LETTERS: The Centre for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (CENTHRA) acknowledges the chairman's statement issued on Sept 5 by Asean leaders on the situation in the Middle East, specifically the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
We are concerned about the approach that's been adopted to address this complex issue.
CENTHRA shares the leaders' concern for developments in the Middle East and their commitment to finding a comprehensive, just and sustainable solution to the conflict.
However, we are deeply disappointed with the tone of the chairman's statement, which affirmed the two-state solution as the best answer to the conflict. We believe that this issue requires a more robust stance. Our concerns are as follows:
1. The two-state approach does not adequately reflect the realities on the ground.
It is seen by many as unviable due to ongoing Israeli actions and territorial expansion.
2. We echo the concerns of those who argue that continuous discussions of the two-state solution may inadvertently provide a diplomatic smokescreen for Israel's violations of international law, including its occupation of Palestinian territories.
CENTHRA calls for a forceful commitment to the principles of international law and the rights of the Palestinians.
The chairman's statement fails to address the fact that Israel has become an apartheid state. Some view this as a natural outcome of the settler-colonialist nature of the Zionist ideology.
We believe that Asean members, many of which have been colonised themselves, should express support for the Palestinian people in the context of an anti-colonial struggle.
3. Given Malaysia's historical commitment to self-determination and human rights, we urge the prime minister to reconsider our alignment with the Asean statement on Palestine and take a more resolute stand against Israeli apartheid.
Malaysia's voice and actions can make a meaningful difference in the pursuit of a just and lasting resolution to the conflict.
We call upon Malaysia and other Asean members, as well as the international community, to champion the cause of Palestinian self-determination, justice and freedom.
Azril Mohd Amin
Founder and chairman
CENTHRA
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
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