Editing ASEAN (section)

===Myanmar crisis===
Since 2017, political, military and ethnic affairs in [[Myanmar]] have posed unusual challenges for ASEAN, creating precedent-breaking situations and threatening the traditions and unity of the group, and its global standing<ref name="myanmar_coup_asean_split_2021_03_29_dw_com">[https://www.dw.com/en/myanmar-coup-asean-ties/a-57042503 "Myanmar coup: ASEAN split over the way forward,"] 29 March 2021, [[Deutsche Welle]], ([https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4163647 same article] at ''[[Taiwan News]]'') retrieved 7 November 2021</ref><ref name="aseans_future_2021_06_21_foreignpolicy_com">Laksmana, Evan A. (Centre on Asia and Globalisation, [[National University of Singapore]]): [https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/06/21/asean-myanmar-brunei-southeast-asia-special-envoy-junta-humanitarian-aid-aha-center/ "ASEAN's Future Will Be Decided in Myanmar,"] date, ''[[Foreign Policy (magazine)|Foreign Policy]],'' retrieved 7 November 2021</ref><ref name="myanmar_pushes_asean_lowyinstitute_org">Williams, Nicola: [https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/myanmar-pushes-asean-brink "Myanmar pushes ASEAN to the brink,"] 10 June 2021, ''The Interpreter,'' [[Lowy Institute]], retrieved 8 November 2021 (''"The Myanmar coup presents to ASEAN the most serious threat to the importance of its regional diplomacy since the Cold War."'')</ref><ref name="myanmars_crisis_tests_asean_2021_08_27_brookings_edu">[https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2021/08/27/myanmars-crisis-tests-asean/ "Myanmar's crisis tests ASEAN,"] 27 August 2021, ''Southeast Asia Insights,'' [[Brookings Institution]], retrieved 7 November 2021</ref><ref name="myanmar_crisis_2021_03_04_asia_times">Bowie, Nile [https://asiatimes.com/2021/03/myanmar-crisis-now-or-never-moment-for-asean/ "Myanmar crisis now or never moment for ASEAN,"] 4 March 2021, ''[[Asia Times]],'' retrieved 7 November 2021</ref>—with ASEAN responses indicating possible fundamental change in the nature of the organization.<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com">[https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2018-11-08/rohingya-crisis-suu-kyi-under-the-microscope-at-southeast-asia-summit "Rohingya Crisis, Suu Kyi Under the Microscope at Southeast Asia Summit,"] 8 November 2018, [[Reuters News Service]] in  ''[[U.S. News]],'' (same article at ''[[New York Times]]'' [https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2018/11/08/world/asia/08reuters-asean-summit.html]), retrieved November 2018</ref><ref name="breaking_resistance_2018_12_06_jakarta_post">Wisnu, Dinna (Indonesian representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights):  [http://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2018/12/06/breaking-resistance-to-human-rights-democracies-and-rohingya.html "Breaking resistance to human rights: Democracies and Rohingya,"]  6 December 2018, ''[[Jakarta Post]]'' retrieved December 2018</ref><ref name="asean_pushes_boundaries_2021_04_26_reuters">{{Cite news |last1=Wongcha-um |first1=Panu |last2=Johnson |first2=Kay |date=2021-04-26 |title=Analysis: On Myanmar, ASEAN pushes boundaries of "non-interference"|work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-asean-pushes-boundaries-non-interference-2021-04-26/ |access-date=2023-05-22}}</ref><ref name="why_aseans_rebuke_2021_10_21_iiss_org">[https://www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2021/10/why-aseans-rebuke-of-myanmars-top-general-matters Analysis: "Why ASEAN's rebuke of Myanmar's top general matters,"] 21 October 2021, [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]], retrieved November, 2021</ref><ref name="sign_of_change_2021_10_20_asialink">Coppel, Nicholas ([[Monash University]], former Australian Ambassador to Myanmar): [https://asialink.unimelb.edu.au/insights/aseans-snub-to-myanmar-junta-a-sign-of-change "ASEAN's snub to Myanmar junta a sign of change,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304213931/https://asialink.unimelb.edu.au/insights/aseans-snub-to-myanmar-junta-a-sign-of-change |date=4 March 2022 }} 20 October 2021, ''[[Asialink#Asialink Insights|Asialink Insights]],'' [[Asialink]], [[University of Melbourne]], retrieved 8 November 2021</ref>

