An international campaign to disqualify Burma from chairing the Asean meting in 2006 was launched in Bangkok today by a group of activists.

It was also held to commemorate Burma's 8888 national strike and Asean's 37th anniversary.

An open letter from the activists representing 13 organisations in Burma, Taiwan, Japan and the United Kingdom said that if Burma should chair the meet without delivering genuine political and economic reforms, Asean's remaining credibility and status will be severely threatened.

Copies of the letter were presented to the embassies of Asean member countries in Bangkok today.

A copy was also presented to representatives of the Thai Foreign Ministry by a delegation led by Dr Gothom Arya, secretary-general of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) yesterday.

"It is increasingly obvious that the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) which rules Burma has lied and broken the promises it made about economic reforms.

Tacit endorsement

"Unconditional acceptance of Burma as the chair of Asean will deprive Asean of any leverage it has with the regime." the letter said, adding that SPDC will consider the lack of objection by Asean as a tacit endorsement of its abuses, and feel encouraged to treat other Asean governments with more contempt and disrespect.

The campaign, will see similar letters and direct actions taking place in other countries, in the lead-up to the Asean summit in November."

Asean's members are Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Burma's military junta has received scathing criticisms for its human rights record following a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy activists and the placing of popular opposition leader Suu Kyi under house arrest.