“Asean’s stance on Myanmar must move beyond statements to real action,” she said at a regional forum on women, peace and security (WPS) here, organised by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) at IDEAS Hotel.

“Even though Asean states have existing WPS obligations, leaders still refuse to think seriously about how to strategically provide civilian protection and humanitarian aid, especially as the junta continues to seize aid meant for civilians,” she added.

Stothard, the founder of the Alternative Asean Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-Burma), said the response by Malaysia and other member states to the Rohingya refugee crisis must change from criminalising survivors to protecting them.

“With the way we criminalise victims of genocide and war crimes, we are only helping the illegal junta in its genocide,” she said.

ALTSEAN-Burma is a coalition of NGOs that documents rights abuses and advocates for democratic reform in Myanmar through engagement with Asean and international bodies.

In his opening remarks at the forum, Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus said Asean’s Regional Plan of Action on WPS issues, adopted in 2022, “still largely remains an action plan, without concrete results from Asean states”.

“Asean members remain silent on the atrocities in Myanmar, especially on women, peace and security issues,” he said.

He added that excluding women and youth from consultations and decision-making “further entrenches their marginalisation” and undermines Asean’s WPS commitments.

Hishamudin also supported former foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah’s call for Asean to move “from non-interference to non-indifference”, saying the bloc’s five-point consensus plan had failed.

Both speakers said Asean must demonstrate its claim to “centrality” through tangible action, including civilian protection and unhindered humanitarian access — with Malaysia well-positioned to rally the region before its chairmanship ends.