the crisis and respect for the fundamental rights of the Myanmar people.
The Spokesperson for the IX Constitutional Government, Minister Agio Pereira, stated that “the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste remains firm in its conviction that only through dialogue and respect for the will of the people can a peaceful and lasting solution to the crisis in Myanmar be achieved”. It reiterated its “appeal to the international community to join forces to promote the restoration of democratic order and human rights in the region.”
Following the Myanmar rulers’ orders to expel the Timorese diplomat, the Government of Timor-Leste immediately urged its Chargé d’Affaires, Avelino Fernandes Ximenes Pereira, to leave the country before september 1.
In response to Pereira’s expulsion, the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, proudly reiterated Timor-Leste’s position to defend human rights and condemn the crimes against humanity committed by Myanmar’s rulers.
The Head of State reaffirmed Timor-Leste’s efforts to continue working with other ASEAN member states to find solutions to the Myanmar crisis.
Last month, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão urged leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to find a solution to the Myanmar crisis.
In early july, the Foreign Minister of the National Unity Government of Myanmar, Daw Zin Mar Aung, met with the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, to share experiences on the current situation in Myanmar.
Aung said that Myanmar and Timor-Leste have a common experience in the struggle for democracy and human rights, with many leaders having had experiences as political prisoners.
“During the meeting, we exchanged ideas and thoughts on what is currently happening in Myanmar and the President is very encouraging and shows his support for our struggle and how we can work together to address these issues,” she said.
On sunday (27/08), AP reported that Myanmar’s military-installed government ordered Timor-Leste senior diplomat to leave the country in retaliation for Timor-Leste holding meetings with Daw Zin Mar Aung of the National Unity Government.
Myanmar is one of the ASEAN countries still struggling for democracy and freedom of expression and movement.
The freedom of movement was highly restricted in Myanmar and those traveling outside their designated townships faced arrest and imprisonment for “illegal movement.”
The National Unity Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is a Myanmar government in exile formed by the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a group of elected lawmakers and members of parliament ousted in the 2021 Myanmar coup d’etat.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
