Myanmar junta invited to Australian-sponsored maritime workshops in Indonesia

Myanmar’s military junta was invited to two maritime-related training events held in Indonesia and sponsored by Australia in November, according to a source with knowledge of the activities. The first event, a training program on maritime law, was held in Bali from November 8 to 10 and was also supported by the US-based Asia Foundation, the source told Myanmar Now. The training was provided by academics from the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, which is part of the University of Wollongong. According to the source, the Australian government offered financial support for participants, which included air travel, accommodation, airport pickup and a per diem from the Australian government, which sponsored the event in cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Australian government declined to confirm if representatives of the Myanmar junta attended the event or if they were supported by Australian funds. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson told Myanmar Now that participation in ASEAN programs is decided by the regional grouping’s member states. “Australia engages with ASEAN across a wide range of mechanisms and bodies,” the spokesperson said. In response to questions about the junta’s participation in the workshop, a University of Wollongong spokesperson said they were not involved in selecting participants and had no information on their background or affiliations. “This activity was undertaken by the University on behalf of a non-profit international development aid organisation to provide Law of the Sea training for representatives of ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat,” he said. The training included sessions on the sovereign rights of states, exclusive economic zones, the use of force, and practical exercises. The Asia Foundation did not response to requests for comment. The training preceded an Australia-ASEAN maritime cooperation forum held in Jakarta on November 24 that the junta was also invited to, according to Myanmar Now’s source. Travel costs for the forum were funded by the Aus4ASEAN Future program, a joint initiative of ASEAN and the Australian government. The forum is the first event in a series on Strengthening Dialogue on Maritime Cooperation, held under the framework of ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, which also involves Japan and South Korea. Justice For Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung criticised Australia and ASEAN for their continued engagement with the junta. “These activities directly support the junta’s attempts to illegally take control of Myanmar’s coastline, which it needs to continue its genocide against the Rohingya,” she told Myanmar Now. “Australia and ASEAN must end their complicity, stop legitimising the junta, and recognise the legitimate National Unity Government,” she added. Earlier this year, an Australian senator questioned the country’s government on its decision to co-host an ASEAN gathering to which Myanmar junta officials had been invited. Australia does not recognise the Myanmar military regime as a legitimate government, and in June of last year withdrew from a meeting of ASEAN defence ministers over concerns about the junta’s political agenda and ongoing violence in Myanmar. However, it has also declined to impose stiff sanctions on the regime in line with those of other Western countries, despite its record of committing atrocities against civilians.

Myanmar junta invited to Australian-sponsored maritime workshops in Indonesia

The two training events were held in cooperation with ASEAN, which the Australian government says is responsible for choosing participants

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