====Rohingya genocide====
The [[Rohingya genocide]] erupting in [[Myanmar]] in August 2017—killing thousands of [[Rohingya people]] in Myanmar,<ref name="msf_estimates_2017_12_13_bbc">[http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42348214 "MSF estimates more than 6,700 Rohingya killed in Myanmar,"]  13 December 2017, [[BBC News]], retrieved December 2017 (same topic at [[CBS News]][https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rohingya-myanmar-thousands-killed-2-months-doctors-without-borders-msf-says/], [[The Independent]][http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/rohingya-crisis-latest-6700-muslims-killed-two-months-burma-doctors-without-borders-persecution-a8109131.html], [[Toronto Star]][https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/12/14/at-least-6700-rohingya-killed-in-myanmar-between-august-and-september-aid-group-says.html], and [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]][http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-14/rohingya-death-toll-in-the-thousands-says-msf/9260552])</ref><ref name="kill_all_you_see_2020_09_08_nytimes_com">[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/08/world/asia/myanmar-rohingya-genocide.html "'Kill All You See': In a First, Myanmar Soldiers Tell of Rohingya Slaughter,"] 8 September 2020, ''[[New York Times]],'' retrieved 7 November 2021</ref><ref name="estimated_24000_murdered_2018_08_17_dhaka_tribune">[https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/south-asia/2018/08/17/study-claims-an-estimated-24-000-rohingya-murdered-in-myanmar "Study claims an estimated 24,000 Rohingyas murdered in Myanmar"] 17 August 2018, ''[[Dhaka Tribune]]'' retrieved 7 November 2021</ref> driving most into neighboring [[Bangladesh]], and continuing for months<ref name="refugees_flee_2017_09_05_reuters_nbc">[https://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/rohingya-muslims-flee-myanmar-trudging-through-treacherous-terrain-n798896 "Over 123,000 Rohingya Refugees Flee Violence in Myanmar,"], 5 September 2017, [[Reuters News Service]] / ''[[NBC]]'' retrieved September 2017</ref><ref name="textbook_example_2017_09_12_wash_post">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/textbook-example-of-ethnic-cleansing--370000-rohingyas-flood-bangladesh-as-crisis-worsens/2017/09/12/24bf290e-8792-41e9-a769-c79d7326bed0_story.html "'Textbook example of ethnic cleansing': 370,000 Rohingyas flood Bangladesh as crisis worsens,"], 12 September 2017, ''[[Washington Post]]'' retrieved September 2017</ref><ref name="myanmar_planned_attacks_2017_21_19_afp_cna">[https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/myanmar-planned-rohingya-attacks-possibly-genocide-un-rights-9508588 "Myanmar 'planned' Rohingya attacks, possibly 'genocide': UN rights chief,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223043844/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/myanmar-planned-rohingya-attacks-possibly-genocide-un-rights-9508588|date=23 December 2017}} 19 December 2017, [[Agence France-Presse]] in ''[[Channel NewsAsia]],'' (also at [[SBS News]] [https://www.sbs.com.au/news/myanmar-planned-rohingya-attacks-possibly-genocide-un-rights-chief], retrieved December 2017</ref><ref name="genocide_survivors_2017_12_17_smh_com_au">[http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2017/Rohingya-crisis-lives-in-limbo/ "Genocide survivors in Bangladesh refugee camps face new threats,"], ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' retrieved December 2017</ref>—created a global outcry demanding ASEAN take action against the civilian-military [[coalition government]] of Myanmar, which had long discriminated against the Rohingya, and had launched the 2017 attacks upon them.