The ASEAN Working Group of the Solidarity for Asian Peoples Advocacy (SAPA) is alarmed by the reported plans of the Malaysian government to withdraw its contingent in the International Monitoring Team who monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The ASEAN Working Group of the Solidarity for Asian Peoples Advocacy (SAPA) is alarmed by the reported plans of the Malaysian government to withdraw its contingent in the International Monitoring Team who monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
This pull-out will have dire consequences on the overall peace process in the island and will jeopardize civil society peace-building efforts. It will reverse the gains achieved so far in the peace negotiations.
It may encourage other interests to take advantage of the situation and to scuttle the peace process in Mindanao altogether.
We commend and reaffirm Malaysia ‘s commitment to the peace process in Mindanao which is one of the longest running conflicts in the region. Malaysia has clearly demonstrated its resolve to promote peace and democracy in the region and its facilitating role in the Mindanao peace process should be lauded by the international community and civil society in general as a great act of statesmanship.
We acknowledge the significant leadership role of Malaysia in promoting peace, democratization and stability in the region and we understand its reasons for this recent decision. However, as lead convenor of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Caucus for Good Governance, Malaysia plays a key role in steering the region towards fulfilling human development goals. Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was even quoted saying that as an overarching principle for the ASEAN Community, “There should be a universal acceptance that community interests would prevail over national interests on issues affecting the community and that ASEAN has to do better in giving national effect to wider international treaties and conventions, including ASEAN treaties and agreements by putting in place capacities for enforcing community decisions.”
SAPA through its ASEAN Working Group thus sees it imperative that Malaysian monitors stay to prevent violence from breaking out in Mindanao. The IMT presence will help ensure that any gains in the peace process can be complied with and even sustained with support from civil society groups and the international community.
SAPA calls on the Philippine Government to uphold the primacy of the peace process. The Philippine Government must be held primarily accountable over the slow pace of the peace negotiations which has led to the recent decision by Malaysian government. We therefore call on the Philippine Government to encourage the Malaysian monitors to stay by demonstrating its political will in resolving the substantive issues of the peace negotiations.
We in SAPA-ASEAN Working Group believe that peace in Southern Philippines contributes to a peaceful Southeast Asian region.
Endorsed by the Working Group members:
South East Asian Committee for Advocacy (SEACA)
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia)
Focus on the Global South
Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)
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