Kuala Lumpur - (Saba):
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hassan stressed that the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza stems from the undermining of international law, and that ASEAN cannot remain silent but must raise its voice in defense of the oppressed.
During his opening remarks at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the Malaysian minister said, "The organization cannot remain silent. Rather, it must defend rights and offer solutions based on the principles of international law."
He added, "Global crises continue, but the comprehensive blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza is causing mass starvation and deaths. The crimes committed against Palestinians reflect the persistence of discrimination and double standards, and these consequences are a direct result of the erosion of respect for international law."
ASEAN foreign ministers are also scheduled to discuss measures related to the crisis in Myanmar during the summit, in addition to consultations on granting Timor-Leste full membership to the organization.