<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="aseans_limited_role_2018_10_12_thediplomat_com">[https://thediplomat.com/2018/10/aseans-limited-role-in-solving-the-rohingya-crisis/ "ASEAN's Limited Role in Solving the Rohingya Crisis,"] 12 October 2018, ''[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]],'' retrieved 7 November 2021</ref><ref name="the_rohingya_crisis_us_response_2017_10_05_state_gov">[https://2017-2021.state.gov/the-rohingya-crisis-u-s-response-to-the-tragedy-in-burma/index.html " The Rohingya Crisis: U.S. Response to the Tragedy in Burma,"] testimony, 5 October 2017, ''[[U.S. State Department]],'' retrieved 7 November 2021</ref><ref name="totally_shameful_2020_06_26_jakarta_post">Septiari, Dian: [https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/06/26/totally-shameful-outrage-as-asean-nations-abandon-rohingya-boat-people.html "'Totally shameful': Outrage as ASEAN nations abandon Rohingya boat people,"] 26 June 2020, ''[[Jakarta Post]],'' retrieved 7 November 2021</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Daily |first=The ASEAN |date=2023-08-08 |title=United Nations Investigators Uncover Escalating War Crimes In Myanmar Amid Alarming Surge In Atrocities |url=https://theaseandaily.com/united-nations-investigators-uncover-escalating-war-crimes-in-myanmar-amid-alarming-surge-in-atrocities/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=THE ASEAN DAILY}}</ref>
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As the Rohingya were predominantly [[Muslim]] (in [[Buddhist]]-dominated Myanmar), and the ethnic cleansing was framed in religious terms, other largely-Muslim ASEAN nations (particularly Malaysia,<ref name="barely_a_peep_2017_12_17_forbes">Muslimin, Anis Shakirah Mohd: [https://www.forbes.com/sites/anismuslimin/2017/12/17/aseans-rohingya-response-barely-a-peep-outside-of-malaysia/ "ASEAN's Rohingya Response: Barely a Peep Outside of Malaysia"] December 17, 2017, ''[[Forbes]]'' retrieved December 2017</ref><ref name="aung_san_suu_kyi_asks_2018_03_18_theguardian_com">[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/18/aung-san-suu-kyi-asks-australia-and-asean-for-help-with-rohingya-crisis "Aung San Suu Kyi asks Australia and ASEAN for help with Rohingya crisis,"] March 18, 2018, ''[[The Guardian]],'' retrieved March 2018</ref><ref name="mahathir_slams_suu_kyi_2018_11_13_ap_foxnews">[https://www.foxnews.com/world/mahathir-slams-myanmars-suu-kyi-for-handling-of-rohingya "Mahathir slams Myanmar's Suu Kyi for handling of Rohingya"]  November 13, 2018, [[Associated Press]] in [[Fox News]], retrieved November 6, 2021</ref> Indonesia,<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="barely_a_peep_2017_12_17_forbes" /> Singapore,<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /> and Brunei<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="barely_a_peep_2017_12_17_forbes" />) objected, some strongly<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="myanmar_coup_asean_split_2021_03_29_dw_com" /><ref name="islamic_countries_2018_05_07_times_of_india">[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/islamic-countries-call-rohingya-crisis-ethnic-cleansing/articleshow/64063168.cms  "Islamic countries call Rohingya crisis 'ethnic cleansing',"] May 7, 2018, ''[[Times of India]]'' retrieved May 2018</ref>—and also objected to the burden of Rohingya refugees arriving on their shores<ref name="totally_shameful_2020_06_26_jakarta_post"/> (as did ASEAN neighbors Buddhist-dominated Thailand<ref name="totally_shameful_2020_06_26_jakarta_post" /><ref name="asean_must_pressure_2018_12_17_thestar_com_my">[https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2018/12/17/asean-must-pressure-myanmar-and-suu-kyi-on-rohingya-issue/ "ASEAN must pressure Myanmar and Suu Kyi on Rohingya issue, says Dr M.,"] December 17, 2018, ''[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]''  (Malaysia)  retrieved December 2018</ref> and Muslim-dominated observer-nation Bangladesh.<ref name="bd_wants_safe_zone_2019 Jan 29_unb_com_bd">[http://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/bd-wants-myanmar-to-create-safe-zone-for-rohingyas-under-supervision-of-asean/11615 "BD wants Myanmar to create safe zone for Rohingyas under supervision of ASEAN,"]  January 29, 2019, ''[[United News of Bangladesh]],'' retrieved February 2019</ref><ref name="dhaka_seeks_2019_07_22_thedailystar_net">[https://www.thedailystar.net/rohingya-crisis/myanmar-rohingya-crisis-dhaka-seeks-nam-asean-member-states-role-1775227 "Dhaka seeks NAM, ASEAN member states' role,"] July 22, 2019, ''[[Daily Star (Bangladesh)]],'' retrieved November 6, 2021</ref><ref name="bangladesh_calls_2021_04_20_cnbc">[https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/20/bangladesh-calls-on-asean-to-pressure-myanmar-to-take-rohingya-refugees-.html "Bangladesh calls on ASEAN to pressure Myanmar to take Rohingya refugees,"] April 20, 2021, ''[[CNBC]],'' retrieved November 7, 2021</ref>

