Category: Opinion

The latest opinion from those committed to making our region fair, just and democratic.


Thailand’s Military-Palace Complex and Prospects for the Emergence of a Government of, for and by the People

"Unlike the past, the pro-democracy movements now see clearly who and which institutions are the key forces in the network of the royalist elites. They do not focus solely on a number of military leaders but called for a structural changes." Puangthong R. Pawakapan

/ May 21, 2021

The USA’s Pivot towards Asia and the Genocidal Massacre of Eelam Tamils in Sri Lanka

There needs to be a broader alliance amongst oppressed peoples in Asia who demand their right to homeland. It is necessary to extend solidarity to each other’s political struggles; it is also important to develop a common campaign to resist the USA/UK-led military paradigm in Asia which is backed by India, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea, and so on, amongst whom the Sri Lankan state is at the heart...

/ May 18, 2021

Why is Japan NOT standing up for human rights and justice across Asia?

The next FORSEA Dialogue on Democratic Struggles Across Asia discusses Japan's disappointing policy responses to egregious human rights violations in Asia and its reluctance to use its economic leverage to help people in need. Live: May 11, 2021: 7pm Tokyo | 6pm KL | 5pm Phnom Penh, Jakarta & BKK | 4:30pm Yangon | 11am London.

/ May 8, 2021

Internet Control and Censorship in Myanmar & Across Far East and Southeast Asia

Read the report on the Dialogue with Dr James Gomez, Regional Director of Asia Centre, taking to Maung Zarni about the Myanmar junta in its grafting of surveillance technology onto the communications networks to secure future control of people and the country.

/ May 8, 2021

The plight of refugees and asylum seekers in Australia

"It's from the frying pan of wars and genocide at home, into the flaming fire of an off-shore refugee-prison complex in Australia". FORSEA hosted a virtual in-depth discussion on how a democratic state such as Australia has adopted and institutionalized an anti-refugee policy since around 2001.

/ April 30, 2021

India and the Myanmar crisis: Death of Justice, Death of Morality

What the BJP regime needs to understand is that deporting asylum seekers to Myanmar will undoubtedly be appreciated by the Tatmadaw. But it will come at a huge cost, not least to India’s battered image of being a democracy. Its more lasting consequence would be to damage relations with the protesting multitude of people in Myanmar.

/ April 28, 2021

A Consensus on the Efficacy and Value of ASEAN Summit on Myanmar: Understand & Appreciate Myanmar People’s Analyses of Their Oppression

"ASEAN is not capable of dealing with Myanmar’s Civil War/Revolution while the UN is abdicating its responsibility". An in-depth Facebook LIVE discussion – a post mortem discussion – on the Five Point Consensus from the recent ASEAN Summit on Myanmar with views from three top discussants: Tan Sri Dr Sayed Hamid Albar, Professor Michael W. Charney, and Dr Khin Zaw Win.

/ April 26, 2021
Zarni-FORSEA-opening-address

Interview with Maung Zarni on Violence in Myanmar and Being a Scholar-Activist

Burmese scholar-activist Maung Zarni discusses the relationship between scholarship, activism, and truth-telling; his childhood in Burma and his formative influences among other topics.

/ April 26, 2021

FORSEA Statement on ASEAN Summit on Myanmar: Time to Engage All Parties in the Worsening Conflicts

Amidst vociferous criticism and protestations against the invitation of Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the coup regime to the special Summit on Myanmar, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is going ahead with its Summit on Myanmar in Jakarta. It is NOW time for ASEAN to engage all parties in Myanmar’s worsening conflict.

/ April 23, 2021

China’s Re-establishment of the Maritime Silk Route (MSR): Its effect in the Philippines & Asian Geopolitics

The South China Sea is the perfect spot for the attainment of China's long-term goal in military affairs, in political development, in economic growth and cultural change. Meanwhile, 61% of the public in the Philippines and 51% in Vietnam say they are very concerned about a possible military confrontation with Beijing.

/ April 16, 2021