Myanmar’s Union Minister for Legal Affairs and Union Attorney-General, Dr. Thida Oo, led a delegation to the 13th ASEAN Law Ministers’ Meeting (ALAWMM) in Manila, Philippines, which took place from November 13-15.
Speaking at the meeting, the Union Minister emphasized that regional legal cooperation is essential for promoting the rule of law, peace, and stability within ASEAN. She noted that the exchange of legal information serves as a key platform in the international legal sphere.
Dr. Thida Oo highlighted the growing threat of modern, technology-driven transnational crimes. "In the present technological era, acts of terrorism, corruption, money laundering, and property-related offences are being committed in organized groups using advanced technology," she stated.
The Union Minister argued that 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." She called for such issues to be addressed through both regional and international cooperation, stressing that an international legal framework for mutual legal assistance is "crucial" to effectively combat them.
Detailing Myanmar's efforts, Dr. Thida Oo reported that Myanmar has closely cooperated with China, Laos, and Thailand to address online and transnational financial scams, leading to the arrest and prosecution of offenders. She also noted that Myanmar has signed mutual legal assistance treaties in criminal matters with the Russian Federation and India, and has ratified the BIMSTEC Convention on the same issue, according to the Ministry of Information.
The Union Minister also highlighted the signing of the Sanur Bali Declaration, which establishes the ASEAN Prosecutors/Attorneys-General Meeting (APAGM).
In addition to the main meeting, the Myanmar delegation participated in the First ASEAN-Japan Law Ministers’ Meeting, where Dr. Thida Oo discussed legal cooperation measures between ASEAN and Japan.
Preceding the ALAWMM, a delegation led by Deputy Minister and Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Htein Lin Oo attended the 24th ASEAN Senior Law Officials Meeting (ASLOM) from November 10-13. The ASLOM discussions focused on judicial cooperation, mutual legal assistance in civil, commercial, and criminal matters, and legal cooperation between ASEAN and Japan. The delegation also attended a working group meeting on the harmonization of trade law on November 10.