Myanmar's civilian leader, [[Aung San Suu Kyi]], also reportedly asked ASEAN for help with the Rohingya crisis, in March 2018, but was rebuffed by ASEAN's chair, who said it was an "internal matter."<ref name="aung_san_suu_kyi_asks_2018_03_18_theguardian_com" />

ASEAN had a longstanding firm policy of "non-interference in the internal affairs of member nations," and was reluctant, as an organization, to take sides in the conflict, or act materially.<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="barely_a_peep_2017_12_17_forbes" /><ref name="se_asia_summit_draft_2017_11_12_reuters">[http://www.reuters.com/article/us-asean-summit-myanmar/southeast-asia-summit-draft-statement-skips-over-rohingya-crisis-idUSKBN1DD0CP?il=0 "Southeast Asia summit draft statement skips over Rohingya crisis,"] November 12, 2017, [[Reuters News Service]] (also at ''[[Bangkok Post]]'' [https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asean/1359704/asean-summit-draft-statement-skips-over-rohingya-crisis]), retrieved November 6, 2021</ref><ref name="suu_kyi_benefits_2017_11_13_cbs">[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/asean-summit-aung-san-suu-kyi-rohingya-crisis-myanmar/ "Suu Kyi benefits from neighbors' silence on Rohingya,"] November 13, 2017, [[CBS News]], retrieved November 6, 2021</ref>

Internal<ref name="asean_mps_2018_09_08_unb_thedailystar_net">[https://www.thedailystar.net/rohingya-crisis/news/asean-mps-lawmakers-welcome-icc-jurisdiction-over-crimes-against-rohingya-myanmar-1630597 "Asean MPs welcome ICC jurisdiction over crimes against Rohingya,"]  September 8, 2018, [[United News of Bangladesh]] in ''[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]],'' retrieved November 6, 2021</ref> and international<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="asean_prioritize_2019_06_19_dhaka_tribune">[https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/rohingya-crisis/2019/06/19/human-rights-organizations-call-on-asean-to-prioritize-rohingya-rights  "Asean: Prioritize Rohingya rights, safety; The organizations highlighted this as Southeast Asian leaders prepare to meet in Bangkok,"] June 19, 2019, ''[[Dhaka Tribune]],'' retrieved November 7, 2021</ref> pressure mounted for ASEAN to take a firmer stance on the Rohingya crisis, and by late 2018, the group's global credibility was threatened by its inaction.<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="totally_shameful_2020_06_26_jakarta_post" /><ref name="asean_will_help_2018_09_30_straits_times">Ghosh, Nirmal: [https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/asean-will-help-but-myanmar-has-to-exercise-responsibility-on-rohingya-issue Singapore's Foreign Minister:  "Asean will help, but Myanmar has to exercise responsibility on Rohingya issue,"]  September 30, 2018, ''[[Straits Times]]'' (Singapore), retrieved October 2018</ref>

In response, ASEAN began to put pressure on Myanmar to be less hostile to the Rohingya, and to hold accountable those responsible for atrocities against them.<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="asean_will_help_2018_09_30_straits_times" /><ref name="asean_must_pressure_2018_12_17_thestar_com_my" />

However ASEAN's positions on the issue largely divided on religious lines, with Muslim nations siding more with the Rohingya, while Buddhist nations initially sided more with Myanmar's government, threatening a [[sectarianism|sectarian]] division of ASEAN. [[authoritarianism|Authoritarian]] ASEAN nations, too (mostly Buddhist), were less enthusiastic than [[democracy|democratic]] ASEAN nations (mostly Muslim), about holding Myanmar officials accountable for crimes against their Rohingya minority.<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="barely_a_peep_2017_12_17_forbes" /><ref name="bd_wants_safe_zone_2019 Jan 29_unb_com_bd" />

