Myanmar tests Asean unity again

Feb 1 was a day of celebration as millions marked the beginning of the Year of the Tiger. But it was also a day of sober reflection as it reminded us about the military takeover in Myanmar exactly a year ago.

It has been a year of violence and tragedy for the people of Myanmar, and frustration that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has failed to act in any meaningful way so far.

Since the Tatmadaw, led by Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing, overthrew the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has been plagued with conflict and violence. The United Nations Human Rights Office estimates that junta forces have killed at least 1,500 civilians targeted at peaceful demonstrators or in raids on homes and business. Nearly one-fifth of the deaths occurred while the victims were in custody and often resulted from torture, it added.

With the military…