Myanmar Expels East Timor Diplomat Over Military Abuse Complaint

Myanmar’s military government has expelled East Timor’s top diplomat following the acceptance of a criminal complaint against Myanmar’s armed forces by judicial authorities in East Timor. The decision marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two countries, both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper reported on Monday that the expulsion order was directed at Elisio do Rosario de Sousa, the chargé d’affaires of East Timor’s embassy in Yangon, who has been given until February 20, 2024, to leave Myanmar. This action comes after East Timor’s President José Ramos-Horta engaged with the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) in mid-January, which has documented alleged military abuses in Myanmar, particularly in the Chin state.

In a statement, Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the actions of East Timor’s government, claiming that it accepted a criminal complaint filed by the CHRO against senior members of Myanmar’s military leadership. The CHRO, representing the Chin ethnic minority, has alleged serious violations, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, gang rape, and extrajudicial killings. The group’s accusations extend to incidents involving the deaths of religious figures and attacks on healthcare facilities.

East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 and is the youngest nation in Asia. Its government has taken a firm stance against the military regime in Myanmar, advocating for accountability regarding alleged atrocities committed since the military coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.

The complaint filed by East Timor’s judicial authorities represents the first instance of an ASEAN member taking legal action against another member state regarding human rights violations. East Timor’s domestic laws empower its courts to investigate international crimes, regardless of where they occur or the nationalities involved.

Ramos-Horta’s government has faced backlash from Myanmar’s military leadership, which has threatened to impede East Timor’s membership within ASEAN due to its criticism and engagement with Myanmar’s opposition groups. Despite these tensions, East Timor successfully joined ASEAN in October 2023, becoming the bloc’s 11th member.

In previous interactions, Ramos-Horta has been vocal about his support for Myanmar’s opposition and has criticized the military government. This latest diplomatic fallout emphasizes the growing divide within ASEAN as member states grapple with the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.

As diplomatic communications remain strained, East Timor’s government has not yet publicly responded to Myanmar’s expulsion order. The situation continues to develop, with the CHRO and other rights organizations closely monitoring the implications of these actions for human rights advocacy in the region.

This expulsion highlights the complex dynamics within ASEAN and raises questions about the organization’s collective stance on human rights issues and military governance among its member states.