But, by late-2018, most ASEAN nations had begun to advocate for a more forceful ASEAN response to the Rohingya crisis, and a harder line against Myanmar—breaking with the group's traditional policy of "non-interference" in members' "internal affairs"—a break emphasized by the Rohingya crisis being formally placed on the December 2018 ASEAN summit agenda.<ref name="under_microscope_2018_11_08_reuters_usnews_com" /><ref name="asean_must_pressure_2018_12_17_thestar_com_my" /><ref name="on_the_rohingya_2018_12_27_aseannews_net">[http://www.aseannews.net/rohingya-asean-meeting-message/ "On the Rohingya, the ASEAN Meeting was the Message,"]  December 27, 2018, ''[[ASEAN News]]'' (also at ''[[Bangkok Post]]'' [http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1169161/rohingya-plight-now-an-asean-issue]) retrieved November 6, 2021</ref>

In early 2019, Bangladesh suggested that Myanmar create a safe haven for the Rohingya within its borders, under ASEAN supervision<ref name="bd_wants_safe_zone_2019 Jan 29_unb_com_bd" /> (later expanding that idea to include India, China and Japan among the supervisors).<ref name="india_should_monitor_2019_02_10_the_hindu">[https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-should-monitor-safety-of-rohingya/article26231318.ece "'India should monitor safety of Rohingya':  Bangladesh,"]  February 10, 2019, ''[[The Hindu]]'' (India), retrieved February 2019</ref><ref name="myanmar_asean_team 2019_07_26_irrawaddy">[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-asean-team-visit-rohingyas-camp.html "Myanmar, ASEAN Team to Visit Rohingyas Camp,"] July 26, 2019, ''[[The Irrawaddy]],'' retrieved November 6, 2021</ref>

In mid-2019, ASEAN was heavily criticized by human rights organizations for a report, which ASEAN commissioned, which turned out to praise Myanmar's work on Rohingya [[repatriation]], while glossing over atrocities and abuses against the Rohingya.<ref name="outcry_asean_report_2019_06_07_dhaka_tribune">[https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/rohingya-crisis/2019/06/08/outcry-as-asean-predicts-smooth-rohingya-return-to-myanmar "Outcry as ASEAN report predicts 'smooth' return of Rohingya to Myanmar,"] June 8, 2019, ''[[Dhaka Tribune]]'' (Bangladesh), retrieved June 2019 (same topic at ''[[Straits Times]]'' [https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/outcry-as-an-asean-report-predicts-smooth-return-of-rohingya-to-myanmar] and ''[[Jakarta Post]]'' [https://www.thejakartapost.com/seasia/2019/06/08/outcry-over-leaked-rohingya-report.html])</ref><ref name="asean_prioritize_2019_06_19_dhaka_tribune" /><ref name="aha_centre_defends_2019_06_10_channelnewsasia">[https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/aaha-centre-defends-leaked-report-on-rohingya-refugees-11613142 "AHA Centre defends leaked report on Rohingya refugees,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509110301/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/aaha-centre-defends-leaked-report-on-rohingya-refugees-11613142 |date=9 May 2021 }} June 10, 2019, ''[[Channel NewsAsia]]'' (Singapore), retrieved June 2019</ref><ref name="malaysia_rattles_2019_06_22_new_straits_times">[https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/06/498302/malaysia-rattles-asean-summit-demands-justice-rohingya "Malaysia rattles ASEAN summit, demands 'justice' for Rohingya,"] June 22, 2019, [[Agence France-Presse]] in ''[[New Straits Times]]'' (Singapore), (same article at ''[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|Daily Star]]'' (Bangladesh) [https://www.thedailystar.net/rohingya-crisis/news/malaysia-calls-justice-and-citizenship-rohingya-muslims-1760779] ), retrieved June 2019</ref><ref name="asean_dont_whitewash_2019_06_19_hrw_org">[https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/06/19/asean-dont-whitewash-atrocities-against-rohingya "ASEAN: Don't Whitewash Atrocities Against Rohingya; Repatriation Report Ignores Dire Situation in Myanmar,"] June 26, 2020, [[Human Rights Watch]], retrieved November 7, 2021</ref>

