Diplomatic Rift: East Timor Takes a Stand Against Myanmar's Military

Myanmar's military government ordered East Timor's diplomat to leave after East Timor's authorities accepted a criminal complaint against Myanmar's military. This action escalates tensions between the countries and marks a rare move within ASEAN members. East Timor supports accountability mechanisms and has criticized Myanmar's military conduct.

In an unprecedented move, Myanmar's military government has ordered East Timor's senior diplomat to exit the country. The decision comes after East Timor's judicial system accepted a criminal complaint against Myanmar's armed forces, marking an escalation in diplomatic tensions between these two Southeast Asian countries.

This diplomatic fallout occurs as East Timor, Asia's youngest nation, showed support for accountability measures against Myanmar's military, which faces allegations of serious human rights violations. The complaint was initiated by the Chin Human Rights Organization and targets senior military figures, accusing them of war crimes, including massacres and airstrikes on civilian facilities.

The recent expulsion adds to ongoing strained relations within the ASEAN community, of which East Timor became the 11th member last year. Nobel laureate and East Timor's President José Ramos-Horta has been openly critical of Myanmar's military regime, even engaging with opposition entities. This stance led Myanmar's leadership to threaten blocking East Timor's ASEAN membership.

(With inputs from agencies.)