Asian, European nations call on Myanmar military to return to democracy
At least 50 Asian and European countries on Friday called on Myanmar to return to the democratic transition that was halted by the coup in February.As reported by Radio Free Asia, the countries asked to release arbitrarily detained prisoners, and accept a Southeast Asian envoy to mediate the 10-month-old political crisis.This came after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member, for the third time, sidelined Myanmar junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing from attending the two-day virtual Asia-Europe Meeting."Leaders expressed deep concerns on the situation in Myanmar and affirmed their strong support for ASEAN's efforts to de-escalate the crisis," the group said in a statement after the meeting, hosted by Cambodia, the 2022 ASEAN chair."They called on all parties concerned in Myanmar to engage in peaceful dialogue, immediately cease violence in Myanmar and exercise utmost restraint; and called Myanmar for the early release of all those arbitrarily detained, including ...