The June 2019 ASEAN summit was shaken by the Malaysian foreign minister's declaration that persons responsible for the abuses of the Rohingya be prosecuted and punished—conduct unusually undiplomatic at ASEAN summits.<ref name="malaysia_rattles_2019_06_22_new_straits_times" />  ASEAN pressed Myanmar for a firm timeline for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar<ref name="seek_time_frame_2019_06_22_kyodo_news">[https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/06/cbf10cb092e6-update1-asean-foreign-ministers-seek-time-frame-for-return-of-rohingya.html "ASEAN foreign ministers seek time frame for return of Rohingya,"] June 22, 2019, ''[[Kyodo News]]'' (Japan), retrieved November 6, 2021</ref>—pressuring Myanmar to provide "safety and security for all communities in Rakhine State as effectively as possible and facilitate the voluntary return of displaced persons in a safe, secure and dignified manner."<ref name="asean_leaders_hold_off_2019_06_23_bloomberg">[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-23/asean-leaders-hold-off-from-demanding-citizenship-for-rohingyas "ASEAN Leaders Hold Off From Demanding Citizenship for Rohingyas,"] June 23, 2019, ''[[Bloomberg News]]'' retrieved June 2019</ref>

In August 2019, the annual ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting concluded with a joint [[communique]] calling on Myanmar's government to guarantee the safety of all Rohingya—both in Myanmar and in exile—and pushed for more dialogue with the refugees about their repatriation to Myanmar. But later that month ASEAN's  Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) supported Myanmar's "efforts" on repatriation, with aid, restraining some members' desire for more intrusive proposals.<ref name="asean_meeting_2019_08_05_jakarta_post ">[https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/08/05/asean-calls-safety-rohingya.html "ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting: ASEAN calls for safety of Rohingya,"] August 5, 2019, ''[[Jakarta Post]]'' retrieved August 2019</ref><ref name="most_asean_members_2019_08_28_irrawaddy ">[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/asean-members-back-myanmars-repatriation-aid-efforts-rakhine.html "Most ASEAN Members Back Myanmar's Repatriation, Aid Efforts in Rakhine,"] August 28, 2019, ''[[The Irrawaddy]]'' retrieved August 2018</ref>

By January 2020, ASEAN had made little progress to prepare safe conditions for the Rohingya's return to Myanmar.<ref name="indonesia_urges_2021_01_22_jakarta_post">[https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/safe-01212021153814.html "Indonesia Urges Myanmar to Create Safe Conditions for Rohingya Repatriation,"]  January 22, 2021, ''[[Jakarta Post]]'' retrieved November 6, 2021</ref><ref name="totally_shameful_2020_06_26_jakarta_post" />
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====2021 Myanmar coup====
[[File:ASEAN leaders facing Myanmar Junta leader.jpg|thumb|Special ASEAN summit on the 2021 Myanmar coup]]
On 1 February 2021, the day before a newly elected slate of civilian leaders was to take office in Myanmar, a military junta overthrew Myanmar's civilian government in a [[2021 Myanmar coup d'etat|coup d'etat]], declaring a national [[state of emergency]], imposing [[martial law]], arresting elected civilian leaders, violently clamping down on dissent, and replacing civilian government with the military's appointees.<ref name="military_seizes_power_2021_02_01_thedailystar_net">[https://www.thedailystar.net/asia/news/myanmar-military-seizes-power-detains-elected-leader-aung-san-suu-kyi-2037309 "Myanmar military  seizes power, detains elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi." ] 1–2 February 2021, ''[[Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]'' retrieved February 2021</ref><ref name="asean_leaders_agree_2021_04_25_afp_bangkok_post">[https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2104915/asean-leaders-agree-5-point-plan-for-myanmar "Asean leaders agree 5-point plan for Myanmar,"], ''[[Bangkok Post]]'' with [[Agence France-Presse]], retrieved November 2021</ref><ref name="aseans_indecision_2021_06_15_amnesty_org">[https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2021/06/myanmar-aung-san-suu-kyi-goes-on-trial-asean-indecision-enabling-military-rampage/ "Myanmar: As Aung San Suu Kyi goes on trial, ASEAN's indecision is enabling military rampage,"] 15 June 2021,  [[Amnesty International]], retrieved 7 November 2021</ref><ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters">[https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/tradition-vs-credibility-inside-se-asian-meet-that-snubbed-myanmar-2021-10-19/ "Tradition vs credibility: Inside the SE Asian meet that snubbed Myanmar,"] 19 October 2021, [[Reuters News Service]], retrieved 8 November 2021</ref> Widespread protests and resistance erupted, and elements of the civilian leadership formed an underground "[[National Unity Government of Myanmar|National Unity Government]]" (NUG). Global opposition to the coup emerged, and global pressure was brought on ASEAN to take action.<ref name="un_calls_for_reversal_2021_03_10_ap">[https://apnews.com/article/aung-san-suu-kyi-asia-pacific-myanmar-united-nations-4d0b4e78b8b740784c7ed5adb0aec3b4 "UN calls for reversal of Myanmar coup and condemns violence,"] 10 March 2021, [[Associated Press]], (same article at: [[U.S. News]] [https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-03-10/diplomats-un-to-condemn-violence-against-myanmar-protesters] and [[CTV News]] (Canada) [https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/un-calls-for-reversal-of-myanmar-coup-and-condemns-violence-1.5342124]), retrieved March 2021</ref><ref name="un_calls_for_reversal_2021_07_29_ap_abc_news">[https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/us-urges-council-press-myanmar-return-democracy-79153798 "US urges UN Council to press Myanmar to return to democracy.,"] 29 July 2021, [[Associated Press]], retrieved July 2021</ref><ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters" /><ref name="aseans_snub_2021_10_20_channelnewsasia">[https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/asean-myanmar-protest-military-government-nug-sac-min-aung-hlaing-un-2254311 "Commentary: Is ASEAN's snub to Myanmar military the start of a new approach?"] 20 October 2021, [[Channel NewsAsia]], retrieved 9 November 2021</ref><ref name="asean_inflection_2021_08_airuniversity_af_edu">Durst, Charles ([[Eurasia Group]]): [https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/JIPA/Display/Article/2747515/the-myanmar-coup-as-an-asean-inflection-point/ "The Myanmar Coup as an ASEAN Inflection Point"] August 2021 (Special Issue), ''[[Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs]],'' [[Air University (United States Air Force)|Air University]], (also print edition PDF at: [https://media.defense.gov/2021/Aug/26/2002840264/-1/-1/1/DUNST.PDF]), retrieved 9 November 2021</ref><!--
Initially, ASEAN remained detached from the controversy, though Muslim-dominated members (mostly democracies, already vocal against the Rohingya genocide) expressed strong objection to the coup, while the mostly-Buddhist authoritarian members of ASEAN remained quiet.<ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters" /><ref name="myanmar_crisis_2021_03_04_asia_times" /><ref name="myanmar_coup_asean_split_2021_03_29_dw_com" />

