The junta's foreign ministry said in a press release that the heads of state or government of Myanmar enjoyed equal and full rights to participate in summits of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It is not clear who, if anybody, will now represent Myanmar at the meeting. Myanmar's junta has said those death tolls are exaggerated. The decision taken by ASEAN foreign ministers at an emergency meeting last Friday was an unusually bold step for the consensus-driven bloc, which traditionally favours a policy of engagement and non-interference. The junta said after the meeting that the ASEAN's decision went against its longtime principles.

Source: bd News24 October 22, 2021 16:45 UTC