The 13th ASEAN Law Ministers’ Meeting (ALAWMM) was held in the Philippines on 13-15 November, and the 24th ASEAN Senior Law Officials Meeting (ASLO) was on 10-13 November.

A Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister for Legal Affairs and Union Attorney-General Dr Thida Oo attended the 13th ASEAN Law Ministers’ Meeting (ALAWMM) held on 13-15 November.

Speaking at the meeting, the Union minister stated that cooperation on legal matters is an essential process for promoting the rule of law and regional peace and stability within ASEAN. She added that the exchange of legal information and legal cooperation among countries serves as a key platform in the international and regional legal sphere.

In the present technological era, acts of terrorism, corruption, money laundering, and property-related offences are being committed in organized groups using advanced technology. Since these crimes are transnational, they pose threats not only at the international level but also to regional and global peace, stability, and the rule of law. Therefore, such issues should be addressed through both regional and international cooperation. Establishing an international legal framework concerning mutual legal assistance is crucial for effectively combating terrorism, corruption, money laundering, and property-related crimes.

She continued that Myanmar has closely cooperated with China, Laos, and Thailand in addressing online scams and transnational financial scams, enabling the arrest and prosecution of offenders. Myanmar has also signed mutual legal assistance treaties on criminal matters with the Russian Federation and India, and has ratified the BIMSTEC Convention on mutual legal assistance in criminal cases.

She also highlighted the signing of the Sanur Bali Declaration on the establishment of the ASEAN Prosecutors/Attorneys-General Meeting (APAGM) in Bali of Indonesia.

During the First ASEAN-Japan Law Ministers’ Meeting, the Union minister talked about the legal cooperation measures between ASEAN countries and Japan during the 12th ASEAN Law Ministers’ Meeting (ALAWMM) and 22nd ASEAN Senior Law Officials Meeting (ASLOM) hosted by Myanmar.

Before the 13th ASEAN Law Ministers’ Meeting (ALAWMM), the Myanmar delegation, led by Deputy Minister and Deputy Attorney-General Dr Htein Lin Oo, attended the 24th ASEAN Senior Law Officials Meeting (ASLOM) held from 10 to 13 November.

During the meeting, they discussed judicial cooperation among ASEAN member states, mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters, mutual legal assistance treaties on criminal matters, and legal and judicial cooperation between ASEAN and Japan.

The Myanmar delegation also attended the working group meeting on examining modalities for harmonization of trade law on 10 November.

MNA/KTZH

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