In April 2021, in the first-ever ASEAN summit called to deal primarily with a domestic crisis in a member state,<ref name="myanmar_coup_asean_split_2021_03_29_dw_com" /> ASEAN leaders met with Myanmar's coup leader, Senior General [[Min Aung Hlaing]], and agreed to a five-point consensus solution to the crisis in Myanmar:<ref name="asean_leaders_agree_2021_04_25_afp_bangkok_post" /><ref name="chairmans_statement_2021_04_24_asean">[https://asean.org/chairmans-statement-on-the-asean-leaders-meeting-24-april-2021-and-five-point-consensus-2/ "Chairman's Statement on the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting "] (and appendix: "Five-Point Consensus"), April 24, 2021, ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia, retrieved November 6, 2021</ref>
*The immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar;
*Constructive dialogue among all parties concerned... to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people;
*Mediation facilitated by an envoy of ASEAN's Chair, with the assistance of ASEAN's Secretary-General;
*Humanitarian assistance provided by ASEAN through its AHA Centre; and
*A visit to Myanmar, by the special envoy and delegation, to meet with all parties concerned.

The ASEAN agreement with Myanmar drew strong criticism from over 150 human rights organizations for its lax approach,<ref name="statement_on_myanmar_2021_05_05_hrw_org">[https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/05/05/global-civil-society-statement-myanmar "Global Civil Society Statement on Myanmar; Call for Arms Embargo on Myanmar,"], May 5, 2021, [[Human Rights Watch]] and 150 other organizations, jointly, including: [[Amnesty International]], [[Fortify Rights]], [[ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights]], [[International Council of Jurists]], and the [[World Council of Churches]], retrieved November 6, 2021</ref><ref name="aseans_indecision_2021_06_15_amnesty_org" /> yet the Myanmar junta did not comply with any of the points of the plan.<ref name="aseans_indecision_2021_06_15_amnesty_org" /><ref name="us_urges_un_council_2021_07_29_ap_abc_news">[https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/us-urges-council-press-myanmar-return-democracy-79153798 "US urges UN Council to press Myanmar to return to democracy,"] July 29, 2021, [[Associated Press]] / [[ABC News]], retrieved July 2021</ref><ref name="hlaing_excluded_2021_10_16_bbc">[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58938489 "Myanmar army general Min Aung Hlaing excluded from leaders' summit,"] October 16, 2021, [[BBC News]], retrieved November 6, 2021</ref><ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters" />

On 18 June 2021, the [[United Nations General Assembly]] (UNGA)—in a rare move, with a nearly unanimous resolution—condemned Myanmar's coup, and called for an [[arms embargo]] against the country. The UNGA consulted with ASEAN and integrated most of ASEAN's 5-point consensus into the resolution (adding demands that the junta release all political prisoners). But, while Communist Vietnam voted "yes," along with the ASEAN democracies (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines), most authoritarian ASEAN states (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Brunei) abstained.<ref name="un_assembly_condemns_2021_06_18_apnews">[https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-general-assembly-united-nations-myanmar-business-global-trade-72dbb95927b735de2b83dc1a85abdd72 "UN assembly condemns Myanmar coup, calls for arms embargo,"] June 18, 2021, [[Associated Press]] retrieved June 2021</ref><ref name="resolution_75_287_unga_2021_06_18_undocs_org">[https://undocs.org/en/A/RES/75/287 "Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 18 June 2021: 75/287. The situation in Myanmar"],  June 18, 2021,  ''[[United Nations General Assembly]]'' retrieved June 2021</ref>

In October 2021, despite its consensus agreement with ASEAN, Myanmar's junta refused to allow ASEAN representatives to speak with Myanmar's deposed and imprisoned civilian leader [[Aung San Suu Kyi]].<ref name="hlaing_excluded_2021_10_16_bbc" /><ref name="junta_rebuffs_2021_10_04_irrawaddy">[https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-rebuffs-asean-request-to-meet-suu-kyi.html "Myanmar Junta Rebuffs ASEAN Request to Meet Suu Kyi,"], October 4, 2021, ''[[The Irrawaddy]]'' retrieved November 6, 2021</ref><ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters" />

Following lobbying by the [[United Nations]], [[United States of America|United States]], [[European Union]], [[United Kingdom]], and other nations, ASEAN declined to invite Myanmar's Gen. Hlaing to represent Myanmar at ASEAN's October 2021 summit—the first time in ASEAN's history that it did not invite a political leader from a member nation to one of its summits. Nor did ASEAN invite a representative of Myanmar's underground National Unity Government, saying it would consider inviting a non-political representative of the country, instead, (though none was actually invited).<ref name="us_urges_un_council_2021_07_29_ap_abc_news" /><ref name="asean_to_exclude_2021_10_15_apnews">[https://apnews.com/article/business-asia-myanmar-global-trade-southeast-asia-020da6ef264d3a95c1cbffaa020cda59 "ASEAN to exclude Myanmar's leader from summit in key rebuke,"], October 15, 2021, ''[[Associated Press]]'' (same article at ''[[Globe and Mail]]'' (Canada) [https://apnews.com/article/business-asia-myanmar-global-trade-southeast-asia-020da6ef264d3a95c1cbffaa020cda59]), retrieved October 2021</ref><ref name="hlaing_excluded_2021_10_16_bbc" /><ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters" /><ref name="can_asean_overcome_2021_11_01_nikkei_asia">Robinson, Gwen: [https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Comment/Can-ASEAN-overcome-the-Myanmar-curse "Can ASEAN overcome the 'Myanmar curse'?:  Regional grouping struggles with changing dynamics due to 'pariah' member,"] November 1, 2021, ''[[Nikkei Asia]],'' retrieved November 7, 2021</ref><ref name="aseans_snub_2021_10_20_channelnewsasia" />

The unusual ASEAN action was widely seen as a major setback for the Myanmar junta's attempt to achieve global recognition as the legitimate government of Myanmar,<ref name="why_aseans_rebuke_2021_10_21_iiss_org" /><ref name="asean_to_exclude_2021_10_15_apnews" /><ref name="hlaing_excluded_2021_10_16_bbc" /><ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters" /> and a sign of broader change in the behavior and role of ASEAN.<ref name="asean_pushes_boundaries_2021_04_26_reuters" /><ref name="why_aseans_rebuke_2021_10_21_iiss_org" /><ref name="sign_of_change_2021_10_20_asialink" /><ref name="tradition_vs_credibility_2021_10_19_reuters" />
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